GoPro's new Mission 1 Pro action camera features an interchangeable lens system (ILS) but lacks electrical contacts, meaning only fully manual lenses with mechanical aperture rings work with it. A reviewer testing the camera with a Laowa 7.5mm lens found that manual focusing is challenging due to the camera's small screen, even with focus peaking enabled. The camera is sold body-only, with no lens bundles currently available from GoPro or retailers.
The GoPro Max 2, WIRED's top pick among 360-degree cameras, is currently discounted 40 percent to $299. The camera uses dual 14mm lenses with 1/2.3-inch sensors to capture what GoPro calls 'True 8K' footage, and supports 10-bit log color for advanced editing alongside GoPro's standard color profile.
IFA 2026 wrapped up with a wave of new smartphones, concept PCs, and gadgets from established brands and newcomers alike. A standout trend was a fresh wave of cameras bridging the gap between smartphones and professional gear, including phones with detachable cameras and more 360-degree and gimbal-style action cameras. Meanwhile, Lenovo and Dell unveiled budget laptops positioned to compete with Apple's MacBook Neo, alongside a flood of colorful third-party accessories clearly inspired by Apple's design language.
At IFA 2026, Ulefone sub-brand RugOne showed off the Xsnap 7 Pro, a rugged Android phone with a magnetically attached action camera that pops out of its back. The removable module records up to 2.8K at 30fps or 1440p at 50fps, holds 64GB of storage, is waterproof to 5 meters, and connects to the phone over Wi-Fi 6 from as far as 50 meters away.
GoPro published an open letter addressing customer concerns that its planned merger with Starman could shift focus away from consumer and professional cameras. The company said the deal will strengthen its finances and enable continued investment in new cameras, accessories and software, pointing to its history of over 2,500 patents as evidence of ongoing innovation.
At the G20 Innovation Ministerial in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, top AI executives including Nvidia's Jensen Huang, Anthropic's Tom Brown and OpenAI's Sam Altman joined a session led by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and OSTP Director Michael Kratsios. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent separately said AI firms have done a poor job explaining themselves to the public, reflecting growing scrutiny of the sector and its data center footprint. Separately, Lutnick told CNBC the administration is drafting a framework for semiconductor tariffs.
GoPro has agreed to a $285 million cash merger with Starman Optical, a privately held maker of high-speed optical transceivers for AI data centers. Shareholders will receive $1.14 per share plus a roughly 10% stake in the combined, still Nasdaq-listed company, and Starman will also pay off GoPro's $92 million debt. The deal, expected to close by year-end pending regulatory approval, comes as GoPro's stock had crashed toward delisting territory amid weak sales and auditor doubts about its survival.
GoPro announced a $285 million merger with optical-photonics firm Starman Optical, aiming to enter the AI infrastructure market through Starman's optical transceiver technology. The camera maker also plans to expand into defense, government, robotics and aerospace sectors while retaining its core action-camera business. The news comes days after YouTuber Markiplier disclosed an 8.5% stake, becoming GoPro's largest individual shareholder.
GoPro announced a definitive merger with private photonics firm Starman Optical, aiming to expand beyond action cameras into AI data center infrastructure and defense-related optics. Shareholders will receive $285 million in cash, or $1.14 per share, while the stock stays on the Nasdaq and existing consumer products continue. Shares jumped 40% on the news, with major stakeholders including Markiplier and BlackRock standing to benefit.
YouTube personality Markiplier has purchased an 8.5% stake in GoPro, making him the camera maker's largest individual shareholder. The move sent GoPro's stock up nearly 80% at one point Tuesday, a sharp reversal after shares had languished around 60 cents through most of August amid fears of delisting.
GoPro has agreed to be acquired by Starman Optical for $285 million, with shareholders receiving $1.14 per share and retaining roughly 10% of the combined company. The deal, expected to close by year-end, will eliminate GoPro's $92 million in debt and keep the company publicly traded. It follows earlier signals that GoPro was exploring a shift toward defense technology, and comes just after YouTuber Markiplier disclosed an 8.5% stake in the company.
GoPro announced a merger with optical-photonics company Starman Optical, a deal valued at $285 million that will pay off GoPro's roughly $92 million in outstanding debt. Existing GoPro shareholders will retain about 10 percent ownership of the combined, still publicly traded company, which expects the deal to close by the end of 2026 pending shareholder and regulatory approval. Beyond its camera and subscription business, GoPro plans to expand into optical transceivers for AI infrastructure, along with defense, government, robotics and aerospace markets.
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