Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Nikon Coolpix S52c Digicam With Wi-Fi Now Shipping]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/nikon-coolpix-s52c-digicam-with-wi-fi-now-shipping/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/nikon-coolpix-s52c-digicam-with-wi-fi-now-shipping/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/nikon-coolpix-s52c-digicam-with-wi-fi-now-shipping/#commentsFiled under: ,

Nikon Coolpix S52c
Nikon is shipping the Coolpix S52c Wi-Fi-capable point-and-shoot camera as expected. The S52c allows you to upload pictures to your Flickr or Nikon's own "my Picturetown" online image repository via WiFi and comes with 6 months of T-Mobile HotSpot access. The camera's specs are pretty respectable, and include a 9 megapixel sensor, a 3x optical zoom, a 3.0-inch LCD, and optical image stabilization. The Coolpix comes in at $279.95 and should show up at retailers soon. Despite Nikon saying it's shipping now, Amazon says it will ship on or around June 15, so hopefully it's just a little slow on updating its Web site and Nikon isn't lying through its teeth. [Source: Nikon]

Gallery: Nikon Coolpix S52c

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewssummernewsFri, 16 May 2008 15:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Chicago's City-Wide Security Cameras to Be Monitored By Computers]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/chicagos-cctv-network-to-be-autonomously-monitored-starting-thi/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/chicagos-cctv-network-to-be-autonomously-monitored-starting-thi/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/chicagos-cctv-network-to-be-autonomously-monitored-starting-thi/#commentsFiled under: ,


Chicago residents are no strangers to the city's many CCTV cameras by this point -- if anyone knows exactly how long to stop at Roosevelt and State to avoid the red-light cam there, you let us know, okay? -- but it looks like this summer is going to bring a new twist to the city's surveillance racket: automated camera monitoring. Video from the several thousand cameras in Chicago's Operation Virtual Shield project currently comes into the city's Office of Emergency Management and Communication's ops center, but starting this summer, it'll also be watched by an IBM-developed autonomous system that can be programmed to watch for specific activities or objects, like certain cars or unattended backpacks. Since the video is stored on a 60 terabyte storage array for 30 days, law enforcement can also do retroactive searches using the tech. That's a huge step up from San Francisco's useless CCTV system, sure, but we've never really believed any of this stuff is actually effective at deterring crime -- hopefully we'll be proven wrong. Check out the the full news vid at the read link. [Source: ABC7 via Boing Boing]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewscctvFri, 16 May 2008 09:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Slim Down Your Wallet By Scanning Its Contents Into Your iPhone]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/slim-down-your-wallet-by-scanning-its-contents-into-your-iphone/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/slim-down-your-wallet-by-scanning-its-contents-into-your-iphone/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/16/slim-down-your-wallet-by-scanning-its-contents-into-your-iphone/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Replace your Wallet with your iPhoneWith all the high-tech toys and gadgets we carry around every day, there's one thing that's always seems to drag us back to the twentieth century: the wallet. Whether it's made of leather or vinyl or even Tyvek, the wallet feels incredibly dated and often quite bloated-- especially when over-stuffed with faded and torn membership cards. It creates an unsightly bulge that's even more pronounced with the smaller and shorter summer clothes most of us are about to start wearing

For one enterprising blogger, the solution to the overstufed, George-Costanza-style wallet is an iPhone. Albert Alberts used his scanner to digitally replicate many of his membership cards. He then created an album called WalletCards on his iPhone and loaded the images of the cards in. Surprisingly, most establishments had no problem accepting the copied cards, and bar code scanners even read them.

Naturally you won't be able to replace anything that relies on a magnetic strip or embedded RFID chip, but if you can replace everything else, you might that this trick could help you slim down that beat wallet by a good margin -- just don't try it with your driver's license. [Source: Lifehacker]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewshow-toiphonescansummeradvicewalletFri, 16 May 2008 07:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Eight Ways to Look Better In Pictures]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/14/eight-ways-to-look-better-in-pictures/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/14/eight-ways-to-look-better-in-pictures/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/14/eight-ways-to-look-better-in-pictures/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Summer is almost here and that means taking lots of snapshots, but making people look pretty in pictures is no easy job -- professional photographers get paid lots and lots of money to do just that (more than any other creative professionals, actually). Even so, you can improve the look of just about anyone (including yourself) with some basic photo-taking and -editing tips, the best of which we've compiled here. All of our suggestions can be executed using simple, inexpensive point-and-shoot cameras and free post-processing software: iPhoto on Mac, or Picasa on PC are our top choices. (Other apps, such as Adobe Photoshop Elements [PC/Mac] and GIMP [PC/Mac/Linux] are great as well, but the former will cost you a few bucks.)




1. Look younger

If you want to make your subjects look younger than they are, focus on the skin tone: Our number one tip is to use flashes in sunlight. It might seem counter-intuitive, but flashes override the shadows that overhead sunlight might cast on faces, making for pronounced under-eye and chin shadows. Also, putting anything white or translucent over the flash while indoors (or up close) will soften the light, making for much smoother skin tones through softer lighting. If you're in a bar, for example, just hold a napkin in front of the flash (in your camera settings, you might also want to turn the flash power up, if that's an option). You can also use the "brush" function -- usually indicated by a brush icon -- on most photo programs (such as those mentioned above) to virtually brush over age-revealing wrinkles, dark circles under the eyes, and blemishes.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsfeatureshow-tosummerfeaturesWed, 14 May 2008 13:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band Films Latest Video With Security Cameras]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/14/rock-band-films-latest-video-with-security-cameras/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/14/rock-band-films-latest-video-with-security-cameras/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/14/rock-band-films-latest-video-with-security-cameras/#commentsFiled under: , ,

band uses cctv to film music video

The Get Out Clause -- an unsigned band from Manchester, England -- has used the eyes of the surveillance state to produce its own music video. While Britain currently has an estimated 13-million closed-circuit TV cameras (CCTV), the band only played to 80 of them around the city of Manchester. After playing its song for the CCTV cameras (and anyone else who happened to be around), the band requested the footage from the organizations that own the cameras, under the UK's Freedom of Information Act. While only about 20 of the locations eventually turned over the footage, they had more than enough footage to make a pretty solid music video.

"We wanted to produce something that looked good and that wasn't too expensive to do," guitarist Tony Churnside told Sky News.

Seems the Freedom of Information act could have saved Kevin Smith a bunch of money when he made 'Clerks.' We really wonder if this is the last time we'll see this tricky way of filming (actually, it's not, as Adam Rifkin's recent 'Look' proved). [Source: The Telegraph]


Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cctvmusicsecurityvideoWed, 14 May 2008 12:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative Debuts $100 YouTube-Ready Vado Camcorder]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/13/creative-gets-official-with-vado-cheapcorder/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/13/creative-gets-official-with-vado-cheapcorder/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/13/creative-gets-official-with-vado-cheapcorder/#commentsFiled under: , ,

JR.com may have let the cat of the bag, but Creative's not letting that stop it from getting all official with its new Vado Pocket Video Cam, which is taking square aim at the likes of Pure Digital's Flip Video cheapcorder. Like the Flip, Creative's offering comes packing a lowly-but-YouTube-friendly 640 x 480 resolution, along with 2GB of built-in memory (with no expansion options), a 2-inch display, a flip-out USB connector, and a promised two hours of battery life on a charge. Not exactly the most feature-packed camera out there (even for a budget model), but the $100 price tag is certainly right, and you can get it in your choice of silver or hot pink. [Source: Pocket-lint]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsTue, 13 May 2008 17:47:00 EST<![CDATA[How to Look Thin In Photos]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/12/look-thin-in-photos/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/12/look-thin-in-photos/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/12/look-thin-in-photos/#commentsFiled under: , ,


It's spring. And if you're like us, the results of your swimsuit diet aren't quite showing yet. If you've got any graduations or weddings coming up in the warmer months ahead, you're likely to get your picture taken. If the thought of a photographer makes you want to run, relax: We've found a few tips -- online, in books, from experts -- on looking thinner in pictures.

1. Use flashes in sunlight. According to Geek Sugar, it's all about the lighting. Flashes are good because they override the shadows that overhead sunlight might cast on your face, making for pronounced under-eye and chin shadows.

2. Lean in towards the camera. Digital Camera Tracker says leaning slightly towards the camera is helpful: "Think of having a long neck like a gazelle, and tilt your chin down just a bit to avoid the appearance of a double chin," the site suggests.

3. Stand like a ballerina. No, we're not kidding. While it stops short of recommending you wear a tutu, the 'Rocky Mountain News' says you need to pose like a ballet dancer: "The most flattering (read slimming) pose: Face front and cross one leg in front of the other, then turn your body at a 45-degree angle away from the camera and turn head and shoulders toward the camera. Place feet in ballet third position (one foot angled in front of the other)."

4. Put your hands on your hips. The 'Rocky Mountain News' says your shoulders might look less rounded this way.

5. Get a shot from below, as if you were on the runway. In Camilla Morton's new advice book for women, 'How to Walk in High Heels,' model Gisele Bundchen (pictured) is interviewed about how to look good, both in front of and away from the camera. For pictures, the runway-veteran agrees that lighting is crucial, but she adds a few tips on angles and poses: "For long legs, point one leg into the center of the frame and get the photographer to shoot looking up your body," says Bundchen. We just hope it's not up your nose, Gisele!

6. Get a shot from above. The best way to hide that double chin is to have someone shoot your face from a few inches above your head. Just find someone who's taller than you. Either you'll look up at them, which makes double chins disappear, or the area below your chin will be in shadow, and won't show up in the picture at all. For a group picture where you want everyone to look good, stand on a chair and have everyone look up at you: We've been using this technique at parties for years. It works!

7. Forget about looking thin and just relax. Not all experts agree with the stand-up-straight, pose-like-a-movie-star advice. We spoke to Edward Keating, a Pulitzer-Prize-winning photographer for the 'New York Times,' who was the principal photographer for the newspaper's 'Vows' column for seven years. He says that the best thing a subject can do to look good in photographs is to be relaxed and happy. "Look at the photographer, not at the camera," says Keating. "If they're connected with me, they're not thinking about the camera and the lens."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsgisellephotographysummeradvicethintopweight lossWeightLossMon, 12 May 2008 16:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Eye-Fi Launches Wireless Location-Aware Camera Memory Cards]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/12/eye-fi-launches-eye-fi-home-share-and-geotagging-explore/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/12/eye-fi-launches-eye-fi-home-share-and-geotagging-explore/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/12/eye-fi-launches-eye-fi-home-share-and-geotagging-explore/#commentsFiled under:

Eye-Fi's expanding from a single card to a family of three tonight. All are the same 2GB as before, but now we've got the new flagship Eye-Fi Explore ($129), which includes geotagging courtesy of Skyhook (the same WiFi-based location system that helps the iPod touch and iPhone find their way) and on-the-go WiFi via Wayport. Then you've got the Eye-Fi Share ($99) -- basically the same card we used to know simply as the Eye-Fi -- and finally the Eye-Fi Home ($79), which appears to only be able to upload photos through desktop software using your home network. Expect 'em all on sale come June 6th.

Gallery: Eye-Fi

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>geotaggingwifiMon, 12 May 2008 12:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Girl Recovers Her Stolen Mac By Remotely Using Its Built-In Webcam]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/12/stolen-laptop-recovered-with-back-to-my-mac/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/12/stolen-laptop-recovered-with-back-to-my-mac/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/12/stolen-laptop-recovered-with-back-to-my-mac/#commentsFiled under: ,

back to my macHere's a funny little story we saw in the Journal News: Last month, an Apple Store employee had a party in her White Plains, New York apartment. According to police reports, on April 27 -- a couple of weeks later -- her place was cleared out to the tune of about $5,000 worth of electronics, which included two flat-screen televisions, two iPods, gaming consoles, computer games, DVDs, and her new Mac.

Days later, a friend saw that the burglary victim seemed to be online, but gave her a call just to make sure. Since she was running Leopard with Back to My Mac, the burglary victim logged in remotely and activated Photo Booth via the screen-share function, which let her see who was on the other laptop using the Mac's built-in camera.

Guess what -- it turns out that the thieves were some "friends" who were at the party a few weeks back. She took the photos to the cops and -- voila -- busted! The alleged thieves, Edmon Shahikian, 23, and Ian Frias, 20, both of the Bronx, have been charged with second-degree burglary and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

Go-go crafty nerd girl!

[LoHud via TUAW]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsMon, 12 May 2008 10:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Mother's Day Gift Guide: Kodak EasyShare M1020 Digital Frame]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/top-12-gadget-gifts-for-mom-2/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/top-12-gadget-gifts-for-mom-2/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/09/top-12-gadget-gifts-for-mom-2/#commentsFiled under:



Kodak's latest M1020 digital picture frame ($229.95) comes in at an impressive 10.2-inch screen size (800 x 480 pixels), and along with showing standard photos, also plays videos and MP3s. It features Kodak's Quick Touch Border, which lets you zoom, delete, or organize images just by touching the screen. The frame supports pretty much every memory card format out there, including SD, MMC, Memory Stick, xD, and Compact Flash cards. Oh, and its subtle white bezel looks more like a real picture frame -- something your tech-averse mom will certainly appreciate. Just make sure to load it with family photos before giving it to her...

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fri, 09 May 2008 09:11:00 EST<![CDATA[MTI Micro Testing Fuel Cells in Digital Cameras]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/08/mti-micro-testing-feasibility-of-fuel-cells-in-digicams/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/08/mti-micro-testing-feasibility-of-fuel-cells-in-digicams/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/08/mti-micro-testing-feasibility-of-fuel-cells-in-digicams/#commentsFiled under:

The ever-boastful MTI Micro is back again, just days after showing off a fuel cell-powered GPS prototype in Atlanta. This go 'round, the company is announcing a newfound partnership with an elusive Japanese developer of digicams in order to "evaluate the feasibility, development and production" of Mobion products.

The love affair will enable the two to work together in evaluating and adapting the aforesaid technology for use in "various precision imaging applications, including digital cameras." Best of all, work is apparently already ongoing, and MTI Micro is expected to deliver prototypes later this month. Going from prototype form to the store shelf, however, will be the hard part. [Source: BusinessWire]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Thu, 08 May 2008 18:03:00 EST<![CDATA[UK Man Facing Fines for Mooning Traffic Cam]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/07/uk-man-facing-fines-for-mooning-traffic-cam/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/07/uk-man-facing-fines-for-mooning-traffic-cam/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/07/uk-man-facing-fines-for-mooning-traffic-cam/#commentsFiled under:

Man Moons Traffic CamFree advice from Switched: Don't moon traffic cameras. Not only is it juvenile, but it could quite possibly get you in trouble with the law, at least in the UK. Yes, that image on the right is of a man's rear end. The man thought he'd have a little fun with the speed camera in Cramlington, England, but we guess he was unaware that the police could snap a picture at anytime with the camera, not just when a car speeds by.

Police now have the joker's license plate and registration and will be pursuing legal action, though he won't be facing prosecution. Instead, authorities will be issuing fines for public indecency and not wearing a seat belt.

All that just cause this guy thought he was funny. [Source: BBC, via: Boing Boing]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewscrimelawtrafficWed, 07 May 2008 17:12:00 EST<![CDATA[World's Oldest Photograph Found?]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/07/oldest-existing-photograph-likely-found/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/07/oldest-existing-photograph-likely-found/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/07/oldest-existing-photograph-likely-found/#commentsFiled under:



It's time for a high tech time warp.

Set your clocks for the last years of the 18th-century, because that's when the newly identified earliest example of a photograph was taken.

The picture is of a leaf and the photographer was likely one Thomas Wedgwood of Bristol, England, who lived from 1771 to 1805. Until now, the leaf photograph was thought to have been the work of Henry Fox Talbot, who is credited with taking the world's first photographs in the 1830s.

Early photos were produced on paper treated with silver nitrate to make it light-sensitive. The image was created by laying a leaf on the light-sensitive paper and exposing it to the sun. The exposed areas of the paper darkened, leaving a silhouette.

Wedgwood and other early photographers were not able to solve the problem of over exposure, so most of their early shots were destroyed.

Most of today's digital still cameras use charge coupled devices - or CCDs - to capture images. These chips sense the light and color that comes in through a camera's lens groups and converts it into data, ultimately producing digital images. Automatic settings help us prevent our shots from being over exposed.

An art historian who was asked to assess the photograph before the auction raised the possibility of the picture being even older than originally thought.

Sotheby's was set to auction the photo, which was expected to pull in between £50-£70,000 (about $100-135,000). It's holding off on the auction until the age of the paper can be precisely determined. The auction price then is expected to skyrocket. [Source: Daily Mail]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsexpire-images2008-6-6photographyretroWed, 07 May 2008 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Camera Store Offers Shopper $75 to Remove Bad Amazon Review]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/06/camera-store-offers-shopper-75-to-remove-bad-amazon-review/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/06/camera-store-offers-shopper-75-to-remove-bad-amazon-review/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/06/camera-store-offers-shopper-75-to-remove-bad-amazon-review/#commentsFiled under: ,

Shopper Leaves Bad Amazon Review, Shop Offers $75 To RemoveWoe betide the online camera shopper. Those who have an affinity for expensive photo gear know that they can save a bundle online. But, doing so often means dealing with shady, NYC-based camera shops that would just as soon spew profanity at you on the phone as listen to your complaints. This is the trap that shopper and blogger Jason Weisberger fell into when ordering a new, $5,000 Nikon D3 from an Amazon-affiliated retailer, Cameta Camera. He didn't like the store's service and left it a bad review, which resulted in Cameta Camera seemingly offering him a bribe to remove the negative feedback!

Weisberger had paid a whopping $75 in shipping to get the camera delivered and found that the seller had simply thrown the camera's box into a larger box, with no extra packing, and sent it on its way. The outer box was thoroughly trashed during shipment but somehow the camera inside didn't receive any damage. Weisberger called to express his disappointment and, after getting treated rudely over the phone, left the negative feedback at Amazon.

The next day he received a very apologetic e-mail offering to refund the $75 shipping charge he received, on one condition -- that he remove that negative review. By Weisberger's account, that's bribery. Even so, the company in question makes a valid point, that often retailers rectify customer complaints but the customers in question don't then go back and update their reviews.

What's your take, an honest shop trying to protect its reputation, or a sleazy retailer trying to bribe its way to good reviews? At least they didn't sue him ... [Source: Dethroner, via BoingBoing]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonbreaking newsBreakingNewscustomer serviceCustomerServicenikonTue, 06 May 2008 17:36:00 EST<![CDATA[English Towns Equipping Crossing Guards with Cameras]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/05/01/english-towns-equipping-crossing-guards-with-cameras/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/01/english-towns-equipping-crossing-guards-with-cameras/http://www.switched.com/2008/05/01/english-towns-equipping-crossing-guards-with-cameras/#commentsFiled under: ,

England is already drowning in CCTV cameras, so it looks like Big Brother is starting to get creative in finding ways to deploy more: local councils are now outfitting crossing guards with camera-equipped stop signs. Yeah, crossing guards. With cameras in their stop signs. The cameras in the £890 ($1765) poles are fairly conspicuous, and the hope is that it'll curb aggressive driving around crossing zones, which resulted in 1,400 incidents last year.

There's no word on how anyone plans to measure the effectiveness of the program, but we're certain the crossing guards who get passed over for the poles and end up with the hat-mounted cameras also being deployed will have a few choice words about things. [Source: Daily Mail]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Thu, 01 May 2008 14:55:00 EST<![CDATA['CSI' Shows Off Microsoft's Cool Photo Synth Technology]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/30/csi-shows-off-microsofts-cool-photo-synth-techology/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/30/csi-shows-off-microsofts-cool-photo-synth-techology/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/30/csi-shows-off-microsofts-cool-photo-synth-techology/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

CSI Shows Off Microsoft's Photo Synth

Watching 'CSI' is enough to make any tech enthusiast jealous, but have you ever wondered where they get all their wonderful toys? Well, much of it comes from a partnership with Microsoft. Some of the show's sets have been outfitted with modified Surface computers, and the stars will soon start carrying tablet PCs and UMPCs instead of notepads.

On Wednesday's episode, the star is Photosynth, a product from Microsoft's labs that lets the forensic scientists recreate the scene of a murder from hundreds of thumbnail photos taken at a dance in a school gymnasium. The wider image can then be manipulated to get close up shots of the gym from any angle.

Photosynth analyzes images for similarities and then pieces them together into a 3-D recreation of the original setting. You can get a preview of Photosynth here, and the technology will be available to consumers at the end of the year. [Source: USA Today]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewscsimicrosoftphotosynthWed, 30 Apr 2008 18:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Full Earthrise Over the Moon Captured from Space in HD]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/28/full-earthrise-over-the-moon-captured-from-space-in-hd/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/28/full-earthrise-over-the-moon-captured-from-space-in-hd/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/28/full-earthrise-over-the-moon-captured-from-space-in-hd/#commentsFiled under: ,


Late last year, we sat in awe peeping the pictures of Earth captured by the KAGUYA satellite, but we're fairly certain we've spotted Engadget HQ in the latest grabs. All kidding aside, the latest HD Earthrise movie is even more desirable than the last due to this one being a "full" Earthrise, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency isn't hesitating to pat itself on the back for snagging such an accomplishment. Check out the read link for more pictures, video and an explanation of how the whole thing went down. [Source: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:29:00 EST<![CDATA[A Checklist for Buying Your First HDTV]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/27/a-checklist-for-buying-your-first-hdtv/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/27/a-checklist-for-buying-your-first-hdtv/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/27/a-checklist-for-buying-your-first-hdtv/#commentsFiled under: ,


'Round these parts, we expect most everywhere to own, or at least be familiar with, an HDTV. Still, there's a first time for everyone, and for folks just now looking to hop on in and see what this whole "high-definition" thing is all about, ExtremeTech's Joel Durham Jr. has a quick 'n dirty guide of things to do before tossing a set in your vehicle.

Granted, a few of the tips seem glaringly obvious, but really, buying a new (or first, in particular) HDTV isn't always a simple process. What's your size requirement? What's your budget? What technology do you prefer? Do you have the wiring scheme all planned out? Can you afford to pull another all-nighter? If you've been wondering where to start when thinking of bringing a new set into your crib, you should definitely give the read link a look -- at worse, you can say you're a seasoned veteran for already knowing the dos and don'ts. [Source: Extreme Tech]

[Image courtesy of Radioru, thanks Jeremy]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hdtvSun, 27 Apr 2008 12:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Flash LIDAR Helps Robots, Unmanned Aircraft and Vehicles See in 3-D]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/25/flash-lidar-helps-robots-unmanned-aircraft-and-vehicles-see-in/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/25/flash-lidar-helps-robots-unmanned-aircraft-and-vehicles-see-in/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/25/flash-lidar-helps-robots-unmanned-aircraft-and-vehicles-see-in/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Not content keeping your floor clean, your gutters empty and your Grandma happy on Mother's Day, Roomba creator iRobot unveiled a 3-D camera for robots at this month's RoboBusiness convention. The upshot: Robots can now gauge depth with unparalleled precision, which means they'll have that much better aim when SkyNet eventually becomes conscious.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresFri, 25 Apr 2008 18:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Digital Cowboy's Spy Pen Camcorder]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/24/video-digital-cowboys-spy-pen-camcorder/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/24/video-digital-cowboys-spy-pen-camcorder/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/24/video-digital-cowboys-spy-pen-camcorder/#commentsFiled under: ,


See the camera? Good, neither will the person you're spying on. That's Digital Cowboy's latest take on the digital spy pen. The ¥17,800 (about $175) DVR-BP features a 1-mm pinhole CMOS camera, mic, 2-hour battery, and 2GB of memory to store all your video deceit at 352 x 288 pixels and 15fps. Coming April 24th to a GAP changing room near you. Sample video of a uh, pussy cat after the break. [Source: Digital Cowboy via Impress]

Continue reading Video: Digital Cowboy's Spy Pen Camcorder

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-On With iRobot ConnectR 'Virtual Visit' Robot (Video)]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/17/hands-on-with-irobot-connectr-virtual-visit-robot/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/17/hands-on-with-irobot-connectr-virtual-visit-robot/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/17/hands-on-with-irobot-connectr-virtual-visit-robot/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Let a robot do your visiting for you. iRobot's ConnectR is a Web-cam wielding, Internet-enabled, Roomba-like robot that you can control from anywhere you have a Web connection. The 'bot sends video and audio to the remote user, who, in turn, can talk through the robot.


Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresrobotsroombaThu, 17 Apr 2008 12:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Flickr Buys Donuts for 20,000 Anti-Protesters]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/17/flickr-anti-protesters-demand-donuts-get-sweet-victory/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/17/flickr-anti-protesters-demand-donuts-get-sweet-victory/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/17/flickr-anti-protesters-demand-donuts-get-sweet-victory/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Flickr Anti-Protesters Demand Donuts, Get Sweet Victory

Last week uber-photo-site Flickr launched a new service enabling subscribers to post videos to the site. Users can now list their moving pictures in galleries right next to their still ones. Most Flickr members accepted this new feature with open arms, but some Luddites organized a protest to have the video feature removed. The fear was that the addition would result in an influx of jokers who would degrade the overall community.

It seems there were already plenty of jokers on the site, however, who organized themselves into an anti-protest group. That members of that group didn't want the removal of the video feature, they just wanted pastries.

The group called itself We Demand Donuts and demanded just that, stating that it wanted Flickr to buy all of its protesters pastries if it reached 20,000 members. The group hit that number, and Flickr held up its end of the bargain at San Francisco's Bob's Donut and Pastry Shop, where it bought one delicious-looking confectionery treat for every member of the group who showed up.

Based on the photos from that event (and the other meet-ups that this triggered worldwide), it looks like it was quite a success. [Source: Flickr, via geeksugar]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsFlickrProtestThu, 17 Apr 2008 10:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Russia Wants All Wi-Fi Devices to Be Registered]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/16/russia-wants-all-wi-fi-devices-to-be-registered/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/16/russia-wants-all-wi-fi-devices-to-be-registered/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/16/russia-wants-all-wi-fi-devices-to-be-registered/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Sure, we've seen the occasional loony look down upon open Wi-Fi access, but Russia is apparently out to really slow down wireless adoption with its latest directive. Reportedly, the Russian Mass Media, Communications and Cultural Protection Service (or Rossvyazokhrankultura for short -- no seriously, we swear) is looking to have every user of a Wi-Fi-enabled device obtain permission and register said device before hopping on the world wide web.

Even worse, it seems as if every single wireless transmitter and device must be registered, meaning that technophiles will be filling out heaps of paperwork in order to get their handset, laptop, DS Lite, PC and hacked-up Foleo online (legally) via their home-based access point. We're hearing that registering a single PDA or phone would take around ten days, while signing up a new home network would be even more painstaking. We'll spare you the snide In Soviet Russia... remarks, but feel free to concoct your own below.

From The Other Russia (via Wi-Fi Net News)
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewslawWed, 16 Apr 2008 06:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Nikon Debuts Slim, Wi-Fi-friendly Fashion Camera]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/10/nikon-debuts-slim-wi-fi-friendly-fashion-camera/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/10/nikon-debuts-slim-wi-fi-friendly-fashion-camera/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/10/nikon-debuts-slim-wi-fi-friendly-fashion-camera/#commentsFiled under:


Nikon is fleshing out its "Style Series" of shooters with the COOLPIX S52 and S52c (pictured) compact cameras. The two cameras are pretty much spec-for-spec identical, other than the Wi-Fi capabilities of the S52c, which allow it to upload shots wirelessly to services like Flickr or Nikon's own "my Picturetown." Otherwise, you're looking at a pair of fairly standard compacts, with 9-megapixel sensors, 3x zoom, optical image stabilization and so forth.

Both will be available in May, with the S52 retailing for $250, and the S52c arriving at $280.



From Engadget
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cameraflickrnikonphotographywifiThu, 10 Apr 2008 10:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Viewsonic Busts Out a Bevy of Customizable Digital Photo Frames]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/09/viewsonic-busts-out-a-bevy-of-customizable-digital-photo-frames/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/09/viewsonic-busts-out-a-bevy-of-customizable-digital-photo-frames/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/09/viewsonic-busts-out-a-bevy-of-customizable-digital-photo-frames/#commentsFiled under:

There's nothing like an impending holiday to get companies rushing to get their appropriately-themed products out the door, and Viewsonic's now following Memorex's lead with a slew of new digital photo frames aimed at Mother's Day shoppers. This latest batch includes ten frames in all, including 7-, 8-, and 10-inch varieties (both widescreen and 4:3), each of which boast interchangeable bezels to suit your decor.

At the head of the pack is the 10-inch DPX1002 model (pictured above), which packs a decent 1024x600 resolution, along with 400 cd/m2 of brightness, a 400:1 contrast ratio, and the usual video and MP3 playback features. If that's a bit more than you're looking for, you can opt for one of three variations of the 8-inch DPX802 model, which packs an 800x600 resolution and drops the video playback, or one of three incarnations of the 7-inch DPX702 model, which offers up a 800x480 resolution and drops the MP3 playback as well.

Rounding things out are the 7-inch widescreen DPX704WH, 8-inch 4:3 DPX804WH and 10-inch widescreen DPX1004WH, each of which boast white finishes, and include 128MB of memory, along with some basic media-playing features. According to Viewsonic, the whole lot is available now, with prices ranging from $130 to $209.

From PR Newswire (via Engadget)

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>memorexphotoviewsonicWed, 09 Apr 2008 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-On With New Flickr Video]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/09/hands-on-with-new-flickr-video/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/09/hands-on-with-new-flickr-video/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/09/hands-on-with-new-flickr-video/#commentsFiled under: , ,


For those with a photographic bent, Flickr is the place to be. It has evolved into a giant community for would-be and definitely-are quality photographers to share their pictures with peers for critique, while also serving as a place for more casual shooters to simply upload their favorites to share with friends. It has always been just photos, though. That's finally changing with the release of Flickr Video, which enables users to upload video clips along with their stills. We played around with the new feature earlier today and here's what we found.....

For starters, videos live and are categorized and tagged right next to photos, so they're almost indistinguishable from photos (thanks to the clean and simple player interface Flickr has released). There's also a strict 90-second limit on videos, which may seem somewhat constricting, but from what we've seen thus far, tends to result in most being short and artsy vids that are quick to digest but tend to stay with you. That's a stark contrast from the long-winded vlogs that dominate YouTube.

We definitely like the simple interface and of course love the high video quality. We also like the varying aspect ratios offered, whether tall and narrow or more traditionally square. The ability to upload vids directly from a camera is also nice. However, there is a catch: Only "Pro" users have the ability to upload. At $25 per year, turning Pro doesn't exactly break the bank, and you also get unlimited photo uploads out of the deal. Still, with so many free competitors out there, it's unlikely that many casual users will choose to pay up, even if the quality elsewhere doesn't compare.

So, a direct YouTube threat this ain't, but if non-paying users are allowed to join in the fun and upload their videos, Flickr Video could become the go-to place for serious amateur videographers.

From TechCrunch

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featured storiesfeaturedstoriesFlickrvideoYouTubeWed, 09 Apr 2008 21:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Scientists Create Tumor-Tracking Implant]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/09/scientists-create-tumor-tracking-implant/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/09/scientists-create-tumor-tracking-implant/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/09/scientists-create-tumor-tracking-implant/#commentsFiled under: ,

Scientists Create Tumor Tracking ImplantScientists at Purdue University have created a device -- no larger than a needle -- that can locate tumors and detect radiation levels in chemotherapy patients.

The small RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip is sealed hermetically in glass and powered by placing electrical coils next to the patient. When powered up, the device can send the exact dosage of radiation being received by the tumor along with the location of the tumor. This makes treatment more efficient and less dangerous to surrounding tissue and organs.

Scientists hope to enter clinical trials in 2010 with a version smaller than a grain of rice.

From Engadget

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chemotherapymedicineradiationrfidscienceWed, 09 Apr 2008 17:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony Debuts World's Smallest HD Camcorder]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/04/worlds-smallest-hd-camcorder/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/04/worlds-smallest-hd-camcorder/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/04/worlds-smallest-hd-camcorder/#commentsFiled under: ,


The HDTV, a novelty item just a few years ago, has quickly become a near necessity for any lover of television or gaming. So why, then, are so many camcorders still shooting in clunky, grainy, standard definition? Partly it's due to cost, with HD cams still costing considerably more than their SD brethren. It's also due to size, with high def internals generally requiring larger camcorders. That latter part is changing, though, as shown by Sony's latest, the HDR-TG1, which the company says is the world's smallest HD camcorder.

Sony's offering is a little over an inch thick and about five inches long -- small enough to easily fit in a bag or maybe even a pocket (if you're still into cargo pants). Despite the diminutive size, it records video in 1080i format, saving it to Sony's Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. It also boasts a 10x Carl Zeiss lens and records in 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound, so that you can hear the mumblings of Dad the camera man in the rear speakers rather than the front.

However, there's still the matter of that "world's smallest" claim. Last August we reported on Panasonic's HDC-SD7, which the company was, at the time, touting as the "world's smallest." On first glance Panasonic's offering looks even smaller, and is nearly an inch shorter. However, it's also nearly twice as thick. If you do the math, you'll see that Sony's offering comes out to be less than half the total size.

Sony's new camera is also $200 cheaper, launching for $900 and including a four-gigabyte memory card, which, while far from cheap, isn't a terrible deal for a "world's" anything.


From Engadget

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CamcorderHD CamcordersHdCamcordersHDTVHigh-DefinitionSonyFri, 04 Apr 2008 11:10:00 EST<![CDATA[A Zoom Lens for Your Camera Phone]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/03/a-zoom-lens-for-your-camera-phone/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/03/a-zoom-lens-for-your-camera-phone/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/03/a-zoom-lens-for-your-camera-phone/#commentsFiled under: ,



If you find yourself wishing for a zoom lens for your camera phone, Green House's "Mobile Telescope Lenz" might be exactly what you're looking for. The Green House kit comes with an 8x zoom lens and a small tripod designed to accept most camera phones.

We're not totally sure how the system works, but it appears that you line up your phone's lens with the adapter (connected to the 8x zoom) and then operate the zoom by manually twisting the add-on lens. The quality of your photos probably won't improve, but now you've got "telescope lenz" capabilities.

The Mobile Telescope Lenz retails for $88, though we don't know if it will be available in the States anytime soon. In case you're interested in Green House's other offerings, the company also sell a variety of hamburger and pizza-shaped USB Flash Drives.

From Engadget

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cameraphonecellphonectia 2008ctia2008japanThu, 03 Apr 2008 15:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Best Camcorders Under $500]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/04/01/best-camcorders-under-500/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/01/best-camcorders-under-500/http://www.switched.com/2008/04/01/best-camcorders-under-500/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Contrary to popular belief, plenty of high-quality camcorders -- even HD ones -- are available for less than $500.
We test drove a bunch of them, and discovered that we liked some better than others. You can check out our top picks in the video above, and our list of favorites includes a range of recording formats including Mini-DV, flash memory, DVD and hard drive-based.

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>camcorderssummerreviewsTue, 01 Apr 2008 12:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Cuba Lifts Restrictions On Mobile Phones]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/03/28/cuba-lifts-restrictions-on-mobile-phones/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/28/cuba-lifts-restrictions-on-mobile-phones/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/28/cuba-lifts-restrictions-on-mobile-phones/#commentsFiled under:



In a sign that Cuban residents will be getting more freedom, president Raul Castro announced that he would allow mobile phone use for the country's citizens. Previously, access was limited only to employees of foreign firms and government officials.

The announcement, made in Communist newspaper Granma, said that Cuban telecommunications monopoly ETECSA "is able to offer mobile phone service to the public." As a way around the ban, many Cubans would have foreigners sign contracts for them, but now they'll be able to purchase prepaid plans through the company. This comes as part of Castro's pledge to make "structural changes" and "big decisions," which, according to a leaked internal memo, may also allow Cubans to own appliances DVD players and computers.

Although the news is promising for Cuba, which currently has the lowest rate of cellular use in Latin America, it likely won't be priced for the average citizen. The plans can only be bought in Cuban Convertible Pesos, worth 24 times the regular Cuban peso used in normal paychecks. ETECSA says this will allow them to improve telecommunications throughout the country, with regular peso plans being available in the future.

So, great news for Cuba, but still, no cigars for us.

From Reuters/AOL News (via Engadget)

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellphonescubadvdmobileFri, 28 Mar 2008 13:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-On With Adobe's New Free, Web-Based Photoshop Express]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/03/27/adobe-launches-the-free-photoshop-express-beta/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/27/adobe-launches-the-free-photoshop-express-beta/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/27/adobe-launches-the-free-photoshop-express-beta/#commentsFiled under: ,



Today, Adobe launched a beta version of Photoshop Express. Aimed at anyone who wants to do quick edits of pictures, this new flash-based version of Photoshop is totally free and runs right in your Web browser -- perfect for anyone who doesn't want to clog up their computer with a full program installation or drop hundreds of dollars on the regular version of Photoshop. The service also allows you to manage and share photo galleries with friends and family with at very own yourname.photoshop.com.

Photoshop Express gives you 2 gigabytes of online storage, and allows you to connect, edit and share your photos directly with Picasa, Photobucket and Facebook. We gave it a quick spin today and are impressed with the program's slick, clean, and easy-to-use interface, but this is definitely not a Photoshop replacement. While you can clean up your pictures and easily share them with friends, you won't be able to "photoshop" images like this.

That said, Express lets you make a range of basic photo edits -- red-eye correction, exposure changes, cropping and more -- that will be more than enough for most non-professional photographers. Also, we were impressed with the app's speed, especially considering the Web-based nature of the site. Ready to try it out? Sign up here.

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adobefacebookphotobucketphotographyphotoshoppicasapicturesweb appsWebAppsThu, 27 Mar 2008 17:05:00 EST<![CDATA[U.S. Army Developing Tiny, Flying Spy-Bat]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/03/20/army-developing-tiny-spy-bat/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/20/army-developing-tiny-spy-bat/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/20/army-developing-tiny-spy-bat/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Army Developing Tiny Spy-Bat
Sure, Batman is cool, but can he scavenge his environment for energy? Can he recharge his batteries with wind, sunlight, or even vibrations? Didn't think so. Can Batman fly silently through the air for an almost indefinite period of time? Of course not -- he can't even fly.

Okay, so when it comes to tasks like taking out bad guys, Batman still has the edge on "The Bat," a new flying contraption being developed at the Center for Objective Microelectronics and Biomimetic Advanced Technology (COM-BAT) at the University of Michigan (U-M). Still, this six-inch spy-plane has plenty of tricks up its sleeve. The Bat, in addition to scavenging for power, will also come equipped with a bevy of sensors. Stereoscopic cameras and microphones will allow for detailed reconnaissance, while other sensors will detect radiation and airborne poisons.

Currently, the Bat is just a concept, but the U.S. Army has awarded a five year $10 million grant to the College of Engineering at U-M to bring this vision to life. This highly portable and persistent surveillance vehicle will extend soldiers senses and provide a tactical advantage to those in urban environments, where traditional spy-planes are ineffective.

From Engadget

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armybatCOM-BATmilitaryreconnaissancespysurveillanceuniversity of michiganUniversityOfMichiganThu, 20 Mar 2008 17:10:00 EST<![CDATA[New Panasonic Camera Has Touchscreen LCD]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/03/19/new-panasonic-camera-has-touchscreen-lcd/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/19/new-panasonic-camera-has-touchscreen-lcd/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/19/new-panasonic-camera-has-touchscreen-lcd/#commentsFiled under:

Panasonic DMC-FX500

Panasonic announced a new digital still camera that will likely have you wishing your birthday was coming up soon. The FX500 has a high definition movie mode, a 10.1 megapixel image sensor, a 25-milimeter wide angle lens and 5x optical zoom, plus a touchscreen LCD -- a feature that has us rubbing our hands together and getting our index fingers ready for some serious touching.

The HD movie mode is great for all you folks out there with HDTVs who want to play back full 720p clips.

The company's digital camera marketing manager calls it "a new flagship model" for their slim line, so Panasonic clearly has high hopes for this unit.

Some other interesting features: Auto Focus (AF) tracking lets you track a photo subject even if it moves after the AF is set (this is something new), which is good for getting shots of people who won't sit still, like kids, or pets, or your friend Eddy after too many beers. We're keen to see this feature in action.

Something old but useful is optical image stabilization, which means the lens itself moves ever so slightly to correct for when your hand shakes a little bit (how many beers have you had?) -- this cuts down on blurry pictures. The camera also features face detection, intelligent scene selector and intelligent exposure.

Now, for some reason it is the touchscreen that has us most excited about this new camera, but we know there are many of you out there who are not big on smudging up your LCD -- or maybe you just have a hard time using your fingers to press on-screen icons. The camera does come with a little "pen" (see picture) that lets you tap away with a little more accuracy. Also, it has a tiny joystick you can use to move around and make selections on screen.

The camera has 50 MB of built in memory and takes SD and SDHC memory cards. If you plan on using that HD video capture mode, we suggest getting a nice big SDHC card (the HC stands for high capacity).

And it has 5x optical zoom, which is pretty good considering how small the body of this camera is (it measures 3.74 inches by 2.25 inches by 0.90 inches).

Look for the FX500 in May for about $399. Comes in silver or black.

From Panasonic and Engadget.

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking+newscameradigital cameraDigitalCameraDSCface detectionFaceDetectionLumixPanasonictoptouch screenTouchScreenWed, 19 Mar 2008 16:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Cyber Goggles Could Help Find Your Keys]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/03/14/cyber-goggles-could-help-find-your-keys/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/14/cyber-goggles-could-help-find-your-keys/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/14/cyber-goggles-could-help-find-your-keys/#commentsFiled under: ,

Cyber Goggles Could Help Find Your Keys
Professor Kuniyoshi at the University of Tokyo is trying to make frantic searches for misplaced objects, like keys, a thing of the past. Kuniyoshi and a group of scientists have developed what they're calling 'Cyber Goggles,'

The system is based around a small camera mounted on the glasses, a viewfinder over the right eye, and a computer carried on the persons back. The computer processes the information coming from the camera is able to recognize shapes and objects and assign them names. Kuniyoshi showed off how the system could recall and identify objects such as a CD, a cell phone, and a potted plant.

The next step is to make the video searchable. After entering the name of an object you're looking for, say your keys, the computer will go through the video recorded through out the day, and locate the most recent appearance of the object in question and show you its last known location. As the system is shrunk down and becomes more capable it may have a place helping those with memory troubles including Alzheimer's disease.

From Daily Mail

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alzheimer'scyber gogglesCyberGogglesmedicineresearchsciencesearchvideoFri, 14 Mar 2008 16:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Polaroid Resurrects Instant Photo - As Digital Picture Frame]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/03/13/polaroid-bringing-back-the-instant-photo-in-digital-form/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/13/polaroid-bringing-back-the-instant-photo-in-digital-form/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/13/polaroid-bringing-back-the-instant-photo-in-digital-form/#commentsFiled under: ,



As reported by Engadget's Nilay Patel, it looks like Polaroid is bringing back the iconic instant picture, albeit in a 21st-Century form:

"For every terrible mockup we see, there's a few that stand out -- and it looks like that Digital Polaroid frame concept we spotted a couple weeks ago caught some eyes over at Polaroid as well, because the company has apparently contacted designer Dave Friedman and is working on making it a real product. That's a pretty fitting tribute to a classic gone by -- but we won't be appeased unless you can shake this thing to make new photos appear."
We can't wait for this nifty, retro-shaped digital picture frame to see the light of day, so we can put it on our hall credenza!


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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Canon Adds New Digital ELPH Models]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/03/13/canon-adds-new-digital-elph-models/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/13/canon-adds-new-digital-elph-models/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/13/canon-adds-new-digital-elph-models/#commentsFiled under:



Canon recently announced new entries to its line of wildly-popular, pocket-sized ELPH cameras. The ELPH brand was originally introduced way back in 1996 as a compact film-based camera, and has since become the Digital ELPH series, encompassing many of Canon's digital point-and-shoot cameras.

Canon's new models include a bump to 10-megapixels across the line, and a welcome 5x optical zoom in the top-end PowerShot SD890 IS -- the SD790 IS and SD770IS come with 3x optical zooms. Engadget reports that the cameras will be available in April with prices beginning around $299.

From Engadget

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cameracanonelphpointandshootThu, 13 Mar 2008 11:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Collector's Edition Olympus Mju Camera]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/03/11/collectors-edition-olympus-mju-camera/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/11/collectors-edition-olympus-mju-camera/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/11/collectors-edition-olympus-mju-camera/#commentsFiled under:



We haven't seen too many limited edition digital cameras, but Olympus just released a unique version of its Olympus Mju 1020. Produced in a limited run of only 5,000, this Mju comes with three interchangeable skins designed by world-renowned artist Matei Apostelscu.

The Mju 1020 is more than just a point-and-shoot digital camera with a fancy front and collector's edition status. The camera is loaded with a 7x optical zoom, image stabilization (for keeping the picture steady), movie mode, 10 Megapixel sensor (print high-quality, poster-sized images) and a large LCD screen (2.7 inches). We'll keep you updated as we find out more about pricing and availability.

From übergizmo

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Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artcameraTue, 11 Mar 2008 18:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Camera Can See Through Clothes at 80 Feet]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/03/10/camera-can-see-through-clothes-at-80-feet/http://www.switched.com/2008/03/10/camera-can-see-through-clothe