By Heinz Richter
4-01-2025
Today we received the announcement from Leica of an additional variant of the M11, the Leica M11-H. The H stands for Handy, the German expression for a mobile phone.
It is well known that Leica has entered the mobile phone market in a variety of ways. However, the Leica M11-H takes an entirely different approach. Virtually all mobile phones also allow to be used as a camera. The M11-H uses the opposite approach, being first and foremost a camera that can also be used as a mobile phone.
That, however, does not mean that it functions as a complete mobile phone. Instead the approach is to offer limited access to a mobile phone service without the necessity of carrying a separate phone in addition to the camera. The main emphasis is on the camera.
The M11-H offers access to regular mobile phone service only. With other words, while working with the camera, you can make a phone call without the need of a separate instrument.
Tapping the viewing screen of the camera twice, will reveal a standard phone keyboard with graphics to either answer a phone call of initiate a phone call by tapping the phone symbol. This can be done via a built-in microphone and speaker in back of the camera or with available ear plugs by tapping the ear plug symbol. Pushing the Leica logo will end the call.
Leica offers a set of ear plugs of their own, supplied with a small carrying case which also functions as a charger. For charging, it can either be plugged into a wall outlet or be used with a wireless charger.
For texting, Leica is considering an updated version of the M11-H. Instead of using a standard key pad on the screen, voice recognition is used to translate speech to print for standard texting. Incoming text is either converted to speech via the microphone of the camera, or it will be stored on an existing mobile phone for later retrieval. Unfortunately, no word yet if this feature will be available or, if so, when.
So far, no pricing information has been given.
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This is über ridiculous
ReplyDeleteYou mist have missed the date
DeleteApril fools
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