Qivika announces a soda can-sized gadget that turns your smartphone into a telescope - and a 3000mm wildlife lens!
An AI-powered smart telescope with 24x optical magnification, this pocket-sized device is on Kickstarter now.
Qivika has introduced a pocket-sized smart telescope for smartphones, enabling users to transform their iOS or Android devices into compact systems for stargazing, birdwatching and wildlife photography. This innovative gadget is set to be delivered by the end of 2026, with early backers able to pre-order it for less than $260 / £200. Weighing approximately 300g, this portable device merges high-magnification optics with on-device AI to provide an accessible alternative to traditional telescopes and camera equipment.
The heart of the Qivika smart telescope is a precision folded periscope optical system with ED glass and multi-coated lenses. It boasts 24x optical magnification and a field of view comparable to a 3,000mm lens. Instead of featuring its own camera system, the device clips onto an existing smartphone, using it as both the display and interface.
The device's on-device AI assists users in framing subjects, aiding composition and identifying observed objects, and operates offline for use in remote locations with limited connectivity.
Qivika's Smart Sky Guide utilizes constellation overlays and directional guidance to help users locate celestial targets, eliminating the need for manual navigation of the night sky. The device offers three shooting modes: Solar, Explore and Deep Sky, with additional game-like elements such as Moon Hunter mode, which encourages exploration of every phase of the moon and a collectible feature inspired by Chinese astronomy's 28 lunar mansions.
Written by urgent.news from Digital Camera World's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
