Oh! Gizmo

By Evan Ackerman

Being too poor to actually shell out the cash for a purpose built geotagging gadget (like this), on my last few trips I’ve taken along a regular GPS and synchronized my camera’s clock to it. I’d leave the GPS on while I was taking pics, and then when I got home, spend an unbelievably tedious evening matching the GPS info with my image timestamps. If you don’t have as many free evenings to spend doing unbelievably tedious things as I do, check out the ATP GPS Photo Finder. It does basically the same thing, except faster and better and without a PC. It takes a couple AA batts and works just like a normal GPS device, storing up to 550 hours of location data (updated every 5 seconds) on its 128mb of internal memory. Make sure your camera is synced to the GPS time the Photo Finder displays, and when you’re done shooting, just stick your camera’s SD/MMC/MS card into the Photo Finder and it’ll automatically geotag all your pics. So, it’s a card reader too, and comes with a USB cable to connect to your computer if you want. The current limitation (besides the memory card restriction) is that it only works with JPEGs, so if you’re into RAW, you’re out of luck. The geotagged pics integrate directly into Google Earth and Google Maps (with Picasa), and if you’ve never tried it before, it’s totally cool. Maybe not quite worth the $130 MSRP cool, but cool nonetheless.

[ ATP GPS Photo Finder ] VIA [ SlipperyBrick ]

By Evan Ackerman

I’m really not much of a cellphone fanatic (or even fan, to tell you the truth), but I felt obligated to post about this purportedly forthcoming multimedia cameraphone from Kodak and Motorola because of the 5 megapixel sensor it’s supposed to have stuffed inside it. I’m all for progress, but just look at that tiny pinhole of a lens… 5 megapixels isn’t going to do you much good at all without some serious glass (or, for that matter, some focusing elements) in front. All you’re really doing is trading quality for quantity, and you’ll undoubtedly be paying a premium for the privilege. The fact is that the additional pixels aren’t going to significantly improve your pics, but the bigger megapixel number is going to impress people who don’t know how cameras work into paying lots of money for this phone. Check out this page for more info and actual examples. Oh, and about this phone… Yeah, it may not be real, but it’s rumored to have GPS and WiFi too. Now that stuff, I can get behind.

VIA [ Unwired View ]

By Evan Ackerman

I know, I know, you wanted this to be some kind of gun that shoots X-rays and turns you into a superhero. Sorry to disappoint, but all this thing does is grant you X-ray vision. LEXID stands for Lobster-Eye X-ray Inspection Device; the Lobster-Eye bit refers to the way a lobster focuses light, as lobsters focus using reflection, while humans focus using refraction (bending). Lobsters are much better than we are at seeing things in low light environments, and adapting the characteristics of their eyes to an X-ray emitter allows very low power (i.e. safe) X-rays to be used (no lead underwear necessary). The image produced “isn’t high definition TV quality,” but it’s good enough to peep through walls or 75mm steel and see basic shapes (weapons, people, naked people, etc.) on the other side. You probably have already guessed who’s funding this; so far the Deparment of Homeland Security has put about $1 million into it. The LEXID should be ready to go in about a year, and is supposed to be commercially affordable. We’ve never been so close to a legit pair of X-ray specs… I’m totally excited. For, you know, research and stuff.

[ LEXID ] VIA [ USAToday ]

By Luke Anderson

I’m a person that has two digital cameras. One is a pretty nice Kodak that takes pretty nice shots and has quite a few manual settings which I can adjust for a better picture, the other is a simple HP that doesn’t have a lot of features, but actually fits into my pocket. Both cameras serve me well in different situations. I tend to drool over some of the other cameras on the market, as I know they could do much better than the ones I have. The Sony Spin N Snap is not one of them.

I know that this camera wasn’t designed with picture quality in mind, however, I couldn’t ever see it used for a practical purpose. The camera is made to appeal to the eco-friendly crowd by eliminating the need for an external power source. You have to spin the wheel at the top for 15 seconds, then you can take a picture. That’s a lot of time to spend just for one snapshot. Honestly, I’ll go a month or two without charging up either of my cameras. I think there are more power-hungry gadgets that they might concern themselves with.

[ Sony ] VIA [ Crave ]

By Ryan Nill

The format wars have finally leveled the big guns! Hitachi unveils full HD camera(s) with HDD and Blu-Ray! The DZ-BD7H is a Hybrid Camera Flagship model with a Blu-ray disc drive and a 30 GB built-in hard disc drive (about 4 hours max res and about 8 hours regular) and an 8cm Blu-ray disk recorder, along with the less upgraded DZ-BD70, who comes with only Blu-ray disc capabilities, holding about an hour at max resolution and about two hours at normal resolutions. Both cameras have a 5.3 megapixel CMOS, record video in Full HD 1920×1080 in BD Mode and HDV 1440×1080 in HDD.

Besides the numbers, these sleek new camcorders promise to be the future of obsessive recording. The 8 cm Blu-ray disc has roughly 5 times more capacity than your standard DVD, so these camcorders should prove to be pretty capable. No words on costs or even public release yet, but the world at large seems pretty excited to see what will become of the technological wonder-discs.

VIA [ Akihabara News ]

By Shane McGlaun

Sanyo announced a new rear view backup camera system today that drivers of large vans and SUVs will find appealing. I drive a large vehicle and it is impossible to see what is below the glass and close to the bumper. Anyone that lives in a neighborhood with lots of kids or has kids themselves knows that many little ones are not tall enough to see from inside a big vehicle if they are close to the bumper.

Sanyo’s new CCA-BC200 Rear View Backup Camera System with AirCam technology uses digital processing to deliver accurate and natural looking images of what is behind you. That means you don’t have to look at strangely distorted fish-eye type images.

The only bad part about this system is that a monitor for viewing the video feed isn’t included, nor is a monitor an option. The Sanyo system relies completely on the fact that many vehicles have onboard displays for DVDs and GPS navigation. If your vehicle lacks a display of some sort you will need to add one for the Sanyo system to work. Pricing for the camera system is $299.99 and it is available now.

[ Press Release (registration required) ] VIA [ Sanyo ]

By Andrew Liszewski

ThinkGeek, those fine purveyors of gadgets you don’t need but always want has just added this USB microscope to their site. It uses a single lens for 20x, 50x or 200x magnification which makes me think there could be some digital zoom action going on but the samples they’ve posted on their site still look pretty decent.

There are 4 white LEDs built into the tip of the camera for extra illumination and the microscope can be removed from the stand if you want to go in for a closer look. It also includes software allowing you to take 1024×768 pixel snapshots or even record time-lapse videos. And while it’s conveniently plug and play for some reason it only supports USB 1.1.

It’s available now on the ThinkGeek website for $179.99.

[ USB Digital Microscope ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Those weird creaking or scratching sounds you hear at night might not just be your house ’settling.’ It could be the result of quite a few things from rodent infestation to unseen structural problems. Until now a Sawzall or sledgehammer was the only way to see what was happening inside walls or under floors but the SeeSnake micro provides another solution that’s almost as fun. It’s a handheld endoscope that allows you to peer into areas of your home that were normally inaccessible.

The small camera uses 2 adjustable LED lights and comes attached to a 3 foot cable but that can be increased to up to 30 feet with optional extensions. It feeds a 2.5 inch, 234×160 pixel color LCD screen that is bright enough to be seen in any conditions. And since you really have no idea what you’re going to discover the camera and cable are completely waterproof up to 10 feet when properly assembled. Now keep in mind this is specifically designed as a work tool and should never be used for entertainment or medical purposes, no matter how useful you may think it is.

The RIDGID SeeSnake micro is available online for about $220-$230.

[ RIDGID SeeSnake micro ] VIA [ Popular Mechanics ]

By Andrew Liszewski

It seems odd that anyone would want to purchase accessories for a disposable camera but what’s even more odd to me is the fact that people still purchase disposable cameras at all. Regardless this miniature flexible tripod can attach to pretty much any one-time use camera and even includes a 12-second timer for those occasions when you want to be in the picture but there are no strangers around to help you out.

The tripod looks like it has a large base for the camera to sit on which is then secured in place with a flexible and I assume adjustable strap. The timer unit comes attached to the strap and has some sort of mechanical trigger to actually push the camera’s shutter button.

The single-use camera tripod with timer will only set you back $9.97 and can be disassembled for easy transport.

[ Single-Use Camera Tripod With Timer ] VIA [ Uber-Review ]

By Andrew Liszewski

The Lomo cameras are usually as simple as it gets when it comes to photography but they still manage to set themselves apart with unique features and a highly stylized approach to photography. Most of my photographer friends who carry around thousands of dollars worth of digital camera gear still have a few Lomos in their collections they use quite often.

The Lomo Supersampler uses 4 side-by-side lenses which will take 4 panoramic shots on a single frame of film. The camera has 2 speed settings as well allowing you to snap those 4 pics in 2 seconds or 0.2 seconds depending on how you want the action shots to be spread out. Like many Lomos it has no viewfinder either, just point it at your subject, hit the shutter button and hope for the best. And instead of using a thumb wheel to advance the film in the camera you just pull a patented rip-cord to get ready for the next shot. (Not sure how you rewind the film though…)

The Supersampler is available for about $80 and remember you’ll need to get yourself a few rolls of film too, no SD or CF card slots to be found on this one I’m afraid.

[ Lomo Supersampler ] VIA [ Shiny Shiny ]