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Blue announces Mikey for Flip condenser mic
Get ready for a wave of Designed for Flip accessories that take advantage of Flip Ultra HD's new FlipPort expansion port, people. First out of the gate is the Blue Mikey, which we'd heard about from Cisco already -- it's a condenser mic that plugs into the bottom of the Ultra and provides better audio, with automatic sensitivity, a mic-in jack, and a tripod mount. It's powered by an AAA battery, which is sort of lame -- we'd love to see something like this with a battery built-in that can charge the camera as well. Oh well, we can dream. The Mikey will run $69, but we don't know when it'll hit apart from a "debut" at CES 2011, which could mean almost anytime in the next year. PR after the break.
Flip updates UltraHD and MinoHD, rolls out new Designed for Flip accessories
With pocket HD camcorders multiplying by the dozens (most with 1080p functionality), we were starting to think Flip, er Cisco had fallen asleep at the wheel (or the Slide!), but the category pioneer has finally gone and updated its core Flip MinoHD and UltraHD lines with some much-needed features. Starting on the lower end, the 4GB Flip UltraHD is now just $149 --it'll capture one hour of 720p video at 30fps. That's a great price, but it's certainly the least interesting of the bunch -- the more notable additions are baked into the $199.99 8GB UltraHD, which is 20 percent slimmer with a new rubber casing and finally (finally!) gained image stabilization. Flip's still not playing the raw specs game, though -- the 8GB Ultra shoots 720p/60 video, which Cisco says maximizes video quality while keeping file sizes easier to share. Sure -- we don't think a 1080p/30 mode would have overly complicated things, but Flip's all about one-button simplicity, after all. The 8GB Ultra also sports a new FlipPort expansion port, which is the centerpiece of the "Designed for Flip" accessory program. All kinds of things can plug into the FlipPort; highlights of the launch lineup include a Scoshe wireless microphone, an iGo pico projector, and a SeaGate portable hard drive / storage extender. Cisco tells us the FlipPort will hit the other Flip models over time, and that it's expecting tons of Designed for Flip accessories -- beyond those for the new FlipPort, there will be a Bower magnetic wide angle lens and loads of new cases. It's an interesting sort of complexity to offer on a camera otherwise almost aggressive in its simplicity. The MinoHD line also nabs the new image stabilizer and 720p/60 video mode -- the new silver 4GB MinoHD will retail for $179.99, while the matte black 8GB MinoHD will run $229.99. All the new models can be ordered on Flip's website today, and if personalization if your thing, each can be customized with different designs or an uploaded picture of your own. We can't say there's a lack of new stuff, and while we're still a bit confused by the absence of 1080p recording and a still shot mode, there's something to be said for the company's studious focus on simplicity. Whether 720p/60 video can hold up to the competition's 1080p is still a giant question mark, but we just got our review models and we'll let you know how things go later this week. Until then, enjoy some of the beauty shots below as well as the full press release after the break. %Gallery-102705% %Gallery-102704%
Colorware freshens up BlackBerry Pearl 3G and Flip UltraHD with bodacious new paintjobs
Say, are you finding your 3G-equipped BlackBerry isn't looking quite so Pearlescent now that the Curve has also gone 3G and BlackBerry 6 seems to have moved things along (a bit)? Maybe it's time you gave that zany bunch at Colorware a call, as they've just started taking orders for repainting Pearl 3G (aka 9100) handsets into whatever shade of awesome you desire. Prices are still ludicrous, starting out at $165 for a respray or $640 for a brand new phone, though if you want some more affordable customization, you can opt to send in your Flip UltraHD for a $50 change of hue (or grab a new one for $260). Sure, none of it makes much fiscal sense, but then blinging out your gear was never about rationality anyway.
Colorware finally points the rainbow gun at Flip Ultra, UltraHD up next
It sure took 'em long enough, but Colorware has finally added the Flip Ultra pocket camcorder to its assortment of wares available to be doused in a rainbow's worth of hues. It's a fitting addition, of course, and those who'd prefer the HD version will be treated in the near future. For now, it'll cost you a Ulysses S. Grant (or more) to colorize your existing Flip Ultra, or $210+ to snag a minty fresh unit direct from Colorware. Best of all, you'll be able to paint the top, ring, bottom, back, cursor and button a different shade if you've got the cash, so hit that source link (or hop on past the break) if you're imagination is already whirring. %Gallery-99062%
Flip Video Ultra HD makes its unofficial debut, gets unboxed
Thanks Best Buy, we owe you (another) one. Yet again, the big box retailer everyone loves to hate has provided the world with a glimpse of a heretofore unannounced product, and this one's got our mouths all kinds of damp. Barely a month after Cisco picked up Pure Digital for a small fortune, the Flip Video Ultra HD -- which seems to be the natural successor to the standard Ultra -- has already begun to hit select store shelves in America. Notable niceties include an HDMI output, 120 minutes of record time (up from 60 minutes), a removable / rechargeable battery and support for AA cells in a pinch. We're still waiting for the full rundown of specifications (and the price, too), but feel free to tap the read link for a stellar unboxing in the meanwhile.Update: Looks like it's going for $199.99. Thanks Matthies!
