F20
Latest
3Dims and projectiondesign craft 3D visualization system
As the 3D bandwagon continues to fill, along comes a setup geared more towards research than entertainment. The interactive 3D stereoscopic computer aided virtual environment (CAVE), cutely named Four Space 110, was created by Germany's own 3Dims GmbH and is currently located at the Human Machine Communication Center at Munich University. The installation relies on eight F20 sx+ DLP projectors from projectiondesign and enables users "to be completely immersed in the application with surrounding walls, floor and a ceiling." Within the CAVE, scientists and students can see 12 million pixel 3D images come to life as they study "human–machine interaction and communication," and while the gurus behind it purport that it could be used in car manufacturing / design or electronic modeling, we can only imagine how heavily the virtual reality crowd must be drooling just thinking of the possibilities here.[Via Widescreen Review]
Fujifilm FinePix F20 reviewed
After dropping a solid, low light-capable offering in the FinePix F30, the folks over at PhotographyBlog were anticipating another winner in the F20. While admitting that their expectations for the little brother were intentionally lowered, they were "pleasantly surprised" by its competency in everyday point-and-shoot environments, as well as low-lit situations. The overall image quality was "on par" with most other average alternatives, with hints of purple fringing and "chromatic aberrations in areas of high contrast" holding it back from superiority; however, it should be noted that this compact didn't suffer from the notorious red-eye introduction that has become all too common amongst pocket-friendly options. The ISO settings -- while not quite reaching the outlandish 3200 available on the F30 -- performed "quite well" up to ISO 800, while shooting at ISO 2000 (unsurprisingly) created images with a bit too much noise for large prints. Overall, Fujifilm certainly cut a few corners here, but if you're only looking for a reliable P&S tagalong that isn't afraid of the (occasional) dark, the FinePix F20 delivers a "beautiful marriage of price and performance."
Navman drops four new GPS devices
Navman is bumping the specs and shortening the names of its GPS units, with the F20, N20, N40i and N60i (pictured) set to launch this fall. All four look to be relatively minor updates, with each getting a built-in camera for use with Navman's Navpix service as standard issue, as well as an upgrade to the SiRFstarIII chipset, TeleAtlas 2006 maps, and Navman's latest software interface (as seen on the iCN750 and iCN720). While Navman itself seems to be staying mum on these for now, with not so much as a mention on its website, some European retailers already look to be taking pre-orders for 'em, with prices coming in between €249.99 and €499.99 ($318 and $635).[Via MobileWhack]
Fujifilm's six megapixel F20 thrives at night
Besides the S6000fd that we just brought you, Fujifilm has another six megapixel shooter slated to hit stores in September, though this model is more at home in a pocket than a camera bag. Being touted as the little brother to the company's already-compact F30, the new F20 sports many of the same features as its big bro -- besides the 6.3 megapixel CCD, they both share a 3x optical zoom and 2.5-inch LCD -- with the major differences being size, display resolution, and battery capacity. Also like the F30, this model is designed to perform in low-light conditions that would prove difficult for other compact cameras which don't share its relatively high maximum sensitivity of ISO 2000. The other nice touches here center around the flash: it automatically adjusts its intensity based on ambient lighting, and is part of the innovative "Natural Light & Flash" feature that snaps two consecutive shots -- one with flash and one without -- to provide users with a so-called "photographic safety net." No word yet on pricing, but since you can pick up the F30 for under $400, we imagine that this model will be available for around the same cost.
Lenovo releases Coke-themed F20 laptop in China
Even though the U.S. government may want nothing to do with its computers, Lenovo's still got so much love for the red, white, and blue that it's releasing a special-edition notebook branded with one of the most recognizable American icons: everyone's favorite tooth-decaying soft drink. Oddly enough, the company's Coca Cola-red, Pentium M-powered F20 was designed in honor of the 2008 Olympic Games -- which are not only two years away, but taking place in China, and not the U.S. (where was this lappy in 1996 when the Games were held in Coke's hometown of Atlanta?). Anyway, besides the snazzy paint job and stick-on Olympic rings, this version of the F20 is pretty much your run-of-the-mill 12.1-inch laptop, sporting an ULV 1.66GHz CPU, 512MB of RAM, integrated graphics, an 80GB hard drive, and all the ports, wireless radios, and card readers you've come to expect from notebooks these days. Obviously priced in yuan, this model is going for the equivalent of $1,575, but since Lenovo knows that you can't possibly resist drinking a Coke while you're using this machine, they're throwing in some of that high-tech Batmobile-style armor plating on the house.[Via I4U]
