IDâ¢This Identifies Things in Photographs with the Power of Humans [Webapps]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/ItVT5PYZsI0/idthis-identifies-things-in-photographs-with-the-power-of-humans

Ever wanted to figure out what you're looking at but not sure where to start? If you've got a camera handy, snap a pic and upload it to web site id•this for a little help from the hive.

id•this is a simple but brilliant little web application that lets users upload photos of anything they're looking to identify. If you feel like offering your expertise to the site, you can try your hand at identifying any pics other users have uploaded. Users can also vote up and down other suggestions so that, in theory, the most accurate identification will rise to the top. (It's sort of like Yahoo Answers with a very specific niche.) Some users appear to be uploading pictures as quizzes instead of actual questions (e.g., "Can you identify this? Hint: It was taken on a Greek island."), but we think its greatest potential lies in actually getting answers—provided it gets a decent user base.

id•this is also available as a free iPhone application for even easier picture snapping, uploading, and identifying on-the-go. Pretty cool.

id•this [via TechCrunch]

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Is This the Full-Frame 18-Megapixel Leica M9 and Mysterious Leica X1? [Rumor]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/hmR-WZJ5o1k/is-this-the-full+frame-18+megapixel-leica-m9-and-mysterious-leica-x1

A supposed shot of Leica's M9—expected to be announced 9/9/09—complete with specs, was found on this Flickr page that's now locked, and it looks way interesting: a full-frame 18-megapixel CCD sensor. Oh, and what's this, the Leica X1?

The X1 looks just as intriguing, actually, taking a different tack with a 12-megapixel CMOS APS-C sized sensor and funky grip handle. Neither of the pages look like obvious fakes to us, though the specs, which sound damn impressive, are obviously more up in the air authenticity-wise. Still, we'll know for sure come Wednesday, which we're a little more excited for right now. [Thanks Jonti!]

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Push Google Voice SMS and Twitter Messages to iPhone With Prowl, No Growl Required [IPhone Apps]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/C8N5uDsmsaU/push-google-voice-sms-and-twitter-messages-to-iphone-with-prowl-no-growl-required

While Prowl's designed for push notifications from a computer running Growl—opening up a world of possibilities—GVMax and Prey Fetcher push Google Voice SMS and Twitter messages via the web, without your computer running Growl 24/7.

The downside is that you're trusting your Google Voice and Twitter logins to third-party services, but if you wanna get push notifications about @mentions or DMs from Twitter or SMS messages from Google Voice without keeping a computer running at home with Growl whenever you're out, they're the way to go.

Any other services that use Prowl this way? [GVMax, Prey Fetcher, Thanks Zachary!]

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Sony X-Series Carbon Fiber Ultraportable: Half Inch Thin, 1.5 Pounds [Vaio]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/MaFVfEBPKAI/sony-x+series-carbon-fiber-ultraportable-half-inch-thin-15-pounds

The ultrathin Vaio we've known Sony's had in them: The X-Series is built with carbon fiber, so the 11.1-incher is 0.55 inches thin and weighs about 1.5 pounds (half a MacBook Air). Plus, Sony's promising crazy battery life.

Update: Aaaand that's cause it's apparently got an Atom processor inside Engadget's been told. Didn't Sony learn anything from the Vaio P?

For those keeping score on thinness, Adamo is 0.65 inches and weighs around 4 pounds, while MacBook Air's ballooning ass is 0.76 inches and it weighs about 3 pounds, though both of them have 13-inch screens versus the X-series 11.1-inch display. But still, Atom? And god, I don't even wanna know how much it's gonna cost. [Engadget]

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Nokia Booklet 3G and N900 Will Come to America, Absolutely No ETA [Nokia]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/2MD3BsYLy_w/nokia-booklet-3g-and-n900-will-come-to-america-absolutely-no-eta

In a U.S. press briefing this morning, Nokia said that its Booklet 3G and the N900 will eventually be sold in the US of A. The company would not detail if they would be sold through carriers or simply unlocked (and in Nokia's U.S. based flagship stores).

Nokia's Vice President of Devices Kai Oistamo wouldn't answer anything in terms of availability and when asked if the Booklet 3G netbook would be sold before the end of 2009 he again would not "disclose any dates on the product launch in North America."

Now we have to admit that both products look pretty darn good. The N900 could change our tune on Nokia's impending doom and the Booklet 3G has some unique netbook features including assisted GPS. But on the later I'm just not sure it will be worth the wait. And sure there is a lot of interest (Oistamo even says the video of it "crashed the YouTube servers"). Come on, it is Nokia's first laptop. But it will most likely be overpriced ($810 without subsides is ridiculous) with a few special features. You tell me, would you wait on the Booklet 3G?

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