Technically Speaking

Some of you may know that I have been spending much of my time doing photography as of late. I am on the Canon bandwagon, I shoot with the Canon 20D. I’ve been using Canon equipment for about six years ago starting with the Canon G1. Each year Canon busts out with new and revolutionary advances in their equipment, this year is no different. I have been waiting for some time to see what the specs for the new DSLR, the 30D, would be. I am pleased to say that they are almost exactly what I was hoping for. Some of the improvements I like are, spot metering, ISO setting can now be viewed in viewfinder and a bigger view screen. (2.5 inches). There are quite a few more and definitely something that will entice you to either buy the model or upgrade from your existing model.

* 8.2 Megapixel APS-C size CMOS sensor
* 5 fps and 30 large JPEG frame burst
* 2.5”, 230K pixel, 170º wide viewing angle LCD screen
* Picture Style image processing parameters
* Spot metering and High Precision 9-point AF system
* DIGIC II image processor with 0.15 sec start-up time
* Digital Photo Professional RAW processing software
* 100,000 cycle shutter durability and rugged magnesium alloy body
* Simultaneous RAW and JPEG recording
* Wide 100-3200 ISO range
* E-TTL II Flash
* PictBridge compatibility
* Complete compatibility with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlites
* USB 2.0 Hi-Speed and Video Out connectivity

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I found a couple of great articles for the recently announced 30D, dpreview and Rob Galbraith Digital Photography Insights. Do check them out for more information about the Canon 30D.

Apple is stretching their iPod line to as thin as it can go. They have come out with a pencil thin version of the iPod that hold 1000 songs. The new addition to the product line is called iPod Nano and I must say that it will make it even easier to carry your music with you everywhere you go.

Quick stats.

Only .27 inches thin and 1.5 ounces, iPod nano packs a lot into its diminutive design. Up to 14 hours of battery life(1). 2GB or 4GB of storage.(2) A bright color display. The Apple Click Wheel. A Dock connector that fits an entire ecosystem of iPod accessories. With so many features like these, iPod nano can change the way you listen to music — and more. Click on a feature to see it on the iPod nano display, then read about it here

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This is newly posted to the Apple website and orders are being taken so hurry up and get in on it now.

Sony is making them thinner and thinner. This model isn’t due out til May but I’m sure it will be pretty well received when it arrives. This 1/3 inch model will hit the market with a $500 price tag. Check out the press release…

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One of the latest crazes for electronics will be personal XM radio units that you can take with you. Delphi is pioneering this area with their MyFi unit. It will receive the XM radio signal from the satellite and allow you to record 5 hours of music for playback at your choosing. This product will be announced at the 2004 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) show at the Las Vegas Convention Center November 2-5, 2004. Just in case you are interested in seeing it first hand.

Source: Engadget, PR Newswire

After months of rumors, the iPod Photo is finally here. iPod Photo holds up to 25,000 digital photos, and displays them on a 220 x 176-pixel, 65,000-color display. Mixing your photos and music to create slideshows is one of the special features of this product. The new iPods comes in 40 GB or 60 GB sizes, and can hold 10,000 or 15,000 songs respectively. The player’s battery life is 15 hours of music playback, or five hours of slideshows. Both models are currently shipping and carry a retail price of US$499 (40 GB) and $599 (60GB).

I’m sure that these beauties will be a big hit and soon to be hard to find, so get your now.

Some time ago Engadget wrote about a robot pill that you can swallow and it would walk through your intestines taking pictures. Well the picture above shows the robot pill. Right now it looks as if it is fitted for an elephant or at least a horse. Hopefully, if the aim is to use it on humans, we will see some significant reduction in size in later models.

Newer Technology, Inc. and Other World Computing brought to market the most powerful battery for 1G and 2G iPods. The battery packs an impressive 70% more power than the original iPod batteries. And the best part of all is that you can get the battery and the tools to help you install it for a mere $39.95. What a bargain!

The 2100mAh iPod replacement battery uses the same high-quality Li-Polymer technology used by Apple Computer to make the original iPod batteries. The NewerTech battery also comes with two non-scratching installation tools and a detailed instruction manual to guide users smoothly through the installation process.

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This is the first FireWire Flash Drive to reach the market. It can be used just like the USB flash drives we are all familiar with except it works on the FireWire port. No drivers are needed just plug it in and go on with your business.

If you have need for a lot of CompactFlash Memory and also a need for speed, this is a very good choice for you. Buy.com has the 2GB Ultra II on sale for $160.99, this is way down from the original price, when it was first introduced, of $532.33. CompactFlash is cheaper with each passing month, so keep an eye on it. Buy.com also has the 1GB Ultra II for $95.99.

Biometrics, a growing technology, is finally here in Microsoft products. This technology allows for the user to login to their computer and websites without worrying about remembering any passwords. Microsoft has incorporated a fingerprint reader into its product list by introducing three new devices; one standalone fingerprint sensor, a keyboard with a fingerprint sensor built-in and a intellimouse with fingerprint sensor bundle. Microsoft will bring these items to market in the upcoming months; the Microsoft Optical Desktop with Fingerprint reader keyboard in October, the standalone reader in November and the Mouse Reader in January.

More Info on Microsoft’s Product Page

Source: I4U

Bumping up the storage space of the cell phone, Samsung has incorporated a mini hard drive into their latest phone. This will greatly increase the amount of software driven features the phone can run.

The phone is equipped with a one-inch diagonal 1.5 gigabyte hard disc drive that expands the memory capacity of mobile phones from the conventional 100 megabyte.

It also comes with a mega-pixel camera and boasts a high-resolution 2.2-inch liquid crystal display. The phone includes features such as MP3 player, electronic book and a dictionary.

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Lexar has brought to market its new MP3 player. It is unique in that it is design to allow the user to quickly change the compactflash and to allow storage other things on the compactflash drive that runs the player. The quick change feature is great but Lexar has made the player dependent on a specific type of compactflash card, only the Lexar JumpDrive Sport will work in this gadget.

The JumpGear-MP3 supports both MP3 and WMA music formats, and Microsoft’s digital rights management, so users can easily play music purchased from legitimate online music services. It features a backlit LCD displaying the song title, artist, playtime and track number, and an equalizer with five preset modes: normal, jazz, pop, rock, and classic music. The device has three playback modes, normal, repeat and random, and has a continuous playtime of up to 14 hours for the two AAA batteries..

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LG has created a camera phone that uses biometrics to identify the user. The technology is a bit of a novelty as of now but the implifications could lead to more interesting security measures.

“To register your print, you slide the tip of your finger over a strip-shaped sensor three times. (The handset tells you if you’re sliding too fast or too slowly.) You can register up to 10 prints (for your 10 fingers), although the finger you use to unlock the phone must match the fingerprint that locked it.”

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The Apple Click Wheel, to facilitate easier navigation of the now more efficient menus, longer battery life (12 hours) and a faster charging cycle(2 hours) has been incorporated into the new model of the iPod, along with slightly thinner casing. It is also a little cheaper too. You can now purchase a 20GB iPod for $299. Or a 40GB iPod for $399.

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If you are a cycling fan and you have been following the Tour De Fance then you may be interested to know that there is a lot of technology surrounding the event.

• Tour de Lance — Wired magazine takes a look at some of the racing gear that Lance uses.
• Oakley’s Thump — Oakley has a new mp3 playing pair of shades.
• Tyler Hamilton’s BMC Bike — Tyler Hamilton’s bike designed by BMC.
• Aerodynamic Wheels — Zipps new wheels that are designed to cut down the drag.
• Training Tools — Specialized tools for measuring the aerodynamics and ergonomics of bicycle racing.

Source: SlashDot

Microsoft is pleased to announce that the products that its partners have developed, using Microsoft’s technology, are now being pre-ordered on Amazon.com. The products are fruits of Microsoft’s Media2Go platform and are commonly known as the ‘iPod Killers’.

Now called the Portable Media Center, each gadget features a hefty hard drive and a large-format LCD panel. Microsoft’s pitch is that the devices will allow users to take their photos, music and movies with them wherever they go - essentially, we’re talking a video iPod.

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Creative Zen Media Center, Samsung’s $500 Yepp YH-999, and iRiver’s PMC-120 are the most anticipated products to come out of this union. The former two gadgets are currently in the ‘pre-order’ status on Amazon. Amazon makes now mention of when they expect to deliver the goods.

Source: The Register

Emerging WiFi Technologies has come up with this antenna booster that can significantly increase your WiFi signal within your house. The antenna will increase your power output by 1 watt, which is equivalent to a 20db gain for your signal. It is packaged with 2 different connectors that will hopefully allow you to screw it onto your existing unit. There is also a power limiting feature that will make sure you comply to the FCC’s 1000mW power output limits. Compared to the other signal enhancing solution I mention a few days ago, this is a little more expensive. But it is just as easy to install and it will take up less space. Currently it is going for $119.99.

Source: Engadget.com

Click to enlarge.

If you need a little help staying awake of concentrating on the job, this may be just what the doctor ordered. The Color Therapy Cube was developed by Alternative health practitioners as a device that could possibly replace the power nap. It works by displaying soothing color patterns to you to calm, rejuvenate, and improve the sense of well-being.

The effect is a stunning and intriguing display that could also be beneficial. Choose from three different programs: Nomad for reflection, Geometrics for concentration, and Flow for relaxation or meditation. Jittery before a meeting? Having trouble concentrating? Feeling drowsy in the afternoon? Try the Color Therapy Cube. Use it at home before bedtime or to perk up for an evening out. Built in 15-60 minute timer. Tabletop or wall mountable. Measures about 9″L x 3″W x 8″H.

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If you feel that you must have one, you can pick it up here, for the low-low price of just $69.95(usd, of course).

Source: Gizmodo.com

i2i, the latest idea for personalizing webcam use, is a project spearheaded by Microsoft Research Labs. The two camera system is designed to triangulate on to the gazer’s eyes and give the viewer the impression that they are looking them straight in the eyes.

i2i, in development at Microsoft Research labs, Cambridge UK, is a two-camera system which follows a person’s movement.

It uses specially-developed algorithms to fuse what each camera sees to create an accurate stereo “cyclopean” image.

This means it looks as if users are looking each other in the eye. It can also display floating 3D emoticons.

“We were able to come up with an algorithm that was able to take two images and capture a corresponding map in 3D,” said Antonio Criminisi, lead researcher Microsoft’s Machine Learning and Perception Group.

“Using this powerful technology, we can now synthetically create an image as if the person is looking at you.”

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The researchers have broken down the workings of our eyes and replicated it with the use of two cameras. By piggybacking off the technology used by the Mars Rovers, a “stereo algorithm” was created to reconstruct 3D geometry in real-time and accurately on a standard computer. In addition to the eye 2 eye contact, i2i can also do a few more feats:

The i2i system can also generate realistic background images so that users can pretend they are somewhere else.

“This is important for privacy, because I might not want you to see how messy my bedroom is,” he said.

Another innovative feature which is sure to grab the teenage market is the “smarticons” created for the system.

Instead of typing emoticons - pictorial expressions like happy or sad faces - i2i can superimpose floating, 3D ones.

A user can have a beating heart float around their head, for instance, or an idea light bulb.

The ability for a camera to be able to discriminate foreground and background images is key when it comes to the way the cameras recreate 3D geometry.

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It has taken 2 years to get the camera system to its current stage but a few details must still be addressed before we will be able to see one in market. This product will be something for us all to keep our eye on.

Linksys WRE54G is nice little addition to the home setup that needs a little boost. This range expander acts as a repeater, relaying information to and fro the wireless access point. It itself is not an access point and thus doesn’t need to be hard wired to the network. Compatible with the Linksys WAP54G Access Point, and both the WRT54G and WRT54GS Wireless Routers. Just plug it into the wall and press the easy configuration button and you should be good to go. Needless to say, this is something that I will be looking more into.

Read more about Linksys WRE54G