Skepticism About Microsoft Handheld; Link to Origami Video
One of PC World's correspondent, Erin Biba, poked the Microsoft Origami device story with a stick today and here's what she says."Don't get too excited about the speculation surrounding Microsoft's possible update Thursday of a new handheld device called Origami. After the company began its viral marketing campaign earlier this week, I talked to some analysts familiar with the project. The general consensus appears to be that, although the device appears to be real, it might not live up to all the hype.
{PC World Editor Danny Allen just sent a link to the ad agency video that purports to show the Origami in action: go here to see it.)
"One analyst, who confirmed that rampant Web buzz claiming Origami is a large, handheld, Windows-like device is accurate--said that ultimately he believes that Origami will be a niche product, appealing mostly to women rather than a large audience. "He said that it is unlikely Microsoft will reveal the full details of the product on Thursday: "Origami is a product, but the timing is what it is. It's not an iPod killer. (The frenzy is) the nature of stealth marketing, and people's imaginations get inflamed."
"And therein lies the problem. Imaginations are impossible to control, he said, adding: "If this goes on much longer (Origami is) going to solve the Iraqi war and save the whales." (Note ironic tone here, please!)
"Peter Pawlak, an analyst with Directions on Microsoft, agreed: "Microsoft is trying to do some viral marketing. We're not sure that's a great idea. . .when it finally comes out it's like the Segway scooter--where are they today?"
"Matt Rosoff, also with Directions on Microsoft, told us his firm will not even be attending Microsoft's analyst meeting on Thursday in Redmond. The meeting, he said, will be run by the research department, "For us, research is interesting as an organization, but our customers are interested in stuff that's coming out in the next 18 months."
"So what does Rosoff think the research department will have to say? "It might be a reference design for an ultra portable computer. . .(or) some sort of new user interface." Ultimately, though, he believes the meeting "might be interesting, but it's not going to be a product announcement."
"The best bet right now for those still taking Microsoft's bait is to keep an eye on the marketing campaign as it develops. The Origami site says updated info will be available on 3/2."
Photo Products To Help You Sell on eBay
If I thought I could make a mint clearing out my garage and putting those goods up for sale on the Web, I'd do it.A host of gear here at PMA aims to make that easier by helping to deliver professional-looking shots of my junk, er, valuable antiques.
For one, Casio is trying to entice the eBay jet set with its "For eBay" scene mode, which is included on the EX-Z600, EX-Z60, and EX-Z850 cameras (see more details on these cameras here). Truth be told, this scene mode won't raise the bids on an old pair of socks (unless someone famous wore them), but it might make it easier to see the Virgin Mary on your grilled cheese sandwich.
It appears that the setting does nothing more than choose macro mode and an optimum size for eBay. A company representative said that size was 1600 by 1200 pixels, but that seemed awfully large to us. We hope the cameras actually resize closer to what eBay suggests on its site: 330 by 440 pixels.
No matter what your camera is doing, making your collectibles look good requires good lighting. We saw quite a few portable photo studios on the convention show floor. That is, a small lighting tent made of gauzy framed fabric that diffuses light coming through it, and a couple lights.
Photo Studio in a Box?Supersized from American Recorder Technologies is a larger version of its original Photo Studio in a Box.
The new box measures 30 by 30 by 30 inches, so it's overkill if you're selling jewelry, but a good fit for larger items. This new product costs $299 and includes the lighting tent, two 250-watt quartz halogen lights on stands, and a tripod.
However, when I saw it, the camera tripod felt rickety. I wouldn't trust a heavy camera on it not to shake when I pressed the shutter.
The better bet may be the smaller box, which goes for about $99, comes with two 50-watt tungsten halogen bulbs, and collapses to fit in a thin case about the size of a briefcase. The Supersized version will be available in April.
The dimensions of Casio cameras' eBay mode pictures are effective for pictures to be uploaded to eBay Picture Services. Pictures hosted by eBay are automatically resized and recompressed at upload time using an image processing library to create a set of standard stored sizes. eBay recommends a minimum of about 1000 pixels on the longest side for uploaded pictures to enable use of the eBay Supersize picture option (pictures displayed up to 800 pixels on the longest side) and to maintain image quality after resizing and recompression.
eBay also enables its users to include pictures stored on non-eBay web servers. For that case, the dimensions created by the Casio cameras' eBay mode are too large for most screens and should be reduced with an image editor before upload to the user's hosting service.
Touch Screen on New Pentax Point-and-Shoot
If you like buttons, you won't like Pentax's new Optio T10; it doesn't have any. Well, okay, there's a shutter button. To operate the controls of this $350 point-and-shoot, you use the 3-inch LCD as a touch screen.In the quest to make the PC obsolete for image editing?and make simple point-and-shoot cameras more fun--the T10 includes a host of processing options, including the ability to copy a face from one photo and paste it in another. You can also write on your images using the included stylus pen. Here's the camera:
The 6-megapixel camera will cost $350 and ship in late March or early April.
Make Your Own Photo Books
Unibind is trying to entice consumers to make their own photo books rather than have a service like Shutterfly print them.The new PhotoBook Creator is a machine that binds hardback or soft-bound books. You can use the included Arcsoft Collage Creator software, or a layout program of your choice to arrange your pages. The covers will cost about $6 and up, and do not come with the pages. You use the photo paper of your choice. Here's what the machine looks like:
This is a different approach to Epson's StoryTeller book kits, which I found frustrating to assemble.
With PhotoBook Creator, you could bind double-sided photo pages, which is a plus. And, the hardback covers are more attractive than the cellophane covers that protect the covers you print with StoryTeller (which look like a library book).
Another alternative, if you're adverse to binding books or the initial investment in the binding machine, is company's My Books kits. A cover and two end sheets with adhesive strips cost $18. You staple the pages together and insert them into the cover. Once you adhere the pages in the binding, the staples are hidden by the adhesive strips.
If you prefer, a $28 kit will include Arcsoft Collage Creator and 20 sheets of double-sided glossy paper, though the brand of paper has not yet been announced.
The PhotoBook Creator will be available in mid-March. My Books will make its way to store shelves in April.
A Camera Tripod that Defies Gravity
If you're looking for new angles to make your photos more interesting, you might consider a tripod that can stick to walls or the ceiling.The MonsterPod
(Go to the Web site to see a better photo of the MonsterPod holding a camera on the side of a ski!)
Unlike beanbag tripods, this product's adhesive gives you a lot more options than just placing your camera on horizontal surfaces. I wouldn't trust it to hold an expensive, and heavy, SLR to the ceiling. But lighter weight point-and-shoots just might hold.
The MonsterPod comes in seven colors and costs $30. As of now, you can only get it from the company's Web site.
Now, that looks really cool and interesting. Also, it seems perfect for those pictures you don?t know how to take when there isn?t any suitable surface for the camera. I mean, even a stranger wouldn?t climb to the wall or that branch to take your picture... A very good idea.
Intel-Based Mac Minis; New iPod Hi-Fi Dock
Apple today introduced its Intel-based Mac Mini with Intel Core Solo (single processor) chip. Apple says that the single-processor Mac Mini is 2.5 to 3 times faster than the G4 Mac Mini. A Core Duo version (two processors) is 4.8 to 5.5 times faster than the G4 Mac Mini. The announcement was made at the usual Apple-style dog-and-pony show his morning in Cupertino.Apple's added Gigabit Ethernet, FireWire, DVI out, four USB ports, and analog and S/PIDF sound inputs and outputs. Also included: the Front Row media software (plus IR remote control) for controlling music, movies, and photos from the couch. This is the same remote and software combo that comes with the Intel-based iMac and MacBook Pro. Here's the new Mac Mini with its remote control:
Apple CEO Steve Jobs is now demo-ing how the Mac Mini can play another Mac's iTunes songs, view another Mac's iPhoto photos, play another Mac's videos (iTunes Music Store purchased and otherwise). This is doable as long as that other Mac is on the same network. This is through Apple's Bonjour (previously Rendezvous) network technology. The Mac Mini comes with Apple's iLife '06 suite of apps, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
(As usual, Steve is using great photography and music to demo these features. I'm feeling teary at the cute penguin sitting on surely melting Antarctican ice.)
The single-core processor with 512MB of memory, 60GB hard drive, and combo drive will cost $599. The dual-processor model with a 1.67-GHZ processor, 512MB of memory, and a SuperDrive (DVD writer) costs $799. They are available starting today.
Music
Apple also introduced the $349 iPod Hi-Fi, a home-stereo quality speaker set for the iPod. It's a three-driver system. On the top of it, there's a universal iPod dock connector, which Jobs says has an adapter for every iPod Apple's ever made. The set is white with a black mesh grill and can be battery-powered with D-sized batteries. Here's what it looks like:
The speaker set also has two 80mm mid-range speakers, a 130mm dual voice coil woofer, and a ported bass-reflex design. It works with the Apple IR remote. It has Auxilary and S/PDIF optical audio inputs. It goes on sale today. It's pretty. It's the same idea as the BOSE iPod stereo. Steve says he's getting rid of his stereo and going with this. Hmmmm.
After the presentation, the press went to a demo of the iPod Hi-Fi in a Apple mock living room. I stood next to Ernie Rideout, editor in chief of Keyboard Magazine, and we listened to several types of music using the system. The rock tracks sounded fine to me, but Ridout said the classical track "sounds a little squashed to me. I'm not hearing the clarity I was hoping for."
Aside: Apple sold its billionth song on iTunes Music Store. Some lucky kid in West Bloomfield, Michigan, won the billionth-song contest. Apple showed a TV segment about his winning. (We think that there was an orange bong on the table behind him in the broadcast, but I can't confirm that.) Also, Apple will sell $99 leather cases for iPods starting in mid March.
Is an Intel-based Mac Mini or the iPod Hi-Fi on your buying radar?
I think this is a huge step up on Apple's part. Especially on the heels of Microsoft announcing seven, count em, SEVEN different variations of "Windows Vista" that is due out later this year. So, while the loyal Microsoft users and technophobic housewives in Virginia try to find out what "variation" is right for them, others will be settling into this idea of the Mac Mini being a real multimedia powerhouse. These 'variations' can turn to be very bad to Microsoft because it leaves more of a window for PC manufacturers and retailers to convince the "non-techy" consumer that the best, and most expensive variation is best for them, when they're just trying to get the highest sale. Microsoft's attempt at a media center seemed to be a pretty big of a yawn, and it doesn't look like it will get too much better with Vista - although a part of me hopes I am wrong. Both Apple and Mac made announcements this week that show signs that they are settling in for the Media Center battle.
mini dropped dedicated gfx. Thumbs down to Apple! Mini is now too expensive, they should have kept a version at a $499 price point. Their objective is supposed to be to sell more computers, and to do that they need to persuade Windows users to switch. Unfortunately, a ton of people would rather pay $299 for a Dell than $599 for a Mac, even if the Mac offers better bang for the buck. Jobs, heres the memo you never recieved: People look at price numbers, NOT performance numbers (unless ure an enthusiast, and most people arent).
iPod Hifi? Gimme a break. This sucks. Period. I think I'll take my $350 to buy a Creative X-Fi and nice pair of 5.1 surround sound speakers from newegg instead. This is such a waste of money. Everybody already looks to people like Bose for superior sound anyways, not Apple. If this was more like $50-$75, offered an FM radio and alarm clock, I'd consider it, but $350 is too much of my hard-earned money. Nice try, big loss. This is trying to capitalize on the success of iPod and will fail miserably. Expect it to go the way of the Newton and eMac.
Why go mac? Mac is such a useless os and every1 nose it. Pc is the ultimate solution for gaming. an 300 + for a stupid speaker is really a complete waste of money. Whereas u culd get about 50 bucks for a good set of speakers instead of wasting $$$$$$$ on a complete and utter waste on mac speakers. Ipod is gr8 an is the only thing gewd tht has com out of mac!!
PMA: Camera Backpack Holds All Your Other Stuff, Too
LowePro's new CompuDaypack is made to hold a lot more than just your camera equipment.
It has a sleeve that holds a notebook up to 17 inches, an outside pocket for an MP3 player (with a hole that you can thread your headphones cable through), and multiple compartments for a PDA, memory cards, and other accessories.
The bag has a total of three compartments. The lower camera compartment hinges to ease access while on the go, and to keep camera lenses and the like from falling out. The backpack costs $99 and is shipping now.
PMA: Sony Introduces Two Compact Point-and-Shoots
Sony announced two compact cameras here at PMA: the 8.1-megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-W100 and 7-megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-W70 (below).
Both models have a metal case and are available in black and silver. Both offer an eye-level viewfinder, a 2.5-inch LCD, and 3X zoom. And both Cyber-shots feature MPEG1 movie recording and have high light-sensitivity settings. The DSC-100 reaches ISO 1250; the DSC-W70 goes up to ISO 1000.
When a scene mode is selected, the LCD displays text explanations that guide users through other functions. When you select a resolution, a pop-up screen tells you the ideal print size for the setting. This feature can be turned off once you're better acquainted with the ins and outs of the camera.
The W100 (above) has 64MB of internal memory; the W70 has 58MB of internal memory. Both cameras use Memory Stick Duo media cards.
Both models will be available in April. The DSC-W100 will cost about $350, and the DSC-W70 model will cost roughly $300.
Microsoft Gives MSN Spaces the Windows Live Treatment
I'm no fan of TLAs (three-letter acronyms), so I will shed no tears at the ultimate demise of Microsoft's "MSN" moniker for its family of Web services. That's not to say that the new name, "Windows Live," is any more helpful in figuring out what (if anything) the various services under this umbrella term have in common. And rechristening its free MSN Spaces blogging service Windows Live Spaces doesn't do much to explain Microsoft's Live strategy.Just last month Microsoft announced several new features for its blogging service, including the ability to add descriptions to the photos you post to make them easier for people to search for, and agreements with Kanoodle and Amazon for generating revenue by placing sponsored links in your blog posts. What does the name change have to do with these enhancements? As far as I can tell, not a darn thing.
So why the new name? Is Microsoft trying to shed its moldering MSN skin in favor of a shiny new coat of Windows Live marketing hype? Or will there actually be some real integration of the various Live services? At least for now, only the "MSN Spaces" name appears to have changed. Whether there's more change ahead, and how it will affect current and future users of the blogging service, are anybody's guess.
Many of the MSN services have started moving over the the new Windows Live group
We have:
Windows Live Messenger - formerly MSN Messenger
Windows Live Mail - formerly MSN Hotmail
Windows Live Local beta - Was this MSN Maps?
For a list of all of them, make sure you are signed in to your MSN (Windows Live) Passport and view this site: http://ideas.live.com/mainpage.aspx
Why the new name? They want to merge it with the Xbox Live system, make it more appealing for the console-gamers
Is That It???
Doh?
MSN needs to fix the bloops, as in the photo upload problem, before they try to pretty things up.
PMA: Sony Delivers the Big Zoom
Two new Sony cameras on display here boast a 12X zoom lens: the Cyber-shot DSC-H5 and DSC-H2 (below).
Both models offer a focal length of 36mm to 432mm (35mm equivalent). When zoomed in on far away subjects, the lens on both cameras has an optical image stabilization mechanism to help prevent slight hand movement of the camera from blurring the photo. Sony calls the mechanism Super SteadyShot. Also helping keep images crisp is the cameras' ability to reach ISO 1000. Both cameras are 7.2-megapixel models.
So what's the difference? The $500 H5 (above) has a three-inch LCD screen, while the $400 H2 has a two-inch LCD. The H5 will be available in May, and the H2 will ship in April.
Sony has not yet worked out all the bugs. They falsely advertised that the camera was compatible with SanDisk memory stick pro duo. It is not. Their website posted an upgrade to fix this problem but it doesn't work. Sony now says you need a Sony memory stick pro duo to fix the problem. Sounds like a monopoly. DSC-H2 with a serial number between 3500001 and 3534250 have this potential problem. Besides the above, the camera is difficult to hold, the lens adapter is very bulky and cumbersome, the buttons are difficult to use, and the viewfinder is oddly shaped and makes the camera difficult to fit in camera bags, purses, etc. This is not a small camera. I recommend waiting for Canon's IS3.
I wish you luck with the Canon IS3.
Hopefully you can see something behind that
imagenoise.
Mine works great with Sandisk. I love this camera and could have purchased the IS3 but I did not like the feel and the controls. The bottom line is this camera is a great buy and in my opinion better than Canon. Neighbors have IS2 and the pictures are not that impressive.
PMA: Say Adios to Blurry Photos
The $399 Fujifilm FinePix F30 battles blurry pictures with a very high sensitivity to light.The camera reaches ISO 3200, which is unusual for a point-and-shoot model. The high ISO enables the camera to shoot in low light with a faster shutter speed than at lower ISOs. This makes it more likely that your photo will freeze moving subjects rather than have a blur of motion. The F30, shown below, is the successor to the F10, which reached ISO 1600.
The F30 also adjusts the intensity of its flash based on lighting conditions, the subject's size, and its position in the frame. The company claims the feature delivers more realistic skin tones.
The 6.3-megapixel camera has a 2.5-inch LCD, records video at 30 frames per second, and its zoom lens is 36-128mm (35mm equivalent).
More interesting is the camera's "Natural Light & With Flash" setting in which you take two photos in succession, one with flash and one without. This seems most appropriate for portraits, however, in the demonstration I saw of this feature, too much time lapsed between the two shots to truly deliver the same image twice--the subject had changed her expression and turned away from the photographer in the interim.
The F30 will be available in May.
Nikon Adds Lighting Correction to CoolPix Cameras
Nikon's new CoolPix S5 and S6 cameras continue the trend toward more in-camera processing. Both of these slim point-and-shoots can automatically detect and fix red eye, recognize and focus on a person's face, correct the lighting in images with underexposed flash or too much backlighting, and select the sharpest shot from a series of 10 images.Here's the S5:
Both models offer 16 scene modes, can record video at 30 frames per second with sound, and have an underwater mode for use with an optional waterproof housing (price not yet announced). Both cameras also have an in-camera slide show that plays accompanied by one of five music files installed in the camera, or you can use PictureProject software to use your own music.
The main difference is that the S6 offers WiFi connectivity; the S5 doesn't. The S6 has a 3-inch LCD, while the S5 has a 2.5-inch LCD. The S5 and S6 will be available next month. The S5 will cost $350; the S6 will run $450.
PMA: RAW Conversion, Noise Reduction Apps Updated
If you shoot digital images in RAW format, and use editing software to reduce digital noise, you might consider using a third-party application.Sure, digital cameras that shoot in RAW format include software for converting images to other formats, such as JPEG, and noise reduction is a common feature of image editing programs. But using specialized software could save you time or deliver better results.
Pixamantec is showing at PMA a new version of its RAW conversion software, which runs on Windows 2000 or XP. RawShooter Essentials 2006 is the free version; RawShooter Premium 2006 costs $99, and comes with a 15-day free trial.
In the demonstration, the program was able to convert multiple images in the background, while still accurately displaying the edits being made to an image in the foreground. Workflow features include an easy categorization scheme, whereby simply pressing a number key tags the image being previewed.
The premium version has a feature for quickly making low-resolution JPEG proofs, horizon straightening, and additional scene adaptive processing. Downloads are available here.
Imagenomic is demonstrating Noiseware 4, the latest version of its noise-reduction software. The standard version costs $26 as a standalone app, and $49 as a plug-in. There is also a freeware community edition, but it doesn't have the self-learning feature the standard and professional versions have: The software reads the EXIF data your camera generates, and, over time, learns the characteristics of different cameras and settings in order to create a default noise-reduction profile for each. Download the software here.
Heads Up: Upcoming Apple Event
I'll be heading down tomorrow (Tuesday) to Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, Calif. for another invitation-only event, so stay tuned for more coverage tomorrow.The rumor mill is churning out speculation of a new Mac Mini or a new iPod. I'm guessing it's something iPod-related, but I have no idea.
What do you think Apple is announcing tomorrow?
Listen. SportWood has a point. Just like most people will drive lousy cars, most people will use Windows. That's fine for us Ferrari drivers. They wouldn't appreciate a Mac anyway.
My roommate uses a Windows PC here at our home which is very large by most standards but not nearly large enough for the well being of my heart. Everytime his machine crashes, eats his homework, catches on fire, screams at him or simply shuts down for no aparent reason I get to hear it across all 5,000 square feet of the house causing irregular heart palpitations in my body. For my health I have begged him to please stop using those dreadful machines and move over to Apple. His birthday is coming up, perhaps I should buy him one and get it over with. As for the announcement, I wish really hard for an 80 gig whatever else iPod Video with superv battery life. I'll probably never get one but its the thought that counts. Mr. Jobs, everyone else has already done this, why not you!
Home Entertainment Mac Mini w/intel chips, Full/Touch Screen iPods, BOOM SHAKA LAKA
MSN Messenger Joins "Windows Live" Family
Lately it seems that Microsoft products get renamed more often than sports stadiums do. The latest example is the MSN Messenger instant-messaging client, which today is rechristened Windows Live Messenger.The Windows Live Messenger beta is available by invitation only. Apply for the beta program here. For more on Windows Live, go here.
As I listened last week to a Microsoft executive talk about the new features in the new version, I struggled to separate the marketing hype from the real news. What's in a name?
Microsoft hopes the change will signify a closer link between its IM client and the other Web-based services in its Live contingent. A quick look at the Windows Live Messenger beta indicates that apart from the new Sharing Folders feature and a revamped voice platform, the changes from MSN Messenger are cosmetic.
That's not to say those two features won't be welcomed by the millions of current MSN Messenger users, particularly those who combine text messages with voice calls to their contacts. Windows Live Messenger now uses the more-robust Microsoft Real-Time Collaboration system for voice messages, which should result in clearer reception and fewer dropped connections.
And while it has never been particularly difficult to send files to your MSN Messenger contacts, the new Sharing Folders option updates the files you're sharing automatically, and it provides a visual cue when a file has been updated. You can also access the files in Sharing Folders when you're not connected to the Internet.
Even with these enhancements, Windows Live Messenger is much more like a point release than a completely new version of the IM client. Whether or not the program becomes an integral component of a soup-to-nuts Web services strategy from Microsoft is yet to be seen.
Seems to me like the Palm is about the right size. And the best thing about it: it doesn't use any flavor of Windows OS!
the problem with tabletpc was ,its always compared to a laptop. while being very different in usage.
With a price tag under $800, it maybe just what i need for years.
Problem with pocketpc , or palm is , they arent real comps. most usefull software wont work on them.
Pocket pc is way too small, and software support is bad. It's really not a "PC", more of an organizer/mp3 player.