Archives for February 2010

New Panasonic LUMIX Digital Cameras Shipping Mid-March

Towards the end of last month, Panasonic announced five new digital point & shoot cameras that were to be scheduled for launch. Panasonic have now provided pricing and dates for four of the five cameras with dates set for mid-March.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TS2

The first camera on the list is the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TS2 that is the companies newest rugged digital camera and is capable of capturing images and video in HD quality. The camera uses a format called AVCHD Lite that is developed jointly between Sony and Panasonic and allows for capture and storage of up to 720p from the camera. With the LUMIX TS2 being rugged it can also withstand shock up to a 6.6 foot drop as well as be dropped down to 10 meters deep water. Also the camera can withstand temperatures down to -10 degrees C and is dustproof.

The technical features of the camera show that has a wide-angle lens built in that is measured at 28mm and is capable of 4.6 times optical zoom. Other functions allow for face recognition, iA (Intelligent Auto) mode and other features from the general LUMIX range. The camera will launch mid March and cost $399.95. (pictured above). [Read more…]

Deal of the Day: Panasonic VIERA S1 Series HDTV 52% Off

Perfect for gaming and enjoying your favourite hi-def TV shows, this 32-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV has some impressive features.
The technical details include:

– 31.5 inch HDTV panel with full 1080p HD resolution
– Motion Focus Technology – reducing motion blur and improved resolution – achieved by a 60Hz video signal output and 120Hz Motion Picture Pro 3 which combine to allow 120 frames/sec from 60 frames/sec – allowing natural frame to frame transition.
– Wide 178 degree viewing angle that ensures clear images when viewed off-angle
– An SD card slot and Viera Image Viewer make photo sharing easy. Further options are also provided with 3 types of background music and 4 display effects, coupled with photos displayed in 1920x1080p pixel high definition and a wide 16:9 aspect ratio
– 4 HD inputs (3 HDMI and 1 component)
– Viera Link and Tools – allows interconnection of various AV devices using only the VIERA remote control by simply connecting the devices to each other via an HDMI cable. In addition, the new Tools user interface allows easy operation of the menu screen – with one push of a button and you can scroll through the icons (such as photo’s or movies) and select what you want.
– Game Mode – in game mode you can expect quicker image response and the VIERA produces the dark images in video games more clearly. [Read more…]

TwoNav Sportiva Outdoor GPS Announced

TwoNav have unveiled a new GPS unit called the Sportiva GPS. The device is quite small measuring 58x105x23mm and it weighs 124 grams. It has an IPX6 rating meaning that it’s protected from jets of water allowing it to be used outside in certain conditions.

The device is made by TwoNav and is also built along with Holux who are also another name in the GPS market. Technical specs show that the device has a 3 inch transreflective touchscreen along with 2GB of memory as well as a microSD card slot allowing up to 32GB of extra storage to be added. The GPS receiver uses a SiRF III chip. The battery has a rating of 1050mAh. Details on how many hours of navigation can be achieved are not provided just yet, although it will be several hours. [Read more…]

Recycled iMac G4 Lamp

Etsy seller randall180 created a unique lamp for an office desk out of the casing of an old iMac G4. The iMac had stopped working a while back, so randall180 decided to put it to good use, carve out the innards and make him self a light for the office.

For those of you who wanted to get your hands on the lamp, it’s actually out of stock now. I assume only the original was available to purchase due to the 1 G4 breaking down. Check out another picture after the jump. [Read more…]

Lilliput Mini USB Monitor $99

If one screen isn’t enough for you and you need a little extra to put your movies, IM’s, music, emails etc… on to then the Lilliput Mini USB Monitor could be a decent option for you. The USB monitor acts as a secondary monitor that you can connect up to a USB port on your computer and expand your desktop.

As the monitor is a USB monitor, it doesn’t require any other hardware like a regular monitor would. You simply plug it in to the USB port on your computer and the graphics and power requirements are taken care of via the USB port used to connect it up.

The monitor works with several systems including Intel based Mac’s, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. [Read more…]

Apple iPad – Mid Range 32GB 3G-Wireless Model to be Most Profitable

iSuppli have provided estimates of how much profit each model of the iPad will rake in for Apple [AAPL].

The report shows that the screen is the most expensive component on the device, which is no surprise really, and accounts for about 29% of the cost dropping slightly as prices rise on the upper end models. The screen it’s self is estimated to cost $80 on each device with the battery, wireless, CPU, casing and other of the same features between the devices holding the same costs. What raises the price between models is the amount of storage each has (either 16GB, 32GB or 64GB) and whether or not it has 3G and GPS built in. [Read more…]

Garmin-Asus nuvifone A50 Android Satnav Phone Announced

As well as introducing the Garmin-Asus nuvifone M10 just this morning, Garmin-Asus have also unveiled the Garmin-Asus nuvifone A50 smartphone. The A50 is an Android based smartphone that also includes all the Garmin satnav software heavily integrated in to the Android OS.

By using Google [GOOG] Android as the operating system on the A50, Garmin-Asus are able to customise things even more. Navigation is integrated in to almost all the applications which includes email, text messaging and even photos.

‘The A50 integrates navigation and GPS functionality throughout the device, which gives customers the versatility and reliability they need as they navigate their day.

[Read more…]

Garmin-Asus nuvifone M10 Windows Mobile Phone Announced

Garmin and ASUS have announced the nuvifone M10 smartphone today that runs the Windows Mobile platform which Garmin-Asus say it ideal for business use. The phone, as the name suggests, is another satnav/smartphone convergence that allows users to carry an all in one device that has Garmin’s expertise in navigation built in while offering full support in Windows Mobile for Exchange services allowing business users to keep in touch.

‘The Garmin-Asus M10 is a powerful time-saving tool that is designed for anyone who is tired of carrying numerous devices and instead wants to carry one device that gives them many of the same features found on a stand-alone phone, laptop, PND and digital camera, said Cliff Pemble, Garmin’s president and COO.

[Read more…]

Sony PS3 3D Firmware Update Coming Soon

Several months ago we first heard that 3D was heading towards the Sony Playstation 3 in the way of a firmware update that would convert ALL existing games to a 3D format automatically. Although it was said that not all games would look good in 3D, it would give an added dimension and work well on a number of games already released on the console.

What we are hearing now is that this firmware update could be arriving within the next few months along side Sony BRAVIA 3D screens specifically made to be compatible with the PS3 in 3D. [Read more…]

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Ready for Pre-Order

We first mentioned the Canon EOS Rebel T2i a few days ago and we noticed now that it is already available for pre-order.

The $799 (body only price) camera is Canon’s latest EOS Rebel camera to be launched that boasts some quite amazing specifications for falling in to the top of the entry level range of cameras. When a new camera launches the older model is typically retired although in this instance we hear that the EOS T1i is being produced throughout 2010. Right now it’s only about $15 cheaper than the T2i for the body only version although if both are on sale side-by-side, we expect some larger discounts to be applied soon. [Read more…]

T-Mobile myTouch 3G

It appears that T-Mobile might be introducing the new model of the myTouch 3G Android based smartphone today as the phone has appears on their site. New features on the phone vs the older myTouch 3G include a 3.5mm headphone jack along with a little extra memory that sees it move from 192MB up to 288MB.

Software on this version of the phone includes the new Swype keyboard and doubleTwist.

Although it is rumoured to be released today, as of yet there are no prices available. The previous model is still selling for $149 on a 2 year contract although the phone has been discontinued. [Read more…]

Panasonic Toughbook H1 Field Tablet Announced

Panasonic have announced a new rugged tablet called the Toughbook H1 Field. The press release describes the H1 as being the most rugged handheld tablet in the world. The H1 tablet is certified to reach both IP65 and MIL-STD-810G standards which allows it to handle drops of up to six feet.

Several options are being made available for the Toughbook H1 Field Tablet that include SmartCard, RFID and Barcode readers as well as optional camera, GPS and mobile broadband that is provided on a Qualcomm chip.

Powering the Toughbook H1 is an Intel Atom 1.86GHz processor and the battery will keep the tablet running for up to six hours on a single charge. [Read more…]