GadgetReview

Today, I read an article that made me question my own sanity.

I read all about the Liquid Image Scuba Series HD320, and when you hear what this is and connect it to earlier work, then you’re going to have a serious problem yourself.  Because by the time I finish talking about this you’ll wonder the same thing I did:  namely, maybe Thanko’s Underwater USB Camera wasn’t so lunatic after all.

The Liquid Image Scuba Series HD320, you see, is a diving facemask with a side-mounted HD video camera.  All you have to do is line up the crosshairs on the mask with the thing you want to photograph, then press the button on the mask to take the footage.  It’s the equivalent of a five megapixel camera and can go as far down as 115 feet.

You can get one of these beauties via West Marine for just $300, but there are lower cost versions available.

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When you think of General Electric, the first thing to spring to mind might be light bulbs, or possibly NBC.  But I doubt you think of portable ultrasound gadgets, and that’s a shame.  Because as it turns out, they’ve just invented one.

It’s called the GE VScan Portable Ultrasound, and soon, you too can be jumping from pregnant belly to pregnant belly, offering a sneak peek at Junior.  Hopefully you also know a good lawyer to boost you out of the looney bin if you actually try that.

But actually, this may be a pretty fair idea.  Think about the concept of an EMT with the ability to notice fluid around the heart in the ambulance ride to the hospital.  Cardiologists could have at their fingertips near-instant access to ultrasound gear instead of scheduling it at a larger facility.  And they could do this for far, FAR less money than the average ultrasound gear.

No word as yet on when this will be released, but it’s a pretty awesome idea when you come down to it.

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If you’ve been wanting a digital picture frame that’d really do the job, then you’re probably going to be interested in the HP Dreamscreen, a huge smart display that comes in both ten and thirteen inch diagonals, and will also play picture slideshows, videos, five day weather forecasts, updates from your Facebook friends, and music from Pandora.

You can even directly link the DreamScreen to your computer for easy movement of items.

These bad boys cost two hundred fifty bucks for the ten inch screen and three hundred bucks for the thirteen inch.  They’ll be in stores this October, and if you’ve got media you want exhibited, this could be just the way to go.

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It’s really, REALLY, hard to find a camera any more without an LCD display, so I was definitely shocked to find the OneShot camera, a camera so tiny that it’s about the same size, length and width, as your thumb.

There is no LCD display here.  No slots for flash memory, either.  But it apparently somehow manages to not only come with face detection, but also never need batteries.  This camera actually recharges like some of those flashlights you see–all you have to do is shake it.

The OneShot seems to not only run on a dynamo but also offers no expansions in memory.  This may be one of the weirdest cameras I’ve ever SEEN.

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Really?  Apparently not needing 3-D glasses to enjoy, the FujiFilm FinePix REAL 3D W1 camera won’t require anything more than a press of the shutter.  A 2.8-inch LCD on the back of the camera will display images in 3-D as soon as they are shot, and the camera is also capable of shooting good old fashioned 10 megaixel photos if you so choose.  The camera also features a 3x optical zoom as well as an “interval mode” that lets you shoot in 3-D while moving in a plane or another vehicle of your choosing.

Unfortunately, all these features don’t come cheap.  The FinePix REAL 3D W1 will cost around $940 US.  However, if this camera proves that quality 3-D images are capable, we will soon see that market develop and hopefully the price will go down.

I wonder what will this do for porn?

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As soon as I received the news that the 3.0 App Store was going to have parental ratings I started pressuring my smart friend to learn the development code.  This will be a goldmine for certain I was thinking.  Most recently however, the very first nude content app “Hottest Girls” has been removed from the US App Store.  Rated ages 17+ for “frequent/intense sexual content or nudity” and “frequent/intense mature/suggestive theme,” I love how it’s under the “lifestyle” category.  How true that is!  This undoubtedly marks something really big.  Can you imagine the power of what these types of apps will behold?

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Launching later this month Eye-Fi is releasing two new models: The Eye-Fi 4GB SDHC Share Video and the Eye-Fi 4GB SDHC Explore video.  These new models will effectively bring down the price of the original models to $49 for 2 GB Home and $59 for 2 GB Share.  The entry level Explore is being discontinued.  Also to be released soon will be an iPhone app that owners of Eye-Fi cards will be able to download for free.  The app will provide users the chance to send photos from their iPhones to the 25 Eye-Fi affiliated sharing sites.  Sounds pointless actually.  Here’s a quick rundown and pre order links:

Eye-Fi Share Video

• 4GB SDHC memory card with built-in Wi-Fi
• Effortlessly uploads JPG photos and videos to your computer
• Includes unlimited WebShare service to automatically upload to your favorite sharing website
• Compatible with SDHC-labeled cameras
• Pre Order for $79

Eye-Fi Explore Video

• 4GB SDHC memory card with built-in Wi-Fi
• Unlimited Geotagging
• WebShare to upload photos to online sharing site
• Hotspot Access for 1 year
• Wireless JPG photo and video uploads to computer and web
• Upload photos and videos wirelessly from over 10,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across the nation
• Compatible with SDHC-labeled cameras
• Pre Order for $99

[Electronista]

I’m no professional photographer, but the Ray Flash looks like one tasty piece of gear for anyone attending red carpet laden, celeb infested parties.  It works by attaching to a compatible hot shoe mounted flash, and redistributes its light in an even manner using ‘mirrors and internal light shapers’.  Best of all, it’s light weight and requires no external power source.

The Ray Flash is available in a variety of sizes for $200 and can be purchased here

[RedFerret]

What’s in a name? Everything, it would seem, when it comes to standing out in a crowd. Meet Motorola’s Rapture Cell phone designed specifically to appeal to the fickle demands Verizon Wireless customers.

The Motorola Rapture VU30 stands alone among a sea of imitators. Its unique design and jewel-tone color sets it apart from others of its ilk. This device supports Bluetooth A2DP-Source, AVCTP, AVDTP, AVRCP-Target, BIP-ImagePush, BPP-SenderDev, DUN-GW, FT-Server, GAP, GAVDP, Headset-AG, HFP (1.5) AG, OPP-Client and OPP-Server profiles.

As if by magic, with one single touch, the external on the Motorola Rapture VU30 vanishes and a display is illuminated for easy access to music and photos. Whether the user is in the mood to sync to a PC, capture a special moment in time, purchase songs over the air or download tunes, the Motorola Rapture VU30 is “at your service.” Its smooth zoom feature simulates the experience of a digital camera.

The Rapture’s onyx-like finish and beveled edges give it a sporty look that’s matched by a sturdy feel in the hand. Sleek and pleasing to the eye, the flip phone is only available in black, but its varied textures make it appear two-toned. The Motorola Rapture weighs only 3.4 ounces and is available with service through Motorola for $19.95.

Is this cool Motorola Rapture cell phone for you?

I would say get it now while the supply lasts.

[Mobiledia]

Ericsson of Sony Ericsson fame appears to be taking a new approach to towards the future of its cell phones. Instead of dreaming up new options in a never-ending quest to outdo the ‘cell phone Jones’s’, they seem more intent on improving the features already available.

Plans for 2012 are grandiose indeed, including first and foremost the inclusion of improved integrated cameras. Instead of opting for the more conventional 2 mega-pixels and even the 5-8 range, which is already pushing the envelope, they plan on having cameras equipped with 12 to 20 mega-pixels! While 12 may well be an acceptable goal, 20 is reaching quite high.

HD video recording is already a feature of digital imaging and adding this to the list of functionality for camera phones is well within reach. But Ericsson is determined to push the functionality aspect so that it equals that of the high-end camcorders of today. This would require a lot more storage for these phones. Ericsson is also focused on creating an extra speedy 1GHz processor and LTE100+ Mbps mobile broadband connection. It is hoped that along with these innovations which are known battery hogs, Ericsson is also thinking about power concerns as well.

Here’s to Ericsson’s innovations of the future!