If you judge digital cameras purely in terms of pixel count, the 10.1-megapixel Pentax Optio E60 looks like a bargain. Although that might be down to a bit of cost cutting elsewhere.
Where’s the optical image stabilisation? Red-eye correction? Rechargeable battery? And as for YouTube-friendly video recording, well, you can whistle goodbye to that. Saying that, there are some basics packed away in that ’stylish black finish’(their words, not mine).
For a start, the E60 has a wide-angle lens with 3x zoom, various auto modes including Auto Picture, Face Recognition, High Sensitivity Digital Shake Reduction and a Green mode that does everything but take the photo for you, probably removing all traces of fun from the photography process at the same time. And should you somehow manage to screw up pressing that single button, there’s also an Image Recovery function to retrieve accidentally-erased images. If all that still sounds too hard, I suggest you give up photography and buy postcards.
Powered by ‘easily available’ AA batteries, the Pentax E60 launches in October for around the £70 mark.
Pentax (via Digital Camera Review)
Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video
You read that title correctly, iriver’s
Spinn is apparently touchscreen (not D-Click as mentioned in the
FCC leaked user manual) and features haptic feedback to boot. Now that it’s officially spec’d on iriver’s Korean site, we’re also seeing a slightly degraded audio lifespan of 24-hours (not 27) and the apparent removal of the mini SD slot — it’s no longer mentioned in the specs and we don’t see a suitable slot on any of the pictures. Otherwise, it’s the same sleek slab of 10.7-mm thick metal and plastic sporting a 3.3-inch, 480 x 272 pixel AMOLED display, T-DMB TV, Bluetooth, and new analog SPINN Wheel we’ve seen kicking around since CES. Currently on pre-order for South Korea with the 4GB model fetching 259,000KRW (about $259) or 8GB for 299,000KRW (about $299). That’s right, it maxes out with just 8GB of flash. Check the gallery while we all anxiously await iriver’s international launch plans including the
rumored August UK release.
[Via DAP Review, thanks Al]
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Filed under: Displays
There it is, right on cue Microsoft’s Surface has gone spherical over at Microsoft Research. Rumored since March, the prototype relies upon an infrared system to detect hands, fingers, and objects as well as an internal (not external like Surface) projection system developed by Global Imagination (and customized by Microsoft) to deliver its multi-touch UI. At the moment, Microsoft is demonstrating photo manipulation, a spinning globe, 360-degree video, and a simple Pong-like game, the latter giving us a taste of future gaming possibilities. Sphere is expected to make its first public appearance Tuesday at Microsoft’s Faculty Summit in Redmond. Ultimately, it will appear in public spaces like lobbies as part of a larger ecosystem of Surface gear. The prototype UI looks a bit jumpy compared to its tabletop cousin — hit the read link to see for yourself.
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Filed under: Desktops, Laptops
Dell has never failed to provide compelling reasons — particularly pricetags — for students and / or their cash-strapped parents to pick up a Dell desktop or laptop on the way back to school. This year seems no exception, with Dell adding some special Inspiron configurations to its already beefy budget lineups. The Inspiron 13 laptop (pictured) is pretty much laptop 101, with a 13-inch screen, 8-in-1 media card reader and slot-loading DVD drive in the base model — you’ll have to fork over extra for WiFi, a webcam or Bluetooth. Wal-mart will be carrying a $699 version starting August 3rd, with full configuration coming to Dell.com later that month. The Inspiron 518 desktop (after the break) is similarly straightforward, with DirectX 10 integrated graphics, gigabit Ethernet and a pair of easy-access USB ports on top of the case, in addition to options for a 500GB hard drive and quad core processors. The starting price is $349, and the systems should be available today.
Continue reading Dell’s new Inspiron 13 and Inspiron 518 are after your back to school dollar
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Filed under: Desktops
Like most product from Dell these days, there’s little surprise left in Dell’s Studio Hybrid desktop lineup of eco-friendly little PCs. First unveiled as a bamboo-clad concept in April, the computer is finally being released by the hardware giant with a starting price of $499, with interchangeable sleeves of Bamboo, Emerald, Quartz, Ruby, Sapphire, Slate and Topaz — the latter six being of the shiny plastic ilk. Dell isn’t slouching on specs though, and seems to realize the potential of the Studio Hybrid — which can be stood vertically or horizontally — in the living room. There’s an HDMI port standard, along with options for WiFi, a wireless keyboard and mouse, Blu-ray and a TV tuner. Dell doesn’t ignore the “green” roots of this project, either, and is including a system recycling kit, along with the natural reduction in packing and manufacturing materials. The Studio Hybrid should be available today.
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Filed under: Displays, Misc. Gadgets
Apparently July is a hot month for ad trials in Japan, as just weeks after a number of 65-inch digital posters were installed in a Tokyo train station, in flies word that yet another consumer-luring installation is being tested. Recruit and NTT Communications are delivering Scent-emitting LCD Display Systems to an underground mall in the heart of Japan, each of which rely on a 42-inch LCD and a scent-sprayer that emits delightful odors to correspond with the on-screen imagery. The goal is to attract onlookers and get them to grab a nearby coupon book, but considering that the experiment shuts down on August 1st, you should probably get your nose down there in a hurry if you’re looking to score some savings.
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Filed under: Robots
Murasaki Shikibu, famously known for penning The Tale of Genji, practically has goddess status in Japan. For those who scoff at such a statement, just take a look at the robot above. The MURASAKI stands in at 31-centimeters tall and weighs 1.5-kilograms (3.3-pounds), and while the design is subtle, this gal still demands respect. Reportedly, the bot is powered by NiMH batteries, waltzes about on two wheels and sports an 8-axis system for moving her neck and arms. We’re hearing conflicting reports about it actually being on sale or simply being a prototype, but we’re sure the misdirection is all part of the allure that makes her so irresistible.
[Via CrunchGear]
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Filed under: Laptops
An interesting wave of MacBook rumors hit today, for some reason, following up on these weird case images we saw a while back. First up, Seth Weintraub at Computerworld says the new machines will be manufactured in an all-new process out of one sheet of aluminum and feature glass multi-touch trackpads — which seems entirely unnecessary, since there’s no reason for the trackpads to be clear if there’s no screen underneath them. (No, there’s not going to be a screen underneath them. Stop it.) Second, AppleInsider says that the inherent suck of Intel’s integrated graphics solutions is pushing Apple away from using the Centrino 2 / Montevina platform in the MacBook, and that the company’s planning on doing its own custom chipset instead. That’d be a big step for Apple, since it’s basically used Intel reference designs ever since it went x86 — but given how useless Intel’s integrated graphics are when really pushed, we can see why Apple’s ready to walk away. Of course, this is all nothing more than rumor and speculation, so we wouldn’t expect any of this to actually come to pass, but hey, it’s fun to dream, right?
Read - Computerworld
Read - AppleInsider
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Filed under: Laptops
An interesting wave of MacBook rumors hit today, for some reason, following up on these weird case images we saw a while back. First up, Seth Weintraub at Computerworld says the new machines will be manufactured in an all-new process out of one sheet of aluminum and feature glass multi-touch trackpads — which seems entirely unnecessary, since there’s no reason for the trackpads to be clear if there’s no screen underneath them. (No, there’s not going to be a screen underneath them. Stop it.) Second, AppleInsider says that the inherent suck of Intel’s integrated graphics solutions is pushing Apple away from using the Centrino 2 / Montevina platform in the MacBook, and that the company’s planning on doing its own custom chipset instead. That’d be a big step for Apple, since it’s basically used Intel reference designs ever since it went x86 — but given how useless Intel’s integrated graphics are when really pushed, we can see why Apple’s ready to walk away. Of course, this is all nothing more than rumor and speculation, so we wouldn’t expect any of this to actually come to pass, but hey, it’s fun to dream, right?
Read - Computerworld
Read - AppleInsider
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Filed under: Laptops, Storage
Those fine folks at Buffalo are working on 32GB and 64GB PCI-E SSDs for the Eee PC 901 (and others, we’re guessing), to be released in September. That’s all well and good, but what’s even more exciting are the price points: 32GB will be retailing for around 16,800 yen (about $157 US) while the 64GB will go for 33,600 yen ($313 US). Sure, a storage device the same price as your computer is never ideal, but with SSD prices continuing to plummet — as evidenced by this nearly-wallet-friendly pair — they should be in striking distance before long.
[Via jkkmobile]
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