Tuesday, September 21, 2010

getting ideas, inspiration, and innovation; emphasis is on the high performing team moreso than even the tech @ #emtech10

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Monday, September 20, 2010

Casio reveals Exilim EX-Z2300 and EX-ZR10 point-and-shoots, sells HDR hard

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/20/casio-reveals-exilim-ex-z2300-and-ex-zr10-point-and-shoots-sell/

Casio's Exilim EX-H20G and EX-Z16 certainly stole the spotlight in the company's press conference here at Photokina, but a couple of other point-and-shoots managed to sneak out simultaneously over in Tokyo. Unfortunately, neither the Exilim EX-Z2300 nor the EX-ZR10 will be making a stateside debut, but those situated in continents not named North America may certainly be interested. The former of the two utilizes a 14.1 megapixel sensor, a 3-inch rear LCD (960 x 480 resolution) and a 5x optical zoomer, with other specifications including an SD / SDHC card slot, 34.9MB of inbuilt memory, 720p video recording, an ISO range from 50 to 3200, CCD-shift image stabilization and a rechargeable battery good for around 580 shots.

Moving on to the ZR10 (not to be confused with Pentax's similarly named RZ10), this one is Casio's HDR baby. During the company's presser, executives went on (and on) about how wunderbar the camera's inbuilt HDR ART function was, and honestly, the images that were being displayed were indeed pretty fanciful. The point-and-shoot relies on a back-illuminated 12.1 megapixel sensor, the Exilim Engine HS, 28mm 7x zoom lens, an automatic panorama option and a newfangled burst mode that enables up to 30 shots of 10 megapixel images to be taken, with high-speed burst shooting at a maximum speed of 40 shots per second. Better still, the company has upped the video resolution here to 1080p, while also throwing in an SD / SDHC / SDXC card slot, ISO range of 100 to 3200 and a rechargeable battery. No one's talking pricing, release dates nor release regions just yet (aside from shunning America, of course), but we'll be sure to update just as soon as those facts and figures hit our desk. Oh, and we did manage to score a few precious seconds with this guy here in Köln, and it's exceedingly slim given the feature set. We can't speak for the image and video quality first-hand, but based on what was shown and the aesthetic that we witnessed, we'd say the ZR10 has a bright future ahead of it.

Continue reading Casio reveals Exilim EX-Z2300 and EX-ZR10 point-and-shoots, sells HDR hard

Casio reveals Exilim EX-Z2300 and EX-ZR10 point-and-shoots, sells HDR hard originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 11:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Point an iPhone at the Sky, See Augmented Reality Info as Planes Fly [IPhone Apps]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5642578/point-an-iphone-at-the-sky-see-augmented-reality-info-as-planes-fly

Point an iPhone at the Sky, See Augmented Reality Info as Planes FlyPlane Finder AR adds a layer of augmented reality to its previous (and free) Plane Finder app, now charging $3 for the privilege of seeing the flight number, speed, destination and other such details of overhead planes.

The same developer is making a name for itself in transportation apps, with its Airline Finder acting as a guide to all the various airline planes in the world; Ship Finder showing real-time movements of our aquatic vessels; and the real-time Plane Finder and Plane Finder Free apps, which only has $5 and detailed aircraft information on each plane between them.

This latest one, Plane Finder AR, displays augmented reality information on the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4's screens, when pointed at a plane in the sky. Little thumbnails appear, highlighting the flight number, speed, altitude, last port of call and destination, and how far away it is from you.

It works by picking up the ADS-B data from the planes, which is why not every plane the iPhone is pointed at has information to be displayed. [iTunes via Recombu]

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Casio EX-H20G Point-and-Shot Geotags Photos Even When You're Inside [DigitalCameras]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5642654/casio-ex+h20g-point+and+shot-geotags-even-when-youre-inside

Casio EX-H20G Point-and-Shot Geotags Photos Even When You're InsideHaving a camera that knows where you take your pictures is cool, but typically it only works under an open sky. Casio's EXILIM EX-H20G point-and-shoot has a hybrid GPS system that effectively keeps track of you even when you're indoors.

A point-and-shoot with GPS isn't particularly impressive, but the EX-H20G is a bit different—it combines preloaded maps with a built-in motion sensor to figure out roughly where you've been walking since the last time you checked in with a satellite.

Casio's Hybrid GPS system combines GPS with autonomic positioning, which is made possible by an internal motion sensor. This enables the EX-H20G to track a user's last known satellite-acquired position against map data stored in the camera's internal memory, even while the user is indoors. In addition to these features, the camera is pre loaded with information regarding 10,000 sightseeing photo spots around the globe. When in the vicinity of one of these photo spots, the EX-H20G will automatically alert the user, identifying the locations as points-of-interest.

Very cool. And the 14.1MP EX-H20G isn't so shabby at the whole taking pictures thing either: it uses a new EXILIM image processing engine, has 10x optical zoom, and shoots 720p HD video at 30fps. It sports a yummy 460k LCD to check it all out on.

The EX-H20G will be available in November for $350. [Casio]

CASIO RELEASES COMPACT EXILIM® CAMERA WITH HYBRID GPS

World's First Camera Combining GPS with Motion-Sensor Driven Autonomic Positioning

DOVER, NJ, September 20, 2010 - Casio America, Inc. and its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd., today unveiled the world's first Hybrid GPS enabled digital camera, the EXILIM® EX-H20G. The latest model to join Casio's EXILIM Hi-Zoom lineup, the EX-H20G offers an impressive feature set as well as Casio's state-of-the-art Hybrid GPS technology, which makes the camera perfect for traveling. Thanks to Casio's Hybrid GPS system, the EX-H20G offers ultra-precise location data for the geotagging of photos and videos and is also the first camera able to geotag indoors. Additionally, the EX-H20G can display the user's current location - as well as geotagged photos and videos - on a map which can be viewed right on the camera itself.

"Geotagging has increased in popularity, especially with the advent of photo-sharing Web sites and as consumers look to do more with their images," said Toshi Iguchi, Senior General Manager, Digital Imaging Division, Casio America Inc. "With the new Exilim EX-H20G, Casio is taking the geotagging experience to a new level by incorporating exciting technologies which consumers can now leverage to make the process fun, easy and completely seamless. No matter where in the world you take an image, whether it is indoors or out, the EX-H20G will know exactly where it was taken."

The EX-H20G's Hybrid GPS system sets a new standard for geotagging and offers exciting new ways to use a digital camera. Casio's Hybrid GPS system combines GPS with autonomic positioning, which is made possible by an internal motion sensor. This enables the EX-H20G to track a user's last known satellite-acquired position against map data stored in the camera's internal memory, even while the user is indoors. In addition to these features, the camera is pre loaded with information regarding 10,000 sightseeing photo spots around the globe. When in the vicinity of one of these photo spots, the EX-H20G will automatically alert the user, identifying the locations as points-of-interest.

The industry-leading GPS and geotagging capabilities of the EX-H20G will dramatically change how people use their digital camera when traveling. The EX-H20G's on-screen map allows users to plan their travels before departing as they can view destinations, points-of-interest and photo locations. While on-the-go, users can then confirm their present location and utilize the EX H20G's digital compass to determine the best route to their next destination. After returning home, users can manage and share their geotagged photos and videos captured with the EX H20G using popular photo-sharing Web sites and software which offer geotagging functionality, such as Picasa, Panoramio, Google Earth, Flickr and iPhoto. These platforms will utilize the precise location data embedded into each image's EXIF file to plot exactly where they were captured on a world map, giving the photographer, as well as their friends and family, the ability to vividly imagine their travels by making the connection with the locations visited and images. By integrating camera and map as well as location data and photos, the EX-H20G creates a whole new way to enjoy traveling.

Equipped with the new EXILIM Engine HS, the EX-H20G features all of the essential capabilities expected from a camera. When used with Casio's Single Frame SR Zoom function, the 24mm wide-angle, 10x optical zoom lens actually offers a 15x zoom range that maintains the image quality needed for 14.1-megapixel high-resolution photography. This represents 1.5 times the range of the optical zoom, with virtually no loss in quality. Other features include 720p HD video recording (30fps), as well as a three-inch, high-resolution 460K super clear LCD that is easy to view even when outdoors. The EX-H20G also comes with Casio's advanced, fully automatic Premium Auto function for taking beautiful shots of scenery and people with just a press of the shutter button, and various useful functions for traveling such as Panorama Photo mode, which can take 360-degree photos, as well as auto-time adjustment which will automatically synchronize the camera's date and time with that of the user's current location and time zone.

Starting with the EX-H20G, Casio is positioning the EXILIM brand as "Amazing Gear" - a brand that never fails to deliver new surprises and excitement. Casio intends to revolutionize photography, creating new value by developing digital cameras that go beyond the limits of cameras in the past.

Please see the following pages for more details on the new digital camera.

EXILIM Hi-Zoom EX-H20G
A Traveler's Camera Equipped with a Hybrid GPS System

The first digital camera with autonomic indoor positioning through Hybrid GPS
The EX-H20G is equipped with a Hybrid GPS system that combines a GPS engine with autonomic positioning made possible by a motion sensor. Even if no signals are received from GPS satellites when indoors, the system consecutively tracks the user's location by employing an original algorithm using a three-way accelerometer and a three-way direction sensor. When the user goes back outside, the system automatically updates the positional information of the indoor location based on the exact location determined by GPS reception. Even when the camera is powered off, the GPS system continues to search for satellite signals at 10 minute intervals. This is an ideal system for a digital camera, allowing it to immediately track location data at any time and any place.

Highly accurate and speedy position tracking with low power consumption
The EX-H20G employs Casio's advanced low-power technology, which ensures that the camera consumes only a small amount of power. Power consumption is suited for the various situations in which the EX-H20G will be used, including power on and power-off, satellite acquisition and even while the three-way accelerometer and direction sensor are working in the background while the camera is off. With the EX-H20G, users can rest assured knowing that they won't need to sacrifice battery life to enjoy highly precise and speedy position tracking.

Complete with a wide range of functions useful for traveling
• Contains world atlas data including detailed maps of 140 world cities and 12 cities in Japan
• User's location and photos and movies taken are displayed on a map
• Photos are saved with the location information, including longitude and latitude, shooting direction, and place names
• About 10,000 photos of popular sightseeing spots around the world are included in the internal memory
• Users can leverage the camera's digital compass and map to determine the most appropriate route
• A location name database with approximately one million items is included , enabling the camera to display the name of the shooting location on the screen
• Location name and other data can be embedded in the photo when taken
• H.264 video format grants longer recording time for 720p HD Movies
• Travel memories can be reproduced vividly on a large-screen TV in a slideshow with a map using an HDMI terminal

Premium Auto function produces beautiful photos with just a press of the shutter button
Premium Auto enables the camera to automatically analyze the scene being photographed - including distinguishing night scenes, back lighting, a blue sky, green trees or a sunset - as well as sensing whether there is a face in the frame, the movement and position of the subject, and whether a tripod is being used. It simultaneously optimizes settings for exposure, ISO, sensitivity, focus location, photo blur correction, tonal range and color balance, and level of noise reduction. Images are analyzed pixel by pixel to apply different correction to people and backgrounds. Premium Auto delivers an advanced level of full auto photography, ensuring high quality photos with just a press of the shutter button. Landscape Makeup processing, which creates clearer landscape photographs, operates automatically.

Equipped with newly developed EXILIM Engine HS
The newly developed EXILIM Engine HS for advanced image processing boasts a multi-CPU and two parallel image processors, enabling the EX-H20G to accurately capture the genuine character of photo subjects with high-speed.

Powerful zoom that maintains high-resolution image quality through 15x
The EX-H20G is outfitted with a 24mm ultra wide-angle, 10x optical zoom lens which offers a 35mm film equivalent focal length of 24mm-240mm. To enhance the zoom range even further, Casio incorporated its Single Frame SR Zoom in the EX-H20G, which extends the camera's 35mm film equivalent telephoto focal length to 360mm, for 1.5 times the optical zoom or a total zoom range of 15x. Furthermore, the EX-H20G features built-in CCD-shift image stabilization to help reduce photo blur from hand movement. These features allow users to photograph any kind of scene, from enormous structures in sightseeing areas to scenic views at a distance.

Dynamic Photo function for creating composite moving images
These EX-H20G also features Casio's Dynamic Photo function, which makes it easy for users to create "moving photos" right on the camera by cutting moving subjects from the background in images taken with continuous shooting, and combining those images on a different still or moving image background. With Dynamic Photo, it is possible to make multiple characters move independently of each other against a background of moving images up to as long as 20 seconds. These capabilities encourage users to explore their creativity and make it more fun to create images. Sharing is also simplified as included software makes it easy to upload images to YouTube™ or post them to a blog.

The EX-H20G will be available November 2010 for $349.99.

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Jailbroken iPhones Can Surf Privately With Free Cydia App "Covert" [Cydia Apps]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5642656/jailbroken-iphones-can-surf-privately-with-free-cydia-app-covert

Jailbroken iPhones Can Surf Privately With Free Cydia App "Covert"Porn-browsers with jailbroken iPhones who wish to keep their internet habits a secret (yes, it's a niche market, true), have been handed the free "Covert" tool on the Cydia app store, for use with the Mobile Safari browser.

Redmond Pie tried it out, describing that it works right in the Safari browser, with the "private browsing" activated when a new tab is opened. If surfers have forgotten whether they're browsing privately or not, they should simply try and remember that the UI turns gray when it's private. [Redmond Pie]

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