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VUDU brings Pandora, Picasa and Flickr to connected HDTVs, promises more apps soon

by Darren Murph posted Nov 5th 2009 at 12:00PM

And you thought HDTVs were made for watching TV. VUDU has today slung its (admittedly paltry) library of applications over to its television partners, making both Picasa and Flickr access possible through LG and Mitsubishi sets with integrated VUDU software. Of course, all of this was already available to those relying on one of VUDU's dedicated set-top boxes, but it's always nice to have everything wrapped up neatly within the display itself. In related news, Pandora streaming is also available on VUDU-infused Mitsubishi panels, though for whatever reason, LG has "requested that only free TV and games be available on their devices." All bummers aside, the company has asserted that even more internet apps will be released to VUDU customers in the coming months, so make sure hold 'em to their word.

Novatel announces new phase of MiFi Developer Program, Eye-Fi gets a mention

by Darren Murph posted Oct 6th 2009 at 9:03PM

We already know that you love your MiFi -- after all, who wouldn't be into a mobile hotspot that can easily slide into your rear pocket? But are you ready to adore it even more? Novatel Wireless has just announced the second phase of its MiFi Developer Program, which seeks to bring all sorts of apps and added functionality to an already heralded device. As the story goes, the dev program provides a set of APIs and tech support to those interested in expanding the abilities of the MiFi, and while the possibilities are obviously limitless (or close to it), we're already hearing of a Nomadesk inclusion that will provide a web UI to access cloud storage when online via the MiFi. Then there's also the Eye-Fi mention, which seems to let you upload photos from your SD card to your hotspot even when a 3G tower is nowhere to be found; once the MiFi gets back in range, it handles the uploading from there. Strangely, we're seeing reports that all this fanciness won't work with Sprint or Verizon's MiFi, though Novatel's own release says nothing of the sort. Whatever the case, guard your heart here just in case the allegations are true.

[Via jkOnTheRun]

Chumby widgets to appear on photo frame, other devices by year's end

by Nilay Patel posted Aug 20th 2009 at 2:44PM

Chumby announced that it'd be bringing its snuggly little widgets to other devices all the back in February, and it looks like we're finally seeing some action -- "powered by Chumby" gear should be on shelves by the end of the year. The first device out of the gate will be -- surprise, surprise -- a digital picture frame from an unnamed partner that will apparently integrate with Flickr, Facebook, and Twitter, and offer new feeds, internet radio, and weather. You know, Chumby stuff. We're more interested in seeing the fruits of Chumby's new partnership with Samsung -- Sammy's already doing widgets like crazy with TouchWiz on mobile and Yahoo's Widget Engine in the living room, so we're wondering where Chumby fits in. We're also wondering what'll happen to the Chumby hardware now that the company seems focused on becoming a software company -- maybe we'll finally place that order.

[Thanks, Craig; Photo is that sweet Chumby telephone mod]

iPhone nips at Rebel XTi's heels for most popular cam on Flickr

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 18th 2009 at 7:09AM

Yes, even the best cameraphones take crappy pictures by camera standards, but there's one thing phones will always have over their more optically-adept cousins: convenience. The fact that you always have your phone with you, it can often geotag, and it's got an always-on, always-available data connection for uploads to photo sharing sites are all factors giving handsets an edge in the fight to dominate Flickr. Add in the fact that we're approaching just-good-enough picture quality for everyday use on the upper end of the phone spectrum with the latest 5, 8, and 12 megapixel models, and, well... you've got a recipe for an upset. After briefly showing it having pulled ahead yesterday, Flickr's stats currently have the iPhone in all its flavors neck-and-neck with Canon's Digital Rebel XTi for upload popularity after a stark, sudden jump presumably spearheaded by the launch of the 3GS -- and given the trending we're seeing, it seems like it's just a matter of time before the iPhone pulls ahead for good. Granted, Flickr's pooling all iPhone models into a single stat, which isn't really fair -- philosophically, that's not much different from grouping every Digital Rebel together -- but the fact remains that this speaks volumes about the modern cameraphone's value as a serious photographic tool.

[Via pocket-lint and Los Angeles Times]

Toshiba's new digiframes feature social networking, FrameChannel

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Jul 20th 2009 at 2:37PM

If you don't own a digiframe yet, perhaps it's because you were waiting for the kids at Toshiba to design something that looked even more like the faceplate of a microwave oven than the usual fare. But that's not the whole story: besides looking at home next to your Cuisinart and rice cooker, this guy also supports FrameChannel accounts, so personalized weather, traffic, sports scores, music, and video are also on the plate -- as well as the Flickr, Photobucket, and Facebook integration that companies like Toshiba think that you want in a digital picture frame. Hitting shelves in August, the 8-inch frame is available in white (DMF82XWU) or black (DMF82XKU) for an MSRP of $179.99. For the 10-inch frame (DMF102XKU, black only) you can expect to pay $229.99.

[Via i4u]

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

by Thomas Ricker posted May 5th 2009 at 8:00AM

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?

Vizio takes the cover off Connected HDTV: Netflix, Blockbuster, Amazon, Yahoo! and more

by Richard Lawler posted Jan 7th 2009 at 6:48PM

Netflix streaming is one thing, but Vizio seems to be taking its new status as a premium HDTV manufacturer very well, with the new Connected HDTV platform featuring support for Yahoo! Widgets, Flash, Blockbuster OnDemand (!), Flickr, Pandora, Rhapsody and Accedo Broadband. Due Fall 2009, owners can feel free to go wired or 802.11n style to connect to any of these services in HD, if supported. Clearly missing? Yahoo!, Media Center Extender, but the 2H 2009 fight of Internet-ready televisions is on - set-top boxes better watch their back.

Samsung / Yahoo Internet@TV widgets revealed

by Richard Lawler posted Jan 5th 2009 at 1:27PM

Samsung and Yahoo! promise the Best of the Web on select 2009 HDTV models, thanks to the Internet@TV widgets we snuck a look at a few weeks ago. Developers build Javascript and XML apps that then run directly on your Samsung HDTV, starting with USA Today, YouTube, eBay, Showtime and Yahoo properties like Flickr and Yahoo! News. Next up their sleeves? Video streaming and "other popular Internet services" running through the built-in Ethernet or optional Wi-Fi USB dongle. Also, unlike some others, the Internet@TV Content service isn't just a U.S. thing, headed to 12 other countries this year: Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Having the Internet no further away than the nearest remote was your biggest request for '09, right?

Kodak's 7.6-inch OLED photo frame now available on Amazon

by Ross Miller posted Dec 14th 2008 at 9:03PM

We knew it was coming, but Amazon is now listing Kodak's Flickr-compatible OLED 7.6-inch photo frame as in stock and shipping for $999.95. They say a picture is worth a thousand words -- here, that word is "dollar."

[Via OLED]

Video: First look at Kodak's 7.6-inch OLED photo frame

by Thomas Ricker posted Dec 4th 2008 at 4:36AM

Having developed the first diode device back in the 80s, Kodak knows a thing or two about OLEDs. So it's no surprise (ok, maybe a little) to see them rolling out the world's first 7.6-inch OLED photo frame. CNET got its hands on the $1,000 device considered a "vanity piece" at that price. It offers "brilliant color" as you'd expect and "sharp" 800 x 480 pixel images on the thin OLED panel pushing a 30,000:1 contrast ratio. The WiFi panel connects to Flickr and Kodak's own photo sharing service (if you must) but will not transfer images from Macs direct to the frame -- PCs are apparently fine. Mac users will have to resort to USB drives, SD cards, or Kodak's on-line gallery for image transfers. The frame itself, is touch-sensitive (not the display) and features audio-in and audio-out jacks for musical slideshows. Check out CNET's first look in the video after the break.

[Via OLED-Info]

Continue reading Video: First look at Kodak's 7.6-inch OLED photo frame

Aequitas iGala Wireless Digital Picture Frame is touchscreen photo-browsing perfection

by Paul Miller posted Nov 13th 2008 at 1:42PM

We know, you started yawning at the sight of the headline, your ears will pop with relief by the middle of this paragraph, and you'll finish up somewhere around the Read link. We get it. But there's something kinda special about the brand new iGala Wireless Digital Picture Frame from Aequitas, we'll call it "common sense." The photo frame sports an 8-inch, 800 x 600 touchscreen, 1GB of internal storage, WiFi and the traditional complement of card readers. What's new here is that iGala really puts that WiFi connection to use, featuring Gmail integration (for sending photos), an alarm clock and integration with Microsoft's FrameIt service for news, traffic and weather info. The frame also hooks up to Flickr directly, which is such a no-brainer these days that we're surprised we see still so many "connected" frames lacking the feature. A full touchscreen makes all of this stuff actually possible to use, and the $239 pricetag doesn't mean you have to get soaked for the convenience. iGala is available now from Aequitas' entirely sketchy online store -- we guess you can't win 'em all.

[Via Digital Picture Frame Review]

Nikon's Coolpix S52c now shipping

by Joshua Fruhlinger posted May 16th 2008 at 10:19AM

Nikon is shipping the Coolpix S52c WiFi-capable point-and-shoot camera as expected. The S52c allows you to upload pictures to your Flickr or Nikon's own "my Picturetown" online image repository via WiFi and comes with 6 months of T-Mobile HotSpot access. Camera specs are pretty respectable, including a 9 megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom, 3.0-inch LCD, and optical image stabilization. The Coolpix comes in at $279.95 and should show up at retailers soon. Despite Nikon saying it's shipping now, Amazon says it will ship on or around June 15, so hopefully they're just a little slow on the uptake and Nikon isn't lying through its teeth.

Nikon slides out S52 and WiFi-friendly S52c COOLPIX fashioncams

by Paul Miller posted Apr 10th 2008 at 12:18AM

Nikon is fleshing out its "Style Series" of shooters with the COOLPIX S52 and S52c (pictured) compact cameras. The two cameras are pretty much spec-for-spec identical other than the WiFi capabilities of the S52c which allow it to upload shots wirelessly to services like Flickr or Nikon's own "my Picturetown." Otherwise you're looking at a pair of fairly standard compacts, with 9 megapixel sensors, 3x zoom, optical image stabilization and so forth. Both will be available in May, with the S52 retailing for $250, and the S52c arriving at $280.

Gallery: Nikon slides out the S52 and WiFi-friendly S52c COOLPIX fashioncams

GiSTEQ PhotoTracker brings GPS phototagging to the masses

by Nilay Patel posted Apr 25th 2007 at 8:01AM

We've been seeing a bunch of GPS camera-trackers pop up lately, but the implementations have all seemed a bit silly, like Jelbert's big honkin' GeoTagger. GiSTEQ is looking to change all that with the introduction of the PhotoTracker, a $99 GPS receiver that's designed to unobtrusively work with virtually all digital cameras. Like Sony's GPS-CS1, you sync the unit to your cam's built-in clock and then toss it in your bag or pocket, where it can record location data for the next 3-4 weeks. The included software then takes this info and adds the appropriate geotags to your photos as you're pulling them off your memory card. It's a simple (and great) idea, we just wish the software didn't look like it's going to insist on being your primary photo manager.

Crafty Wii user creates chocolate Wiimote, nunchuck

by Darren Murph posted Feb 18th 2007 at 6:05AM

If you're even considering making a late night grocery run to stock up on post-Valentine's Day chocolate sales, hold your horses. For those who just so happened to keep the original packaging from your Wiimote and nunchuck as any true geek does, or you need a delicious excuse to run out and grab another set, you're well on your way to edible nirvana. A crafty Flickr user utilized his culinary skills along with the plastic packaging that accompanied his Wii accessories in order to make molds for Wiimote / nunchuck chocolate, which look mighty scrumptious if we may so say ourselves. While we're not experts on creating our own choco bars, it has certainly been done a time or two before, so why not indulge yourself a bit with a little calorie-packed Wiimote after a vigorous round of Wii exercise, cool?