Gadgets — photojunkie

iPod Touch, revisited

November 28, 2007 By photojunkie 7 Comments

So it wasn’t so long ago when I first wrote about the ipod Touch. And seriously, it’s been weighing on my mind for weeks and weeks now. Should I get one, or should I just sit here and lust for it for the next few months.

I suppose the answer would be clearer if I had a steady source of income, but for now all I can think about are the main ways it could help me stay organized and on track. One of the first things I noticed about the Touch was the fact that you couldn’t update your iCal on the device directly, but I know for a fact that there is an easy hack out their to fix that problem and I’ve seen it in action. The hack basically unlocks the device making it function like an iPhone without the phone or camera capabilities.

Luckily, I had a paying photoshoot today and have another on Friday. And I have a couple of backlogged invoices I need to send out, but with a exhibit next week and the holiday season here, other bills need to get paid first.

Filed Under: Apple Talk, Blog, Gadgets

Wii and Zoombox in Toronto

November 27, 2007 By photojunkie 2 Comments

Are you looking to buy a Wii for Christmas in Toronto?

Well if you are, you better already have it giftwrapped under the tree. If not, why not try Shoppers Drug Mart. I was in the Dupont and Spadina store earlier this evening and apparently Shoppers carry Wii now. I was very tempted to buy it and flip it on Craigslist, but I couldn’t be bothered. They had two in stock, so hurry up and pick one up.

Another cool gift idea for that spoiled tween, or grown up man-child of yours might be a Zoombox. I picked one up the other night at the Toys R Us on Steeles, just west of Yonge. Basically, I wanted a cheap projector. According to reviews, they are pretty fun, but you must watch them in dark rooms (like really dark rooms). Where else can you get a projector for $150 bucks? Strangely enough these puppies are listed at $399 US on amazon. I guess with the rate of conversion from US to Canadian Dollar, that makes it even.

Bonus Points if someone can track me down a copy of Guitar Hero for the Wii.

Filed Under: Blog, Button Mash This, Gadgets

LG Shine Photos

November 27, 2007 By photojunkie 2 Comments

This photo has been edited for the web

So I’m currently playing around with an LG 8700 (LG Shine) cellphone. Basically, I wanted to see how acceptable the camera was on the phone, it’s not connected to my provider, so I have no idea what the reception is like.

In any case, I’ve uploaded some of the pictures to a set on flickr.

I figured since we all take liberties editing our photos before we post them online. I figured I would give this device the same liberties. The photo in this post has been adjusted for colour and perspective. The photos in the flickr set however were not editted.

Filed Under: Blog, Gadgets, Photography

iPodium

November 27, 2006 By photojunkie 17 Comments

So since I picked up a 30 gig iPod a few weeks back, I’ve been on the hunt for some speakers, so I could play the iPod at work. Sure regular computer speakers could work, but I thought it would be nice to have speakers that also doubled as a docking station. Of course, generally these don’t come cheap and are a lot more high tech, meaning it’s not something I would want to leave at work. Most decent ones were over $100 which was more then I really wanted to pay for.

This week however, while browsing through the Canadian Tire flyer, I noticed they had a special on a speaker dock called iPodium by Astone. The price $29.99 which was just in my range.

So on Saturday, I went to the local Canadian Tire and picked up one. At first I was worried that they might be sold out, because the flyer touted that there would be limited quantities. I wanted to wake up early, but after an evening of playing on the Wii any hopes of that happening were smashed. So I headed over in the late afternoon. The large number of Christmas shoppers worried me as I entered the store. But once I was over at the electronic section, there were plenty to be had.

Let me say, I was totally impressed by the speakers. Sure they weren’t anything highend but the sound was decent, the price was right and I actually think I got a lot of bang for my buck. To top things off, there is both a iPod attachment as well as a PSP attachment. So you can dock either type of device. The speaker dock also comes equipped with a remote which allows you to adjust the volume as well as browse through your iPod menu (I am unsure if the remote works with a PSP, it’s untested). Let me say, I’m very tempted to go back and pick one up for home use.

It’s a definite pick for “Deal of the Week” and would make the perfect little Christmas Gift.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if Canadian Tire donated one to my contest.

Filed Under: Gadgets

LG Canada’s Chocolate Launch

November 3, 2006 By photojunkie 1 Comment

Last night, we attended the official launch of LG Canada’s new Chocolate line of mobile phones. The first of the series, the LG 8500, will be hitting the market today through TelusMobility, with the other models being available through the other major Canadian carriers in late November. The phone itself is a sleek slider type that’s damn sexy. I almost wish I waited the extra couple of months before I got my phone.

The launch was also coupled with a runway show of Montreal based designer Shan, who debuted her Spring 2007 collection of swimwear and lingerie. With over 20 years of experience, Chantel Leveque’s designs were clean and sexy which made it a perfect date for the Chocolate phones.

If you are in Toronto, you can check out Shan’s retail space at 38 Avenue Road in the Yorkville area, but we are talking couture here so don’t let the sticker shock get to you.

After much food and drink we topped off the night by saying hello to the MC of the event Star TV’s Larysa Harapyn. Let me just say that she looks gorgeous in person and is so warm and personable.

Filed Under: Blog, Gadgets

Nokia Frenzy in Toronto

July 10, 2006 By photojunkie 3 Comments

So this weekend I bumped into Eli, Sameer (shown above) and Tanya, who were all reciepients of the Nokia 6682 seeding campaign.

The phone is so pretty, in a feminine kinda way, especially with it’s pearly finish. It’s a tad on the heavy size, but that just means it’s well built, right? And from what I have seen, it takes decent pictures, if the light is decent. In lower light, not so much.

On of my favorite shots so far from the cameraphone is this one taken by Jill of a son and his mother. Also check out Jeremy’s set of 25 on flickr.

Also check out Blaine’s full review of the phone on his site.

Filed Under: Blog, Gadgets, GTABloggers, Toronto

‘Anti-Camera’ device in the works

June 20, 2006 By photojunkie Leave a Comment

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a prototype device that would block unwanted digital photography.

Basically, the technology searches for the retroreflective (means that is relfects light back to the source) CCDs from digital video and still cameras and neutralizes them with a beam of light, which would overwhelm the CCD.

It seems that the primary usage of this technology would be for movie theatres where piracy has become an international problem. Of course, the applications are endless.

The drawback is that this technology would have no affect on digital SLRs because of the nature of their construction, with their CCD sensors only being exposed when the picture is being taken and with any film cameras.

What they don’t discuss is the permanence of the neutralization process. It is unclear in the article whether the technology temporarily disables the recording device or permanently breaks it.

This of course could lead to many arguements regarding our civil freedoms. It should be interesting to see where this goes in the future.

Filed Under: Blog, Gadgets, Photography

Digital Viewfinders for your Digital and Film SLRs

May 17, 2006 By photojunkie 5 Comments

I think that one of the biggest things people noticed when they transition from a point and shoot digital camera to a digital SLR is the lack of real time viewing on their LCD screens. Luckily, I was into photography well before the digital revolution, so it was really no surprise for me to adjust to.

The fine folks over Argraph corporation have come up with a solution for this problem with the Zigview and Zigview-R. Basically they have created the world’s first LCD attachment that connects to the camera via the viewfinder.

Filed Under: Blog, Canon Talk, Gadgets, Photography

iPod Touch, revisited

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