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Toronto to add photo surveillance to public transit vehicles
We never thought adding an absurd amount of surveillance cameras to a city (or its public transportation system) would become fashionable, but it seems like Toronto is the next big locale ready to hop on the Big Brother bandwagon. Reportedly, plans are already underway to "ensure every person using Toronto's transit system will be photographed as of next June," which means that some 12,000 cameras will have to be installed on "every [Toronto Transit Commission] bus, streetcar, subway car and at each station." Of course, it's noted that the images acquired will only be used as "crime-busting tools," and the entire system is expected to cost a cool $18 million. Good news for employees / police stationed at the transit system's command center, though -- you'll be able to "view live video or hear audio from any of the security cameras installed on subway cars." Now that's quality entertainment.[Via The Raw Feed]
Networked cameras to seek out parking violators
The folks in England just can't catch a break. As if hovering surveillance drones, camcorder-wielding traffic wardens and helmet cam-equipped officers aren't enough to keep you on the straight and narrow, London's city of Westminster is apparently looking to "install networked security cameras that can recognize parking permits and the plates of offending vehicles." Essentially, the system would enable parking violators to be ticketed without an actual human witnessing the offense, and it's being dubbed "the most significant application to be deployed on the Westminster's WiFi network." Eventually, the council plans to roll out about 250 of these sure-to-be-hated cameras, and it should ruin enough people's days to "pay for itself in two to three years."[Via CNET, image courtesy of BBC]
Canon to build $451 million factory to make image sensors
Canon has announced plans to construct a $451 million factory to construct CMOS components for its cameras. Expected to start production in July next year, the factory will be built on an existing site near Tokyo and will be be dedicated entirely to churning out the complementary metal oxide semiconductors (we prefer the acronym) required to detect light in every digital camera. It should have a capacity of around 3 million chips a year, which is only a fraction of the 24 million cameras that Canon hopes to produce this year. Good for Canon, we say.
HP unveils nine new budget-friendly Photosmart cameras
What's a Thursday in June without nine new boringcams from HP to be totally underwhelmed by? We can't think of a better way to spend our morning than to sort through all these mundane Photosmart models, and if you have the patience feel free to join in on the fun. The cameras range from the $80 E337, which features a 5 megapixel sensor and a 1.5-inch LCD, all the way up to the R937 (pictured), sporting a 3.6-inch touchscreen and an 8 megapixel resolution, which goes for $300. In between is a vast wasteland of minor feature bumps and teensy aesthetic tweaks, but we've gotta hand it to HP for packing good amount of features into some fairly well priced cameras. Keep reading and all will be revealed.
Fujifilm's FinePix A820 and A900 for consumers
Just like Canon's new PMA-bound A Series cameras, Fujifilm's new A820 and A900 cameras don't really break a lot of new ground, but there sure is a lot more megapixel bang-for-buck going on here. For $180 and $200, respectively, the A820 brings 8 megapixels and the A900 goes for 9, while both camera have 4x zooms and 2.5-inch LCDs. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any form of optical image stabilisation here, nor any of those much-hyped Face Recognition AF/AE features we've been seeing in other PMA offerings, but if all you're looking for is pixels and lots of 'em, you can't go far wrong with this pair of FinePix, which will be hitting shelves in March.
Canon's compact PowerShot TX1 captures 7.1 megapixel stills and HD video
Watch out, Sanyo, because your diminutive HD2 camcorder is about to face some very daunting competition from Canon. Like the recently announced Sanyo, the PowerShot TX1 packs a 7.1 megapixel CCD into a tiny little package capable of capturing 720p HD video as well -- but unlike the $700 HD2, Canon is hanging just a $500 pricetag on this model. Besides its one-two punch of high resolution stills and videos, this device offers a 10x optical zoom (with an optically-stabilized lens), a 115,000 pixel LCD, and ISO settings ranging from 80 to 1600. You're also getting the latest Digic image processor, advanced face detection and red eye reduction, Vista-compatibility, 14 shooting modes, and a so-called "Intelligent Orientation Sensor" to keep the display looking right no matter how you're holding the cam. No word so far on a release date, but with all this functionality at a very attractive price, you can probably expect the TX1 to fly off shelves when it finally makes its debut.%Gallery-1747%
Canon debuts SD750 and SD1000 Digital ELPH cameras
Two new compact and fashionable PowerShot Digital ELPHs from big C, the SD750 and SD1000. Canon seems to be mostly focused on the looks here: we've never seen a growed-up digicam manufacturer be so proud of "Dynamic Dual-Tone Elegance," but there's decent stuff under the hood. Like most of the PMA-bound cameras we've spotted, these include Face Detection-based auto focus, auto exposure and red-eye correction. There's also the DIGIC III Image processor, and ISO as high as 1600, but everybody comes for the basics: 3x zoom, 7.1 megapixel CCD and a 2.5-inch LCD in each shooter. The $300 SD750 gets a bit fancy on form factor, but manages to be a mere 0.75-inches thick, while the 4.5 ounce SD1000 keeps the the classic ELPH look and also retails for $300. Both should be out in March, and include 32MB SD cards for good luck, though no mention is made of SDHC. Remember, it's fashion first for this line.%Gallery-1748%
Sigma finally cops to a release date for its SD14 DSLR
Well it'll have been over six months between the time we first heard about it and when it actually hits store shelves, but we finally have a solid release date for the somewhat-anticipated, Foveon-packing Sigma SD14 DSLR. If it's possible for you to remember back that far, you may recall that Sigma attempted to drum up some interest in this 14 megapixel shooter with a teaser campaign in late August of last year, just before it was officially announced at Photokina 2006. The disappointment came a few months later when Sigma pushed back the SD14's street launch to March, citing some hardware issue that the company wouldn't disclose. And according to a press release on Sigma's website, the problem has indeed been addressed, with the camera scheduled to ship starting on the 6th of next month. Keep in mind, though, that this model isn't for the thrifty -- it's gonna cost you over $2,000 to get in on this action.
Nikon's new L10, L11 and L12 Coolpix take it low-end
Nikon is beefing up its L Series ("L" stands for life, dontchaknow) and while the specs pale in comparison to some of Nikon's other new offerings, there's plenty to love here for the point-and-shoot set. The L10, L11 and L12 sport 5, 6 and 7.1 megapixel CCDs respectively, with 3x Zoom-Nikkor lenses and a full quality movie mode. The L10 and L11 can muster a mere ISO 800, and the 2-inch LCD on the L10 is positively cro-magnon, but the L11 picks it up a bit with 2.4-inches. We wouldn't be caught dead with anything less than the L12, which adds in optical image stabilisation, a 2.5-inch LCD and ISO 1600, but the $120, $150 and $200 price tags make all of these compact shooters quite tempting to the low-frills, no-budget types. All three should be available near the beginning of March.%Gallery-1706%
Lockheed Martin to build High Altitude Airship for homeland security
Although it's not exactly shocking to hear of yet another homeland security application that seems to border on Big Brother, Lockheed Martin's High Altitude Airship could keep an elevated eye on 600 miles of US countryside at any given time, and if all goes as planned, we'll have 11 of these things floating over our everyday activities by the end of the decade. The HAA prototype is a ginormous airship that measures 17-times larger than the Goodyear rendition we're all used to seeing above sporting events, and is designed to hover 12 miles above the earth in order to keep tabs on what's happening below. The airship is slated to be solar-powered and should stay in a geocentric orbit for "up to a year," and if equipped with high-resolution cameras, a single one could cover everything "between Toledo, Ohio and New York City." While Lockheed Martin is thrilled with the $40 million project they've been awarded, it's certainly understandable to get a little worried about how these blimps will actually be used, but a company spokesperson suggested then an entire fleet could actually be used for "border surveillance" -- and hey, we need a little help down there anyway, right?[Via Fark]
Casio EX-V7 zooms up to 7x without breaking a sweat
It's been a few months since we saw the latest EXILIM, Casio's line of super-tiny shooters. But this is the time of year when nearly every product line is getting updated, and fortunately for us, Casio didn't disappoint. Enter the EX-V7 digicam, a 7.2 megapixel number with a 7x optical zoom (yes, you read that right -- this is a 38mm to 266mm equivalent in a tiny little ultracompact) kept nicely tucked inside the body. Furthermore, the EX-V7 apparently has new software that will lighten up aspects of a darkened photo, which is a feature that not every photographer will want to use -- but surely your non-techie grandmother might appreciate it. We're still waiting on the sticker price and the release date, so just sit tight for now.
Sony unveils four new consumer HD cams
Whether you realize it or not, another format war is on the horizon. No, we're not talking next-gen optical; this time we're talking about consumer level cameras storing HD footage. HDV is the older kid on the block, using MiniDV tapes, but last year Sony, Panasonic and some others started championing the MPEG-4 based AVCHD format for consumers. Now, Sony's hedging it's bets by releasing two new AVCHD cams, and two HDV cams. Sony's UX model HD cams record to DVD and use the AVCHD standard, while the HC series supports HDV and records to MiniDV. The heavyweights, the HDR-UX7and the HDR-HC7, rock out with three megapixel CMOS sensors for vid and take six megapixel stills stored on MemoryStickDuo Pro. They've also got microphone inputs, perfect for you budding Uwe Bolls out there. Meanwhile, the lighter weight HDR-UX5 and HDR-HC5 have a weaker CMOS with two megapixels for vids and a four megapixels for stills, plus they're sans mic-in.
QinetiQ's 3D shoe-sizer coming to US Stride Rite stores
While already popular in Clarks shoe stores across the UK, QinetiQ's 3D foot gauge is finally making its way across the pond. Unveiled in three Boston Stride Rite locations, these trials are slated to lead to a more widespread release across the chain's 450 American locations, giving shoe-wanting citizens "quick and accurate" measurements when sizing up. The contraption features six 3D digital cameras that scan the foot to provided "highly detailed length, girth, and shape data," essentially helping to ensure the best fit possible. Additionally, recorded 3D data can enable trend analysis, which would assist in designing future styles and improving stock control. The optical ranging technology used in the device was actually derived from work done on the "detection of unexploded ordnance" for the UK's Ministry of Defense. Although we're unsure how quickly these things will roll out nationwide, we're sure QinetiQ stands to make a hefty sum from its invention, as its current deal with Clarks yielded a whopping £4.6 million ($9.1 million) over in England.[Via Gizmag]
Tink Pink X Hello Kitty DC571 brings a touch of class to digicams
Someday, after we're long gone and buried in our networked graves, future archaeologists will no doubt go digging around to get a sense of life in the 21st century. After wading through McDonald's wrappers, cigarette butts, and piles of discarded Zunes (sorry, Microsoft, it seems that not a whole lot of people were feeling "the social), it's quite likely that they'll uncover literally millions of everyday objects adorned with a strange, simply-drawn kitten, and come to the conclusion that this precocious little feline served as some sort of deity to the simple folks of old. And, well, they'd be partially correct , wouldn't they? While we certainly don't genuflect to Ms. Kitty before bed, nor do we ask for her Pinkness' help in times of trouble, there's no denying that we feel a special connection to the universe and our fellow man every time we encounter a gadget like the Tink Pink X Hello Kitty DC571 digital camera. Besides the nauseating name and blinged-out Kitty face, this model is quite similar l to the DC500 also made by KFE Japan -- they share a five megapixel resolution, 32MB of internal memory, and an SD slot for storage, but the DC571 delivers a 2.4-inch LCD and somewhat stuttery VGA video at 20fps (or QVGA at 22fps). You do get USB 2.0 support as opposed to the 1.1 action on the previous model, but let's face it: if you're in the market for a 25,000 Yen ($217) pink camera with colored crystals arranged to resemble a small cat, specs and functionality just really aren't all that important. [Via Spluch]
Honda has designs on car cam network
Honda looks to be intent on putting a few more eyes on the road (as if there aren't enough already) with its latest bit of automotive gadgetry, a network of car-mounted webcams that'll give you a look at your route before you even roll out of the driveway. According to the patent application, the cameras would be built into the cars' rear-view mirrors, capturing video from the front and back and relaying it along with the car's speed and location to a central server, from which it could then be accessed by other drivers to get an idea of the traffic conditions ahead. Sensing the inevitable flurry of complaints, Honda also appears to be taking some steps to ensure privacy, saying that all video would be submitted anonymously and that the camera's would be switched off when the car's GPS detects that you're close to your home or workplace, although we somehow doubt that'll be enough to make everyone happy. Not content with merely following us humans around, however, Honda also looks like it could be extending its reach into the animal kingdom, saying (we kid you not) that the cameras could even be mounted to pets or wild or performing animals, allowing for such video feeds as "migrating bird cam," "dolphin cam," and "elephant cam." Although they are quick to point out that these feeds would be for entertainment purposes only, and "do not necessarily lie at a traversable location."[Via NewScientistTech]
Sony recalls eight Cyber-shot models
I hereby declare Sony to have had the worst 2006 year of any company. As if major PS3 shortages and being blamed for everyone's exploding batteries aren't enough, they now have to recall eight different models of Cyber-shot cameras that were sold between September 2003 and January 2005. The BBC is reporting that the glitch involves a problem with the image sensor which could cause the screen to improperly display images. No word on the total number of cameras being recalled, but Sony said they'll only repair cameras which are exhibiting the problem; in other words - you can't just send your camera off in hopes of receiving a shiny new one. The affected models are: DSC-F88, DSC-M1, DSC-T1, DSC-T11, DSC-T3, DSC-T33, DSC-U40 and DSC-U50.I can't find many more details on how to determine if your camera is affected or how to participate in the recall process, but this Sony support page might be a good place to start.[via Engadget]
Casio EX-S770D brings DivX to Europe this month
Oh Casio, why must you taunt us with such slick cameras and only make them available in Europe? Indeed, more than four months after the release of the EX-S600D, Casio has just launched its latest DivX-certified digicam, appropriately called the EX-S770D. This new cam is now rockin' 7.2 megapixels, shootin' DivX in a 16:9 aspect ratio,and packin' a 3x optical zoom (plus 4x digital zoom) along with a 2.8-inch screen. We don't know how many euros this'll cost, but it'll probably be somewhere around the EX-S770's (pictured) price of $380 (€298) when it hits the continent before December. [Warning: PDF link][Via DivX press release]
CCTVdynamics' all-inclusive EB1304 home surveillance kit
Any lingering trick-or-treaters still hanging around and giving you the creeps? If your Magic Message Mirror isn't quite covering every nook and cranny that needs to watched over, CCTVdynamics has the all-inclusive setup for you. The four-channel home surveillance DVR system includes an AverMedia EB1304 80GB DVR, four easy-to-hide dome cameras (with matching power supplies and 50-foot runs of cable), MPEG4 video compression, 120fps display / recording resolution, NTSC and PAL compatibility, scheduled modes, password authentication, and a wireless remote to spy on your property while kicked back in your recliner. The machine timecodes all video capture and allows searches by dates, times, and "events," boasts watermarking capabilities, and supports AVI outputs to external storage devices via USB. So if paranoia is keeping you awake at night, and you'd rest easier feel better throughout the long, cold nights if you could keep a constant watch over your oh-so-targeted domicile, the eagle-eyed kit will cost you just $699 (and presumably all of your suddenly suspicious friends).[Via PVRWire]
Five megapixel Sanyo S50 hits Germany for €100
For everyone out there who's trying to save their pennies for that new PS3, but still wants a good deal, you may want to give this new Sanyo S50 a looksie, given that the €100 ($127) camera brings loads of solid features at a very low cost. What's packed inside that metal case? Well, a 5 megapixel CCD, 2.5-inch screen, 2x optical zoom and a f/2.8 aperture in wide and f/4.0 in zoom for starters. Beyond that, the software has an "extensive preview mode", allowing you to create a slideshow -- pretty rare for such an inexpensive camera. If that wasn't enough, Sanyo's happy to provide a little mirror adjacent to the lens, in case you feel like turning the camera on yourself to capture your own beautiful visage. Sadly, though, you can only get one at a Ringfoto Gruppe dealer in Germany -- the S50 will drop exclusively in Deutschland sometime this month.
UK drivers change lanes to outsmart SPECS speeding cameras
Why pay thousands for that temptation-quelling adaptive cruise control option, or dream about the forthcoming Siemens VDO electronic governor, when all you have to do is switch a few lanes while smashing the pedal to the metal? The Home Office has fessed up to a "massive flaw" in the costly (and abundant) SPECS speed monitoring / ticketing cameras, which allows drivers to avoid any legal repercussions by simply ending up in a different lane than the one they began in. The system takes the average speed between two points to calculate if a motorist has been speeding, and then snaps their photograph and sends them a very unwelcome ticket in the mail if they were; however, the cameras are only designed to analyze and penalize those who remain in the same lane throughout the speed-checking segment, opening up a very exploitable loophole. Government officials, along with the cameras' manufacturer (Speed Check Services), have resorted to begging with the public to not evade the presumably imminent £60 ($112) fine in order to maintain a "high level of safety" on the roadways, but it's not likely that pleading to deaf ears (and lead feet) will entice folks to willingly suffer a penalty this easy to avoid.[Via FARK]
