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You won't miss camera cables with Eyefi's latest wireless SD card
Eyefi's always had an intriguing hook: Wouldn't it be easier if you could just transfer photos from your cameras over Wi-Fi, instead of manually plugging into your computer? Its wireless SD cards haven't always worked flawlessly, and they're a lot more than standard SD cards, but they're still worth it if you take photos regularly. Now, the company is announcing its latest card, the Mobi Pro ($100), which appears to fix many of the annoyances its customers have had over the years. Mobi Pro lets you finally upload specific photos from your camera to your computer and smartphone, rather than automatically syncing everything. You can even send RAW files to computers now (cue a chorus of "Hallelujah!" from pro photographers). Making up for the sometimes slow wireless hotspot between EyeFi cards and other devices, you can also have Mobi Pro transfer over a trusted wireless network when it's in range, which should be significantly faster.
The marriage of Eyefi Cloud and IFTTT is a very fruitful one
Eyefi SD/WiFi cards are a great solution for anyone who wants to shoot photos and immediately have those images sent from a DSLR or point-and-shoot camera to a Mac, iOS device, or even a cloud storage alternative like Dropbox, Flickr and especially Eyefi's own Eyefi Cloud service. Now the Eyefi team has created an If This Then That (IFTTT.com) channel for creating automatic scripts or "recipes" that run whenever other actions take place, adding an entirely new level of usefulness to Eyefi cards and Eyefi Cloud. To make use of the new channel, you'll need to have an Eyefi Cloud subscription (US$49.99/year), which many Eyefi owners find useful anyway because of its ability to grab photos from your DSLR and back them up in the cloud immediately. Once you have the subscription and a free IFTTT account, the magic begins. Activate the new Eyefi Channel, and you'll find a number of pre-tested recipes all ready to do wonders with your photos. There are currently two triggers for the Eyefi Channel – Photo Uploaded and Photo Tagged. With the first trigger, any time you shoot a picture with your DSLR and it's uploaded by that Eyefi Mobi card to Eyefi Cloud, you'll be able to launch another action. That action can be something as fun as sending copies of photos you upload to Eyefi Cloud to friends via Gmail – perfect for keeping in touch with buddies while you're on vacation. You can also send all your photos to Tumblr, or just those photos that you tag with 'tumblr'. Of course, IFTTT can go the other way as well. Let's say you have photos that you shoot with your iPhone or iPad and send to Instagram. You can have IFTTT move those Instagram moments to your Eyefi Cloud account, a sure way of instantly backing up those photos. It's easy to use an IFTTT recipe to send those images – or any photos you take – to Google Drive, Microsoft OneNote, or even Facebook for posterity. Best of all, all of this power available through IFTTT is free for you to use... of course, you will need to have that all-important Eyefi Cloud subscription, but IFTTT – at least at this time – is still free to use. And now, TUAW readers, what do YOU use IFTTT for? I tend to use it for all sorts of important things, like keeping a spreadsheet toting up all the time that I spend at my favorite pizza joint or keeping an eye on what other Apple websites are writing about. Leave your favorite uses for IFTTT in the comments.
The Mobi EyeFi card turns almost any digital camera into a digital hub
One of the things that keeps me coming back to the iPhone for photography the ease of sharing photos. The Mobi EyeFi wireless memory card brings a similar experience to almost every digital camera. Basically it's an SD card with a WiFi chipset. Just put it in your camera, set up your Mac, PC or iDevice and join its the ad-hoc WiFi network. Specifications As for Wi-Fi Security, the card suppers Static WEP 64/128, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK (shared WEP, Apple's version of WEP TSN, and WPA Enterprise are not supported). You can expect the card to work within a range of 90 feet (27 m) outdoors and 45 (13 m) feet indoors. It's available in 2.0 GB, 4.0 GB, 8.0 GB, and 16.0 GB storage configurations, with 1 GB defined as 10^9 Bytes. Finally, the card is a standard 32mm x 24mm x 2.1mm in size and weights in at a teeny, tiny 0.1oz. Steve Sande used the Mobi EyeFi about year ago to move full-resolution photos between his Mac and his iPhone. My goal was to get full-frame raw files to my laptop. The Mobi folks sent me an 8 GB card to test. In Use First, download the Mac client. The EyeFi card comes with a unique ten-digit code, which you use to pair your computer to your camera. I used a Fuji digital camera for my first trials. The Eye-Fi network shows up on your Mac, and the password is the same code. Every picture I took on my Fuji showed up on my Mac, RAW or JPEG. I could see them coming in when a window appeared at the top left of my Mac screen showing the download. Pics are stored in your Pictures folder. You never have to touch the laptop. It all just happens. Something similar happens on the EyeFi iOS app. Photos just show up. The beauty of it all was that when I was finished with my session, all the pictures were on my Mac. No extra downloads, no SD card reader needed. The Eye-Fi card is powered from the camera, and I did not notice any appreciable battery drain. I tried the same thing with my Canon 6D camera, which is what I use for most of my landscape work. Since it is the card that is registered to my laptop, it was just a matter of putting the card in my Canon, telling the Canon to enable EyeFi, reformatting the card, and shoot away. Raw files made it over quickly and efficiently. The Canon and most compatible cameras have a menu item to enable the EyeFi card. My 6D had its own internal WiFi feature, but the EyeFi card worked just fine. New this month is an associated product called EyeFi Cloud. It's a bit like Apple's iCloud Photo Sharing, but more flexible. Your photos can be uploaded directly to the cloud, or they can be curated. You can share them with family and friends, and you can sync and tag images for use on any other device you have. Any EyeFi card comes with a three month free subscription to an upload service for unlimited photos. After the free period, subscriptions are US$49.00 per year. Old images are never erased, so paired with unlimited uploads the EyeFi Cloud seems an excellent alternative to Apple's limited service, although EyeFi Cloud is not free. Friends can view your photos after they receive an invite, and any updates you do are live. Conclusion The EyeFi wireless card is a great solution for people who want wireless transfer of photos from their digital cameras. It's a unique solution to build the WiFi capability into an SD card. You can check the EyeFi site to make sure your camera will work with the EyeFi card. The cards are available at many outlets including Amazon and Best Buy. Prices vary, but expect about $50.00 for 8 GB, $100.00 for 32 GB. The cards are class 10 rated.
Eyefi's new service sends your camera's photos to the cloud as soon as you shoot
There are plenty of cameras that send their photos to your phone, but you frequently have to transfer those pictures yourself -- and it's another hassle to get the pics to other devices. Eyefi thinks it can solve these headaches by launching its own online service, Eyefi Cloud. If you're using one of the company's WiFi-equipped Mobi cards in your camera alongside new Android and iOS apps, any photos go both to your mobile device and Cloud right after you've hit the shutter button. You only need a browser to manage your shots, so you're not stuck if you want to see your photos on a new PC.
Eye-Fi brings its desktop receiver to Mac, announces Labs initiative for software beta testing
Have you been bummed for the last month because Eye-Fi's desktop receiver for its Mobi card was Windows-only? Well you can now rest easy: The company has just announced the Mac version of the software here at CES. Now, the aforementioned wireless SD card can transfer to both desktop OSes instantly for easy photo sharing between mobile and anchored devices. In addition to catering to the Apple faithful, the outfit announced Eye-Fi Labs. This effort will allow users to test beta versions of new software for the memory cards before they're officially released. Sound like something you'd like to take for a spin? Head to the source link to sign up.
Eye-Fi debuts Circ photo service with unlimited free storage, Android and iOS apps
In its former life, Eye-Fi was the exclusive provider of a practical in-camera WiFi solution. That was 2006. Now, as manufacturers begin to implement wireless technologies of their own, it's back to the drawing board for the former king of in-cam 802.11. Circ appears to be the company's latest lifeline -- a cloud storage solution for your photos that promises seamless syncing, efficient organizing, simple sharing and, best of all, unlimited storage for free. That bargain-basement price tag does come along with a catch -- you can only use the service with two devices -- but an affordable Plus version will only run you 50 bucks each year, including support for up to 20 computers, smartphones, tablets or Galaxy Cameras. The service is currently open to beta testers, but since the site just went live, you may have some luck if you add your name today. You can also sign up to be notified when Circ's ready for primetime -- all at the source link just below.
New Eye-Fi Mobile X2 card does old tricks, but with less hassle for Android and iOS users
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.
Switched On: Connected Electronics Show
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.
Eye-Fi Direct Mode is here, turns tablets and smartphones into must-have camera accessories
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.
Olympus SZ-10 and 3D VR-330 superzooms announced alongside entry-level VG-110
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-115911%
Eye-Fi's Direct Mode hands-on: from camera to tablet in seconds (video)
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.
Toshiba looking to standardize wireless memory cards, crash Eye-Fi's party
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.
Eye-Fi 802.11n Pro X2 hands-on
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-82032%
Sanyo Xacti CG11 is the perfect cam for 'beginners and women'
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]
Eye-Fi Pro wireless SD card hands-on
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.
Eye-Fi's 4GB WiFi Video cards now with more options for Internet regret
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?
Eye-Fi does video with new 4GB Explore Video and Share Video cards, launching an iPhone app
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-46264%
Eye-Fi celebrates a year with 4GB Anniversary Edition SD card
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.
Synchrotech's CFMulti adapter brings Eye-Fi support to CF cameras
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]
ByD:sign / EyeFi cheapo 42 and 47-inch 1080p LCDs
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
