As many who know me know, I have been slobbering over the idea of the Nikon D300 for a very long time; the incessant drool was quite comical – I am sure. Well, when I barely missed getting a used (meticulously cared for) D300 for just $750 I couldn’t stand the loss. It was then that my droolish desire became an obsession!!!

As a result, I used my considerable search skills to hunt and hunt and hunt for bargains while becoming intimately familiar with all of the upsides and downsides of the D300. Well, it didn’t take long before I realized that I could no longer get the D300 new and used versions were simply not a good enough bargain (which further increased my disappointment at my previous loss)… only the newer D300s.

It took some getting used to – that I would have to buy a product that was so new there were practically ZERO price drops anywhere (bare minimums in many cases). I even got close to buying the extremely nice D90… I just couldn’t get past the build quality and the other sweet differences that made the D300s a glory to behold (51 AF points, 7 frames/sec continuous shooting, magnesium-alloy body with “some” weather sealing, dual card slots…)

Anyway, I finally grew too restless and yesterday I came across a sweet deal for a newly opened Demo at Futureshop (I know, I know, I am not a huge fan either) which they were willing to give me for what amounted to $267 off MSRP (or in this case $100 off a matched sale price) and it has all of the warranties intact just as though it came out of the box. That was it… I let the whole idea settle over night and leapt for the deal today….which leads me to the specs for my new beauty, the D300s  :-D

• 13.1 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor (effective pixels: 12.3 million)
• New 720p HD movie mode records video at 1280 x 720 (24 fps) for up to 5 minutes
• 3.0? LCD monitor (920,000 pixels)
• Dust reduction system
• 51 AF points with 3D tracking (faster and more accurate)
• IS0 200-3200 range (6400 expanded)
• 7 frames per second continuous shooting (buffer: 17 RAW, 44 JPEG fine, 100 JPEG Normal)
• Same EN-EL3e battery as D300 (950 shots per charge )
• 72 thumbnail view in playback
• Supports all Nikkor F-Mount lenses
• Sturdy magnesium alloy body with some weather-sealing; shutter rated at 150,000 cycles
• Live view supported (now with dedicated button)
• Contrast and phase detection AF modes
• Face detection available
• Optical viewfinder has 100% coverage and magnification of 0.94X
• Full manual controls
• ISO range of 100 – 6400 (when fully expanded)
• Shutter speed range of 30 – 1/8000 sec (there’s a bulb mode too)
• RAW and TIFF formats supported
• Quiet Shutter Release feature reduces sound of mirror action
• User now has the ability to bracket for Active D-Lighting, which restores shadow and highlight detail
• Hot shoe and flash sync port plus the ability to control up to 2 sets of wireless flashes
• Stereo microphone input and HDMI port
• Dual memory card slots: CompactFlash and SD/SDHC, with backup and overflow features
• Optional battery grip gives you even greater battery life and faster continuous shooting (8 fps)

I suppose it is needless to say but I am a very very happy photographer… I feel renewed and look forward to getting out and shooting again like a man possessed. See you out there!

PS. thanks to www.d300s.com for the excellent photos and the specs. Great site!

The AirStash is a personal, portable (in your pocket), WiFi storage access point.  It features the ability to extend the storage of any device that has wireless access by providing a pocket WPA2-secured access point with a basic media server accessible through your handheld/computer’s browser. The only limitation to the device is the amount of space it can hold at one time which is up to 32 gb; via a SD card that must be purchased separately.

This product has me itching to buy it because I am so obsessed with technology and the idea of having my own personal data field (yeah I figure that is the geek way of saying it is too cool to say no to!

For Apple iPad, iPhone, iPod or iPod Touch users this little unit will be your savior if you happen to have filled up the space on your handheld and you are itching for more (whether you need it or not!). Why? Well, not only does it offer unlimited storage extension (you could have a gaggle of 32 gb SD cards at hand and switch them out) to your handheld but it also comes configured with some exclusive functionality just for you! Here is the prose from the marketing material at AirStash.com:

Break through the storage limits on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad with AirStash! There’s no need to decide what files to squeeze onto your iPhone—bring them all with AirStash! Supply a single SD card for storage capacity up to 32GB, or bring along additional SD cards for unlimited storage on-the-go. Because AirStash is wireless, you can keep using your favorite case and accessories while AirStash sits in your pocket, backpack, purse, or briefcase.

Here is a demo of the AirStash by the company hosted on YouTube:

Click here to view the embedded video.

In short, I hope to have my own AirStash soon!

Note:  iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc.

My friend Dr. Phillip Zeman has been conducting some pretty amazing research over the past 7 years tracking how the brain functions during 3d video games. Seems kind of useless if you think of it in that way (at least to a layman) but then consider that he is taking it to the next step by then seeing how pharmaceuticals effect spatial interpretation. Very cool stuff.

Here is a video from a recent news interview with Phil:

Click here to view the embedded video.

For more information check out his website http://www.spatialbrain.com

Well if you haven’t heard the CrunchPad is dead so tears aside, here are my new infatuations that will hopefully do just as well (and actually become available): The K.R.T. X9 Tablet with Windows 7, The Vega Tablet with Androi and the Camangi WebStation Tablet with Android.

And now, without further adieu, here are the specs, other details and expected release dates for all of these beauties:

K.R.T X9 with Windows 7: approx $588 USD when released (estimate)

This puppy is the first Windows 7 Tablet to feature multi-touch support but at 2kg the KRT X9 is a beast!

KRT X9 Specs:

• 2kg with battery (yikes),
• 10″ multi-touch display (1024×600),
• 1.6ghz Atom 270 processor,
• Intel 950 graphics,
• 1GB RAM,
• 160 GB HD,
• 5-in-one SD/MS/MMC/MS-Pro card reader,
• VGA port,
• 802.11a/b/g,
• 3G connectivity,
• 3 USB ports,
• 4 hours of battery life during use (either a 2800mAh or 3500mAh battery).

KRT X9 Dimensions: 226.3mm x 166.9mm x 24.7mm

KRT X9 Release Date: No ETA but early to mid 2010 expected

KRT X9 Related Articles/Sources:

• I4U News: K.R.T. X9 Windows 7 Tablet
• ClonedinChina: K.R.T. X9 Runs Windows 7, with Multi-Touch Support

Vega Tablet with Touch Screen and Android (or (ick) perhaps Windows CE)

The Vega Tablet is on its way in 2010 and it appears it is definitely a go but it will only be available to “tier 1 carriers” (i.e. Sprint, Verizon, etc.) in the States when ICD launches it in the first quarter 2010 according to this Gizmodo article; okay it didn’t say not Canada but come on… it is doubtful we will get it so quickly.

Vega Tablet Specs: it will be available in 7, 11 and 15 inch sizes.

The following specs are for the 15 inch version listed here.

• Android 2.0 Eclair
• 15.6″ Touchscreen
• NVIDIA Tegra
• 512 DDR / 512 NAND
• 1.3 MP Web Cam
• Micro SD
• Bluetooth 2.1
• Wireless 802.11 b/g
• USB 2.0
• 2g/3g Data
• Cellular
• 3.5mm Audio Jack
• Magnetic Docking
• Tablet/Dock Charging
• Accelerometer
• Ambient light sensor
• Dual digital microphones

Vega Tablet Dimensions: 373mm x 254mm x 16mm

Vega Tablet Release Date: First quarter 2009

Vega Tablet Related Articles/Sources:

• Official Site of the Vega Tablet
• The Vega Overview PDF
• The Vega Overview PPT
• Vega Android Tablet Shown Sullied by Windows CE (The Horror!!)
• This german Engadget post includes an English video of the Vega in action. A must see!

Camangi WebStation Android Tablet (small 7″ screen but cool)

The WebStation reminds me a lot of my Nokia n800 Tablet due to its layout but it sure seems to be a decent little gadget – not my thing because it isn’t big enough but worth showing since it is actually available this Christmas (or so they seem to say).

Camangi WebStation Tablet Specs:

• 7″ TFT LCD display with 16M True Color
• Single Resistive touch panel with hard glass
• 800×480 high res screen.
• Android 1.5
• Marvell PXA303 624MHz CPU
• 128MB Mobile DDR
• 265MB NAND (system space)
• USB keyboard support
• G-sensor
• 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• USB dongle to 3G Connectivity
• GPS Module
• Omni-directional microphone
• Micro SD card slot – supports up to 16GB
• Type A & mini-B USB port
• Built-in Lithium Polyme battery (3.7V, 4000 mAh)
• Battery life is 4-5 hours with usage and 4 days standby

Camangi WebStation Dimensions: 120mm x 200mm x 14.5mm and weighs 390 grams

Camangi WebStation Release Date: December 15th 2009

Camangi WebStation Related Articles/Sources:

• Camangi WebStation Android Tablet Debuted
• Camangi WebStation Official Home Page

For all those who have been waiting for a world where Minority Report-like user interface computing is a reality might find the idea of gesture-based TV operation quite a step forward. You might even be amazed that a computer operating system has been developed that closely mirrors the Minority Report UI.

First, however, here is a clip from Minority Report showing the tech that so many long for:

Click here to view the embedded video.

So now that you know what so many dream of… here are a couple examples of this gesture-based user interface in action – one of which may be coming to a home near you soon!

1) TV Remotes Replaced with Gesture-Based Instruction
In this video the first segment shows a TV that promises some a pretty cool gesture-based UI:

I hope we can program some custom gestures because I have a wonderful one fingered gesture for commercial fast-forward/skip.

2) G-Speak Looks an Awful Lot Like Version 1.0 of the Minority Report OS

Click here to view the embedded video.

And last but not least…

3) A Portable System Unveiled at TED 2009

And now the BUT
Unfortunately, with the exception of that TV that appears to be close to consumer release most of this technology is nowhere near ready for prime time. There is technology available or almost available such as multi-touch systems like the iphone and the pending 2010 onslaught of net tablets (although not all of these will be multi-touch) which is all very cool and quite affordable. That said, the closest system available now is the Microsoft Surface which is far from consumer priced ($10,000 USD last I heard) and is as bulky as all hell.

What are your thoughts? Do you think gesture-based UIs are going to be mass adopted within the next 5 years, 10 years, or ever?

The Jabra SP700 retails for a painful $129 CDN at FutureShop.ca but establishing again that eBay rocks, the SP700 can be found new for $39.99 + $16 or so for shipping to Victoria BC! Here is a shortcut to search for the SP700 on eBay.ca

Click here to view the embedded video.

Okay, I don’t know about you but this appeals to my inner Geek… although I would definitely add more monitors and integrate a reclining option so the monitors and everything still work but from a lay down position ROFL!

Click here to view the embedded video.

My friend Bill pointed out this amazing video from CNet on Microsoft’s new pressure sensitive keyboard which has immense implications. This invention falls under the “DUH! why didn’t I think of that” category. Honestly it amazes me how many ideas just seem too obvious, and yet, they take forever to come about.

Check out the video below for a cool demo:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Posted via web from rossdunn’s posterous

In Santa Clara last week I lost my phone (I think in a Taxi) so I decided to upgrade; those that know me will not be surprised

My upgrade is, well, an impressive little beast. In fact it isn’t even widely available yet in Canada and when it will be it will cost at least 2x more than what I paid for mine thanks to some power searching on eBay.

Here is a wicked review of this phenomenal smart phone – the TyTN 2 (pronounced “Titan 2″). I can’t wait to get it!!

[coolplayer width="480" height="380" autoplay="0" loop="0" charset="utf-8" download="1" mediatype=""]
The HTC TyTN II Review
[/coolplayer]

Here are the specs for this rock’n device that IMHO redefines convergence (source: Wikipedia):

User manual (specification pages)^[1]

• Manufacturer: HTC
• Type: Smartphone / PDA
• Communications
  • Quad band UMTS / HSDPA / HSUPA: UMTS 800, UMTS 850, UMTS 1900, UMTS 2100
  • Quad band GSM / GPRS / EDGE: GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR with A2DP, A-GPS and GPS, USB 2.0
• GPS: Qualcomm
• CPU: 400 MHz Qualcomm 7200 (dual CPU, and integrates Imageon hardware 2D/3D graphics accelerator) Although the graphics hardware is without a Windows Mobile driver, so all graphics are done using the main CPU, therefore unaccelerated.
• Operating System: Windows Mobile 6
• Camera(s): 3.0(2048×1536) MP still/video camera with autofocus. VGA Video conferencing camera.
• Memory: 128 MB RAM, 256 MB ROM
• Memory card: SDIO, microSD, microSDHC^[2][3] 4GB and up, TransFlash
• Screen: 240×320, 2.8″ (42 x 57 mm) TFT-LCD
• Weight: 190g
• Size: 112mm (L) x 59mm (W) x 19mm (T)
• Battery: Li-Ion 1350 mAH
• Value Added Applications: HTC Home™, TomTom navigation software (tester edition normally, but Swisscom now supplies this phone with the full TomTom navigation package included. Swisscom also pre-load the full Swiss train timetable and a translation program and Live TV including MTV and CNN. No SkySports yet though!!), Business card scanner also on some but not Swisscom.

Full TyTN 2 phone specs here.

Reviews from Authorities

OVERALL IMPRESSION (From PocketNow.com)
Two words: Very Impressed. I don’t even care that I don’t have HSDPA or even UMTS support where I live. The TyTN II does it all. For me, the improved Bluetooth and consequently improved Voice Command via Bluetooth recognition capabilities are well worth it alone. Add on top of that a much improved GPS Navigation implementation (compared to the P3300), a slide out keyboard/flip-up screen, TouchFLO scrolling, 3MP autofocus camera, and a ton of memory… and there’s no turning back. The TyTN II truly is the ultimate mobile companion… at least for now.