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New Eye-Fi Mobile X2 card does old tricks, but with less hassle for Android and iOS users

Sharif Sakr — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 06:22:00 EST

Direct Mode on an Eye-Fi card makes a lot of sense when you want to beam photos from your camera straight to your smartphone. The latest edition of the Mobile X2 promises to simplify this process by coming pre-configured for Direct Mode from the factory, and being accompanied by a 10-digit pairing code that'll let you register the camera securely with the Eye-Fi app on your Android phone without recourse to a PC. We'd feel more excited about this if Toshiba's FlashAir card hadn't done something similar already using a clever browser-based connection we saw at CES. Still, if Eye-Fi is the brand and workflow you want to stick with, then be advised that this particular Mobile X2 is Japan-only for now. However, a worldwide release is planned at some point, along with an update to the iOS app that'll make the key-code pairing thing work for that other section of humanity too.

New Eye-Fi Mobile X2 card does old tricks, but with less hassle for Android and iOS users originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 06:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Switched On: Connected Electronics Show

Ross Rubin — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:30:00 EST

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

Compared to CES 2011, which featured an explosion of tablets and high-powered smartphones poised to jump on emerging 4G networks, this year's edition of Gear and Gloating in Las Vegas was a more muted affair when it came to mobile devices. Sure, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile trotted out a few devices and there were even a few standouts, such as the Transformer Primesque Lenovo IdeaTab S2 with its its docking keyboard as well as the heavily promoted Galaxy Note, coming soon the U.S. after launching in Europe.

Continue reading Switched On: Connected Electronics Show

Switched On: Connected Electronics Show originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eye-Fi Direct Mode is here, turns tablets and smartphones into must-have camera accessories

Terrence O'Brien — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:34:00 EST

Eye-Fi promised that its Direct Mode for beaming photos straight from your camera to your smartphone or tablet would land this week, and we're pleased to announce the company has kept its word. Just pop your X2 card into a computer, launch the Eye-Fi Center, and you should be prompted to install the new firmware -- version 4.5022. All you have to do then is install the Eye-Fi app on your Android or iOS device, pair it with your camera (you did remember to put the card back in your camera, right?), and you're ready to rock and/or roll. From then on, any pics you snap with your Eye-Fi-equipped cam will automatically beam themselves to your handheld, and sharing on Picasa or Eye-Fi View is just a tap or two away. If you need a bit of a refresher on what Direct Mode looks like in action, just check out our hands-on from CES.

Eye-Fi Direct Mode is here, turns tablets and smartphones into must-have camera accessories originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olympus SZ-10 and 3D VR-330 superzooms announced alongside entry-level VG-110

Thomas Ricker — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 03:20:00 EST

What's your preference for getting up close to the action? 18x wide 28-504mm or 12.5x super-wide 24-300mm optical zoom? If it's the former then Olympus just announced its $249.99 (ships in March) SZ-10 ultra-zoomer pictured above, with 14 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, 3-inch LCD, TruPic III+ image processing, and Eye-Fi Card support. Otherwise, Oly's new £159.99 3D VR-330 for Europe dials back the zoom to 12.5x and forgoes the newer image processing of the SZ-10 while boasting the same 14 megapixel sensor. Both cameras pack dual-image stabilization, 720p video capture, HDMI-out (with CEC support so that it works with your TV's existing remote control), and a dynamic "3D mode" that instructs you to pan and shoot a second image that will be combined into a .MPO file suitable for playback on a 3D display. The VR-330 is also available without the 3D mode as the $199.99 VR-320 which ships Stateside in February. Bringing up the rear is an entry-level $89.99 VG-110 with 12 megapixel sensor, 2.7-inch LCD, 4x zoom, and VGA video. Look for it sometime later this month.

Update: Press releases for all three are after the break.

Gallery: Olympus SZ-10 and 3D VR-330 superzooms announced alongside entry-level VG-110

Continue reading Olympus SZ-10 and 3D VR-330 superzooms announced alongside entry-level VG-110

Olympus SZ-10 and 3D VR-330 superzooms announced alongside entry-level VG-110 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 03:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eye-Fi's Direct Mode hands-on: from camera to tablet in seconds (video)

Sean Hollister — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 11:19:00 EST

We have to say, we're pretty pumped about Eye-Fi's new Direct Mode, and that's not just because it's free -- CEO Jef Holove showed us how his wireless SD cards can fire snapshots from a point-and-shoot camera straight to a Samsung Galaxy Tab, and it looks like a breeze. Once the free update launches later this year, you'll just need to download the Eye-Fi app, and select your Eye-Fi X2 card from a list to permanently pair them -- much like Bluetooth or a WiFi access point -- and then whenever you shoot within range, the pics will automatically spirit themselves to your Android, and can send them to Picasa or Eye-Fi View from there with an additional tap. See Direct Mode do its thing in the video above.

Eye-Fi's Direct Mode hands-on: from camera to tablet in seconds (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba looking to standardize wireless memory cards, crash Eye-Fi's party

Tim Stevens — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:32:00 EST

We're big fans of Eye-Fi's wireless memory cards, which enable you to toss that card reader out the window and download all your pictures wirelessly. So far Eye-Fi is about the only player in that little niche, but Toshiba's looking to blow it wide open with charmingly titled "Standard Promotion Forum for Memory Cards Embedding Wireless LAN," which could be given the equally catchy abbreviation SPFfMCEWLAN (a name that is, thankfully, subject to change). Toshiba's forum, which also includes Singapore-based flash company Trek 2000, will look to create a standardized 8GB SDHC card with integrated 802.11b/g, able to transfer JPEG and RAW images either from camera to a server or directly to another camera. Toshiba is hoping other camera and flash manufacturers will join in the standardization fun and we certainly do too -- just like we hope they move past 8GB quickly.

Continue reading Toshiba looking to standardize wireless memory cards, crash Eye-Fi's party

Toshiba looking to standardize wireless memory cards, crash Eye-Fi's party originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eye-Fi 802.11n Pro X2 hands-on

Donald Melanson — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:11:00 EST

Not every SD card merits the hands-on treatment, but Eye-Fi is blazing a trail of its own into the WiFi wilderness, so we decided to swing by their booth to check out their new 802.11n-equipped Pro X2 first hand. Available in 8GB form only, this one is a Class 6 memory card so it should be equally speedy when taking photos or video as well transferring, and it packs the same geotagging, RAW, and ad hoc support seen in previous Eye-Fi cards. New with this card, however, is a so-called Endless Memory mode that'll free up space as photos are uploaded via WiFi, and the company's new Eye-Fi Center photo management software, which you'll be able to check out for yourself later this month. Hit up the gallery below for a closer look at the card itself.

Gallery: Eye-Fi 802.11n Pro X2 hands-on

Eye-Fi 802.11n Pro X2 hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sanyo Xacti CG11 is the perfect cam for 'beginners and women'

Vlad Savov — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:31:00 EST

Sanyo's range of Xacti camcorders may be as wide as the Sargasso Sea, but nowadays even its entry-level shooters pimp some pretty advanced features. The CG11 is a case in point, coming with a 10 megapixel CMOS sensor capable of 720p recording, integrated EyeFi and mini-HDMI connectivity options, and the usual gunslinger aesthetic. Storage of the H.264-encoded MPEG-4 output is handled by SDHC media, and there's also 5x optical zoom, anti-shake and a stereo mic for getting things just right. Folks in Japan, whether they be beginners, pros, women or men (no matter what the mangled machine translation tells us), will be able to buy one from September 11 for ¥30,000 ($318).

[Via Impress]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Sanyo Xacti CG11 is the perfect cam for 'beginners and women' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eye-Fi Pro wireless SD card hands-on

Tim Stevens — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

We're all pretty spoiled in these digital days; not that long ago taking a look at a vacation's worth of photos required a trip to the store, a couple of hours (or days) wait, and then the better part of an afternoon getting fingerprints all over a stack of poorly composed shots that you daren't throw out because you just paid good money to have them printed. Now you pop a memory card into your computer, wait a few seconds for them to fly into an appropriately labeled folder, and then... probably forget you took them. It's so much easier it's hard to fathom the process getting even more simple, but that's what Eye-Fi has done with its line of wireless flash memory cards, which beam pictures directly from your camera. The company has just announced the $149, 4GB Eye-Fi Pro to make the process even more direct, letting you send pictures straight to a computer while also adding some additional features that pros and semi-pros will appreciate. We put it through its paces after the break.

Continue reading Eye-Fi Pro wireless SD card hands-on

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Storage

Eye-Fi Pro wireless SD card hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eye-Fi's 4GB WiFi Video cards now with more options for Internet regret

Thomas Ricker — Tue, 05 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

You know that video mode you haven't used since first bought your compact point and shoot? Right, the one that does 720p HD video if you've purchased a camera within the last 6 months? Well, Eye-Fi's back to remind you that it's now selling its $99 Eye-Fi Explore Video (with geotagging) and $79 Eye-Fi Share Video SDHC cards nationwide. They've also enabled video sharing with Picasa, Photobucket, and SmugMug in addition to Flickr and YouTube. The result is dead-simple, un-edited direct-to-internet video sharing without the need for a tethered computer. Of course, these cards work equally well for dumping your films and photos over WiFi to your Mac or PC at home -- but why live your life in a bubble?

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Wireless, Storage

Eye-Fi's 4GB WiFi Video cards now with more options for Internet regret originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 May 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eye-Fi does video with new 4GB Explore Video and Share Video cards, launching an iPhone app

Paul Miller — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

Just like Eye-Fi promised in January, the WiFi SD card maker is adding video sharing to its repertoire. The new Explore Video and Share Video cards bring video sharing and 4GB capacities to the existing photo sharing lineup. The new cards go for $99 and $79, respectively, while the old 2GB Eye-Fi Home and Eye-Fi Share cards have been marked down to $49 and $59 each. The cards can handle uploads to YouTube and Flickr, and are built for HD uploads, and naturally the Explore card adds the hotspot service and geotagging on top of regular service. You can pre-order the cards today, and they should be shipping by the end of the month. Eye-Fi is also releasing a free iPhone app (as promised) this week, which works with your existing Eye-Fi account (yeah, you need to own a card) and allows you to upload iPhone shots to the same 25 services the SD cards work with, along with the computer syncing Eye-Fi is known for.

Gallery: Eye-Fi does video with new 4GB Explore Video and Share Video cards, launching an iPhone app

Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras, Portable Video, Storage

Eye-Fi does video with new 4GB Explore Video and Share Video cards, launching an iPhone app originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eye-Fi celebrates a year with 4GB Anniversary Edition SD card

Darren Murph — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST

Eye-Fi has been adding in some pretty swank extras of late for its current stable of wireless SD cards, but we're pretty sure you'll agree that we're due for some new hardware. Today, the outfit is taking the wraps off of a limited edition 4GB Anniversary Edition, which boasts double the capacity of its other cards and "improved memory speeds." Outside of that, there's really nothing too special about it, but those who've already been convinced can procure one right now for $129 at the firm's website or for $99 if you're a Costco member. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Eye-Fi celebrates a year with 4GB Anniversary Edition SD card

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Wireless, Storage

Eye-Fi celebrates a year with 4GB Anniversary Edition SD card originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Synchrotech's CFMulti adapter brings Eye-Fi support to CF cameras

Darren Murph — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:10:00 EST

Been longing for Eye-Fi support in your Sony a350? Or any CompactFlash-lovin' camera, for that matter? Meet Synchrotech, your new best friend. The company famous for making incredibly useful adapters has just pumped out its latest stroke of genius, the CFMulti. As you'd expect, this card fits into traditional CF slots but enables Secure Digital cards to be read, including Eye-Fi's range of wireless SD cards. In addition to that, the device accepts standard SD / SDHC and MMC / MMC+ cards. You know you'd pay $28 for all that functionality in one tight package, right?

[Via MacsimumNews, thanks Robert]

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Peripherals, Wireless, Storage

Synchrotech's CFMulti adapter brings Eye-Fi support to CF cameras originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ByD:sign / EyeFi cheapo 42 and 47-inch 1080p LCDs

Thomas Ricker — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 09:24:00 EST

The ByD:sign / EyeFi tag-team duo just announced a refresh of their 42 and 47-inch 1080p LCD sets. The new LF-4200DFK and LF-4700DFK pair of televisions still pack a 1920 x 1080 resolution and 500cd/m2 brightness only now with an integrated digital/analog tuner and improved 1200:1 contrast. They also tout a faster 6.5-ms response for the 42-inch panel on down to 6-ms for the 47-inch. The slabs pack a Faroudja DCDi scaler; HDMI, S-Video, D-Sub 15, and composite inputs (see ya component); and presumably a Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO) panel like their previous low-cost sets. At ¥219,800 (about $1,903) for the 42-inch and ¥269,800 (about $2,336) for the 47-inch, they've got the minerals to call these the "industries cheapest Full HD LCDs." But as Costco and Sams patrons can already attest, that ain't even true. Still, let's wait for some solid US pricing after these launch in Japan on March 9th before bringing the hammer down too hard.

[Via Impress]

Read -- 42-inch
Read -- 47-inch

Filed under: Displays, HDTV

ByD:sign / EyeFi cheapo 42 and 47-inch 1080p LCDs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Mar 2007 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ByD:sign / EyeFi cheapo 42 and 47-inch 1080p LCDs

Thomas Ricker — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 08:04:00 EST

Filed under: Industry, Displays, Others

ByD:sign / EyeFi cheapo 42 and 47-inch 1080p LCDs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Mar 2007 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ByD:sign / EyeFi unveils antiquated 42-inch plasma

Darren Murph — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 04:15:00 EST

It's one thing to be fashionably late, but to arrive at a party that essentially ended months ago (at least) and expect to shake things up is probably an ill-advised move. Nevertheless, Japan's ByD:sign (badged as EyeFi here in the States) is offering up a 42-inch plasma TV (PE-4202DFK) that sports a built-in digital terrestrial tuner and manages to include an HDMI input, but somehow touts a completely uninspiring 852 x 480 resolution. Just in case the rest of the specs even matter after that blow, it also features 1,500 cd/m2 brightness, a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, Genesis DCDi chip, S-Video / composite, VGA, analog / optical audio, and removable 10-watt stereo speakers as well. While the lowly resolution may suit your Wii playing needs just fine, you won't enjoy any crisp HD DVDs or Blu-rays in their full, unadulterated glory here, and at a whopping ¥170,000 ($1,430), you can do a whole lot better for your money anyway.

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment

ByD:sign / EyeFi unveils antiquated 42-inch plasma originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Dec 2006 04:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ByD:sign / EyeFi's 19 and 15-inch TV/DVD combos, for pervs

Thomas Ricker — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 21:20:00 EST

Get ready to get your squat on with these chubby little combo sets from Japan's ByD:sign. Better known by their EyeFi branding at least amongst the Sam's Club shopping posse, these 19 and 15-inchers feature a built-in DVD player which likely accounts for the junk in the trunk. The 19-inch 1966GJ features a 1440x900 resolution, 300cd/m2 brightness, 700:1 contrast ratio, 8-ms response, and weak sauce 135/150-degree (up 'n down / left 'n right) visibility. The 15-inch 1566GJ delivers 1024x768, 250cd/m2, 450:1, and 16-ms specs with an outright dismal 100/120-degree visibility. Both feature terrestrial analog tuners which will cause you a bit of grief, someday, along with inputs ranging from composite, S-Video, Japanese D4, and D-Sub15 RGB. Oh hey, they've got handles too, for quick escape to the garage or wherever you might be hiding your brown-bag discs. Hitting Japan today for ¥59,800 / ¥39,800 (about $506 / $337) for the 19/15-inch model, respectively. No doubt hitting the neighborhood Sam's Club under the el cheapo EyeFi branding soon enough, if not already.

[Via Impress]

Read -- 19-inch LCD/DVD combo
Read -- 15-inch LCD/DVD combo

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment

ByD:sign / EyeFi's 19 and 15-inch TV/DVD combos, for pervs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Nov 2006 21:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ByD:sign / EyeFi's 1080p LCD TVs for Japan and beyond

Thomas Ricker — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 09:03:00 EST

Here ya go TeeVee fans, 5ish new models straight out of Japan. We know it hurts to see all this not-for-the-US tech coming through but just hang with us on these, 'cause from the looks of it, they'll be available on these golden shores under the EyeFi branding soon enough. The five HDMI-equipped sets break down into 37, 32, and 27-inchers capable of 1920x1080, 1366x768, and 1280x720 pixels respectively. Each model features an ISDB-T Hi-Vision (high definition) digital tuner for Japan (with ATSC and DVB-T tuners on the way for the US and beyond). The big, bad, 37-inch LF-3701DFK (pictured) brings a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 8-millisecond response, and 176-degree visibility along with the usual in and outs consisting of S-Video, 2 x composite, Japanese D4, and RGB. And fortunately, that speaker sprouting below the panel can be chucked for a cleaner look when attached to your home audio system. The two 32-inch models -- LW-3202DFK and LW-3201DFK -- are the same panels only with fixed speakers mounted either below, or along sides of the LCD. Same story on those 27-inchers -- the LW-2702DFK and LW-2701DFK -- with the former also offering that 1366x768 pixel resolution seen by the 32-inch models. Prices are set to range from ¥99,800 to ¥199,800 (or about $863 to $1,729) when these panels hit the streets of Japan starting today -- righteous pricing by the time these panels hit the US.

[Via Impress]

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

ByD:sign / EyeFi's 1080p LCD TVs for Japan and beyond originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Jul 2006 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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