Like all Eye-Fi cards, the company's latest, the Pro X2 ($149.99 direct), works with any digital camera that supports SDHC cards to let you wirelessly upload your photos and videos to your PC and popular sharing sites. Even better, this Class 6 memory card is faster than Eye-Fi's previous models, offering speedy 6Mbps read and write speeds. The Pro X2 also adds 802.11n support, and features an Endless Memory Mode that can automatically delete media after its safely uploaded so you never run out of space on the 8GB card. The Pro X2 adds RAW file support and even uses its integrated Wi-Fi to provide GPS-like geotagging services, so your photos are instantly tagged with location information.
) which is not waterproof, features virtually identical dimensions. The Playsport is even more compact than our Editor's Choice pocket camcorder, the Kodak Zi8 ($179.99, ), a land-only camera with more advanced features, but at just under 5 ounces, the Playsport is slightly heavier than both the Zi8 and the Bloggie। Even so, the Playsport is comfortable to hold, and it feels sturdy, sporting a rugged, rubbery case that comes in purple, blue, or dark charcoal gray—no matter which color you choose, the face of the camera is white. The Playsport is all about simplicity, so it's no surprise that you won't find several-levels-deep menus, like on many point-and-shoot cameras. There are four dedicated buttons and a four-way directional pad below the display—navigating and operating the device is easy enough that most users will be able to pick it up quickly, without reading a manual. The Power button and a pop-up door that houses ports are on the camera's right side; on the left, another door protects the battery and SD card.
At first glance, the Playsport's 2-inch LCD screen seems comparatively small, but nearly the entire display is usable in recording mode, while only 1.75 inches are available for use on the Sony Bloggie and Cisco Flip SlideHD ($279.99, 
), which include 2।4-inch and 3-inch LCDs, respectively. Videos fill the screens on both of these camcorders in playback mode, however. But in playback mode, other models offer a larger and sharper image; the Playsport's 2-inch LCD packs 154K dots, while the SlideHD, Bloggie, and Zi8 pack in 230K dots. Like nearly all pocket HD camcorders, the Playsport's lens lacks optical zoom or even autofocus, so you'll need to be a few feet away from your subject while recording. The Kodak Zi8 features macro focusing, so you can capture images just inches from the lens.
Image Quality and Performance
Since the Kodak Playsport uses the same image sensor, a 1/2.5-inch CMOS, as the Editors' Choice Kodak Zi8, image quality is nearly identical—it's excellent. Well-lit 5.3-megapixel stills looked great too my eye too. You shouldn't expect spectacular low-light performance, and the lens doesn't include stabilization so you might see some blurry photos, but performance is solid for a $150 camcorder you can take to the beach. Underwater users will want to switch to Kodak's H20 mode, which adjusts the contrast and saturation for underwater shooting. We tested the mode in the deep end of a swimming pool, and video looked great. The Playsport's build holds up against prolonged water exposure too; I left the camera submerged in a cup of water for an hour and found that the port and battery/SDHC card compartments stayed completely dry.
Videos can be captured in 720p30, 720p60, or 1080p30 and are saved as .MOV files, so they're playable on most computers, whether you're running Mac OS or Windows, and can be uploaded to YouTube and Facebook without needing conversion. All of the popular HD resolutions—720p30, 720p60 and 1080p30—are available as well. Advanced users will likely opt for a camcorder with a microphone input, but the sound captured by the built-in mono microphone will be fine for most people. Don't expect the camera to pick up clear audio under the water, however.
The Playsport uses SDHC cards, and like all cameras that capture HD video, you'll need a Class 4 or higher card. Pricier Class 6 and Class 10 cards are extremely fast, but not necessary. The Playsport lacks a built-in USB connector, traditionally offered by handheld camcorders, but a micro-USB cable is included for downloading videos and photos, and charging the camcorder's removable Lithium Ion battery as well. The camera also includes a standard mini-HDMI port—Kodak even includes the HDMI cable in the box. Naturally, watching your HD videos on an HDTV is much more enjoyable than using the 2-inch LCD.
At just $150, the Kodak Playsport would be a solid pocket-camcorder value even if it didn't shoot video and stills underwater. If you're an advanced user, you might considering stepping up to the Kodak Zi8, especially if a larger screen, microphone input jack, and macro-focus features are more important to you than a waterproof housing. But if you're looking for an affordable, easy-to-use compact video camera that performs well, the Playsport fills the bill. Being able to take it to the beach without worry is just a bonus.
Romain Jerome Titanic-DNA |
   Romain Jerome Moon Dust-DNA    |
Sharp said Wednesday that it is developing a 3D camera module for mobile devices that it will begin sampling in July.
The module appears to be designed for video as well as still images; Sharp said video up to 720p resolution can be captured. The module will be used for smartphones and digital cameras, the company said.
The module will begin production "within 2010," Sharp said.
The camera module uses a pair of camera sensors offset by a short distance, so that the images captured by both are slightly offset. Sharp's module then applies color, optical axis, and timing synchronization to merge the two streams into a single 3D video stream. Sharp also said that it has developed advanced camera mounting technology to improve the process.
3D television displays are on the way from Samsung and Panasonic, as well as 3D projector technology from companies like Viewsonic - even 3D pornography. From a display standpoint, however, Sharp's executives took a decidedly non-3D stance at the recent Consumer Electronics Show, where executives essentially dodged the 3D question.
On Wednesday, however, Sharp said in a statement that it would " be opening up new 3D markets based on 3D display technologies, including small/medium-size and large-size 3D LCDs, as well as on 3D input device technologies such as 3D camera modules."
The Apple iPad is a revolutionary, addictive Tablet PC with Wi-Fi. Add in 3G, and it becomes even more useful, just perhaps not $130 more useful, which is the premium you'll pay for always-on connectivity. And with 3G you have to tack on another $15 to $30 a month for service. The 3G model ($829, 64GB) costs enough more than the Apple iPad (Wi-Fi-only version) that you have to seriously consider where you'll use the 3G. Remember, this isn't likely a device you'll whip out on the street. Considering that even adding a paid Wi-Fi subscription will save you money over the 3G model, you may find that there are enough Wi-Fi hotspots and other ways to get online to make up for the lack of built-in cellular connectivity.
At first (second and third) glance, there's plenty to love in the idea of a watchphone -- and there's even more when you see how beautiful the LG's design is. It's a sleek window into a fully integrated future in which we don't carry our technology, but it becomes a seamless part of what we wear every day.
But does the device we've been waiting for for nearly 50 years live up to the dream? There's only one way to find out; call 'em in. I spent a week each with the LG GD910 and the Kempler & Strauss W Phonewatch. And, if you wanna know what happens when you actually have to use a watchphone, if you really wanna know I'll tell you right now: Watchphones (brace yourself) are one fantasy that should stay that way. Don't believe me? Here are three major strikes ag'in 'em:
So, what's the problem here? If you ask me, cellphone companies have been coming at this from the wrong angle, trying to turn phones into watches instead of watches into phones. To succeed, start with the form factor you want and go from there. Find a watch, one that's comfortable, and slowly (very slowly) add the cell radios, chips, and flash memory. Come on, if you can build anantenna into a shirt, you can do this. If there's microscopic, super-fast memory, you can do this.
The largest absent part of the puzzle is the battery. A watch battery alone can't provide the volts a cellphone needs to keep ticking, but lithium polymers are getting more compact and running cooler all the time. Cellphone-watch makers, just be patient. Perhaps the time will come.
