by Techno Witch on September 30, 2008
I’m sure most have you have seen the film Cloverfield, the J.J. Abrams monster movie that was filmed in the style of a handheld movie camera. Contrary to what is depicted in the film, the camera used for shooting that film was a very fancy high-definition camera, not a Best Buy handheld.
I only bring this up because I have also had a great idea for a movie that is filmed in the style of a webcam. I don’t exactly have a plot just yet, but I noticed in my test filming of potential action that webcams produce shotty image quality.
This is why the USB Hollywood Film kit is pertinent to my future indie blockbuster. This kit comes with a webcam that looks like a real movie camera, and a separate spotlight for more lighting, which has the Hollywood-style flaps.
Both the camera and spotlight are mounted on flexible arms, and each require separate USB ports. The camera is compatible with Windows XP SP2, Vista, plus Mac OS 10.4.8 and up.
According to my source, the USB Hollywood Film kit is not available in the United States, and there is no word on price. There is also no word from J.J. Abrams on the status of my webcam movie, other than “we’ll get back to you”.
Source
by Techno Witch on September 30, 2008
I have to say, sometimes people scare me, or in this case specifically some parents scare me. I keep waiting to listen to the news to hear about a child sent to school in a giant roll of bubble wrap. There are just some parents that see danger lurking around every corner even with the smallest of things. One thing I never ever even considered dangerous was a dimmer switch. I mean seriously, who finds a dimmer switch dangerous?! At first I prayed that the Electro Puff Lamp Dimmer was just a bizarre concept design, but no such luck.
Someone actually paid to have it manufactured and some crazy parents I’m sure are snatching them up. The switch works by you gently tapping it and it will change the light to a different level of brightness. The puff is made from recycled carpet fiber and conductive yarns. It also is stain-resistant and antimicrobial, which is good since this is meant for people with kids. It’s safe for ages 8 and up and you can pick it up at the MoMA Store for $35.
Source: OhGizmo
by Techno Witch on September 30, 2008
The Handheld Aquarium by Sega Toys could best be described as a Virtual Pet, which haven’t been popular since the early nineties. In fact, I think that is when Sega Toys peaked with their Sega Saturn.
The full color graphics are certainly better than anything the Tamigotchi had back in the day. In this case, the user gets to take care of a fish, or some other marine animal like a dolphin.
The underwater pet will grow, and there is an extra bonus as well, because the virtual pet’s space will somehow expand. I am assuming this is a virtual expansion, because there is a tiny screen on this handheld aquarium.
The user, or virtual pet owner, also has the option of playing three different mini games with their pet, and hopefully isn’t punished too hard if they fail in their responsibility. If you are wondering what I mean by that, just picture a little kid picking up their Handheld Aquarium only to find that their virtual aquatic friend is floating on his or her back. Yeah, that’s a pretty gruesome image, and the little tyke may never watch Finding Nemo again.
The Handheld Aquarium is available at the Japan Trend Shop for $59.
Source
by Techno Witch on September 30, 2008
The leader in flash memory, SanDisk, has available their SanDisk Mobile Ultra microSD, and Memory Stick Micro M2 flash mobile memory card, and these are available in 2GB, 4GB and 8GB making them the industries first premium storage cards for the mobile phone.
Vice president, mobile research, Strategy Analytics, David Kerr says: “ These products further prove SanDisk’s ability to anticipate changing user needs and provide the market with the right mobile storage solutions at the right time.”
With 8GB of digital storage consumers with be able to store up to 21 hours of video, 1,200 images, or 1,000 songs of their choice. SanDisk Mobile Ultra memory cards range from £14.99 up to £59.99 and are available via various retail outlets throughout the UK as of June 2008.
by Techno Witch on September 30, 2008
Lycamobile has launched their Pay-as-you-go SIM Card that allows the user to call the world for as little as 4p per minute and great introductory deals which include 0p per minute calls on Lycamobile to Lycamobile within the UK.
Furthermore Lycamobile is offering additional credit top-ups of £1 Free on £5 top-up, £2.50 Free on £10 and £6 Free on £20.
Lycamobile’s PAYG SIM brings the user international calling to Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Poland and Pakistan with calls starting at as little as 4p per minute; and with in excess of 85,000 retail outlets across the UK.
by Techno Witch on September 30, 2008
If you’re looking for an iPod dock that is a little more feminine, you’ll love these Butterfly Speakers. Although frankly, after staring at them for a few minutes I don’t see a single butterfly. I thought for a second maybe it was the overall shape, but even that is just curved nicely but not necessarily modeled after a butterfly. If anything this should be called Flower Speakers or something equally descriptive. Alright, they’re cute so I suppose I can let it slide that the product name doesn’t quite describe the product.
The cute speakers come with three interchangeable faceplates a blue, pink and green one. Which means if you aren’t quite in a pink mood you can switch to a slightly less obvious girl color. The dock comes from PBTeen, but even for those that aren’t teens I’m sure quite a few female adults would appreciate the look of these. The dock will work with either an iPod or and iPhone and of course other MP3 players can be hooked up to the speakers they just can’t sit in the dock. To pick one up it will cost you $99 and they will become available as of October 12th.
Source: Gizmodiva
by Techno Witch on September 30, 2008
Many of you are searching for “Do Not Call List” so we thought we should show our much loved readers who we adore. Below you will see some key facts that may help you a little more, we have the top 5 key list.
The National Do Not Call List or DNCL for short is basically designed to cut down or should we say reduce the number of those unwanted telemarketing faxes and calls Canadians receive.
Please check out the 5 tips below:
1. How to register?
• You can register your home phone, cellular or fax number(s) on the National DNCL.
• Signing up is simple, quick and free. You can sign up online at www.LNNTE-DNCL.gc.ca or by calling the toll-free numbers 1-866-580-DNCL (1-866-580-3625) or 1-888-DNCL-TTY (1-888-362-5889).
• Once you have signed up, many telemarketers can no longer call you starting 31 days after your registration.
• You must renew your registration every three years if you want your number(s) to stay on the National DNCL.
2. Who can still call you?
• Registering on the National DNCL will reduce but not eliminate all telemarketing calls and faxes.
• There are certain kinds of telemarketing calls and faxes that are exempt from the National DNCL, including those made by or on behalf of:
• registered charities seeking donations
• newspapers looking for subscriptions
• political parties and their candidates, and
• companies with whom you have an existing commercial relationship; for example, if you have done business with a company in the previous 18 months––such as a carpet-cleaning company––that company can call you.
• Telemarketers making exempt calls must maintain their own do not call lists. If you do not want to be called by these telemarketers, you can ask to be put on their do not call lists. They are obliged to do so within 31 days.
• For more information, see Part II of the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules and the Telecommunications Act.
3. Market research, polls and surveys
• You will continue to receive calls from organizations conducting market research, polls or surveys even though you are registered on the National DNCL. These are not considered telemarketing calls because they are not selling a product or service, or requesting donations.
4. Rules telemarketers must follow when they call
• Among other things, telemarketers must:
• identify who they are and, upon request, provide you with a fax or telephone number where you can speak to someone about the telemarketing call
• display the telephone number that they are calling from or that you can call to reach them, and
• only call or send faxes between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. on weekdays and between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on weekends.
• Telemarketers must not use Automatic Dialing and Announcing Device (devices that dial telephone numbers automatically and deliver a pre-recorded message). However, these devices can be used by police and fire departments, schools and hospitals, as well as for appointment reminders and thank you calls.
• For more information, see Part III and Part IV of the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules.
5. Complaints
• Complaints about telemarketers can be made through the National DNCL website (www.LNNTE-DNCL.gc.ca) or by calling the toll-free numbers 1-866-580-DNCL (1-866-580-3625) or 1-888-DNCL-TTY (1-888-362-5889).
• Types of complaints can include receiving a call even though you have registered on the National DNCL, receiving a call outside of permitted calling hours, a telemarketer who does not put your name and number on their do not call list, or any other violation of the rules.
• When making a complaint, remember that you must provide information such as the date of the call and the name or telephone number of the telemarketer.
• The CRTC will investigate complaints and can penalize telemarketers found to be in violation of any of the CRTC’s Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules.
• The CRTC can levy penalties of up to $1,500 for an individual and up to $15,000 for a corporation, for each violation.
by Techno Witch on September 30, 2008
Later this week the Apple iPhone 3G should see the Ukraine according to Russian financial newspaper Kommersant. According to reports the Apple iPhone 3G will launch in the Ukraine overnight between the 2nd and 3rd of October.
The Apple iPhone 3G is to be sold by MTS and further sales possibly coming with KievStar, although carrier information has not yet been confirmed by Apple’s Ukraine distributor Pro Turbo Service.
The Apple iPhone 3G Russian deal is also being sold by MTS along with Vimpelcom and MegaFon and the Ukrainian deal is a natural progression. Apple has set a goal of shipping the Apple iPhone 3G to a minimum of 70 countries this year and the Ukraine becomes the 50th.
by Techno Witch on September 30, 2008
One would presume that it would be some considerable time before anyone else sees the Apple iPhone on a carrier other than AT&T, but apparently, according to an insider, a deal is being struck that could possibly see an announcement that Verizon Wireless will be gaining the Apple iPhone as early as Macworld 2009.
But what about that exclusivity deal between Apple and AT&T for the Apple iPhone? Well according to 9to5mac, there are no public documents confirming the length of exclusivity, with rumoured data of two to five years, but if there is no real confirmed length who knows, maybe AT&T could lose their exclusive right tomorrow.
With job applications for EVDO and CDMA engineers on the Apple iPhone job board along with Apple bending their rules to allow the unlocking of their Apple iPhone 3G in Hong Kong, anything is possible.
Source – 9to5mac
by Techno Witch on September 30, 2008
IBM said its producing its Lotus Notes tools which will be available for Apples iPhone, the Notes tool will include calendar applications as well as email. New York based IBM said iPhone users can access the latest version of the software using the Safari browser.
Since Apple launched a software developers kit allowing want-to-be and experienced developers to develop application for the iPhone it has attracted the attention of corporate customers as Apple and Research in Motion (RIMM) BlackBerry device go head to head in a sale war.
Steve Jobs, Apples Chief Executive said that when Apple launched back in June the iPhone 3G 35 percent of the fortune 500 companies had signed up for a trial phone. Lotus Notes is not the only software company available for the iPhone, other companies include SAP AG (SAP) and Oracle Corp (ORCL).