Monday, September 28, 2009

Production Canon EOS 7D video samples hit the web

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/28/production-canon-eos-7d-video-samples-hit-the-web/


We've already seen some video from a pre-production Canon EOS 7D, but it looks like it's hitting stores now, and this is the first video we've seen from a final retail unit. It's genuinely impressive, especially since filmmaker Dan Chung says most of it was shot at 1600 to 6400 ISO, but it's important to realize that he was also using some seriously expensive lenses, a specialized video viewfinder, a wide-angle mattebox to reduce lens flare, and a separate external microphone for audio. Was that enough responsible skepticism for you? Good, because we also think the 7D looks like it's going to rock, and we can't wait to try one out. Video after the break, along with a shot of Dan's video rig.

[Via Planet5D]

Continue reading Production Canon EOS 7D video samples hit the web

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Production Canon EOS 7D video samples hit the web originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic's 50-inch 3D plasma announced, seeks fine family home

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/28/panasonics-50-inch-3d-plasma-announced-seeks-fine-family-home/

True, Panasonic's 103-inch 3D television is more desirable, but Panny's new 50-incher will be more affordable when it comes time to buy your first 3D set. The 1080p TV requires viewers to wear special specs, naturally, in this case, Panasonic's active "shutter" glasses. As the name implies, the lenses switch in sync with the TV so that the right image is seen by the right eye and the left image is seen by the left eye. All that quick image swapping requires new PDP materials and chips to maintain screen brightness. The new prototype will be on display at Ceatec show in Tokyo next week with plans for commercialization in 2010. You know, assuming anyone wants it.

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Panasonic's 50-inch 3D plasma announced, seeks fine family home originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Windows 7 coming to netbooks in all its myriad flavors

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/28/windows-7-coming-to-netbooks-in-all-its-myriad-flavors/

It would seem that the humble netbook owner's Windows 7 options just keep improving as the grand new OS comes closer to release. After plans to limit netbooks to running three apps at a time were thankfully scrapped, Microsoft has now confirmed with us that it is going to allow OEMs to splash any version of Windows 7 they desire onto their Atom-powered miniature laptops. That's right, you can totally rock Windows 7 Ultimate and Aero visualizations on a machine that can handle neither. Joking aside, it's pleasing to see the Redmond brain trust steer clear of arbitrary limitations on customer choice.

[Via GadgetMix]

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Windows 7 coming to netbooks in all its myriad flavors originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saturday, September 26, 2009

Data Shows What Everyone Knows: Gimmicky Apps Aren't Used Frequently [IPhone Apps]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/s1-6NF7k2OU/data-shows-what-everyone-knows-gimmicky-apps-arent-used-frequently

Think about how many times you use gimmicky apps—fart generators, zit poppers—past the first few days after you downloaded them. Now think about news and social networking ones. Big difference, right?

This study by Flurry Inc. shows that news apps are used and retained the most past a 90 day period after purchase, followed up by social networking, book apps, health and weather, and finally, games. Last on the list is Lifestyle, which are those gimmicky apps that you try out once or twice and then delete.

Super obvious, and actually useful if you're trying to make an app for any of the numerous app marketplaces now. If you're making a subscription app, you don't want to make it gimmicky. But if it's a buy-once sort of thing, gimmicky apps will do fine—your customers already paid, so who cares how many times they use it, right? [GigaOm]




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Launch Your Own Satellite Into Orbit for Only $8,000 [Satellites]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/WDDlydm7SH8/launch-your-own-satellite-into-orbit-for-only-8000

Looking to start your own satellite TV station? Perhaps you want to take your stalking of your ex to the next level. Well, if you have $8,000, Interorbital Systems can help make that happen.

The Mojave, California based company is planning to start sending NEPTUNE 30 rockets into low-earth orbit, and they'll sell you a spot on board for a relatively cheap price. Here's CEO Randa Milliron on how this works:

The scenario goes like this: the builder pays IOS $8000 for the kit/launch combo, builds the kit, sends IOS the completed satellite for testing, inspection, and integration into the NEPTUNE 30 rocket. It is then launched. Lift off is not via your very colorful description of candles or hot air, but with four pillars of fire generating 40,000 pounds of thrust. It launches into a circular 310km polar low-earth-orbit (LEO) from the South Pacific Kingdom of Tonga.

When a person buys a kit, ideally he or she has an experiment, task, performance, or other use in mind for the satellite. It's really for people with a good set of electronics and programming skills, or for those who want to learn and prove their skills in the field. It can be used as a team building exercise or a solitary triumph. It's the ultimate educational tool that allows the user to do real space-based orbital science at what are (comparatively) dollar store prices. Somehow, the bragging rights of being able to say, "I just sent my first satellite to space and it said hello to me!" are a far better return on investment than most other purchase options.

Sounds interesting! Whether or not this will all actually, you know, happen, remains to! be seen . [H+ Magazine via Boing Boing]




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