AR-4i interface gives iPhone 4 an audio boost

The Fostex AR-4i audio interface for iPhone 4 allows users to run dual mics into their phone, and control their input level

People seem to just love accessorizing iPhones, in order to bring them closer to becoming prosumer-level camcorders that just happen to also be able to make phone calls. We've already seen aftermarket zoom, wide angle/macro, panoramic and microscope lenses for the iPhone camera, along with an adapter that lets people use their existing DSLR lenses. There are also handheld condenser microphones that can be run into the phone. Now, Fostex has taken things a step farther, with its triple-input AR-4i audio interface for the iPhone 4.

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The device comes with two swiveling cardioid condenser mics, which can be mounted in two of the three 3.5 mm stereo inputs - the idea is that both mics can be mounted on top if the phone is being held horizontally, or on either side if it's vertical. In most situations, the mics would be pointed out towards the subject, to capture a wide stereo soundtrack. Should users be conducting interviews, however, one mic can be pointed towards the interviewee, with the other one pointed back towards themselves. Third party mics can also be used.

A combined input level for both mics is indicated by a row of LEDs, and can be adjusted using a thumb wheel control. A free app (available soon, we're told) also allows users to do things like audio-panning between the mics, if they wish to emphasize one more than the other. A headphone jack lets users monitor the sound.

The phone itself just slides in and docks with the interface. Screw holes on the side and bottom allow the AR-4i to be mounted on a tripod, or to be attached to its included aluminum hand grip.

Giving the phone's battery a break, the interface runs on two AAA batteries, which are said to provide up to 10 hours of operating time. It can also run off an external power source, via a USB connection.

The Fostex AR-4i audio interface for iPhone 4 is available now, for around US$150. People interested in it might also want to check out the OWLE Bubo, a heavy-duty aluminum iPhone housing that features a shotgun-style mic, a wide angle/macro lens, hand grips and tripod mounting points.

Samsung introduces new naming system with additions to its Galaxy smartphone range

The Galaxy W, Galaxy M Pro, Galaxy Y and Galaxy Y Pro have joined Samsung'

Samsung has ushered in a new naming system for its Galaxy range of smartphones with the release of four new Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) powered devices. Designed to simplify things for consumers, the new naming structure groups its Android-powered smartphones into one of five classes that are identified by a single letter, which can then be broken down further with an additional indicator to provide an indication of more specific functionality.

The five class indicators run the gamut from flagship devices down to entry-level units. As defined by Samsung they are:

• "S" (Super Smart) - Devices at the very pinnacle of Samsung's mobile portfolio. This class will only be used on flagship devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S, the award-winning smartphone that has already sold 10 million units throughout the world.
• "R" (Royal / Refined) - Premium category models, a combination of power, performance and productivity for the individual who wants to be defined by the technology they carry.
• "W" (Wonder) - High quality, strategic models, perfect for those seeking a balance between style and performance.
• "M" (Magical) - High-performance models at an economic price-point.
• "Y" (Young) - These are entry models or strategic models for emerging markets or a younger audience more sensitive to price.

Within the five classes the indicators of more specific functionality are:

• "Pro" - This indicates that the device includes a physical QWERTY keyboard for speedier email typing and increased productivity for professionals
• "Plus" - This indicates that the device is an upgrade from an existing model
• "LTE" - This indicates that the device is designed to utilize LTE (Long-Term Evolution) connectivity standards, a 4G standard to provide increased mobile network capacity and speed

The four new smartphones introduced to mark the new naming structure include the GALAXY W, GALAXY M Pro, GALAXY Y and GALAXY Y Pro.

Giving an idea of what to expect from the mid-level W class, the new GALAXY W features a 1.4 GHz processor, HSDPA 14.4 Mbps connectivity, 3.7-inch, 800 x 480 pixel touch display and includes Samsung's Game, Social and Music Hubs. Other features include a 5-megapixel camera, Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Kies Air, which allows users to track the phone if it is stolen or lost, as well as accessing the phone on a PC when connected via Wi-Fi.

Next step along on the SRWMY scale comes the GALAXY M Pro, which is powered by a 1 GHz processor and features a QWERTY keypad and enterprise support for Exchange Active Sync, Sybase Afaria, CISCO Mobile and CISCO WebEx. There's also an optical touchpad, 5-megapixel rear camera, VGA front-facing camera, 7.2 Mbps HSDPA, Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, and the inclusion of Samsung's Social Hub.

Aimed at younger consumers is the GALAXY Y, which is powered by an 832 MHz processor and features Samsung's TouchWiz user interface along with SWYPE for faster typing on the device's 3-inch 320 x 240 pixel TFT LCD touch screen. Reflecting its younger target market, the GALAXY Y will come in a variety of colors and also includes Social Hub, along with a 2-megaixel camera, 7.2 Mbps HSDPA, Bluetooth 3.0, and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n.

The fourth and final new phone is the GALAXY Y Pro, which indicates it is basically the GALAXY Y with a physical QWERTY keypad. The inclusion of Social Hub Premium, which supports email, social network integration and instant messaging, ensures you're always in touch, while ThinkFree mobile office allows for the editing of Word, Powerpoint, Excel and PDF files on the go.

All four new Galaxy smartphones will come running Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and Samsung will be showcasing them at IFA 2011. Pricing and release dates are yet to be announced.

Sony takes the wraps off new SLT-A77 (α77) and SLT-A65 (α65) cameras

Sony has revealed details of its new flagship SLT-A77 and consumer-level SLT-A65 digital cameras

Sony has revealed that its faithful α700 mirror-based digital SLR (DLSR) is being put out to pasture and replaced with a powerful new model featuring the company's Translucent Mirror Technology. The new SLT-A77 features a 24 megapixel APS-C size sensor, an OLED electronic viewfinder that's said to provide the kind of image previewing experience previously only available with optical viewfinders and an incredibly fast full resolution continuous shooting rate. Joining the α77 is the SLT-A65 consumer-level digital camera which shares many of the newly-introduced features of the flagship model but costs $500 less (body only).

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Translucent Mirror Technology features a semi-transparent mirror that stays put when the shutter release button in pressed, allowing most of the light through the mirror to the sensor but also redirects some to the AF sensor. The result is super-fast autofocus, even in video mode. Now Sony has announced the next stage in evolution of the company's TMT camera development - revealing what is claimed to be the fastest, most responsive interchangeable lens cameras in their class, and reported to outperform many professional-level DSLR cameras.

Both the new alpha cameras have been treated to a newly developed Exmor APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) HD CMOS sensor with 24.3 effective megapixel resolution, which works with Sony's BIONZ image processing engine to produce ultra-low noise images. There's extended exposure-friendly ISO sensitivity, Tracking Focus keeps fast-moving subjects in sharp focus, and a new electronic front shutter curtain is said to result in a release time lag of a high-end-DSLR-matching 50 milliseconds.

Whereas last year's α55 had a somewhat tepid reception for its 1.15 million dot resolution LCD electronic viewfinder, the new kids on the block sport a brand new XGA resolution OLED Tru-Finder viewfinder - with 2,359,296 dot resolution, bright, high contrast image reproduction, five display modes, 100 percent frame coverage, and the ability to zoom into sections of an image for fine focus adjustment. It's said to be comparable to an optical viewfinder but the with ability to preview image settings such as exposure and white balance through the viewfinder, and is also capable of capturing 12 megapixel images of an enlarged central portion of the sensor, at a digital zoom factor of 1.4x or 2x magnification.

Users can also make use of the tilting 3-inch, 921,000 dot resolution Xtra Fine LCD display with TruBlack technology for previews and settings adjustment. Picture Effect in-camera creative styles seen in the NEX-C3 have also been included, along with such staples as 2D/3D Panorama and HDR.

The camera uses the AVCHD Progressive (Ver. 2.0) standard format for full high definition movie recording at a progressive frame rate of 60 frames per second. Continuous autofocus during movie recording has been further refined, and manual focusing and P/A/S/M exposure modes are also made available to video takers.

The light and durable magnesium alloy outer casing has been overhauled to provide a more comfortable grip with tactile buttons for eyes-off operation and dust- and moisture-sealed key controls that offer some protection from the elements. Each camera has a built-in flash, an HDMI port for onward connection to big screen (with Bravia Sync also included) and has Memory Stick PRO Duo / Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo; SD / SDHC / SDXC memory card compatibility. Sony says that the new models are compatible with A-mount lenses, but will also work with Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses.

The Sony SLT-A77 enthusiast camera is claimed to give the world's fastest continuous autofocus performance - with a burst shooting rate of 12 frames per second in Advance Priority AE mode at full resolution with full-time phase-detection autofocus. The shutter speed ranges from 1/8000 to 30 seconds, its sensitivity is specced at ISO50 to ISO16000 (which can be extended to ISO25600) and the included GPS delivers geotagging functionality.

The LCD display tilts with a little more freedom than the α65 courtesy of the world's first three-way adjustment (two-way on the α65). There are front and rear control dials and if you look down at the top of camera, you'll see a useful LCD data display. The α77 is also compatible with Sony's Memory Stick PRO-HG DUO HX series memory sticks. The reported battery life is 470 shots if using the viewfinder and 530 shots with LCD monitor.

The SLT-A77 will be available from October in kit form with a new DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM zoom lens for US$2,000, or body-only for US$1,400.

Those with a smaller bank balance can get many of the features of the α77 at a budget-friendly price by opting for the Sony SLT-A65.

This model has a 10 frames per second burst shooting rate at full resolution, a sensitivity range of ISO100 to ISO16000, shutter speeds of 1/4000 to 30 seconds and a battery life of 510 shots with the viewfinder, and 560 with LCD display.

Also scheduled for an October release, the α65 comes as a standard 18-55mm lens kit version for US$1,000 or US$900 for just the body.

Sony details the NEX-7 / NEX-5N digital cameras

Sony has released details of its forthcoming NEX-7 and NEX-5N compact interchangeable lens digital cameras

The interweb rumor mill has been busily whipping up a storm about a new mirrorless digital camera from Sony in recent weeks. Happily, the official announcement from Sony hasn't disappointed those of us who have been patiently waiting for something more tangible. That space has now been filled with a brand new model - the NEX-7 - with an impressive list of advanced features that would normally be found in the company's bigger Alpha cameras. Sony has also announced the retirement of its popular NEX-5 model, with its replacement representing quite a marked upgrade on the original.

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Sony's NEX mirrorless digital cameras provide photographers with a compact-sized camera that has digital SLR functionality and the ability to swap lenses. With the new NEX-7, Sony has really pulled out all the stops, with a release that brings to mind someone trying to close a holiday suitcase that's jam-packed with far too much for such a small container. Its 24.3 megapixel Exmor APS-C CMOS sensor and the latest generation of Sony's BIONZ image processing engine work together to offer users extremely low noise images and blisteringly fast shooting responses. The ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 16000.

Sony says that the camera's shutter lag is around 20 milliseconds - making this the fastest interchangeable lens digital camera available. It also offers a burst shooting rate of up to 10 frames per second in speed priority continuous mode. As well as a 3-inch, 921,600 dot, Xtra Fine LCD display that users can tilt for easy viewing - which features TruBlack technology for crisp, clear viewing - the company has also squeezed in an integrated high contrast 2,359,296-dot OLED TruFinder electronic viewfinder. It's the same as the one featured on the new a77 and a65 cameras, and offers 100 percent frame coverage - Sony believing that it's so good, it could give pro-grade optical viewfinders a run for their money.

The lightweight magnesium alloy body tips the scales at just 10.3 ounces (291 g), there's an integrated pop-up flash and hot-shoe mount, and advanced users are given more manual control of camera operation than you can shake a stick at, in the shape of two control dials to the top of the camera and a control wheel. Creative types will no doubt appreciate the numerous in-camera effects processing options - including Picture Effects like HDR Painting and Miniature (first seen on the NEX-C3), 3D Sweep Panorama, Soft Skin and Auto HDR.

Sony has made the most of the new AVCHD Progressive (Ver. 2.0) standard to offer 1080p60 HD video and Tracking Focus will help keep moving objects sharp. There's also manual focus during video recording, and internal circuitry revisions are said to result in improved stereo audio.

Although made for Sony's E-mount lenses, there's also an optional phase-detection autofocus adapter (LA-EA2) with built-in Translucent Mirror Technology that gives the NEX-7 compatibility with A-mount lenses, too.

Image files and recorded video are stored to Sony's Memory Stick PRO Duo and Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, or SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards. There's HDMI and USB connectivity, and the battery life is claimed to be around 350 images through the viewfinder or 430 via the LCD display.

The NEX-7 is sure to find a host of new NEX worshipers, but whether it will live up to its DSLR-killer promise, only time will tell. It will be available from November - as part of a black 18-55 mm zoom lens kit for US$1,350 or body-only for US$1,200.

Sony has prepared a demonstration video of the NEX-7, and the other announced NEX release - the NEX-5N:

The NEX-5N is the successor to last year's popular NEX-5 model and benefits from many of the features brought to the NEX-7 - making this update quite a significant one. There's no built-in viewfinder, but there is a 3-inch, 921,600 dot, tilting touchscreen display with TruBlack technology for better contrast during image review and camera settings adjustment. An optional viewfinder (FDA-EV1S or FDA-SV1) can be placed on the camera's hot-shoe mount if desired.

This model has a 16.1 megapixel Exmor APS-C CMOS sensor (up from 14.2 megapixels on the NEX-5) and a specially-optimized version of the BIONZ image processing engine, and its sensitivity gets a boost to ISO25600. Sony says that it benefits from an improved autofocus algorithm that helps make its 25-point tracking autofocus system significantly faster.

The NEX-5N also makes use of the new AVCHD Progressive (Ver. 2.0) standard to deliver 1080p video at 60 frames per second, and benefits from a similar audio-improving circuitry rehash.

An external flash HVL-F7S is supplied and attached via the hot-shoe mount, the battery life is good for about 430 images, and it has a body-only weight of 7.4 ounces (210 g). Of the two new releases, the NEX-5N will be the first to become available - as a standard 18-55 mm kit zoom lens for US$700 or body-only for US$600 from next month.

Sony rolls out new NEX-VG20 interchangeable lens camcorder

The NEX-VG20 interchangeable lens camcorder from Sony

Sony has taken the wraps off the NEX-VG20, a consumer HD interchangeable lens camcorder that follows the world's first consumer-oriented HD camcorder with an interchangeable lens system, the NEX-VG10. The upcoming NEX-VG20 features the same E-mount system that offers users the choice of seven different E-mount lenses. Sony claims the VG20 offers a number of improvements over the previous model, including comprehensive manual controls, improved imaging quality, upgraded sound, and ergonomic refinements such as enhanced grips and a second record button.

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With the same Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor found in Sony's NEX-5N and NEX-C3 still cameras, the VG20 offers an effective resolution of 16.1 megapixels to capture 16 megapixel stills in RAW format and Full HD video in AVCHD format in 24p and 60p. For a more cinematic look, footage shot at 24p can also be enhanced with Cinema Tone Gamma and Cinema Tone Color. With the use of E-mount lenses, the sensor also allows for the creation of background defocus - or "bokeh" - effects.

"Whether you're shooting video or stills, this camcorder's large sensor rivals the expressive picture quality of a DSLR camera," said Andy Bubala, director of camcorders at Sony Electronics. "We've also made several enhancements to deliver the type of camcorder that video enthusiasts will love."

The unit's 3-inch (7.5 cm) Xtra Fine LCD display features TruBlack technology for improved contrast and can be rotated up to 270 degrees for high or low angle shooting, The VG20's Quad Capsule Spatial Array Microphone now supports stereo and 5.1 channel surround sound and the unit also features a new audio level control. The unit is compatible with SD memory cards and Sony's Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX series in capacities up to 32 GB.

Sony has also redesigned the camcorder's handgrip to improve the balance of the unit and make low and high angle shooting more comfortable. The control panel that allows for manual adjustment of exposure, iris and other settings can now be accessed when the LCD panel is closed, while the new button layout features "hard" function keys, direct access to each shooting mode and a second record button that have all been located so they can be operated without the user taking their eyes away from the electronic viewfinder.

The VG20 comes with the SEL 18200 F3.5-6.3 E-mount lens that offers 11x optical zoom, built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization and also features smooth, quiet autofocus operation during movie and still shooting. While Sony says the seven E-mount lenses available should cover virtually any shooting situation, the optional LA-EA2 lens mount adapter provides compatibility with A-mount lenses. Sony says it also plans to develop a third party "eco-system" to allow the camcorder to be used with lenses from other brands.

Sony's Handycan NEX-VG20 will be available this November for about US$2,199 with the SEL 18200 F3.5-6.3 E-mount lens included, or for $1,500 for the body-only version.

CineSkates turn GorillaPod into camera dolly

CineSkates are soft urethane wheels for the GorillaPod Focus tripod, that allow users to do smooth tracking shots

If you're a videographer, and want to elevate your work from just looking competent to looking slick, one of the best things you can do is put your camera on a dolly. No, I'm not talking about a Ken or Barbie, but a wheeled camera mount that allows you to do smooth, fluid tracking shots. While the Spielbergs of the world use actual purpose-built camera dollies, lower-budget film-makers often make do with wheelchairs, skateboards, or wheeled spreaders that mount on the bottom of industrial-sized tripods. Given the popularity of JOBY's compact and flexible GorillaPod tripods, however, it perhaps shouldn't be surprising that someone has developed a wheel system for them - it's called CineSkates.

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The system was invented by Justin Jensen, a mechanical engineer, photographer and film-maker from Austin, Texas. The complete kit consists of a GorillaPod Focus tripod, a BallHead X tripod head (also made and supplied by JOBY), and the three soft urethane CineSkates wheels. Those wheels easily pop on and off of the tripod's feet, so they can be removed when not needed.

For people who already own a Focus tripod and/or a ballhead, the wheels can also be purchased on their own. Once Jensen and his partners design some different wheel-to-feet connectors, the wheels should also be compatible with other makes and models of tripods.

CineSkates will be heading into production soon, and the complete kit can be preordered online from Jensen's company, Cinetics. The complete kit will cost you US$275, while the wheels alone go for $150. The estimated retail price for the complete kit is approximately $350.

Viewsonic Viewpad 7e is a 7 inch Android tablet under $250

Price points continue to slide on Android tablets — including decent ones, not just the slower, resistive display-packing Shanzai models you see up for sale all over eBay. Vizio and Acer have already outed new sub-10-inch models that hover around the $300 mark, and Viewsonic is going to go even lower. As it did with its NVIDIA-powered gTablet, Viewsonic will be putting the Viewpad 7e up for sale at an aggressive price point: about $240.

That’s based on the Viewpad 7e’s UK pricing of £140, so it could actually wind up priced a few dollars less. The 7-inch tablet will feature a 4:3 display and it’s been confirmed to be running Android 2.3 Gingerbread. For connectivity, unspecified flavors of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth will be on board and an HDMI port will provide video-out capabilities. It’s not specifically mentioned in Viewsonic’s press materials, but that appears to be a front-facing camera as well — so you should be able to take advantage of video conferencing apps like Skype, Fring, and Google Talk on the Viewpad 7e.

The 4:3 aspect ratio and eReader-like size should make the Viewpad 7e well-suited to digital reading duties. Viewsonic seems to think so, at any rate, and has decided to include the Amazon Kindle app pre-installed.

It’s almost as if Viewsonic is trying to steal a bit of Amazon’s thunder — as you’re no doubt aware, they’ve got at least two Android tablets in the works that are due to arrive some time before the holiday season this year. They were originally rumored to be arriving this month, but that obviously didn’t happen.

via Liliputing

New cover and lens for GoPro HERO HD actioncam

XSories has released a silicone cover and an underwater lens (not pictured) for the GoPro HERO HD actioncam

GoPro's HERO HD is certainly one of the most popular actioncams on the market, perhaps more so now that its long-awaited LCD viewfinder/playback screen is available. As is the case with other digital cameras, however, the glare of direct sunlight can make it difficult to see what's on that screen. Also, as we noted in an actioncam video comparison, the HERO's underwater shots tend to be a little on the soft-focus side. Well, two new products from camera gizmo-maker XSories are designed to address both of these situations.

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First up is the Hooded Silicone Cover.

Available in a variety of colors, it simply stretches over the existing housing of an LCD-screen-equipped HERO HD. An open-backed box on the rear allows users to view the screen, while helping to shield it from extraneous light. Cut-outs let the lens remain unobstructed, while also providing access to the camera and screen controls.

The cover also protects the housing from scratches and impacts, and (if one of the brighter colors is chosen) should help users to locate the camera if they loose hold of it in the water - a little surprisingly, however, it doesn't come in bright yellow. Additionally, the company claims that users have reported up to 25 percent longer battery life in cold conditions, when using the cover.

Addressing the underwater focus issue is the Scuba Flat Lens.

It replaces the existing domed lens on the regular HERO housing, reportedly resulting in a "brilliant focused image." A color-correction filter is included with the lens, to compensate for the bluish quality of underwater sunlight. Should users wish to use the lens on the land, the filter can simply be removed.

Presumably, use of this lens will diminish the wide field of view made possible by the housing's stock domed lens. Also, although it is possible to swap lenses on the HERO, constantly going back and forth between a domed and a flat lens is likely just inviting a leak to occur - users who plan on doing a lot of underwater shooting would probably be better off just buying a second housing, and leaving the flat lens on it full-time.

The Hooded Silicone Cover is presently available for pre-order on the XSories website, at a price of US$29.99. Users who don't have an LCD screen can buy the existing non-hooded version, for $19.99. The Scuba Flat Lens sells for $49.99 in glass, while a less expensive plastic version goes for $39.99.

HP TouchPad to run Android thanks to TouchDroid

By now, there’s a massive, yet unconfirmed, number of brand new owners of the HP TouchPad tablet. As you read this, thousands of apps are being installed, the UI played with, and the device as a whole is being re-judged. Compared to other tablets in the market, the TouchPad is still a major competitor when it comes to hardware, and yet it’s only $99 right now… if you can find one. So, they will continue to fly off the shelves until there are none left and the people at HP can move on with their lives.

What happens when that “new gadget smell” wears off, though? The honeymoon effect with your new, heavily-discounted device wears off and you’re left with a tablet that isn’t likely to get any better than it is right now unless you do something yourself. The Preware community already has a nice collection of things you can do to play with any WebOS device, but even that has its limits. So, what are you to do with that shiny new tablet? Well, eventually, you’ll be able to put Android on it.

RootzWiki, the Android-focused rooting, modding, and development forum has put together a small team dedicated towards assembling Android for the TouchPad, as well as performing the hacks necessary to shoehorn the OS on the device. The team has put forth a clear plan of attack and is documenting the process along the way using both the RootzWiki forum as well as a separate “TouchDroid” Wiki. Each of the team members purchased their own TouchPads, but also have a donation link available in case they brick one of their TouchPads, or if one needs to be the victim of a teardown for additional information.

Basically, they will attempt to put (stock) Android 2.3.5 from the Android Open Source Project on the device at first. If that succeeds, they will move in to CyanogenMod, a popular Android rom that has a full suite of tablet enhancements for large screens. When the next version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich, becomes available, the team plans to port that to the TouchPad as well, provided Google sticks to their plan to release Source once again when that version comes out.

This attempt has garnered a mixed bag of responses from TouchPad users. There are those who would rather keep their stock WebOS experience still, though I refer you to the first paragraph for my opinion on that. There are those who welcome the Android port with open arms, and likely bought the tablet with that in mind from the beginning. While I am an Android user, I must say that I am a huge fan of the WebOS experience and have preferred it over Android for some time now.

I’m not the only one, apparently. James Kendrick recent wrote that what he would rather see happen is closer to what RIM has in store for the Playbook. Some sort of emulator to allow Android apps to run on the TouchPad, while still following the rules and multitasking principles of WebOS. I have to say, that idea excites me. I feel that solution would certainly be more elegant, and would preserve much of what we have come to appreciate from WebOS. I do know, however, that making that work is a great deal more difficult then just shoehorning Android onto the TouchPad. So while I am excited at the possibility, I will refrain from holding my breath.

Another notion that was raised was the possibility of seeing Windows 7 or Windows 8 on the tablet in the future. Essentially, if the TouchPad gets opened up for Android, the sky will be the limit for modders who want to push the limits of this device. So many things will be possible as long as there is an audience and developers interested in making the TouchPad do “all of the things.” If you have a TouchPad, keep your eyes on the RootzWiki guys, as they will most certainly be making noise about their developments regularly.

Tacit: Wrist-mounted sonar for the visually impaired

We've seen a number of devices - such as the UltraCane and EYE 21 system - that combine sonar and haptic or audio feedback to let the visually impaired "see" their surroundings through the senses of touch or hearing. Tacit is a similar device that also uses sonar to measure the distance to objects and provide users with a 'view" of their surroundings through haptic feedback. But unlike previous devices we've looked at, Tacit is mounted on the wrist so it doesn't impair a user's hearing or interfere with the use of other assistance devices such as canes.

The prototype Tacit device developed by Steve Hoefer at Grathio Labs consists of four ultrasonic range finding sensors connected to a microcontroller that calculates the distance to objects by reading how long it takes for the ultrasonic pulses to return to the device. The distances are then translated into force feedback on the back of the user's wrist through servo motors, with the force of the pressure indicating how near or far the detected objects are. By waving their arm around an area, the wearer is able to get the lay of the land and navigate complex environments.

In coming up with the prototype Hoefer says he considered various designs and the use of various technologies. His initial version was a headband that had ultrasonic sensors and vibration motors embedded around its circumference. However, he found that the most dangerous obstacles weren't positioned at head level and that having vibrating motors pounding against your skull isn't the most enjoyable experience. Placing the device on the hand also lets the wearer easily point it in any direction.

He also experimented with infrared sensors, which are smaller and easier to focus than the ultrasonic sensors, but interference from sunlight, remote controls, security cameras and absorbent surfaces confused the sensors. He says he will do some more tests with infrared using different wavelengths and polarizing filters, but for the time being the ultrasonic sensors, which have a range of 1-inch to 10 feet (2.5 cm to 3 m), are the most cost effective option. Lasers, which would be the most accurate, were also rejected as being too expensive.

Hoefer also went through a number of iterations in designing the gauntlet that supports the electronics. To allow the wearer to retain their sense of touch in not only their fingers but also their palm, gloves were rejected in favor of a design that uses a loop that slips over the wearer's middle finger and a Velcro wrist strap. The resultant one-size-fits-all prototype, which is made from neoprene, is easy to put on and can be worn on the left or right hand.

Although Hoefer admits the current Tacit prototype isn't perfect and is a little bulky, he says it works and could easily be made to be about half the current size. Additionally, the replaceable batteries currently used to power the device would be replaced with rechargeable batteries with a blind-friendly charging method, such as wireless induction charging or a magnetically-aligning power plug.

One of Hoefer's main aims in developing an assistance device for the visually impaired was to keep the costs down. With the cost of the materials used in his prototype totaling around US$65 he seems to have achieved this goal.

Hoefer says he will continue to refine the device and provides instructions on how to build Tacit on the Tacit Project page. He has also released the Tacit circuit and software under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA license.

Source: GeekTech

Sony to release 3D, high-def digital recording binoculars

Over the years Sony has shown its ability as a genuine innovator in the digital imaging space - in the early days of Gizmag the (then) bleeding-edge, 5-megapixel Sony F707 digital camera was a treasured part of our kit - and its latest venture looks like it could be holding that line. That venture is the company's move into digital binoculars with two models - the DEV-5 and DEV-3 - which boast full HD video recording, 7.1 megapixel still capture, optical image stabilization, 3D recording, HDMI output and (on the more expensive DEV-5) geotagging via an in-built GPS receiver.

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Both models feature f1.8 - F3.4 G Lenses, a pair of 4.5 mm Exmor R CMOS sensors, BIONZ processors, dual electronic viewfinders, 10x optical magnification, stereo sound recording and video capture at 1920 x 1080 / 50p. Image stabilization is the same SteadyShot system found on Sony's camcorders and Cyber-shot cameras while electronic autofocus promises to keep moving subjects sharp and can be used at close range (as close as 1 cm in in 2D mode which drops back to 80cm for 3D recording). Sony says that the battery is good for around three hours of 2D recording on a single charge.

3D video mode recording is at a resolution of 1920x1080/50i but the maximum digital zoom drops to 5.4x on the DEV-5 model (and there's no stereoscopic image capture functionality for still shots on either unit).

Apart from GPS functionality, the main difference for the extra US600-odd outlay is that the DEV-5 throws a 10x digital zoom into the equation to give them an overall magnification of 20x (oh, and you also get a lens cover, finder cap, large eye cups, a carrying case and a neck strap).

Design-wise, all of that electronics give the units a chunky look that's more like military issue night-vision glasses that conventional binoculars. Both have an elastomer coated grip area, dual recording buttons for operation by either hand and top mounted controls that cater for bird-watchers wearing gloves on chilly dawn excursions.

The binoculars use Memory Stick DUO or SD card as the recording media (there's no on-board storage) and connectivity is via HDMI output as well as a USB port. An external microphone jack provides the option of upping the sound quality and there's also a cold accessory shoe viewing that can be used to mount an LCD viewing monitor.

The DEV-3 and DEV-5 binoculars are due to hit shelves in November and they're not exactly going to be stocking-stuffers with pricing of around US$1400 and $2000 respectively.