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Toshiba's new SDHC cards can save to your camera, phone and cloud service all at once
Despite the introduction of a wireless LAN SD standard last year, WiFi SDHC cards are still a fairly rare animal, with pioneer Eye-Fi the alpha dog. If you're into it, though, Toshiba's just added a high-capacity 32GB SDHC FlashAir model that'll let you simultaneously share photos to your smartphone or tablet, the internet and of course, the card itself. It does that through a special "pass-through" mode that permits connection to a second access point, such as a router or PC, even while saving wirelessly to your handheld device. The cards will support class 10 speeds along with 802.11n WiFi (finally), and Toshiba's also supplying firmware to owners of older FlashAir WiFi cards to give them the same pass-through capability. It'll be up for grabs in Japan on November 18th and the rest of the world a bit later, with the price to be determined -- though a 16GB FlashAir is about $90, if that helps.
Casio Japan says its new Exilim EX-ZR300 compact camera is fast and furious
Casio's apparently feeling a need for speed as the company just announced its new zippy compact camera, the "Exilim" EX-ZR300. According to Casio Japan, the 16.1-megapixel shooter boasts a startup time that's just a shade under a second and can take continuous shots at .26-second intervals. The EX-ZR300 also features a 24-300mm, f/3.0-5.9, 12.5x zoom lens that can focus as quickly as .12 second. For lighting buffs, ISO range starts at 80 and can go all the way up to 12,800. In short, this compact camera is quick and sensitive enough to capture those blackmail-worthy moments at the next company party. Users can also transfer their incriminating evidence wirelessly thanks to Toshiba FlashAir technology. Want video to go with your embarrassing photos? You'll be happy to know that the EX-ZR300 can shoot video up to 1080p as well. Expect Casio's compact blackmail machine, er, camera in Japanese stores on June 8.
Toshiba FlashAir wireless LAN SD card hands-on (video)
The first card using the SD association's Wireless LAN standard is Toshiba's FlashAir and we've just spent some time with it here at CES. It's much like Eye-Fi's Direct Mode insofar that it also can sling pics to devices over WiFi from a diminutive SD card, but instead of requiring pairing and an app download the FlashAir requires just a browser. The 8GB class six card broadcasts an 802.11b/g/n hotspot, replete with its own web server onboard, which means its contents -- like say pictures you've previously snapped in your camera -- can be accessed in a browser by any connected device.Despite some false starts (CES is where WiFi networks go to die...) pictures from a point and shoot appeared as quickly as we could refresh http://flashair/ -- the address from where one accesses its contents. Once there, you can browse individual folders, splaying pics (and we'll assume other contents) for your perusal. As previously planned, it'll start shipping in February at around $70 and we were told more capacious units will follow at a later date. Video demo of the tech awaits in the video after the break.
Toshiba FlashAir WiFi SD Card will make your Eye-Fi's water
Eye-Fi's wireless cards push photos straight from digital cameras without cables, but what if you want to pull some pics back the other way? Toshiba's solving that problem with the two-way FlashAir, an 802.11 b/g/n enabled 8GB SD Card that can also exchange data directly with compatible devices. If pushing photos to a camera isn't your bag you can always always use FlashAir as a mountable wireless drive in your SD-enabled tablet. Sales won't begin in Japan until February 2012 and the price is rumored to be around $90 -- close to that of the equivalent Eye-Fi.
