My Review of the 3M Shoot and Share Camera Projector

The Shoot and Share by 3M is a combination of the currently popular brand of “candybar” design cameras like the Flip and a pico-projector.

These two come together to make a product that allows the user to snap a 5 Megapixel picture or shoot a 720p (1280 x 720) video, and then immediately project it on a big screen. Any blank wall will do, and the image can be as large as 65 inches on its diagonal.

The Shoot and Share is powered by a USB that also allows for easy downloading to a computer. It is capable of about 20 hours worth of video, which is about 32GB.

The button configuration is quite interesting, and resembles a telephone keypad. In fact, my eight-year-old daughter thought it was a phone when she first saw it. The configuration makes usage rather instinctive, and I was shooting and filming in seconds as soon as the thing was charged. Then I hit the projector button to make me feel like I was watching a movie in the theater.

The one drawback I found was that the camera didn’t have a flash, so good lighting is a requirement. It also only has 14 MB of internal memory, and the microphone is only mono.

However, if you want some quick picture-taker and projector, this is one (but not the only) option. You should be able to get the Shoot and Share at the 3M site for about $300.

Poco PRO - the credit card-sized 14-megapixel compact digital camera

With cameras pretty much standard equipment on mobile phones nowadays, a lot of people don’t bother with the extra hassle of carrying around a separate one, even if it means sacrificing picture quality for convenience. While we can’t comment on the picture quality, the Poco PRO from Iain Sinclair certainly seems to tick the right boxes in the specs department and won’t be too much trouble to cart around thanks to its credit card-like dimensions.

In a magnesium chassis measuring just 85.5 x 54 x 5 mm (3.36 x 2.12 x 0.19 in) and weighing 65 g (2.29 oz), the Poco PRO manages to cram in a 14.6 megapixel autofocus CMOS sensor, 2-axis gyro controller and 2.4 inch AMOLED 240 x 320 pixel (QVGA) display. There’s also a built-in piezo speaker, twin microphones with noise cancellation, 3.5 mm jack and some DSLR type manual shooting controls such as mechanical shutter and continuous variable aperture.

Not satisfied with laying claim to the title of the world’s smallest 14-megapixel digital still camera, the Poco PRO can also capture full 1080p video at 60 fps. Using a 2x2 binning process, whereby groups of pixels (in this case four) are combined to form larger single pixels, the camera is able to offer improved low light performance because the resulting new pixel contains all the light from the original four pixels.

The camera comes with 4GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via microSD cards of up to 32GB. There’s also an optional microSD Wi-Fi card available for wireless transmission of images and video to a PC.

The device is charged via a micro USB3 cable, which also provides HDMI output to a HDTV via an optional HDMI connector.

Iain Sinclair is taking reservations for the Poco PRO now ahead of its planned June 2011 release. It is priced at GBP200 (approx. US$307).

Via The Gadgeteer

GEAR4 UnityRemote turns iOS devices into universal remotes

UK-based GEAR4, a company better known for its iPod and iPhone audio docks, today announced the U.S. availability of its UnityRemote that turns an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad into a universal remote control. To get around the fact these Apple devices don’t pack an infrared transmitter, the GEAR4 setup consists of an app available for free from the iTunes Store and a small cylindrical device that receives a Bluetooth signal from an iOS device and then sends an infrared command to control the various components of your home entertainment setup.

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GEAR4 says the cylindrical IR transmitter, which is powered by three AA batteries, can be placed anywhere in a room thanks to five infrared transmitters within the device providing 360 degrees of coverage. The free app allows users to select the device to be controlled from a database of manufacturers and there’s also a "learn" function if you’ve got some obscure piece of kit that doesn’t appear on the list.

Users can also set up ‘actions’ to control multiple devices simultaneously – turning on your TV, DVD player and sound system with a single touch, for example. There’s also the ability to customize various remote layouts with buttons for multiple devices on the one screen. If you’re just watching TV then you can customize a layout with just volume and channel controls, then if you’re watching a DVD another remote layout could be chosen with additional DVD controls.

GEAR4’s UnityRemote is compatible with iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4; iPod touch 2G, 3G and iPad. It is available through Amazon for US$99.

Back to basics mobile phones from Lekki

Remember a simpler time when people used mobile phones to make calls? When just about everyone owned a Nokia, and most of those were a model with cutting-edge features like an internal antenna, vibrate call alert and the facility to create your own ringtones? If you're too young to remember the iconic Nokia 3210 or were too set in your ways to own a mobile back in the dark ages of the late 1990s, then a French company called Lëkki is now offering you a second chance. Refurbished and revamped, there are currently two legendary phones on offer as part of the company's Back to Basics ethic.

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I remember only having to charge up my Nokia 3210 about once every two weeks and wasting away hours and hours playing an infuriatingly addictive game called Snake. Mobile phones have come a long way since then, with some now being just as powerful as portable computers. Yet there are those who yearn for the good old days when mobile phones were used for talking, or if you were a real trend-setter – texting. Lëkki has the answer.

The company notes that the average lifespan of a modern phone is around 18 months, but the impact of its production on the environment lasts a good while longer. Lëkki's response has been to secure a supply of classic, second-hand phones from the 1990s, clean them up and repackage them as a Back to Basics answer to the slick slab of overcomplication that now resides in most of our pockets or handbags.

The first SIM-free, revamped model out of the blocks is the Motorola StarTAC 130, with retractable antenna, monophonic ringtones and vibration alert. The phone is shipped with a brand new battery and hands-free kit and promises a good 48 hours stand-by and 120 minutes talk time. This model will only work on GSM 900 networks (there's a list of compatible European operators on the website) and is priced at EUR125 (US$163) for green, magenta, yellow and black, and EUR145 (US$190) for the "Make Your Own" option. There's also an original available for EUR135 (US$176).

Next up is the iconic Nokia 3210. This one will work on GSM 900 / 1800 networks and has a monstrous 200 hours stand-by, 4 hours talk time. Again provided SIM-free and shipped with a new battery, it sports monophonic ringtones and vibration alert, and also comes with that most wonderful of time-wasters – Snake. This one's available in green, yellow and black versions for EUR75 (US$98), or for an extra EUR10 (US$13) you can "Make Your Own" color combination.

Lëkki's founder told Gizmag that there are some more 1990's classic revamps planned for release next year, but is keeping tight-lipped about which ones are set to make an appearance. We'll keep you informed.

Huey the Color Copying Chameleon Lamp

Have you watched Disney’s Rapunzel just yet? For those of you who live Stateside, that isn’t the name of the movie, as you might be more familiar with Tangled. Either way, it is the same, and who could forget about Pascal, the name of the super cute chameleon? Well, a similar idea has been incorporated into the real world, which is Huey the Color Copying Chameleon Lamp. ThinkGeek’s latest $29.99 offering is actually an electronic glowing chameleon lamp which can dynamically match the color of whatever he sits on.

Yup, that’s right, place Huey down on top of a green notebook and he will match the color with his unique, glowing skin after giving him a loving squeeze. He doesn’t do this via magic, but two white LEDs located underneath which relies on a sophisticated optical sensor will determine the right color, where he will then adjust the shade of numerous multi-color LED’s imbedded in his body. Who would’ve thought that something like this would actually exist, eh?

Vizio has new 3D TV for the masses

This year’s CES certainly saw the introduction of 3D TVs from major manufacturers, and somehow, we are not surprised at all that among all the big players, there are also smaller manufacturers who want a piece of this potentially lucrative pie. Vizio is among one of them, consistently churning out quality stuff without breaking the bank, and they’re back with their 65″ Theater 3D Edge Lit Razor LED LCD HDTV alongside support for Vizio Internet Apps.

Vizio’s incorporation of their own Theater 3D technology will deliver a superior alternative to conventional 3D by utilizing battery-free, affordable and lightweight 3D glasses. The use of such glasses results in less eyestrain compared to current power-consuming “Active Shutter” technology – something to think about if you have a heart for the environment.

Also, the 65″ XVT3D650SV holds the distinction of being Vizio’s largest HDTV to date, and will arrive in time for the holiday season, so you can wow family and friends who drop by your pad with 65″ of viewing goodness. As mentioned earlier, the Vizio Theater 3D technology will produce clear, flicker-free 3D images that are noticeably brighter than conventional 3D, while helping you save cost from purchasing bulky 3D eyewear which requires batteries or charging. Nice to know that this 65″ XVT series Theater 3D HDTV will be able to deliver cinema-style 3D experience right in the comfort of your living room with a quartet of 3D glasses inside, allowing you to share the 3D goodness with others right from the get go.

Not only that, the XVT3D650SV will also support the widest selection of 3D formats, making sure it is compatible across Blu-ray, broadcast, cable, satellite, and gaming platforms. In addition, support for SENSIO Hi-Fi 3D is thrown into the picture, where this high quality, visually lossless 3D format will allow 3D content to be delivered over 2D infrastructure as well as RealD’s patented side-by-side format. Built-in Wi-Fi N connectivity makes navigating through Vizio Internet Apps a breeze, where you can access online content such as Amazon Video On Demand, Facebook, Flickr, Netflix, Rhapsody, Pandora, Twitter, VUDU and Yahoo! TV Widgets. At $3,499.99 a pop, this is shaping up to be a pretty sweet deal.

Hands on with the Belkin Conserve Valet Energy-Saving USB Charging Station

Just to let you know, this isn’t another one of those wireless chargers like the Powermat, Wildcharger, or that one from Energizer.

No, this Conserve Valet Smart USB Charging Station from Belkin is full of wires, but at least it puts all the wires in the right place. You can’t see the back of this, but there is a cord that plugs into the wall, and three USB ports on the back. The device comes with two USB to mini-USB ports to plug and charge appropriate devices.

If you are charging an iPod or other device that has a USB charging cable, you can wrap it around the Valet device, poke the cord through the notch, and rest the device on the slip-resistant surface there.

According to the official site, you can do 4 devices at once, but the actual surface is only big enough for two mobile devices like iPods or mobile phones. I was able to fit three Bluetooth headsets, though.

I guess the Conserve Valet is named as it can conserve energy. Unlike other chargers, that charge as soon as a device is connected, this one has a button on top that won’t start the devices charging until it is pushed. I guess it is greener power.

You should be able to get it on Amazon for about $39.99.

Coloud Colors headphones are ready to rock

Most of us would be happy with a standard pair of headphones, but then again an out-of-the-box standard issue pair might not be up to par with what discerning ears are willing to settle for. Nice to know that there are after market headphones out there which are capable of filling in the gap, and the Coloud Colors headphones are more than willing to step in and do the job. Of course, this has nothing to do with Care Bears (anyone remembers that cute little cartoon with plenty of love going around?) despite boasting series of 7 uniformly colored headphones, but rather, it is a tribute to the rainbow of sorts, but you shouldn’t expect traditional rainbow colors as it comes in red, white, black, green, blue, purple and pink.

All Coloud Colors headphones will also ship with a microphone cum remote that will play nice with a range of smartphones including the almighty iPhone, HTC devices as well as BlackBerrys among other handsets that rely on a 3.5mm standard plug. Of course, while this is nothing near Harman Kardon levels of audio quality nor will it bring your listening experience to a totally elevated level, at least it should sound better than what you get with your handset purchase, which probably costs a couple of bucks to manufacture anyways. The Coloud Colors headphones won’t put a dent in your pocket either with a suggested retail price of $35.

Also known as the C22M model, it allows you answer incoming calls thanks to the aforementioned microphone/remote function, pausing whatever music that is being played at that moment. Just like Apple’s iPhone which was designed in California but manufactured in China, so the Coloud headphones are developed in Sweden and produced in China. Hopefully there won’t be any sort of performance related issues due to the country of manufacturing, and we hope that stringent quality controls are in place to boot.

Electronic Spy Camera Shirt

Having a spy camera is something that some of us out there might love to own, since there is a voyeuristric streak in us that we tend to keep suppressed. Well, ThinkGeek has the cure for that with the Electronic Spy Camera Shirt, where this $39.99 purchase will add a new dimension to your sense of fashion. How so, you ask? It is pretty self explanatory, where centered in the artwork on the shirt features James Bond holding a camera straight to his face. Of course, this is no ordinary camera picture, since hidden behind the soft cotton exterior likes a real spy camera. There will be a cable that hooks the camera to a tiny black box which is in your pocket, where all you need to do is place your hand non-chalantly inside, press the button, and the camera will start/stop recording. Of course, it will run on batteries (three AAA) and not magic, but that’s to be expected for something that can hold up to 150 digital photos in VGA resolution

Scosche kickBACK P1 tough case for the iPad

Mention Scosche Industries and you will definitely receive a nod of approval among folks who own iDevices, as this is one company that has proven itself in the past when it comes to delivering quality. After all, the company is an award-winning innovator of iPod, iPhone and iPad accessories, and are currently more than happy to bring you some Yuletide cheer this year with the availability of the much anticipated kickBACK P1, a shatterproof polycarbonate and shock resistant rubber hybrid case that boasts an integrated kickstand for iPad, not to mention the solVUE solar powered Bluetooth speakerphone. If you want to know more about either device, there is always the temptation to read on after the jump.

Since iPads as well as smartphones have really done well in the market this year with no signs of abating, Scosche does not intend to curtail the market by limiting the amount of accessories for it (read: not miss the gravy train in this market). Hence, the kickBACK P1 will provide protection for that new $500-800 iPad, while the solVUE delivers a safe and green way to make and receive calls in the car for users.

The patent pending kickBACK P1 will come in white with gray molding and black on black styles, where it not only offers unparalleled protection but provides convenient landscape and vertical viewing options. Not only that, it will also offer users a low angle setting which is optimal for typing and integrated traction nubs to grip flat surfaces.

As for the new Scosche solVUE, it certainly adds a new dimension of safety if you want to make phone calls while you’re behind the wheel. It has a display that will show the name of up to 1,000 contacts (while announcing it, to boot), and with a built-in solar panel, you can be sure that the lithium ion battery inside will remain juiced up constantly as long as you’re near a solar source. An internal accelerometer will also turn the device on the moment you enter the vehicle, now how about that? All calls can be placed using one-touch voice dialing while the DSP echo cancellation technology ensures a crystal clear conversation every time.

Expect to fork out $59.99 and $109.99 for the kickBACK P1 and solVUE, respectively.

Fireplace HEPA Vacuum

ust in case you thought that Santa is nice enough to clean your chimney every year when he drops by to give your household presents, think again. The chimney and fireplace isn’t going to clean itself by magic, since you aren’t living in an enchanted castle. No sir, it takes backbreaking hard work to make sure all the dirt and soot are thoroughly cleaned after each use so that none of it will settle and soil the rest of your expensive furniture. That’s what a vacuum cleaner is for, and the Fireplace HEPA Vacuum works differently from other typical fireplace vacuums where it won’t recirculate microscopic ash particles into the air, thanks to its HEPA filter that captures 99.97% of all airborne particulates as small as 1/3000 of a millimeter. The HEPA filter is located within the intake side of the motor, hence preventing fine, abrasive ash particles from damaging the vacuum or being exhausted into the air you breathe. Powered by an 800-watt motor that quickly suctions ashes via a 5′ fire-retardant aluminum hose into a 5 1/4-gallon fire-resistant steel tank, the Fireplace HEPA Vacuum sports an integrated handle where the lid will unclasp in a jiffy to enable easy emptying of ash. At $149.95 a pop, this is certainly worth looking into, since you might be spending more time around the fireplace during winter than summer.

Rugged PS3 created for the military

Our men in green are there to make sure that they keep the peace – not only back in the homeland, but around the world as well. After all, if there isn’t a world police, don’t you think we would have all obliterated one another by now in a shower of nukes due to retaliatory attacks? Of course, in their tour of duty, it is safe to say that these brave men and women would have undergone plenty of stress and seen untold horrors – so how are they going to destress in the midst of the battlefield? Taking drugs and booze are definitely two of the wrong choices, but it is a good thing there are healthier alternatives out there – such as playing video games. Then again, you can say that video game consoles aren’t all that tough, and in the event of enemy fire, you might as well kiss goodbye to your saved games whenever a grenade goes off nearby. Ben Heck, modder extraordinare, has come up with a spanking new mod of the Sony PS3 – one that has been ruggedized enough to withstand the rigors of the battlefield.

Ben Heck pays tribute to our troops with a military-grade portable gaming system that was specially designed for a married couple working with the military overseas, and although we would have liked the army to commission a slew of these modded portable PS3s, we don’t think that is possible due to the amount of work required in each individual mod, and no factory is going to change their production line just to make it a reality.

Let’s get back to the lucky couple – Ben’s latest work is the result of a personal request from civilian unmanned aerial vehicle pilots in Afghanistan, Erica and Kris Kokkeby, where this ultimate portable gaming system sports a Sony PlayStation 3 stored within an iM2600 Pelican Storm Case that was specially constructed to withstand extreme gaming situations. The Kokkebys intend to take up gaming as their hobby, where this hardy console will help them pass time and boost morale in-between maneuvers. We definitely look forward to see what else Ben Heck has up his sleeves for future console mods – will a new Xbox 360 that is much more compact roll out? Only time will tell, but keep ‘em coming, Ben.

Kno ships tablets to students at last

Do you know Kno? OK, so reading that aloud might sound a little bit weird at first, but if you haven’t heard about Kno, then this is the company that has come up with a new educational tablet, hoping students will pick it up instead of lugging around heavy textbooks and giving their shoulders a nice workout. The company has just announced that they will start to ship its highly anticipated product to pre-order customers, where the first batch of Kno tablets will start to arrive on doorsteps this week – perfect if you’ve placed a pre-order for your little bird who is about to leave the nest for university pretty soon. Kno’s tablets will come in two iterations – one with a single screen just like every other tablet device out there, while another will sport a couple of displays, which is pretty much like a blown up Nintendo DS, except that this is more educational centric instead of helping you while your time away playing games.

Why the name Kno, you ask? Well, it is apparently short for knowledge, where it boasts a rather generous 14.1-inch touchscreen display which will blend textbooks, course materials, note-taking, web access, educational applications, digital media, sharing and more into a single tool that delivers a more powerful and engaging educational experience. Not only that, Kno also boasts their very own digital bookstore (www.kno.com/store/books) that will hold tens of thousands of tomes from most of the major publishers, where new books will be added to the total on a regular basis. These digital textbooks will typically cost between 30 and 50 percent cheaper comapred to physical textbooks, and Kno claims that it will pay for itself in just 3 semesters with the amount of money saved in terms of textbook costs. Of course, having a physical textbook can be pretty rewarding for those who love thumbing through physical pages, but knowing how modern our students are these days, they might just fall for the Kno instead.

As mentioned earlier, the Kno will come as a single and dual 14.1-inch screen tablet, retailing for $599 and $899, respectively. Not everyone is able to purchase the Kno outright since it is available in limited quantity, and availability is also subject to invitation only. Shipments to pre-order customers will be staggered over this month and January 2011, so you might just be one of the lucky ones to get it before Christmas.

Microsoft SenseCam concept now available as Vicon Revue

Microsoft has licensed its SenseCam technology to UK-based Vicon Motion Systems, so that the company can manufacture the device as a memory aid. Worn around the neck, the forward-facing lens of the Vicon Revue snaps a few photos every minute and stores them on the internal memory. The shots can then be used later to help those suffering from recall problems to piece together life events.

Microsoft has been working with a number of clinicians and university researchers over the past five years to learn more about how its SenseCam technology can be used to help those with memory problems. In one such study at the UK's Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, a woman with severe memory impairment found that looking through images captured by the technology improved her recall of events. Encouraged by early results such as this, the Redmond giant has licensed its technology for manufacture as the Vicon Revue.

The 65 x 70 x 17mm (2.55 x 2.75 x 0.66-inch), 94g (3.31oz) device captures whatever is in front of the wearer through a wide-angle lens, taking a couple or three shots every minute or so to effortlessly create a visual account of where you've been and what you've been up to. The photos are recorded to 2GB of onboard memory until the user loads them into a computer running the supplied photo viewing software, via mini-USB.

The Revue features a temperature sensor, infrared motion detector, multi-axis accelerometer and 3-axis magnetometer (compass). There's a privacy button that temporarily halts the snapping so that wearers are not caught on camera in embarrassing situations, such as going to the toilet. The battery is said to offer 12 hours of continued use, and is recharged in about two hours.

While Vicon Motion Systems sees its main market being those who require visual memory aids (it could well have saved Guy Pearce's character in the film Memento a whole lot of tattoo pain), it will also suit the personal user who wants to create a blow-by-blow event log or time-lapse video for blogs or social networking sites.

However, carrying a price tag of GBP500 (US$775), the Revue may be priced out of the autobiographical-photo-diary domain by the likes of Looxcie.

The latter is a good deal cheaper and benefits from more onboard memory, wireless data transfer and is able to capture and playback real-time – as opposed to time-lapse – video. Being worn over the ear, it's also more likely to record everything that the wearer sees rather than just what's in front of them.

Via Popular Science

XTC200 and 300 - the latest high-def actioncams on the market

Midland Radio has announced two new HD actioncam models in its XTC wearable video camera line. The XTC200 and XTC300 HD actioncams join the XTC100 standard def model announced in January. The XTCs have a similar form factor as the VholdR Contour HD or Drift Innovations HD170, with a small rugged chassis that can be mounted on a helmet, goggle strap, handlebars, or wherever you want to capture your extreme action.

The XTC200 shoots 720p HD video, and the XTC300 shoots 1080p. The older XTC100 offers standard def (480p). All three units weigh just 3 ounces (93 grams) each, and feature a single large button for controlling power and recording.

In addition to the standard black XTC models, Midland also offers camouflaged versions in the XTC150 (standard def) and XTC350 (HD). These models are aimed at hunting and other outdoor pursuits.

Each XTC actioncam comes with strap, goggle, handlebar, and universal mounts. Additional mounts are available including a suction-cup mount, visor clip, tree mount, and bow mount. The XTC actioncams are not waterproof, but Midland does offer a submersible case.

The XTC200 and XTC300 are powered by built-in rechargeable lithium battery packs. The XTC100 uses two AAA batteries. The units accept Micro SD memory cards, and feature USB 2.0 ports.

There are dozens of actioncams on the market these days. While XTC actioncams do not have some of the more advanced bells and whistles found on cams such as the Gobandit GPSHD or the Oregon Scientific ATC9K, the XTCs seem to offer a solid set of features for outdoor enthusiasts and extreme sports nuts.

• XTC100 and XTC150: Standard def (480p) 640 x 480, 30 FPS. 4:3 aspect ratio. 140-degree wide-angle lens. Accepts up to 32 GB Micro SD card, 15 minutes per 1 GB (AVI).
• XTC200: HD (720p) 1280 x 720, 30 FPS. 16:9 aspect ratio. 140-degree wide-angle lens. Accepts up to 32 GB Micro SD card, 13 minutes per 1 GB (MPEG-4).
• XTC300 and XTC350: HD (1080p) 1920 x 1080, 30 FPS. 16:9 aspect ratio. 140-degree wide-angle lens. Accepts up to 32GB Micro SD card, 11 minutes per 1 GB (MPEG-4).

Pricing and availability for the XTC200 and XTC300 HD actioncams have not yet been released, although we did find one online retailer selling the 300 for US$315. The XTC100 is currently available for around US$100. For more information visit MidXTC.com.

Zipbuds are a neat way to enjoy tangle-free music

When you’re desperate to hear the latest tune on your iPod or iPhone, the last thing you want is to miss it while you spend valuable seconds or even minutes untangling your earbuds – especially when your fingers are frozen. Zipbuds from DGA feature a tangle-resistant zipper-integrated cable that retains its flexibility, but helps avoid that frustrating tangled mess of wires that constitute many people’s earbuds when they first locate them.

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Zipbuds feature a “vertebrae” zipper design that reduces weight and bulk. The sound emanating from the Zipbuds comes via patented centralized acoustic ventilation that the company says generates rich audio quality while minimizing THD (Total Harmonic Distortion). Noise-isolating eartips block exterior noise.

The cables are made from braided nylon cabling (for added tangle resistance) and reinforced with Dupont Kevlar cabling for added strength. A 3.5mm gold plated audio jack means the Zipbuds will fit most audio appliances with minimal signal loss. Rated power from the 8mm driver is 2mW and maximum input power is 5mW.

To assist in keeping your earbuds where they belong – in your ears – Zipbuds have angled ear tips for a snug fit (each set comes with three common tip sizes). For those who enjoy their music on the run, Zipbuds also come with sport ear clips to keep you in touch with your music during physical activity.

DGA’s website indicates that an in-line microphone/remote for answering phone calls and skipping songs could be available in a future release.

Zipbuds sell online for US$39.99.

The video below shows how the zipper action works.

Via Toxel and Dvice

360-degree music video pushes the boundaries of interactive content

We've written before about 360-degree video (here demonstrated with an awesome interactive video that puts you in a base-jumper's shoes) - it's effectively like watching a video in Google Street View mode, where you can look any direction you like using the mouse. Now, Dutch 360-degree video company yellowBird has announced a hookup with YouTube that lets users post 360-degree videos in their YouTube channels. And the first major production is a 360-degree music video clip that challenges the role of the film director and stretches the boundaries of interactive entertainment.

In filmmaking, it's more or less the job of the director to use his camera to frame the action so your attention is pointed in the right place at all times to support the story that's being told. But with video cameras slowly creeping into most cellphones, it seems more and more people just want to use video to capture the vibe of a place they're in to share with others that aren't there.

360-degree video is a highly immersive tool that achieves this goal exceptionally well. The viewer is free to let their attention wander around the environment and soak up the atmosphere, choosing either to watch what's going on, or swivel around to see how other people in the area are reacting to it.

yellowBird (their capitalisation, not mine) is an end-to-end 360-degree video company, offering equipment sales and hire, editing assistance, live 360-degree video event coverage and hosting of the large video file streaming services you need to get these videos out onto the web. The company has recently announced a hook-up with YouTube allowing channels to embed yellowBird streaming content.

One of the first videos to really make use of the technology is a music video by Professor Green for his song "Coming to Get Me" - filmed on yellowBird gear and presented in the YouTube channel for Doritos UK.

The unique challenges of working in the 360-degree format forced director Chris Cairns to find new ways of moving a user's attention around the environment, and it resulted in a clip that can be played back several times, each time adding detail to the viewer's understanding of the scene.

Check the music video out here in HD.

The video is also slated to appear as an iPhone app that can be navigated using finger swipes to control the camera angle.

It's a fascinating look into a new type of media that could only take off online, where every viewer is an individual and wants control of what they're watching.

Oh, and for the record, if you want to learn more about yellowBird or get in touch with them to hire some gear, you'll have to visit what we'd rank right up there as one of the worst business URLs we've ever encountered: http://www.yellowbirdsdonthavewingsbuttheyflytomakeyouexperiencea3dreality.com

Epson ups the ante with PowerLite Pro G-series installation projectors

Epson is a name that is well know when it comes to projectors (apart from printers, of course), and this time around we have a couple more high-definition models that will be introduced to the masses – the PowerLite Pro G-series installation projector line which sees the PowerLite Pro G5450WUNL and G5750WUNL arriving on stage. Targeting medium to large custom installations in corporations, higher-education, and houses of worship, these will be no less than full-featured, professional projectors that comprise of a wide range of cutting edge technologies and collaboration features. In case you’re involved in any of the places mentioned and are looking for a new projector, why not read on in the extended post to see whether the features suit your venue or not?

The PowerLite Pro G5450WUNL and G5750WUNL are both WUXGA projectors, where they will deliver 1920 x 1200 native resolution and high-quality widescreen images. First of all, the PowerLite Pro G5450WUNL can deliver 4,000 lumens of color and white light output, while the PowerLite Pro G5750WUNL is slightly higher end when it comes to brightness levels, offering 4,500 lumens of color and white light output. Among the features that both projectors share include :-

• C2Fine Technology: Along with advanced vertical alignment technology, provides high contrast for deeper blacks and vivid images
• DICOM Simulation Mode: Specialized imaging uses standardized grayscale to reproduce medical images, such as x-rays, for medical training and education
• Six-Axis Color Adjustment: Allows users to customize colors by adjusting the hue, saturation, and brightness of RGBCMY (red, green, blue, cyan, magenta, yellow) for special projection materials such as high-quality photographs or artwork
• Advanced Sharpness: Allows users to adjust sharpness more precisely for thin, thick, vertical, and horizontal line enhancements
• Test Patterns: Four new test patterns are included for different applications to make setup and image customization easy

Of course, what’s a high end projector when it isn’t capable of giving you split screen capability? This will certainly come in handy when it comes to presentation flexibility, boasting two side-by-side windows and three layout options – perfect when you want video and presentation materials to run simultaneously for added convenience. Not only that, up to a quartet of computers can simultaneously project via the network with a four-way split-screen for added effect. The PowerLite Pro G5450WUNL isn’t cheap at $3,999, while the Pro G5750WUNL will see you adding another grand to the price tag as they both become available next January onwards.

XIM Technologies new XIM3 adapter

Clearly, I need to get an Xbox 360, because I don’t really even know what this thing is. Maybe I need to grow out of my Nintendo Wii.

Anyway, this is the XIM 3 from XIM Technologies, and the purpose is to make it possible to adapt a keyboad and mouse for the Xbox 360. It is good for those who enjoy playing FPS games on their XBox 360 in a PC fashion. By the way, XIM is an acronym for XBox Input Machine.

The XIM3 is able to use “Smart Translators” to create a unique feel and control for whatever Xbox 360 game that you are playing. There should be a 1-to-1 movement between these controls and your game, according to my Source.

As you can see, there is a simple configuration with an on-board full-color LCD screen, and it has upgradeable firmware and an active community forum.

The XIM3 allows a gamer to choose input devices that will suit them best, and the hardware compatibility is not just for keyboard and mice. It also supports devices like the Logitech G13, a gaming keyboard with a built-in thumbstick.

I just checked on the XIM3, and it doesn’t seem to be available now,

and prior versions of XIM are apparently no longer in production.

The Sleeptracker Elite Pro Watch

Even though I have done this all my life, I still do not like waking up to an alarm clock. This is probably why I work from home, because I can’t stand being a slave to the alarm clock.

The Sleeptracker Elite is designed to combat this problem, and worn on the wrist like an ordinary digital wristwatch. All you need to do is set a phase alarm for the normal time that you awake, and then adjust the vibrating alarm window of time to have the Sleeptracker wake you.

Apparently, the Sleeptracker is set to wake you up an an optimal waking time. What you have to do is connect via USB connection in order to get sleep phase data on your PC. Apparently, the body has a certain cycle that knows what is the best time to wake, and the Sleeptracker can wake you in that proper window.

Setting the watch involves a lot of buttons, which is very similar to many of the digital watches that I used back in the eighties. I am suddenly very aware that it has been a while since I last wore a watch. The watch has GLO backlight, water-resistant, and it has a vibrating alarm, ringing alarm, or both can be used.

You should be able to get the Sleeptracker Elite in both Him and Her models for about $179.00 on the official site.

Instant Cold Or Hot Rechargeable Compress

Winter time isn’t exactly kind on those suffering from arthritis as well as painful joints, and some people resort to hot or cold compresses to get rid of that pain around the body when the mercury drops. Well, why not let technology step in and help you out? We’re talking about the Instant Cold Or Hot Rechargeable Compress, where this device is capable of instantly emitting cold or heat to treat muscle aches and joint pain. Boasting an aluminum head that heats to 110º F or cools to 40º F, these are ideal temperatures for thermo- and cryo-therapies. The cooling and heating process takes all of just 45 seconds, where it can then go ahead to relieve swelling or facilitate blood flow to help heal injuries. It also has another advantage since you need not be tethered to a heating pad or refreezing a cold pack. Tinier than a TV remote, it has a head that swivels 90º, letting you to easily position it against your body. There is a built-in toggle switch which changes it from heat to cold application instantly. You can use it with a quartet of AA batteries powering it, or choose to take the AC adapter route instead. The Instant Cold Or Hot Rechargeable Compress can be yours this Christmas for $129.95.

Hands on with the Zhip

I got a chance to try out the Zhip the other day, and I was confused at first. The first thing that confused me was the name, but I found out it was pronounced “zip”.

Its purpose seemed weird to me, because it looked like some weird sort of claw to hold an iPhone/iPod. It’s not like we haven’t seen mobile device holders before, but the Zhip is actually unique.

The Zhip has a retractable cord that is put there for a very good reason. The user can put their mobile device in the claw, and then wind the cord around something that will hold it in place, like the headrest of a car’s front seat.

The Zhip is also good if you want to watch videos on your desk, because there is an extendable desktop stand so you can view things in portrait and landscape modes.

The claw design itself is also interesting, as it can fold up into a flat rectangle about the size of half a deck of cards. The prongs can then unfold on hinges, and there is a spring-loaded action going on to fit your mobile device in place.

You should be able to get it now for about $24.95 at national retail outlets “to be announced soon”. I believe it is only available in one color: clear.

Pioneer offers entry level DJ system in pearl white

Pioneer knows that the color black in consumer electronics has prevailed for quite some time already. Don’t believe us? Skip all the iDevice stuff, and don’t tell me that black isn’t the color of most consumer electronics devices. Pioneer decides to go against the grain with their latest entry-level DJ system which comprises of two CDJ-350-W digital media players and a DJM-350-W 2-channel mixer, where all of them will sport a pearl white color. Since music remixing is on the rise even among everyday Joes, Pioneer intends to capitalize on what could be a potentially growing market with the new DJ system, adding a fashion statement to DJ performances as well as delivering a couple of additional audio effects – Noise and Short Echo.

First of all, the CDJ-350-W will enable users to create DJ performances with various digital music files, where among them include MP3, AAC, WAV and AIFF files which are stored on various forms of media, inclusive of USB mass storage device class products and CD-R/RW discs. The media player will also ship with Pioneer’s proprietary music management software, rekordbox, where it will go around analyzing and categorizing music by genre. This alone cuts down the amount of work you have to do, making it possible to easily manage music files on a computer for quick song selection. If you decide to hook up a USB storage device that is loaded with playlists created with the software, you can then choose songs by a range of categories including genre, album name and artist name among others. All music sessions can also be saved to a USB storage device – now how about that? Other player highlights include :-

• BEAT Display Function – Visually illustrates the beat position of a song and the playback point providing easier hand-eye coordination when performing scratches and loops.
• Auto Beat Loop Function – With one press of a button on the player, the user can create various loop performances.
• Beat Loop – Matches the beat and repeats a 4-beat loop.
• Loop Divide – While playing a loop, plays the loop at a different rhythm.
• Hot Loop – While playing a loop, returns to the start of the loop and plays it
• Auto BPM Lock – Users can set a Master Beat Per Minute (BPM) of the current song playing that can be synchronized with a touch of a button. The feature enables beginners to easily match the tempos of songs by simply adjusting the speed to the Master BPM on each player.
• Create Playlist Function – While a song is playing, users can immediately add it to a new playlist with a touch of a button for future playback of favorite songs.
• DJ Software Compatible – The CDJ-350-W is MIDI-compatible with other DJ software allowing it to be used as an audio interface.

As for the hardware, it is vibration resistant thanks to the use of Shock-Proof Memory and Floating Architecture. There are also four level tempo settings for maximum variation range of a song’s tempo (±6%, ±10%, ±16% and WIDE), while a resume function allows you to remove a disc and resume playback at the same spot when the disc is reloaded.

Pioneer has slapped this pearl white DJ system that will be released next January, packaged with two CDJ-350-W players and one DJM-350-W mixer for $2,445.

Digital Storm announces xm15 laptop

When it comes to computer system integration and engineering, the name Digital Storm will certainly crop up among those who are familiar with the industry. The company has just announced their latest, most powerful lightweight laptop that is known as the xm15, where it will feature NVIDIA’s Optimus Hybrid Technology to help it operate longer than normal. This new laptop is capable of delivering targeted extreme performance when required, letting you experience longer operation without losing the ability to enjoy the visual intensity of HD movies, multimedia applications, surfing the web, and gaming. Now that’s truly looking into the user’s needs, as it seems to be the utopian laptop for the moment.

Just what is the Digital Storm xm15 capable of? Well for starters, it delivers sumptuous graphics for a variety of multimedia content courtesy of NVIDIA’s powerful GT 425M 1GB video card. Of course, the inclusion of NVIDIA’s Optimus Hybrid technology allows owners of the xm15 to defer operation to a second separate integrated Intel graphics processor whenever you’re running less intensive applications (read: doing work). Switching between the two graphic processors is automatic and seamless, so you won’t notice that whatever program or operation you’re running at that moment will be interrupted. This increase and decrease in performance as and when required has allowed the xm15 to substantially extend battery life.

Capable of routinely scoring above 7200 on 3DMark06, it boasts built-in light speed eSATA and USB 3.0 transfer ports, not to mention integrated HDMI and VGA outputs for you to use it just about anywhere and everywhere. The base configuration of the xm15 starts from $999 which isn’t cheap at all, but considering the kind of technology crammed into it as well as the various configurations that you can always boost it up to, Digital Storm’s latest release will surely not disappoint. Of course, when you decide to cram it with the latest and greatest hardware, expect to pay far more than the one grand as originally requested. The payoff? A machine that will certainly last you a good few years.When it comes to computer system integration and engineering, the name Digital Storm will certainly crop up among those who are familiar with the industry. The company has just announced their latest, most powerful lightweight laptop that is known as the xm15, where it will feature NVIDIA’s Optimus Hybrid Technology to help it operate longer than normal. This new laptop is capable of delivering targeted extreme performance when required, letting you experience longer operation without losing the ability to enjoy the visual intensity of HD movies, multimedia applications, surfing the web, and gaming. Now that’s truly looking into the user’s needs, as it seems to be the utopian laptop for the moment.

Just what is the Digital Storm xm15 capable of? Well for starters, it delivers sumptuous graphics for a variety of multimedia content courtesy of NVIDIA’s powerful GT 425M 1GB video card. Of course, the inclusion of NVIDIA’s Optimus Hybrid technology allows owners of the xm15 to defer operation to a second separate integrated Intel graphics processor whenever you’re running less intensive applications (read: doing work). Switching between the two graphic processors is automatic and seamless, so you won’t notice that whatever program or operation you’re running at that moment will be interrupted. This increase and decrease in performance as and when required has allowed the xm15 to substantially extend battery life.

Capable of routinely scoring above 7200 on 3DMark06, it boasts built-in light speed eSATA and USB 3.0 transfer ports, not to mention integrated HDMI and VGA outputs for you to use it just about anywhere and everywhere. The base configuration of the xm15 starts from $999 which isn’t cheap at all, but considering the kind of technology crammed into it as well as the various configurations that you can always boost it up to, Digital Storm’s latest release will surely not disappoint. Of course, when you decide to cram it with the latest and greatest hardware, expect to pay far more than the one grand as originally requested. The payoff? A machine that will certainly last you a good few years.

The palm-sized Plug PC thin client computer from Chip PC

Having full-blown computers linked to a central server delivering applications to office workers is so last century. More and more businesses are choosing to deploy thin-client or virtual desktop solutions, where much of the storage and processing needs are met at the data center. Advantages often include low power draw at the user end, low maintenance, and minimal desktop footprint. Chip PC's Plug PC cross-platform thin client or virtual desktop computer solution offers maximum load power consumption of just 3W, is about the same size as a pack of cards, and benefits from a processor architecture that provides the equivalent of 1.8GHz x86 processing power.

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The Plug PC's 3 x 2 x 0.9-inch (77 x 52 x 24mm) dimensions and weight of 2 ounces (62g) make it smaller, thinner and lighter than the company's Jack PC solution. It's also better suited to an ever-changing server-based/virtualized/cloud infrastructure and comes with a flexible Linux-based Thinx OS and Windows CE 6.0 R2, cross-platform design.

There's support for the latest Citrix HDX features, including MediaStream, which Chip PC claims "leverages the processing power of the device to render the multimedia content sending the compressed multimedia information directly to the device in its native format."

Within its black and silver enclosure sits a 528 MHz RMI 1250 RISC processor (1.8GHz x86 equivalent), which is said to give the user PC-like in-session performance. The chip includes local multimedia acceleration for powerful multimedia performance at up to 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution. Like the Jack PC, most of the data generated by users would be stored at the data center, so the device itself is provided with 256MB disk-on-chip flash storage and 128MB DDR2 RAM.

Connectivity is provided courtesy of four USB 2.0 ports, 10/100 Ethernet with auto-negotiate TCP/IP with DNS and DHCP, and DVI-D digital video connection. There's also a couple of audio in/out jacks to the side.

Data center management and entire network monitoring is made possible with the company's Xcalibur Global management suite, which provides for a Microsoft Policy-based, Active Directory rules and permissions structure.

The Windows CE or Linux Plug PC draws just 0.35W of power in deep sleep and 3W power consumption at maximum load. The units come supplied with a wall-mount power supply, but there's also a power-by-monitor option available via the Chip PC USB power cable.

The solution was recently featured on Microsoft's Windows Embedded Green Solutions website, where the Windows CE Plug PC solution was deployed on campus at Lake Land College in the U.S. as part of its efforts to be carbon neutral by 2012.

Pioneer ships first BDXL ,optical drive

Pioneer has announced that it's started shipping the world's first optical personal computer drive capable of reading and writing to the new BDXL Blu-ray format. The integration of additional layers into Blu-ray discs offers a single quadruple-layer storage capacity of up to 128GB, and will likely see the new device head straight for media professionals who need to archive broadcast quality, high-definition video.

First announced on the company's Japanese site in October, the new optical drive more than doubles existing storage capacity and is compatible with BD-R XL and BD-RE XL triple-layer (100GB) and BD-R XL quadruple-layer (128GB) discs. It will also read and write to most other formats, including CD, DVD and standard Blu-ray.

Pioneer has included some proprietary recording and playback enhancement technologies with the Windows-based BDR-206MBK drive, and also bundled some CyberLink software in there. Early birds will also get one 100GB BD-R XL disc free of charge with each drive. It carries a suggested retail price of US$199 and is available direct from the company or via Fry's Electronics.

Aerowatch: Horological Machine No. 4 Thunderbolt

If you enjoy building model airplanes as a boy, and become a designer of high-end watches as an adult, what do you end up doing? If you're Maximilian Büsser, you create a watch that resembles an airplane – and that costs as much as one, too. That’s the story behind the new watch from Switzerland’s MB&F (Maximilian Büsser & Friends), the Horological Machine No. 4 Thunderbolt. The 50-jewel titanium and sapphire timepiece looks like it might wrench itself free of your wrist and start performing inside loops in the sky ... given that it sells for a mind-blowing 150,000 euro (US$196,812), however, you’d probably want to keep it close at hand.

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“The aviation-inspired case and engine of the Thunderbolt are one,” states the MB & F website. “Neither would, nor could, exist without the other, yet each is so transcendental as to be able to stand alone as a work of art in its own right.”

The “engine” (the inner workings) consist of 311 components, all of which were designed specifically for use in this watch over a period of three years. Despite its high-tech trappings, the HM4 gets its power from being wound by hand. Two mainspring barrels connected in parallel keep it running for up to 72 hours, delivering power via vertical gear trains to two separate jet-turbine-like dials – one displays minutes and hours, while the other displays how much power is left.

The watch’s central case is made from solid pieces of sapphire and titanium, reportedly machined for hundreds of hours. The titanium makes up the main outer surface of the watch, with the sapphire providing clear panels where the intricate inner bits and pieces can be admired.

MB&F sees itself not so much as a watch brand but as “an artistic and micro-engineering concept laboratory in which collectives of independent horological professionals are assembled each year to design and craft radical Horological Machines.” With that in mind, one can only wonder what HM5 will look like.