A lot of discussions are going on about what happens next now that Ipix has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection and shut down operations. I am specifically concerned who might buy the patents this company owns which have to do with using fish-eye lens (180˚) to create spherical images.

My guess is as good as yours. But interestingly Microsoft’s name has come up a few times. It is no secret that Microsoft research labs have been playing around with photo and video 360˚ images and are expected to release products soon.

I’d also like to through in a wild guess. Google. Why not? They have the money, they are into everything now and if Microsoft has a head start on them in 360˚ imaging, why not buy something that already exists, for a cheap price.

It will be interesting to follow iPix news in the following few weeks.