Archive

Author Archive

World’s highest resolution photograph, captured with a Canon EOS 5D… and some patience

December 22nd, 2009 admin No comments

Highest resolution image

Have you got some days off during the X-Mas period and no plans? Are you lucky enough to own a digital reflex camera… and a few hours to spend taking one (yes, 1) photograph? Then you can be the next record holder of the highest resolution image.

But today, this is the greatest (at least in terms of pixels) picture ever taken: a combination of 1.665 full frame pictures taken with a Canon EOS 5 D at 21,4 megapixels each (that means… 26 gigapixels!) recorded with a photo-robot during 172 minutes. Processing took 96 hours from the 104 gigabyte original frame down to the impressive 26 gb result that you can check right here.

The shooting took place in Dresden, on the roof of the building Haus der Presse.

If you want to play with the image, just use the zoom and other control buttons you will find on the lower left corner of the image. Or just click on any of the 9 preselected details right below. It’s really impressive!

________________

Source: gigapixel-dresden.de

Touchees, high technology gloves for tactile screens

December 17th, 2009 admin No comments

Touchees high tech gloves

Yes, this is a blog devoted to gadgets. And yes, these are real gloves. So why are we writing about a pair of 90% cotton, 10%polyamide gloves today? Well, it’s quite simple: they are the best option for using any touchscreen device (iPhones, iPod Touch, Blackberries, eBooks, laptops) when the weather is not rather pleasant.

Let’s say you are waiting for a taxi in Helsinki, temperature is below zero and you want to play “Surfin’ USA”  in your phone, but do not want to take your gloves off. This is not a problem anymore with the new Touchees, developed by a team of spanish engineers working for high-tech company AISoy Robotics.

The good news is that these gloves are quite cheap (less than 19 €); the bad is that there is only one size available for the moment and colours are… well,  somewhat boring. But they do perform as expected.

In fact I have already purchased a few of them, and I’m sure they will be a very  original and well  appreciated gift this X-mas. Unless you are lucky enough to live in the Caribbean.

Want to see a real demo? Watch the video.

YouTube Preview Image

_________________

Source: www.touchees.com

Nokia N900 mobile computer, already available

December 1st, 2009 admin No comments

Nokia N900

If you were expecting a typical Nokia N Series device, then the N900 is not what you are looking for. In fact, the company has tried to find the perfect tool for those who want a high power multimedia device where navigation, speed and connectivity are key.

If we take it as a mobile phone, it is quite similar to the highly successful N97: 3,5″ touchscreen with 800 x 480 pixels resolution, fully integrated QWERTY sliding keyboard, 5 megapixels camera with double LED flash and Carl Zeiss lens, 32 GB internal memory (can be expanded through micro-SD cards), A-GPS navigation and Ovi Maps installed, 3G and WiFi connectivity and a powerful ARMCortex-A8 processor running at 600 MHz. Full tech specs can be found here.

Nokia N900 keyboard

But the real difference is in the core: the N900 runs the new Linux-based Maemo 5, an open source platform that will surely bring added value to all users on a permanent basis. As an example:

  • Powerful browser with Mozilla engine that gives full access to any kind of rich interactive contents
  • personalise your desktop: calendar, widgets, shortcuts… anything you want, you just have it there
  • Multitasking finally made easy
  • Access rich Adobe Flash content

If you want to see an in-depth review of this new device, GSM Arena.com is the best we have seen so far and you can find it right here.

But if you just have 2 minutes, then this video is for you.

YouTube Preview Image

The new N900 is already available in case you are ready to pay 599 €.

______________

Source: Nokia, GSM Arena

Want a flash for you iPhone?

November 22nd, 2009 admin No comments

Beamer flash iphone

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.

——–

Source:  http://www.quirky.com/products/18-Beamer

Ready to challenge Tiger Woods? If not, then you should buy the new Casio EX-FS10S

November 13th, 2009 admin No comments

Casio Exilim EX-F10S

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?

Casio-Exilim-EX-FS10SBack-2

If you have never seen a real slow-motion video, just check this one at 1,200 fps filmed with Casio’s Pro-EX1.

YouTube Preview Image

____________

Source: Akihabara News

Samsung X01SC, brand’s first Windows Mobile phone

November 12th, 2009 admin No comments

Samsung X01SC Front

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.

Samsung X01SC Back

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.

YouTube Preview Image

_____________

Source: Akihabara News

Netbook or laptop?Asus UL!!

November 12th, 2009 admin No comments

Asus UL30

 

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.

Asus-UL-front1

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.

Categories: Laptops, Netbooks Tags: ,

inPulse watch, the perfect match for your Blackberry

November 10th, 2009 admin No comments

inPulse watch

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.

inPulse watch - 2

 

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.

______________

Source: Get inPulse

Leica X1, best compact-size DSLR money can buy?

November 9th, 2009 admin No comments

Leica X1 front view

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).

Leica x1 top view

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.

__________________

Source: Digital Photography review.com

LG GW620 Eve: first Android mobile phone from Corean giant

November 7th, 2009 admin No comments

LG Eve

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.

LG Eve keyboard

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.

YouTube Preview Image
Categories: Android, Mobile Phones Tags: , ,