IBLOG SPACE

For top-priced cameras, Leica goes hand-in-hand. The company is known for making cameras that have plenty of features and aesthetic eye-caching goodness, and the price tag generally follows suit. But with the unveiling of the M9 Titanium Limited Edition , the company has out-done themselves. Created by a team that incorporated members of Leica and Volkswagen, the Titanium limited edition camera is something to just stare at, if not actually use. The Titanium limited edition is, at its most basic level, a far more equipped M9, but that’s not stopping Leica from releasing it. For instance, the trim features leather that is usually used in Audi’s premium automobiles. Other additions to the camera include fingerprint resistant overlays, the handstrap will come in two sizes, and the frame lines will be illuminated by LEDs. And you get a fancy new holster, too, which was designed specifically for this new edition. If you were to buy one of these limited edition cameras, you’d get the camera,

It looks like rumors about the Nokia N8 being delayed were true, after all. In a recent report last week, Indian analyst Gaurav Hasabnis claimed that Nokia would be delaying the N8 smartphone until October, saying that it was in fact a global delay. But Nokia said that everything was still on track in the same report, pointing out that they would still be making that late Q3 2010 launch window. Press material continued to state that, by the end of September, the N8 would be available and in customer’s hands. However, that’s all come crashing down, as Nokia has officially delayed the N8 for a few weeks. Nokia is saying that the pre-orders for the N8 blew their expectations, but that they have been forced to hold back the shipments of the device. In some markets, and that includes the United States, Nokia does confirm that by the end of September they had intended to deliver the N8, but that’s just not going to happen now. Nokia is currently in the processes of making sure that the use

There’s probably not getting around it, anymore. When a tablet is mentioned, not only do people start immediately comparing it to the iPad, talk about how it’s “similar” are inevitable. Then again, with as general a statement as this one from HP’s Peter Helm , we can basically expect anything some time in the near future. Though, one thing’s for sure: a tablet is coming. HP’s been talking about a webOS-based tablet for awhile now — ever since their acquisition of Palm. In a recent email to the Palm Developer Company, Helm confirmed that weOS would indeed be seen on “tablet-style devices similar to the iPad.” As generalized as the iPad is, and as synonymous as the name is with tablets, it’s indeed possible that Helm was just referring to the iPad in a far more “general” approach, but that’s probably not the case. Helm’s statement should make plenty of people out there happy, as a tablet device featuring Palm’s webOS is something that many have been craving. There’s still no word, unfort

A new report from Rodman & Renshaw analyst Ashok Kumar claims that Apple is currently working on a smaller, camera-featuring iPad , which is set to debut some time in the early part of 2011. Annual refreshes for Apple-based technology isn’t a new thing, so everyone is already expecting Apple to announce a new iPad next year, but these new claims make it sound like Apple is indeed taking a look at the competition, and readying their hardware to reflect that. The competition is coming the strongest from Android, Google’s mobile Operating System. And from other manufacturers, like Samsung, which just introduced their brand new tablet device, the Galaxy Tab. The Tab features a 7-inch display, and both front- and rear-facing cameras, which will let it take advantage of video chatting. And considering the iPhone and iPod Touch are currently taking advantage of FaceTime, Apple’s own video chatting application/feature, it’s no surprise that the next version of the iPad would want to take a

Credit card security is an important aspect of a lot of people’s lives. Especially those that employ the usage of several cards, ranging from debit to credit, that utilize access to several banks. Forgetting where you left one card could mean the emptying of your bank account, and plenty of stress. But, Dynamics hopes that their brand new hidden credit card will help all of those worried about their card being stolen and used for the wrong purposes. Unfortunately, it doesn’t cover all the bases. The Hidden credit card is meant to work with today’s credit card readers, so you won’t need to hope that your local eatery gets upgraded in any way. The card itself is outfitted with a super-thin display, which literally hides six of the digits on your card with a random set. As the owner of the card, all you would need to do is input a code and then the digital display will showcase the correct numbers for your card’s usage. You input that said code with the button above the number line. If y

Is this the BlackBerry Storm 3 ? With RIM’s BlackBerry 6 OS the most finger-friendly platform the Canadian company has prepared to date, we’d be very surprised if they weren’t also working on a third-generation version of the touchscreen smartphone. According to BerryReview‘s anonymous source, you’re looking at the BBS3 now. Details are light on the ground as to the hardware specs, but the source claims the Storm 3 will have a 3.7-inch display and 8GB of internal storage. Of course, there’s no telling what resolution that screen might be; we’re used to 3.7-inch displays supporting WVGA, on Android devices at least, but as RIM showed with theBlackBerry Torch 9800 they’re willing to sacrifice pixels to preserve backward compatible with apps. The Storm 2 display ran at 480 x 360, though it only measured 3.25-inches. Beyond that, there’s talk of mobile hotspot functionality – sharing the Storm 3′s data connection via WiFi with netbooks, iPads and other nearby devices – but that’s it.

Apple has apparently acquired facial recognition specialists Polar Rose, who until now had been using their technology to offer automatic tagging in apps and social networking services like Facebook and Picasa. The deal – which is rumored to be worth $22m – could see Apple integrate Polar Rose ’s advanced face detection system into their own iPhoto app, or alternatively use it for biometric security. However, Polar Rose are also behind the technology used in the Recognizr demo, an AR app for mobile devices that could identify people and overlay social networking links around them on the smartphone display. Recognizr used Polar Rose’s FaceLib engine for mobile devices, but the company also has a server-based processing system. That leaves Apple plenty of options as to how to implement their newly-acquired technology, whether across their desktop or mobile lines. Neither Polar Rose nor Apple are officially confirming the deal at present, though Polar Rose did cease offering their fre

Augmented reality will be truly useful when it can discretely tell us the names of the people we talk to at press events and so help avoid exposing our awful memories, but until then we’ll make do with knowing what planes are in the sky. Plane Finder AR – for the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 – is a $2.99 app that promises to identify which aircraft are overhead and label them in real-time using the Apple smartphone’s camera. The app apparently uses ADS-B plane feeds which commercial flights use to transmit their name, position, destination and other information. Unfortunately, that also means that if the plane isn’t using ADS-B (apparently US airlines have been “slow to adopt the technology”) then it won’t be labeled, and indeed some of the reviews on iTunes are less than positive.

Our pockets and bags are overflowing with portable gadgets – iPads, PSPs, netbooks and notebooks – and they all have a taste for data. Portable mobile hotspots have flourished to satisfy that demand, and most recent is Clearwire’s Rover Puck , a futuristically designed way to share a 4G connection between up to eight WiFi-connected devices while on the move. Are Clearwire’s contract-free plans enough to make up for the absence of a fall-back 3G connection? Check out the full review after the cut. Rover is Clearwire’s new youth-oriented pre-paid arm, offering WiMAX data products without demanding credit checks or long-term agreements. As well as the $149.99 Puck mobile hotspot they offer a simple USB modem called the Rover Stick (which is $99.99); beyond that, if you don’t want to use any data then you have nothing to pay. $5 gets you a day’s unlimited 4G data; $20 gets you a week’s unlimited data; and $50 gets you a month’s unlimited data. We’ve obviously seen mobile hotspot devices be

Blue Microphones have been showing off their new Mikey for Flip model, especially designed to hook up to the FlipPort accessory connector found on the new UltraHD and MinoHD models. The stubby little block snaps onto the bottom of the pocket camcorder and offers stereo audio recording using Blue’s condenser microphone capsules. You also get a microphone input, allowing you to use the Mikey as a bridge for an external microphone, together with automatic volume control and a “Loud” setting that’s apparently intended for situations like concerts which might normally overwhelm a mic. On the bottom is a tripod mount, and it’s powered by an AAA battery rather than sucking the juice out of your Flip. Unfortunately, while the new Flip Video camcorders are on sale today, Blue Microphones don’t expect the new Mikey to be available until CES 2011 in January next year. It’ll be priced at $69.

Olympus are teasing a new camera of their own today, in the shape of a new prototype that uses an integrated Zuiko lens. Expected to make its commercial debut in Q1 2011, the so-far unnamed compact camera doesn’t use a removable lens system like Olympus’ Micro Four Thirds models, but does get the same accessory port. That means it’ll work with peripherals like Olympus’ SEMA-1 external microphone, just not any of the interchangeable lenses that fit the PEN range. Unfortunately beyond that – and some hyperbole about it being the company’s new flagship – details are in short supply. Looking at the back panel, the red button would suggest that video capture is supported, and we can also see a flash control and optical zoom lever. The camera will be shown off at Photokina 2010 this week, so we expect we’ll hear feedback from there and hopefully a few more specifications as well.

If you’ve not had enough Samsung Galaxy Tab excitement with our multiple hands on coverage – and if therumored pricing hasn’t put you off – then how about one of the first US-centric promo videos? Flaunting the Galaxy Tab’s video chat (only over WiFi, according to the small print), full Flash support, semi-dubious pocketability and wireless media streaming functionality, the video promises the same upcoming availability on Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T. Samsung is obviously attempting to address what’s held back other tablets in the past: set the Galaxy Tab into a lifestyle context that helps would-be buyers envisage how, exactly, they might use it. That’s a little trickier with the US version, since it lacks the voice call functionality that the European model has, but they do a pretty decent job all the same.

Casio has unveiled its latest point-and-shoot, the EXILIM EX-H20G , and to try and help it stand out of the Photokina 2010 crowds it’s fitted it with a clever Hybrid GPS system. As well as taking 14.1-megapixel photos, recording 720p HD video and having a 10x optical zoom, the EX-H20G can apparently pinpoint its position for geotagging whether you’re outdoors or inside, by extrapolating the last known GPS position. To do that it has all manner of accelerometers and motion sensors, which work from the most recent GPS fix and estimate your current indoor position. When you step back outside and get a new GPS fix, it’s all updated again. Nifty power management means you’ll have enough battery life for more than one or two shots, the company claims, and there’s a preloaded database of over 140 cities (and even 10,000 preloaded shots of sightseeing landmarks) stored on the H20G itself. Otherwise it’s pretty much as you’d expect from a modern compact: various auto modes, a 3-inch LCD prev

Casio’s second digicam of the day is an altogether more mainstream model than their Hybrid GPS EX-H20G , though it carries a suitably budget price tag too. The Casio EXILIM Z-16 is a compact 12-megapixel shooter with a 3x optical zoom and 848 x 480 video capture. On the back is a 2.7-inch LCD, while storage combines 14.9MB of internal memory with an SD/SDHC card slot. There’s an auto mode which analyses the scene and adjusts the settings accordingly, together with face detection and optical image stabilization. Nothing too dramatic, then, but Casio aren’t asking too much for the EXILIM Z-16. It’ll drop later this month for $99.99.

HP has outed a trio of new PCs, including the HP TouchSmart 310 and HP Omni100 desktops, and the HP TouchSmart tm2 convertible notebook. The TouchSmart 310 is a 20-inch all-in-one running AMD’s 2.8GHz Athlon II 240e dual-core CPU with 4GB of RAM and a 1TB HDD; it has a TV tuner, DVD burner and multitouch capable display. The Omni100, meanwhile, has a 20-inch non-touchscreen display, 1.8GHz Athlon II 260u dual-core CPU, 3GB of RAM and a 500GB HDD. There’s also ATI Radeon HD 4270 graphics, WiFi b/g/n and a webcam. Like the TouchSmart 310, it runs Windows 7. As for the tm2, that gets a Core i3-380UM 1.33GHz processor, 4GB of RAM and Intel HD graphics, along with a twisting 12.1-inch 1280 x 800 multitouch screen (with stylus input too). There’s also WiFi b/g/n, gigabit ethernet, a 5-in-1 memory card slot, 500GB HDD and HDMI/VGA outputs; HP reckon users will see up to 6.5hrs runtime from the 6-cell battery. The HP TouchSmart 310 starts at $699.99 and will go on sale from September 22;

A company called Oregan Networks has announced a new digital set-top box that is coming to the UK dubbed the Onyx STB. The device will be built by Korean consumer electronic manufacturer Digital Streams. The STB will allows consumers in the UK to stream all sorts of web video and music. Other capabilities include being able to access photo sharing and social networking sites directly on TVs. The STB will use an animated user interface that is easy to use. The interface will offer access to catch up TV service, movie rental services, youtube, BBC iPlayer, and various podcasts. The device is DLNA compliant for home networking devices and has a remote control that allows users to search the web. Other features include a media player with support for HTML and Flash content and the STB uses adaptive bit rate streaming for uninterrupted streaming during peak usage times. Inside the device is the latest dual-core STB chipset from Broadcom. The device should be in stores in October for under

OnLive is a streaming cloud-based gaming service that we have talked about on a few occasions. The service sounds really cool with no console needed to play some of the cooler games out there. OnLive has announced that a new Wi-Fi Beta service has launched. Previously you had to be using a wired connection to the internet to take advantage of the cloud gaming service. According to OnLive, all you have to do to use the new service is start OnLive and a message will pop up that says you are using Wi-Fi Beta and the user selects it. OnLive says that in testing the Wi-Fi service has been found to be fully functional on networks that can sustain at least 3 Mbps connections. The service will save your game right where you are if you lose connectivity for as long as 5-minutes.

HTC keep protesting that they’re not working on a tablet, and yet the leaks and rumors still keep coming. Today’s – courtesy of DigiTimes‘ shady sources – claims Pegatron will be manufacturing the tablet for HTC, and even has a rundown of specs: most notably NVIDIA’s second-gen Tegra 2 chipset and a 32GB SSD . The screen is tipped at 1280 x 720 resolution, complete with the expected multitouch support, while there’s also apparently 2GB of RAM and the expected wireless options: WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS for a start. As well as the Android OS there’d be Chrome web-app support and access to the Android Market. Some form of 3G has also been mentioned in the past – Verizon as a potential carrier partner too – and given HTC has already built relationships with carriers that would certainly make sense. It would also open the door to carrier subsidies, and given the rumor-mongers are talking about a NT$25,000 ($789.75) sticker price that’s probably a good thing. Earlier this month a Q1 2011

We have talked a bit about the Peek 9 device before, but at the time we only had an unconfirmed price to work with. The Peek 9 is now available with the full details including pricing up for perusal. The new device adds some cool features that make it sound a lot like a smartphone minus voice capability. The Peek 9 has a very thin design and is designed to allow wireless communications like texting and email without having to spend lots of money on a data plan for a smartphone. The device has push email delivered to your webmail and Peak 9 device at the same time. The 9 can text directly to other cell phones. The 9 also supports Peektop apps that allow users to load their own apps for all sorts of tasks. Peek also integrates with Facebook and Twitter for keeping up to date with social networks. The device has a full QWERTY keyboard and works with Outlook and Exchange. Battery life is claimed to be 4-5 days of typical use. The Peak 9 weighs 3.8 ounces, has a US Tri band GPRS 800/1800/1

Any parent that has kids and has been on a long trip knows that there comes a time when kids in the back seat want to chill out and watch some movies or play games. The problem is that many of the DVD systems and rear seat entertainment systems in cars are really not that great that come from the factory today. BMW is showing off a very cool new factory integration system for the rear occupants of some of its luxury vehicles for the Apple iPad. This is very cool because not only is the design of the mounts for the iPad integrated into the car for looks, but that means that with the 3G iPad passengers in the rear seats can surf the web while cruising down the road. BMW already has a factory docking system for the iPhone that puts it on the dash in front. It’s really cool to see an automaker offering integrated mounts for high-tech devices not just trying to force drivers to use their own proprietary systems.

There are untold numbers of people around the world who have lost the use of their limbs from accident or illness that have new hope of being able to use the limb again thanks to some cool research at SMU . A researcher named Marc Christensen has developed a new fiber optic nerve system that may one day allow for a functional link between the brain and an advanced prosthetic limb. The research is being funded by DARPA and is looking to perfect the brain prosthetic interface and the program has been granted $5.6 million to continue its research. Allowing the brain to control prosthetics isn’t the only thing the technology has a potential use for. The tech could also be used for other man to machines applications like brain implants to control tremor, neuro-modulators to control chronic pain, and implants for people with spinal cord injuries. The goal of the project is to develop a compatible link between living tissue and computer technologies to the human nervous system with hundreds o

Sometimes there are things that surface that are very cool, but the name does them no justice. This is one of those cases. Kodak has unveiled a new custom printing service that people can take advantage of from those print kiosks in some of the big stores near you. From the name of the service you really get no idea what Kodak has unveiled. You go to the store with your photos on media of some sort. You pick a frame style that you want hanging on the wall or sitting on the table and scan the bar code for the frame at the Pynk kiosk. Then you select the images that you want in the photo frame via whatever method you chose to upload them and the kiosk takes those photos, sizes them, crops them, and then prints a single sheet with the photos on it perfectly arranged and sized for the frame you choose. Before you had to spend time cutting, printing, and sometimes taping photos together in one of these collage fames to compete the same thing. Kodak isn’t talking price on these things and i

Pixel Qi has announced a timescale for its new 7-inch 3qi panel, intended to take on E Ink in the tablet and ereader market. The display – a smaller version of the existing 10-inch model that will launch in the Notion Ink Adam and Innoversal Lattice – is expected to go into mass production sometime in the first half of 2011. The 3qi display uses Pixel Qi’s patented multi-mode technology, which can function like a regular backlit LCD display for indoor use or flip into a transflective mode for outdoor visibility. In the latter, colors are subdued, but unlike e-paper the display is still capable of video playback. The company says that any interested manufacturers might be able to get their hands on samples of the smaller screens sometime in Q4 2010. Meanwhile Pixel Qi itself has finished its first round of series B funding – though there’s no actual detail on investors – and are preparing to announce new hardware partners.

USA Network will be bringing back Law & Order: Criminal Intent for an eight episode tenth and final season. Additionally Vincent D’Onofrio will return as Detective Goren and they are talking to Kathryn Erbe (Detective Eames) and other alumni excluding Jeff Goldblum about returning for the show’s final season. According to Deadline Hollywood, D’Onofrio’s return was the key condition of renewal.

via press release: NICKELODEON CLOSES WEEK AS BASIC CABLE’S TOP TOTAL DAY NETWORK WITH KIDS AND TOTAL VIEWERS Fred: The Movie Ranks as Week’s Top Entertainment Telecast on Basic Cable with 7.6 Million Total Viewers, and Number-One Telecast with Kids and Tweens on All of TV NEW YORK– Sept. 21, 2010– Nickelodeon closed the week (9/13/10-9/19/10) as basic cable’s number-one network in total day with kids 2-11 and total viewers (2.1 million), posting double- digit gains with all key demos K2-11 (3.2/1.1 million, +10%), K6-11 (2.9/619,000, +16%) and T9-14 (2.1/454,000, +17%). Nick’s weekly win was fueled by the stellar premiere of Fred: The Movie (Saturday, Sept. 18, 8 p.m. ET/PT), which ranks as basic cable’s top entertainment telecast for the week with total viewers (7.6 million). The two-hour debut also ranks as the week’s number-one telecast on all TV with K6-11 (15.4/3.3 million, +202%), T9-14 (14.8/3.1 million, +279%), and K2-11 (11.3/4.1 million, +190%).

Turner Sports and NCAA® Announce the Formation of NCAA Digital Agreement to include broadband, mobile web and apps, connected devices, social media and more for all 88 NCAA championships Turner Sports and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) jointly announced today the formation of NCAA Digital, a 14-year agreement in which Turner will manage and operate the NCAA’s digital portfolio and strengthen coverage of all 88 NCAA championships. NCAA Digital encompasses NCAA.com and additional NCAA digital platforms including mobile web and applications, as well as other connected devices. Turner will enhance editorial coverage and the technology behind live video streaming, stats, highlights and social media interactivity, as well as manage ad sales for NCAA digital platforms.

NBC WINS THE FINAL WEEK OF THE 2009-10 BROADCAST YEAR, RANKING #1 IN ADULTS 18-49 AND ALL OTHER KEY MEASURES FOR THE WEEK OF SEPT. 13-19 NBC IS #1 FOR THE WEEK IN ADULTS, MEN AND WOMEN 18-34, 18-49, 25-54 AND TOTAL VIEWERS NBC SPORTS’ GIANTS-COLTS GAME PROPELS THE NETWORK TO A DOMINANT SUNDAY WIN IN EVERY KEY MEASURE – ADULTS, MEN AND WOMEN 18-49, 18-34 AND 25-54, PLUS TOTAL VIEWERS ‘NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL’ IS THE #1 PROGRAM OF THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49, 18-34, 25-54 AND ALL KEY MALE AND FEMALE DEMOS NBC HAS FOUR OF THE TOP 10 PROGRAMS OF THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49 AND THE TOP THREE TELECASTS OF THE WEEK IN TOTAL VIEWERS ON WEDNESDAY, THE ‘AMERICA’S GOT TALENT’ FINALE SCORES THE HIGHEST 18-49 RATING FOR A ‘TALENT’ FINALE IN THREE YEARS AND ATTRACTS THE SHOW’S BIGGEST AUDIENCE EVER WEDNESDAY’S ‘OUTLAW’ PREVIEW WINS ITS SLOT IN TOTAL VIEWERS WITH NBC’S BIGGEST OVERALL AUDIENCE IN THE HOUR IN A YEAR, EXCLUDING OLYMPICS TUESDAY’S ‘AMERICA’S GOT TALENT’ MATCHES THE SHOW’S HIGHEST 18-49 RAT

CBS CONCLUDES THE TELEVISION YEAR WITH EIGHT OF THE WEEK’S TOP 10 SCRIPTED PROGRAMS The Premiere of “Survivor: Nicaragua” Wins its New Wednesday Time Period in Key Demos with Increases over Last Fall’s Premiere The Finale of “Big Brother” Posts Gains Versus Last Summer Two-Hour Marathon of “The Big Bang Theory” on Thursday Wins Every Half Hour in Viewers and Key Demos CBS had eight of the week’s top 10 scripted programs, the premiere of SURVIVOR: NICARAGUA won its new time period in key demos, the finale of BIG BROTHER was up from last summer’s finale and THE BIG BANG THEORY won every half hour of its two-hour Thursday marathon, according to Nielsen live plus same day ratings for the week ending Sept. 19 , the final week of the 2009-2010 television year.

Fox Wins Summer With #1 Show, #1 New Series And #1 Drama BY BILL GORMAN – SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 POSTED IN: NETWORK TV PRESS RELEASES via press release: FOX WINS SUMMER WITH #1 SHOW, #1 NEW SERIES AND #1 DRAMA With the complete Live + Same Day summer ratings in, FOX has officially won its sixth consecutive summer among Adults 18-49 (excluding Olympics). Led by HELL’S KITCHEN, the No. 1 series of the summer; MASTERCHEF, the No. 1 new series of the summer; and LIE TO ME, broadcast’s No. 1 drama this summer, FOX outperformed the next highest-rated network by +6% in the core adults demo and also won the summer among Adults 18-34 and Teens. Other FOX summer highlights include:

With NBC airing by far its best rated show ( Sunday Night Football ), while the competition was still mostly in summer mode, they had an easy time topping the primetime ratings in the final week of the year long “annual” broadcast primetime season, as opposed to the ~35 week long “traditional” broadcast season that ends in late May. CBS was reasonably close in second, helped by an NFL overrun into Sunday primetime, plus the premiere of Survivor and a strong finish by Big Brother during the week. Bad news for the combined English broadcasters. Their combined adults 18-49 ratings for the week were down 13% compared with week 52 last year. That’s primarily due to the fact that week a year ago included a pretty much complete NBC new fall line up including the highly rated premiere week of The Jay Leno Show . The network’s average viewership is charted in millions of viewers, just like we report all other average viewership information on the site, and adults 18-49 is charted as ratings po

With just one Monday Night Football game a week, ESPN is near guaranteed to top the weekly cable primetime ratings, but with the season opening MNF double header last week it was no contest at all. ESPN averaged a third more viewers than second place USA, and more than twice the adults 18-49. Expect ESPN to stay at or near the top of the cable ratings as long as football season continues. It could be challenged for a few weeks if TBS gets a good matchup/series during the baseball playoffs. Even two Monday Night Football games can only take up seven or eight hours of the cable programming week, SpongeBob Squarepants never sleeps , as Nickelodeon remained at the top of the total day average viewership rankings, although ESPN was a close enough second to see the pineapple. For the week’s top 25 individual cable programs click here. Prime-time Average Viewers (Live+SD) Week of September 13-19, 2010 Network (000s) ESPN 4,108 USA 2,996 DSNY 2,441 TNT 2,339 NAN 1,918 FOXN 1,914 HIST 1,