November 22nd, 2009
admin

So here it is to fill up one of the (few) lacks of the iPhone. Somebody was clever enough to develop a flash for the iPhone. Maybe he was sick and tired of taking blured photos at night, and he didn’t want to give up with his brand new iPhone 3GS.
Its name is BEAMER, a protection case for the iPhone with a built-in LED flash, operated with batteries which are concealed inside the same case. Great idea, right? Not only you can use it as a flash for taking pictures, but also you can use it as a flash light to move around at night: at home, in the car, in the cinema, etc….
So now, for just 38 USD, you can get a fancy protection case, a flashlight and a flash for taking photos, all-in-one.
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Source: http://www.quirky.com/products/18-Beamer
November 13th, 2009
admin

Casio is one of the brands that has always brought innovation to the category of popular compact cameras. One of the most interesting features that can be found in their latest models (such as the new pocket size Exilim EX-FS10) is the super-slow motion video (capable of shooting up to 1000 fps) and the super fast photo shooting (up to 30fps still images).
But now they have gone a step further. The new EX-FS10S, only available in Japan (at least today) has a software that records your swing and, afterwards, you can analize it according to specific parameters that shows your position (body, elbows, head, arms) so you can correct it if necessary. If you don’t want so much detail, just switch to a lower speed: 420, 210 or even 30 fps.
Of course this tiny camera shoots standard images at 9,1 megapixels, has a 3x optical zoom and records hi resolution video at 720 p. But who cares about it if you just want to become the next golf legend?

If you have never seen a real slow-motion video, just check this one at 1,200 fps filmed with Casio’s Pro-EX1.
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Source: Akihabara News
November 12th, 2009
admin

If we want to keep up with the latest trends and innovations in mobile phones today, Samsung, LG and HTC are the reference while Nokia is clearly losing the beat despite their latest efforts.
One good example is the new XO1SC from Samsung that has just been launched in Japan through local operator Softbank. This Blackberry style device is a great choice for professionals as it runs Windows Mobile 6.5 version, has a full Qwerty keyboard, 2,4″ QVGA screen (not a tactile one this time), 3.2 megapixels camera with flash and is powered by a Qualcomm MSM7225 processor.

We still don’t know when it will be available otuside Japan, but at least we have this official short video from Softbank to share with you.
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Source: Akihabara News
November 12th, 2009
admin

Are you one of those who would like to buy a Netbook, but didn’t find the right one yet? Or one of those who want to buy a Laptop, but find it too expensive or too bulky?
Well, now you may have the chance to buy the Netbook/Laptop that you were looking for.
Small, powerful, dual-core, up to 12 hour battery life… This is the new ASUS UL series. A “hybrid” between a laptop and a netbook, but certainly a very good idea from this Taiwanese manufacturer, oriented to those like you (and me) who are still hesitating what to buy.

This new Netbook/Laptop is equipped with Intel’s new CULV Core 2 Duo processor, aka CULV NB 2.0 (Ultra Low Voltage), which provides extended battery life (up to 12 hours), dual core processor (finally!!) and much better performance than Atom. All this fitted into a 0.6 to 1-inch elegant aluminum housing weighing just 1.5 Kg!
Combination of battery life and performance is guaranteed thanks to different technologies used:
- Turbo 33: automatic overclock, that will increase the CPU performance by 33%
- GraphiX boost: Activates dedicated graphics processing for gaming and multimedia with just one click of your mouse.
- Power 4Gear: four scenario modes to optimize battery usage.
So now, you have the answer. Netbook or Laptop? ASUS UL!!
Want to see more? Get full specifications here or in the official UL Series microsite.
November 10th, 2009
admin

Ok, so you are not that proud of your latest Blackberry device. Yes, it works fine, mails come and go at lightspeed. But the iPhone of your colleague is so cool…
But wait! Something is going to change very soon: the new inPulse watch is the perfect accessory for your Blackberry. As you can read in their official website, “ it’s a watch which connects wirelessly to your phone by BlueTooth®, alerting you instantly to incoming emails, SMS and calls”.
It does not replace your smartphone, but it can make your life easier. No need to turn crazy trying to find your phone inside your bag; just take a look at the sharp 1.3-in OLED screen and check your emails and SMS, with details such as caller ID, calendar alerts, e-mail titles and others. Plus, don’t miss a call thanks to its built-in vibrating motor.

And it’s also fully customizable: custom alarms and timers as well as sleep times and message filters, can be easily modified using the large screen and keyboard on your phone.
You can already preorder the new inPulse, launch price is $149.
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Source: Get inPulse

Now that standard DSLR cameras are becoming quite popular (prices below $700, lens included, are helping to democratize the segment) top brands are now moving to a rather new direction based on a smaller “packaging”: Sigma DP1 was a real surprise in 2008 and a highly improved version was launched some months ago (the new DP2), both with an APS-C size sensor. Olympus went a step further with a highly successful alternative featuring the new Micro Four Thirds technology: PEN EP-1 was the name of a beautiful and excellent retrostyle camera. The new EP-2 is already waiting to be launched in a few weeks (things are moving fast), and a few days ago I was lucky enough to purchase the new Panasonic GF1 (almost identical to Olympus’ EP-1, similar sensor, but with built-in flash and a few other interesting functions, plus an excellent 20mm F1.7 pancake lens).

But Leica will always be playing in a different league, and X1 should be a great success for the german brand if we simply listen to the tests based on pre-production units.
Although it is expected to be launched next January, we have most of the details you need to know: 12.2 megapixels APS-C sensor, fixed 24mm Leica Elmarit F2.8 lens, ISO 100-3200, 2,7 in LCD screen, retro style pop-up flash, optional viewfinder, and an impressive styling, similar to the mythical M series. Full specs can be found here.
If you want to see some beautiful photographs, www.dpreview.com has given us the chance to say “yes! we want one!”. In my case, “why did I buy the GF1?!?!?”. Check them right here, and enjoy.
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Source: Digital Photography review.com

HTC will be facing new challenges from Corean manufacturer LG. Eve is their first Android based phone, targetted to social media lovers and will be available through canadian operator Rogers Mobile.
This new device features a 3″ touch screen, slide-out 5 lines Qwerty keyboard (similar to HTC’s Dream and G1), accelerometer and top Google apps such as Maps, Latitude or Search.

And LG has also paid attention to the camera: 5 megapixels, autofocus, face detection, video capture and LED flash are a guarantee of high quality photographs.
LG EVe is not yet available in Europe, but in any case it’s a great step for the brand… and for Android platform, of course. Check this video for a first look.

It’s quite obvious already that Windows 7 is opening new perspectives to hardware innovations. And Acer is, as usual, one of the most dynamic brands. As an example, this beautiful 23-inch multitouch 16:9 widescreen full of nice-to-have features: full-HD resolution, 80,000:1 contrast, 300 cd/m2 brightness, 2ms response time, 16,7 million colours, VGA, HDMI and DVI connectivity, 1,5W integrated speakers…

And back again to its multitouch capacity: we can rotate pictures, flip pages, pinch and draw with just two fingers. We can even throw our mouse away and just scroll, zoom, rotate and search with a simple touch.
This new device is already available in the US ($ 373 in Amazon.com) and it’s expected to be launched in Europe at 349 €.
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Source: Acer