Remember Lytro, the camera that couldn't care less about focus? The one that captures all the information in its light field, so you can play with the focus after the fact?
Well, it's no longer just a nice idea. Lytro (the company) just started taking pre-orders for Lytro (the camera) on its website. You won't be able to get one until early 2012, but you can order one now for $399 (and $499 for a more advanced version).
In design, Lytro takes more than a couple of cues from Apple. It's supremely simple, with just two buttons and a slider for zooming. Plus, it's available in a variety of colors. Hit the shutter button and it takes a picture instantly -- no need to wait for it to focus.
The Lytro is long, thin and small, like a viewfinder with a rubberized end (and nothing at all like a regular camera). Its "electric blue" and "graphite" models will have 8 GB of storage on board, which the company says is enough for 350 light-field pictures. For $100 more, you get 16 GB, with room for 750 pictures and a "fire red" design. (See the different colors below).
The battery is a selling point, too. You should be able to fill up the entire camera with pictures on a single charge. That translates to about two weeks of battery time, with regular usage.
In other words, you should be able to throw it into your bag and go on vacation without worrying about power -- which is exactly what Lytro employees have been doing, Mashable has learned.
SEE MORE: Lytro Camera Interactive Gallery Lets You Try The Magic Yourself [PICS]
The camera and its software are designed for a social media world. Plug it in via USB and you get an iPhoto-like interface on your screen, with a single button that lets you share the photos you've selected on Facebook or other networks. There your friends will see an embedded image with all the focus information built in. Click around the picture to refocus it where ever you want.
This is where the camera's shortcomings are evident, however. That embeddable photo is as large as you'll ever see the picture -- a pro camera this ain't. But for the early-adopter, Instagram-loving crowd, Lytro could be a dream come true.