Most Agents Don’t Know How Much They Spend On Viewings

Here at EYESPY360, we recently conducted a survey in which we asked real estate agents currently using our platform a few questions to find out the state of play in the industry right now. Along with seeing how our users were finding the EYESPY360 virtual tours platform, we also discovered some interesting information about agencies. One of the sections that surprised us most was that so many users had no idea how much their agency spends on property viewings.

HM Land Registry Offers PropTech A Helping Hand With Data

HM Land Registry recently opened up free availability of data on land and property in England and Wales. Where the registered legal owner is a UK company/ corporate body, or, indeed, an overseas company, data on the company name, country of incorporation, and price paid will be freely available. This is in addition to a range of other data points that will prove themselves incredibly useful to have to hand.

Property Rights in Augmented Reality

We don’t need to tell you that augmented reality is on the rise. Apple’s new iPhone X and their latest iOS update have made that clear as day. This is just the beginning. It may seem a strange idea, but it’s anticipated that AR glasses (and even contact lenses) may rise to be the new norm in coming years. But even in these relatively early stages, where consumer access to AR is mostly limited to the smartphone, there are some ethical, legal, and regulatory issues being raised, particularly when it comes to physical space and property.

How Should You Present Your Live Virtual Property Tour?

If you’re just getting started with presenting live virtual property tours then you may be wondering how they differ from the in-person property viewings you’ve been hosting throughout your career. The short answer is that there is very little difference. There are just a few things to consider that you may not have had to think about before.

Best Tips For Live Virtual Property Viewings

So, you’ve taken the leap and are all set to start conducting live virtual property viewings? Welcome! You are going to love it. You may, however, be a bit wary as to what you can expect from hosting a viewing in this way. That’s understandable. It is, after all, a very new way of doing things. And, of course, if you’re going to put your company’s resources into presenting yourself as a future-thinking company, engaging with innovative technology, you had best be sure you do it right.

Physical Tours Versus Virtual Property Tours: What's Better?

There is a debate afoot in the Real Estate industry. New 360-degree photography and video, as well as fully immersive virtual reality property tours, are changing the way that we show potential buyers around properties. This new technology has delighted many agents who are reaping the time- and cost-saving benefits offered by VR. On the other hand, there are the traditionalists, who argue that you simply cannot beat the human interaction and true engagement with a property that you get from viewing it in person. 

10 Of The Best 360° Videos On YouTube

Here at EYESPY360, we are all about 360° virtual tours, as you probably know! We love the opportunities that 360-degree photography and video can offer for broadening our experiences of the world and making things easier for everyday life. So, whilst this is a little off-topic for us, we wanted to share with you a few of our favourite 360-degree videos on YouTube. Enjoy!

The Rise of Virtual Reality Arcades

Remember the old days when you and your mates used to go down to the local arcade and spend hours on those awesome old eighties monoliths? Those were the days!

Will It Really Be Possible To Control VR With Your Mind?

Try as I might, I just cannot handle the Playstation controller for much more than playing a show on Netflix or making a rainbow coloured, pixelated hut in Minecraft. I am aware that this makes me a failure as a human being.

Luckily, however, there’s a new technology being developed that could cure my controller-inadequacy altogether.

Europe's Market Slowdown No Match For Virtual Reality Industry

There are some hurdles in the way for Europe’s VR industry, but that doesn’t seem to be stopping the continent from pushing ahead with impressive levels of growth for the industry.

Augmenting The Office: Will AR Change The Way We Work?

In an age where the fear of humans losing jobs to machines is the talk of the town, it’s nice to know that there’s one new technology that will not take jobs, only make them easier for workers. That technology is augmented reality, and plenty of companies across various industries are already seeing the benefits.

The Enormous Possibilities For Live Streaming VR Tools

There’s been a lot of buzz about our EYESPY Live platform. Leading PropTech influencer, James Dearsley, is just one of the voices waxing lyrical about what EYESPY Live means for the Property industry in his recent article in Estate Agent Today. Of course, we are the ones most excited about the possibilities that our platform opens up. So, at the risk of blowing our own trumpet, let’s talk about how live virtual 360 tours will change the way we search (and sell) property forever... and what other industries can benefit from the technology.

360° Cameras - Flash Right Now

The word “panorama” was originally coined in the late 18th century by English painter Robert Barker to describe a visual medium he had built, which enabled one of his paintings to be shown on a cylindrical surface and viewed from the inside. This innovative contraption allowed his contemporaries to observe the entire circle of the painting’s horizon in an essentially 360-degree format, and captured the original scene reliably.

EYESPY360 Now Taking Pre-Orders For The Brand New Ricoh Theta V

Something we’ve all been waiting for is the release of the RICOH THETA V later this month. Here we bring you a sneak preview of this long-anticipated camera!

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CLICK HERE TO SEE A PREVIEW

EYESPY360 ARE NOW TAKING PRE-ORDERS

FOR THE BRAND NEW RICOH THETA V

As compact as their two previous Theta cameras, the THETA V is lightweight and sleek with two 12 megapixel CMOS sensors, capable of 5376 x 2688 images. These two sensors are also placed very closely together which allows the camera to produce really seamless 360-degree images.

Ricoh tell us that they have “changed the exposure accuracy and white balance algorithm by combining image processing technology”, which according to them, significantly improves the quality of still images and video. The THETA V will also produce higher definition images, even in low-lit environments. What’s more, there is now even better sound quality with the new omnidirectional audio recording functionality. Users will be able to take advantage of the four built-in microphones. There is also an external microphone available, presumably for use at concerts or sports games etc., which inevitably boasts even more enhanced sound quality. Similarly, waterproof casing is also available from October for those who want to take shots among the fishes!

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE THETA HERE

The camera’s internal memory is a generous 19 gigabytes, and this will allow you to take 4,800 images, 40 minutes of 4K video, or 130 minutes of 1080p video. If you did want more memory though, it’s worth noting that there is no SD card slot. As with the THETA S, the V’s videos can be a maximum of 25 minutes each. It also uses the same smartphone application, except now transfer speeds are significantly faster. You will now have the ability to display your 360-degree pictures on a TV with a compatible wireless adaptor, allowing you to show off your captures on a large screen.

Retailing for £399.99, the THETA V seems to have the whole package, as many people can agree that the THETA S’s video quality was its main flaw, but Ricoh seem to have fixed any previous qualms with this new THETA V. The minimum interval for those using the interval shooting feature has been reduced by about half the time of previous models. Now you can take pictures at an interval of four seconds. You can also shoot using the ultra-high shutter speed of up to 1/25000 seconds.

In terms of using the camera with EYESPY360's software, this is a step up from current 360-degree offerings, as the 4K resolution will really bring your virtual tours to life.

Overall, we think that the RICOH THETA V is a really exciting, top range product which will be snapped up in seconds on its release date. EYESPY360 are really proud to be promoting this camera, and you can pre-order yours now along with a Manfrotto Tripod (MMXPROA3B), a Google Cardboard VR Headset, a Case, window stickers and setup instructions for £430 plus VAT and shipping costs.

If you want to be one of the first to have this camera, then please contact us to pre-order as soon as possible, as we will be selling on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information email us on contact@eyespy360.com or call us for free on 0800 999 5360.

CLICK HERE TO SEE A PREVIEW

See below for a table of features that the Ricoh Theta V boasts:

Price
Suggested Retail Price	£399.99
Sensor
Maximum Resolution	5376 x 2688
Effective Pixels	12 megapixels
Sensor Size	1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm)
Sensor Type	CMOS
Processor	Snapdragon 625
Image
ISO	Auto, 64-6400
White Balance Presets	9
File Format	JPEG (Exif v2.3)
Optics & Focus
Field of View	190.00°
Number of Lenses	2
Maximum Aperture	F2
Autofocus	Single Live View
Normal Focus Range	10 cm (3.94″)
Photography Features
Minimum Shutter Speed	60 sec
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/25000 sec
Exposure Modes	Program Shutter priority ISO priority Manual
Metering Modes	Multi
Exposure Compensation	±2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography Features
Format	MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Videography Notes	360 degree
Modes	3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 56 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 1920 @ 30p / 16 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Microphone	Multiple
Speaker	Mono
Storage
Storage Types	Internal memory
Storage Included	19GB
Connectivity
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
Wireless	Built-In
Wireless Notes	802.11ac + Bluetooth LE
Remote Control	Via smartphone or wired switch
Physical
Durability	Waterproof with housing
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery Life (CIPA)	260
Weight (inc. batteries)	121 g (0.27 lb / 4.27 oz)
Dimensions	45 x 131 x 23 mm (1.77 x 5.16 x 0.91″)
Other Features
Orientation Sensor	Yes
GPS	Optional
GPS Notes	Via smartphone

The Pros and Cons of Evoking Empathy With Virtual Reality

Virtual reality is sometimes called the ‘final medium’ - meaning that it is, over and above any other that humankind has created, the ultimate way to share experiences and ideas. It is the logical conclusion of the trajectory from cave drawings, through to literature, television, gaming, to the internet. The possibilities, once we really get going with VR, are limitless.

Virtual Reality Therapy in Pain Relief and Mental Health

Beyond its leisure and industrial applications, virtual reality is proving itself an indispensable tool in Healthcare. Trainee medical professionals now use VR and AR in their studies and training, whilst surgeons are using the technology on the job with increasing regularity. But it’s not just medical professionals who are benefitting from the use of virtual reality in Healthcare. The applications for patients are also wide-ranging.

Pushing The Boundaries: VR In The Fashion Industry

The fashion world has embraced virtual reality with open arms. It has done so, not because of the technology’s ‘shiny new toy’ status, but because of the sheer possibilities that VR holds for the industry.

How EYESPY LIVE Will Reduce Property Marketing and Showing Costs

Estimates suggest that estate agents currently spend around £650 million a year on property viewings alone. That is a huge wastage for the industry and could spell doom for some, particularly smaller agencies. Luckily, however, technological developments in the property sector (PropTech) are already helping alleviate some of this substantial cost.

EYESPY360 Makes REIN Top 25 Startups in Real Estate

EYESPY360 is thrilled to announce that we have been selected as one of the Top 25 Best Startups in Real Estate by the Real Estate Innovation Network (REIN).

Virtual Reality Music Gigs and Sports Games: The Future Of Events?

360 photography and virtual reality experiences are already having a massive impact, both for industries such as Property, and for entertainment purposes such as gaming and film. But now, the technology is also encroaching on experiences that have always been considered beyond the realms of tech.

The Exciting Applications of Virtual Reality in Education

We are well-aware of the ways in which virtual reality is taking the gaming world by storm. We are, perhaps, even more aware of the impact that early forays into augmented reality, in the form of Pokemon Go, have had on children and young people. So, it may seem a logical conclusion that what engages kids in their free time may also be the key to unlocking enthusiasm in the classroom.

Using Virtual Tours To Target Overseas Clients

There are a wealth of buyers for properties in the UK, particularly in major cities such as London and Manchester, from overseas. Research from Knight Frank found that in 2014, 49% of buyers in London were from overseas.  Investment in UK property continues to remain strong, despite the uncertainties of Brexit.