Toys & Gadgets

This frame of a woman toasting shows how video from newer digital SLRs lets people blur backgrounds to emphasize a particular subject, something that's harder with conventional video cameras.

(Credit: CC Joi Ito)

The photography world is beginning to adapt to a new phase in the marriage of cameras and computing technology: the arrival of SLRs that can shoot not just still images, but video too.

The change began with the arrival of image sensors, the light-sensitive microchips that replaced film. Now, two new SLRs–Nikon’s D90 and Canon’s EOS 5D Mark II–are taking another step away from the film paradigm, following in the footsteps of point-and-shoot cameras by recording continuous video and not just still images. Doubtless video will gradually spread to other SLR models and makers.

“This camera is the ultimate ‘equalizer’–you no longer need half-million dollars’ worth of high-definition video cameras and lenses delivered by a truck with its own driver to shoot a high-definition film in low light–you just need a $2,700 camera and a few lenses,” gushed professional photographer and Canon adviser Vincent Laforet in a blog post about a 5D Mark II prototype.

But not everything will be simple for Laforet wannabes excited by the new possibilities. Hardware, software, Web sites, and perhaps most of all, technique all must catch up to the new technology.

Though how-to book authors have yet to weigh in, there are signs the adaptation has begun. Take the case of video hosting.

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Originally posted at Underexposed

Sebastian’s work interfacing with old Sega hardware for sound synthesis seems to be paying off - and the results sound quite nice -

In this video, the Sega Mega Drive II is controlled via the MIDI keyboard controller. Various parameters can be controlled from the keyboard, as one can hear in the video.

- Sega Mega Drive MIDI Keyboard Video

His research even brings the iconic blue hedgehog under musical control.

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Russian «Mail Russia» and OOO «Microsoft Rus» concluded an Agreement on Cooperation. As part of the Agreement, the parties will promote cooperation in building a modern IT-infrastructure, monitoring of electronic resources, creating a single e-mail…

The HP HDX18 offers a 18-inch display, which shows content with a resolution of 1.920 x 1.080 pixels. Furthermore, a BluRay ROM is included too. The mass storage device consists of two hard drives with 250 GB each and therefore it provides an overall capacity of 500 GB. The rest of the [...]

Section: Computers, Mobile Computers, Hardware, Laptops, Gadgets / Other, Green, Peripherals, Displays

PC Magazine is reporting that Dell plans to change its laptop displays to mercury-free and energy saving LED backlighting.  Two thirds of their Latitude E-series will ship with the new displays by December 15th, and they plan to have 80% of their laptops include the new LED backlights. The transition is expected to be completed by 2010.

“Why did we do this? We have been listening to our customers in order to extract customer value, and LED helps to move that agenda along,” said Michael Murphy, Dell’s senior manager of worldwide environmental affairs, in an interview.

Dell says its 15-inch displays will consume an average of 43% less power, which will save 220 million kilowatt hours in 2010 and 2011 combined.  Another advantage is that they are mercury-free. Mercury is a toxic chemical and recyclers don’t like having to process the small amount found in traditional backlights. Another advantage consumers will really love—the new LEDs will extend battery life. The reduction in power can nearly double a laptop’s battery life, something every laptop user never seems to have enough of.  They also reduce a laptop’s weight.

Dell says they are also working on LED desktop monitors but doesn’t yet have a timetable for their release.

Read[PC Magazine]

Full Story » | Written by Sue Walsh for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

We’ve already seen a few apparent Windows 7 screenshots and videos turn up, and it looks like there could soon be plenty more where those came from, as Microsoft has now officially announced that it’ll be handing out “pre-beta” builds of the OS at both the Professional Developer Conference (PDC) in late October and the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) in early November. As we had heard previously, you can also expect to hear plenty of technical details about the OS straight from Microsoft at PDC and, who knows, we may even get word of an actual release date.

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Section: Audio, Portable Audio, Video, Portable Video, Computers, Mobile Computers, Wireless, Gadgets / Other, GPS/Navigation, Web

Clarion recently came out with a product that combines everyone’s on-the-go, PMP, GPS, and Internet, needs into one device.  Here comes the Clarion MiND (Mobile Internet Navigation Device).  Although it doesn’t come with cell phone support, so maybe not all your on-the-go-needs, but 3 out of the 4 isn’t bad.

When thinking of devices that incorporate all these essential features, only a few devices come to mind, such as the iPhone, UMPCs, and maybe NetBooks. However, each of those devices lack some features that the Clarion MiND has, except for iPhone which can make calls.

To begin with, the MiND comes with a 4.8 inch WVGA LCD GPS-esque touch screen, with 800×480 resolution. With a screen like this, it makes viewing maps, videos, and the Internet a whole lot better. In addition, one of the main and standout features is the processor it uses, the Intel Atom processor. With a processor such as this one, it becomes a lot like a PC and loads everything very fast. It connects to the Internet using Wi-Fi and unfortunately, there is no 3G connectivity.

Another cool feature about the MiND is the car connectivity it comes with. For example, if you purchase the vehicle docking system, you can connect the device to play audio using the speakers, and have the car speakers read out the GPS directions. It also comes with something called “Human Mobile Music Media Interface”, or H.M.I, which is an interface guide that can lock certain features when the car is in motion. This technology will probably prove to be very helpful as it can stop people from using the Internet when driving and other possibly dangerous features.

Tatsuhiko Izumi, president of Clarion, had this to say about their latest device -

“ClarionMiND represents the perfect balance between leading-edge hardware technology and next-generation software solutions. Delivering an Intel Atom-powered full Internet experience that integrates the latest advances in navigation capability with multifaceted entertainment functions, the innovative ClarionMiND demonstrates our commitment to finding new ways to connect people with their music and information in a mobile environment.”

The Clarion MiND is set to be available in early November in both Canada and the U.S. In January 2009, Clarion plans to release it in Europe selling for either $649.99 or 649.99 Euros. Lastly, a Premium model featuring 3G connectivity is set to be available next Spring. I’ve seen many high-end GPSs sell for similar prices, but this definitely looks to be better than those as it comes with other key features such as Internet. It’ll be interesting to see how it sells as compared to other similar devices.

Read [Clarion Press Release]

Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

At last, Google, T-Mobile and hardware maker HTC have unveiled the G1, the first phone based on Google’s open source Android platform. Comparisons to Apple’s iPhone are coming fast and furious. “It’s no iPhone, but it’s close,” says TechCrunch….

Section: Computers, Hardware, Laptops

Sony announced their latest series in its VAIO notebook lineup - the VAIO TT series. Sony says that these notebooks would be the world’s lightest with Blu-ray disc technology. TT notebook models weigh around 1.3kg and measures only an inch thick.

But certainly, being thin and lightweight are not all there are to the VAIO TT notebook series. TT units to be released later would have various features specific to each of the notebook models. The Sony VAIO TT notebook series also feature an 11.1-inch widescreen display powered by the XBRITE-DuraView LCD technology partnered with an energy-saving LED backlight.  In addition, there is an HDMI output connector for connecting the notebook to an HDTV.  These Sonys use Intel’s Centrino 2 inside which should help with power consumption.

In addition, the VAIO TT notebooks boast a dual channel 256GB solid state drive with RAID technology which enables users to have fast boot-up times, application launches and overall general performance. Other features include PC wireless Wide Area Network technology and a choice among the Windows OSs Vista and XP.

No word yet on a release date but the Sony VAIO TT notebook should cost around $2000-$2700 and will come in a variety of colors(carbon black, silk black, champagne gold and crimson red). 

Read [Sony PR]

Full Story » | Written by Arnold Zafra for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »

Section: Communications, Cellphones, Smartphones, Mobile

With all the fun surrounding yesterday’s Android OS event and fondling combined with the lust still embodied by lines still at Apple stores for the iPhone, just how will Windows Mobile 7 compete?  Windows Mobile will not a have a new release for two-straight CESs according to C|NET whose sources say we’ll be waiting a full year before we see something that could possibly have been iPhone-inspired.

Microsoft spills the beans to manufacturers

Word is this delay has been announced to manufacturing partners.  After Microsoft is done with it, the OS has to go to manufacturers for their development and installation, a timely process for sure.  This lag has inspired new rumors that Microsoft may be thinking again about creating their own hardware.  Microsoft, with their proud admission that they “own” the business smartphone market thanks to Exchange integration, should have the cajones to create the ultimate business phone.  Instead, we get crippled, infuriatingly lacking phones that get email.

Open means just that

While T-Mobile defined a very specific target customer for their G1 (they said it was “everyone” ), an Exchange compatibility app is just a creative developer in his pajamas away.  So, the G1 becomes Exchange savvy and you’ve just built something like a Palm: a bulky and quirky smartphone no one is really sure about anymore/yet. But then you’ve got cut-and-paste.

Better for people to assume you are dumb, rather than release an OS and prove it.

Ouch, even for me that is harsh.  But the fact is the market is changing.  Business customers are showing that deep down, they are swayed by fun phones.  Windows Mobile has to leap frog, not just merely update the curtains like Windows Mobile 6 offered.  The world waits—but for what?

Read [C|NET]

Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »