To say it's not for everyone is an understatement, but there's something to be said for a portable add-on that turns an ordinary smartphone into a fully-functional thermal imaging camera — something that was once bulky, expensive and out of reach for most folks.
Thermal imaging specialists FLIR released their first such device last year, and it's now announced a follow-up that further refines the idea.
The second-generation FLIR One certainly won't be confused with its predecessor. It does away with the full case-style design that looked like a large battery pack and instead opts for a more pocketable design that can be attached to base of the phone as needed.
Despite the smaller size, the peripheral still packs its own internal battery, and the imaging system itself has gotten an upgrade, promising four times the resolution of the previous model. It will also let you accurately measure temperatures — to within temperature variations smaller than a tenth of a degree, according to FLIR — and the company touts a number of household benefits for the device in addition to more adventurous ones (finding energy losses or water leaks, for instance).
Most importantly, it's also cheaper, coming in at $250 (compared with the $350 launch price of the original), and it will be available for both iOS and Android devices this time. The former is available starting today, while Android users will have to wait another month or so. Also, if you're not interested in the upgrades, the first generation, iPhone 5/5S-only model will remain available at an even cheaper price: $150.
