Cameras News
Lithium breakthrough could charge batteries in 10 seconds – Ars Technica
via Lithium breakthrough could charge batteries in 10 seconds – Ars Technica
A new version of lithium battery technology can either provide a higher storage density than current batteries, or can charge and discharge as fast as a supercapacitor, emptying its entire charge in under 10 seconds.
It’s getting difficult to overstate the importance of battery technology. Compact, high-capacity batteries are an essential part of portable electronics already, but improved batteries are likely to play a key role in the auto industry, and may eventually appear throughout the electric grid, smoothing over interruptions in renewable power sources. Unfortunately, battery technology often involves a series of tradeoffs among factors like capacity, charging time, and usable cycles. Today’s issue of Nature reports on a new version of lithium battery technology that may just be a game-changer.
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Worlds First 3D Webcam, Minoru, From Novo
Meet Minoru, meaning ‘Reality’ in Japanese, the World’s first 3D webcam.
Connect Minoru to your PC and he will come alive, his eyes will light up and he will be looking at you in 3D.
Your friends and family can now see you in 3D over your favourite messaging program like Windows Live Messenger, Skype, AOL instant messenger, OoVoo and many others.
You can also take 3D photos or even shoot 3D videos and upload them to YouTube.
Minoru = Reality!
Minoru connects easily to your PC’s USB port just like any other webcam but that’s where the similarities end. The Minoru software has stereoscopic anaglyphic processing that lets you be seen in three dimensions. The red and cyan anaglyph image produced by Minoru can be viewed by anybody who is wearing commonly available red and cyan 3D glasses (five pairs included free with Minoru). Minoru can also be used as a standard 2D webcam for anyone who doesn’t have the 3D glasses at hand.
Minoru will appeal equally to the 3D novice and the stereoscopy enthusiast alike.
Minoru will be available from the Minoru online shop from December 19th 2008.
Lego Reveals Digital Camera For Kids
Lego is to expand its toy building bricks repertoire, with the announcement of a new range of branded electronic products.
First to hit shelves is a fantastic-looking camera and a walkie talkie set. The colourful devices look like are made from Lego bricks, but unlike normal Lego you can’t take them apart or modify them in any way.
This is probably a good thing considering the products all have electrical components under the hood and are aimed at eight to 12 year olds.
Lego makeovers
There’s no actual word on technical details about the products, but judging by the images and the age range Lego are going for, don’t expect any DSLR-like functionality on the snapper.
Other gadgets set to get a Lego makeover include: alarm clock radios and hi-fi boom boxes, both of which will be made with oversized Lego blocks.
Should be available in the US in the summer for around $19.99 to $59.99.
Sony HD Webbie Camera
Now that Flip has created a market for cheap minicamcorders such as the MinoHD, Sony’s decided to jump in with its own offerings, somewhat annoyingly nicknamed the Webbie HD models.
The vertical-style MHS-PM1 seems a better category fit than the MHS-CM1; though like many of its competitors it lacks an optical zoom, it has a nifty swivel lens mount. It records 1080p MPEG-4 video to Memory Stick Duo media at 1,440×1,080-pixel resolution, and shoots stills at a comparatively high resolution (5-megapixels). Also like many competitors, the software it ships with–Picture Motion Browser Portable–doesn’t support the Mac.
It will sell for just $170 and $200, and record high-definition video. Included software allows instant uploads to YouTube, Picasa, Shutterfly, and other websites. Catches: the viewing screen is very small, and the camera’s don’t have much memory unless a separate Sony Memory Stick (sold separately, of course) is added.
You should be able to get it in March for $170.