Kodak Cranks Up Pixels For Camera Phones February 6, 2008
READ MORE Digital cameras , Entertainment , Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , Mobile Devices
Kodak is touting a ‘revolution’ no less by introducing a tiny 1.4 micron CMOS sensor for use in mobile phones that will deliver 5MP photos.
Although there is 5MP camera capabilities in the Nokia N95, Kodak says its new High-ISO CMOS sensor completely reworks how light is collected for much better quality shots, especially in low light. The new sensor promises between two and four times the light sensitivity of current sensors which will boost performance and reduce motion blur in action shots. At 1.4 micron, it's also smaller than the more common 1.75 micron sensors used today.
“Camera phones and other small-pixel consumer imaging devices often suffer from poor performance, especially under low light conditions. To manufacture sensors that utilize these very small pixels – only two to three times the wavelength of visible light – we needed to challenge everything we knew about pixel and sensor design,” said Chris McNiffe, General Manager of Kodak’s Image Sensor Solutions business.
At 5MP, Kodak says the KAC-05020 sensor provides the highest resolution available in the popular 0.25in optical format, delivering images up to ISO 3200 and support for full 720p video at 30fps.
“For consumers today, high resolution is required but no longer sufficient,” said Fas Mosleh, Worldwide Director of CIS Marketing and Business Development for Kodak’s Image Sensor Solutions business. “Smaller and thinner camera phones, high performance under low light, and superior video performance are the types of features that will enable the next generation of consumer imaging devices. And with this new Kodak sensor, camera designers can now put those features directly into the hands of their customers.”
The sensor should appear in many consumer mobile phones by the end of the year.-Martin Lynch
|
|
Apple Fattens Up iPhone & iPod touch February 6, 2008
READ MORE Apple , Entertainment , Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , Movies , Music , iPhone , iPod
Apple has introduced some fatter iPhones and iPod touch devices to counter user grumbles that storage was a bit weedy.
The iPhone now has a 16GB model for £329, to sit alongside the current the 8GB model, which costs £269. That’s £60 for double the storage. The iPod touch now sports a more useful 32GB model for £329 (inc. VAT), joining the existing 16GB and 8GB models which cost £269 and £199, respectively. I know at least two mates who got the 8GB iPhone and 16GB iPod touch as Christmas pressies and who will soon be kicking the cat in frustration.
“For some users, there’s never enough memory”, said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPod and iPhone Product Marketing. “Now people can enjoy even more of their music, photos and videos on the most revolutionary mobile phone and best Wi-Fi mobile device in the world”.
The fatter versions are available now online, at Apple stores and Carphone Warehouse.-Martin Lynch
Pirate Bay Gets Danish Slap With Finland Queuing Up February 6, 2008
READ MORE Entertainment , Games , Gizmodo UK , MP3 , Movies , Music , Online
The controversial torrent hosting site, Pirate Bay, is in more trouble this week after a Danish court ordered the ISP, Tele2, to block access to Pirate Bay by Danish customers.
The court was complying with a request from the request from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) which has been after Pirate Bay for some time, according to a Computerworld magazine article. The Swedish site is already in hot water in Sweden where authorities have charged four men linked to Pirate Bay with conspiracy to break copyright law.
Pirate Bay was sent walking the plank in 2006 but managed to dodge the death sentence and has since been giving a rebellious two-finger salute to the music and movie industry.
Tele2 is just the first Danish ISP to avoid possible legal action and follow orders but according to IFPI:
“The provider had agreed to follow the order and it is expected that other Internet service providers will voluntarily follow the court order.”
News just in suggests that the IFPI in Finland is getting ready to target its own ISPs.-Martin Lynch
online Internet torrent piracy
First Production Tesla P1 Roadster Hits The Road February 6, 2008
READ MORE Cars , Gizmodo UK , Motoring , Technology
The first production Tesla electric sports car, the P1 Roadster, rolled of the line this week in San Carlos, California, with chairman of the company, Elon Musk, taking the wheel.
The photo above shows the car being pushed [it really works though, honest] into a Tesla work bay where it was fitted with its whopping 1,000lb battery. Each battery consists of 6,831 laptop-sized lithium-ion cells and took two-hours to fit.
The car is capable of 0-60mph in under four seconds, tops out at 125mph, is a claimed six times more eco-friendly than a typical sports cars, and takes 3.5 hours to fully charge. The car has a range of around 220 miles per charge.
This one is black – Chairman’s privilege, I guess - but the first 100 of the £49,000 cars will be ‘Limited Edition’ green. Jump for another shot of its production debut.-Martin Lynch
UPDATE: There will be other colours available for first 100 run of Teslas, as well as the 'Signature Green'. Thanks Tony
The Etch-a-Sketch Pen February 6, 2008
READ MORE Gadgets , Games , Gizmodo UK
Nothing like those early, Monday morning meetings about Monthly Stationary Budgets to make you want to blow your brains out but, help is at hand.
You need a piece of stationery that no one else has, and, is designed to let you pretend that you’re still listening when you’re really not. Meet the ingenious Etch-a-Sketch Pen, a pen with a miniature Etch-a-Sketch at the top which actually works. The two knobs allow you to create your own mini-masterpieces and a little shake is all it takes to clear it off and start afresh.
So, while your manager is getting apoplectic over the mysterious disappearance of rubber bands, you can nod sagely while sketching his ugly, bulbous head.
Risk takers among you might want to try out the equally fun but noisier, Operation Pen, which features a mini-version of that classic game, Operation, complete with mini-tweezers, flashing nose and internal speaker. Jump now for a photo.
Each pen costs a measly £3 here.-Martin Lynch
- Blogroll
Editor and Contributor | Martin Lynch
RSS Feed
