Android cameras: at a glance

Android cameras: at a glanceGone are the days when Google's popular operating system Android was available only on mobile phones. A new class of cameras integrates some widely acclaimed elements of the mobile phone such as app icons and WiFi hotspots.

Nikon and Samsung have introduced new fascinating hybrid cameras, which are often mistaken for Android phones from their backs.

The Nikon Coolpix S800C and the Samsung Galaxy Camera successfully merge the elements of the cellphone and the camera. You will see their big black multi-touch screens filled with app icons.

Just like Android-based smartphones, this new breed of cameras is capable of running apps like Angry Birds, Pandora, Flipboard, Instapaper, Firefox and The New York Times.

These cameras also allow users to access and reap the benefits of GPS navigation programs. You can download and run all those Android apps as successfully on cameras as on Android-based smartphones.

Both the Nikon Coolpix S800C and Samsung Galaxy Camera can get online using WiFi hotspots. These cameras even allow their users to make Skype video calls.

However, this new breed of cameras is somewhat expensive. The Nikon Coolpix S800C costs $300 (around Rs 16,521), while the Samsung Galaxy Camera is available for $500 (around Rs 27,535) from AT&T and for $550 (Rs 30,288) from Verizon.