Weeview's Eye-Plug dongle adds a second camera to your phone

Instead of waiting for manufacturers to add a second camera to their phones, why not do it yourself with Weeview's Eye-Plug dongle? Adding a 2-megapixel camera to your phone may not seem like much, but with the Eye-Plug, which costs $40 (around £30 or AU$55), you're able to take 3D video as well as pictures that can be refocused.

Now, the 10-man Taiwanese startup's idea may seem a little inconvenient, but its booth at Computex here in Taipei was packed with trade attendees, who were eager to give the dongle a spin, viewing 3D video through Google Cardboard.

I spoke to a representative from the startup, who told me that while the dongle's camera only has a 2-megapixel resolution, it's a deliberate choice to keep costs low. For one, he says it's more than sufficient for 3D video for now, and with bandwidth on USB 2.0 ports on phones limited, it doesn't make sense to increase the sensor size of the dongle.

Key specs

• Costs $40 (£30 or AU$55 converted)
• Only available in Taiwan for now
• Lets you take 3D video or pictures that can refocus

But the best feature may be the ability to add depth information to your pictures, much like the HTC M8, allowing you to add bokeh effects as well as refocusing a scene. When taking pictures, the Eye-Plug functions as a depth sensor instead, while using your phone's main camera to shoot the actual image.

The Eye-Plug will hit stores in Taiwan next week, and Weeview is using Computex to look for international distributors. A spokesperson told me the company just doesn't have the resources to sell the Eye-Plug through its own online store, so it looks like we'll have to wait and see if the startup can find partners.

Be sure to check CNET's Computex hub for all our coverage from the show floor.