Earlier this year Cisco killed the Flip.  After all, all it could do was record HD video, and not any better than a smartphone.  So it’s relatively safe to assume that category of device is all together extinct, right?  Wrong.  Today, 3M released the CP45.

This pocket friendly device combines an HD camcorder and a projector in one.  It can record up to 720p HD video, 5 megapixel still photos and includes an LED flash for night time shots.  Built-in memory caps at 2GB but that can be increased by adding a microSD card slot.  In addition to a 2.4-inch LCD screen, it can project an 800×600 image ranging from 10-inch to 65-inches in size on any surface with a brightness of 20 lumens. So it ain’t ultra bright, but should suffice for showing off pics or video, provided of course you’ve got a dark room.  Unfortunately, battery life (it’s rechargeable) is rather limited, allowing you to project images up to 100 minutes, which doesn’t account for video recording or photo capturing.

The 3M CP45 is available now for $299.  Of note, you can buy Nikon’s S1100 for about $200.

4 out of 5 stars

Originally designed and engineered to work with an Apple iPhone 3Gs , the Tiffen Steadicam Smoothee has filled the need for stabilizing video shot with mobile smartphones and pocket cameras. The Smoothee’s design is based on the same Steadicam technology used regularly in Hollywood and with handheld video cameras stabilizers like the Steadicam Merlin.

Selling for about $180, the Smoothee helps smartphone and pocket camcorder users improve their results by smoothing out any camera shake where movement takes place while capturing the moment. The Smoothee can be used with the Apple iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 (and now, iPhone 4S), the iPod Touch, and the Flip Mino pocket video cameras. Tiffen has also hinted at additional model compatibility planned which will make it advantageous for users of such cameras like the GoPro HD and Android users who would like to have a mobile stabilizer to help smooth out their video clips.

But while Tiffen claims that the Smoothee can be used right out of the box with great results , it requires some set up which may cause new users to feel frustrated with the learning curve. Here’s a few thoughts we have on the Smoothee and how well it works…

Setup

Tiffen says the Smoothee can easily be used to get perfect results “right out of the box and on the go.” But the Smoothee must be balanced and leveled once an iPhone or Flip camera is installed. Thankfully, that’s what the trim knobs on the side and back are for.  They perform this function well and there isn’t a shifting of weights to accomplish this balancing act. And every time you switch out cameras for a different model, you will have to re-trim the device.

Practice Technique

Additionally, the Smoothee does need some practice to refine the technique needed to control it and to prevent the camera from drifting on the gimble.   There are at least 3 different ways that you can control the Smoothee – one handed, one handed with the gimble resting between finger and thumb, and two handed.  Your mileage may vary as to which will work best, but once you have your technique down, with practice the drift is sure to be a thing of the past. It’s a very good idea to read the manual completely, watch some of the online videos, and then go out and do plenty of practicing before taking the Smoothee on vacation or for a family gathering.

Additional thoughts

A few thoughts on the custom Smoothee cradles …. it’s obvious that iPhones don’t come with a tripod mount natively, requiring some sort of cradle option to mount it on the Smoothee.  And the Smoothee’s cradle works really well. But the custom cradle for the Mino and other compact cameras (which sell for about $25 a piece) strike me as simply an attempt to make users buy more accessories. Cameras that already have a tripod mount could easily benefit from a universal, quick release mount, which is the accepted standard on tripods everywhere. And since today’s point and shoot cameras are rivaling camcorders with quality 1080p video, Tiffen is shortchanging customers by not having a point and shoot option.  That’s too bad.

The Steadicam Smoothee is a great mobile device, but it isn’t foldable, making it a challenge to pack when traveling. The ergonomic gimble handle can be stowed into travel position, but that doesn’t make the Smoothee any smaller in the suitcase.  And users hoping to push the envelope, and opt for a camcorder or DSLR, will need to spend a bit more and invest in the Steadicam Merlin as the Smoothee simply isn’t designed or balanced for anything outside the mobile arena.

Even with its quirks the Steadicam Smoothee can help video fans take better video by removing any camera shake when trying to capture a moment on the go. And with patient practice, it’s likely that even by pulling it out of the case, a user will be able to get a balanced, steady image, with a quick turn of a knob. But if you’re expecting to get instant results out of the box, you may be in for a frustrating beginning.

Pros:

• robust design
• balancing trim knobs
• works as advertised

Cons:

• Proprietary cradles, no universal camera mount
• learning curve
• a bit pricey ($189)

Final rating:  Even though it has some drawbacks, they aren’t deal breakers by any means, so we give the Smoothee a rating of 4/5 stars.

You can buy the Steadicam Smoothee at Amazon for $179.95.

Beach Camera on eBay has an exciting low price on this FLIP PURE Digital M2120M 8GB Camcorder which is now only $79.95 + Free Shipping = $79.95!

If you’re in the lookout for a camcorder which can get all footage on the go wherever you happen to be then this is the one for you! This Flip Pure 2nd Generation Portable Camcorder comes lighter and smaller than ever. It’s designed from the ground up to simplify your experience while allowing you to take it on anywhere with its thin pocket size. It allows you to record High Definition 720p video for up to 2 hours at a time at 30fps which is made possible by its internal 8GBs of memory. To make matters easier it’s all controlled via the colorful 2-Inch display and transferring video over is as easy as pulling out the swivel USB connector and plugging it into any PC or Mac no matter where you are.

Amazon is offering a brand new discount on this Flip Video MinoHD M3160S 4GB Flash Memory Camcorder which now costs only $129 – $30.23 Instant Discount + Free Shipping = $98.77!

If you’re looking for the most portable and feature packed video camera ever then don’t overlook this new discount! The Flip MinoHD mini camcorder allows you to instantly record 720p High Definition quality videos anywhere you go. It even includes 4GBs of internal flash memory which allows you to record up to an hour at a time so no additional memory is needed. Image stabilization keeps all of your videos steady and crystal clear and with the compact 2.0-Inch display and easy to use controls you just need to power it on and you can instantly start recording. It includes FlipShare software to quickly upload your content anywhere you like and a USB flip-out arm to instantly connect to any PC or Mac computer instantly.

MacMall via eBay has a very special discount available for this Cisco Flip SlideHD S1240W-REF 16GB Video Camera (refurbished) which is priced at just $229 – $113.01 + Free Shipping = $115.99!

If you’re looking for a fun new way to record every important family moment then check out this innovative new camera! The Cisco Flip Video Camera gives you a fun new way to record by sliding. Once you slide it open it reveals a large 3.0-Inch LCD screen housed in a super slim device you can take anywhere. It records video at High Definition 720p at 30 frames per second for superior quality to keep every moment. And with 16Gbs of Internal storage space you can record up to 4 hours of video at once and once they are optimized with SlideHD you can hold 12 hours of video at once and watch anywhere right on the built-in display.

Say goodbye to Cisco’s line of Flip Camcorders.  Yesterday, the company announced that they would discontinue the production of their handy, pocket sized camcorders.  Their official statement is that  they “will exit aspects of its consumer businesses and realign the remaining consumer business to support four of its five key company priorities — core routing, switching and services; collaboration; architectures; and video.”

We’re not surprised to hear this news.  In fact we’re a bit astonished it didn’t come sooner in light of the proliferation of smartphones, competitors and media players that sport high resolution camera sensors that can record full HD video in a comparable if not better quality.

According to Engadget, up to 550 employees will be let go.

Looks like Flip got out while the going was good.  In Spring 2009 they sold the company to Cisco for an all stock deal that was valued at $590 million.

Cisco Restructures Consumer Business

SAN JOSE, CA–(Marketwire – April 12, 2011) – As part of the company’s comprehensive plan to align its operations, Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) today announced that it will exit aspects of its consumer businesses and realign the remaining consumer business to support four of its five key company priorities — core routing, switching and services; collaboration; architectures; and video. As part of its plan, Cisco will:

* Close down its Flip business and support current FlipShare customers and partners with a transition plan.
* Refocus Cisco’s Home Networking business for greater profitability and connection to the company’s core networking infrastructure as the network expands into a video platform in the home. These industry-leading products will continue to be available through retail channels.
* Integrate Cisco umi into the company’s Business TelePresence product line and operate through an enterprise and service provider go-to-market model, consistent with existing business TelePresence efforts.
* Assess core video technology integration of Cisco’s Eos media solutions business or other market opportunities for this business.

“We are making key, targeted moves as we align operations in support of our network-centric platform strategy,” said John Chambers, Cisco chairman and CEO. “As we move forward, our consumer efforts will focus on how we help our enterprise and service provider customers optimize and expand their offerings for consumers, and help ensure the network’s ability to deliver on those offerings.”

In connection with the changes to the consumer business, it is anticipated that Cisco will recognize restructuring charges to its GAAP financial results, with an aggregate pre-tax impact not expected to exceed $300 million during the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2011. The charges will be disclosed in upcoming earnings conference calls and quarterly Form 10-Q filings. Additionally, the company expects this will result in a reduction of approximately 550 employees in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.

It’s $148.88 – instant savings + no S&H = $99!

They’ve got it for $129.99 + $6.95 S&H = $136.94!

We didn’t cover it, but Cisco released new Flip cameras yesterday. They include a new port (the FlipPort) on the bottom for adding 3rd party accessories.  Today, Scosche announced the first one.

It’s called the freedomMIC and includes two pieces: a Bluetooth dongle that plugs into the bottom of the camera and a wireless (over Bluetooth) lavalier condenser mic with noise cancellation.  So, much like a reporter you can now record your talent’s voice in crystal clear clarity.  We just don’t know what that means in terms of ambient sound.  Does the Flip Ultra 2 simultaneously record audio to its built-in mic?

The freedomMIC has a 4 hour run time, works up to 100 feet and will arrive this December for $100.

The new mic is the company’s first Designed for Flip Certified product

Oxnard, CA, – September 21, 2010 – Scosche Industries, an award-winning innovator of iPad, iPhone, iPod and now Flip video camera accessories, is proud to announce its first Designed for Flip certified product – freedomMIC™ lavaliere mic for the Flip UltraHD 2 HR/8 GB video camera. The Scosche freedomMIC receiver plugs directly into the UltraHD’s FlipPort™, which will come standard on all future flip video camera models, to provide users with the ability to wirelessly record high quality audio to accompany the Flip’s HD recording capabilities.

The freedomMIC features a high performance condenser microphone with DSP noise cancellation. Users can also wirelessly control record and stop functions remotely from the microphone/transmitter. The wireless system operates on Bluetooth Class 1 technology and provides up to 100 feet of wireless range. The complete system features the wireless transmitter and the microphone that that clips directly to the subject.

The freedomMIC is powered by rechargeable lithium ion batteries in both transmitter and receiver, which provide up to 4 hours of recording time. The receiver also features a pass-through tripod mount for securing the receiver to the camera and retaining the ability to use a tripod.

The Designed for Flip initiative teams Flip Video with leading companies in multiple product segments to provide a wide selection of general purpose and specialized products for both current and future Flip video cameras.

The freedomMIC will be available at scosche.com/flip/ and from retailers that selling the new Flip cameras that feature the new FlipPort line in mid to late December 2010 for $99.99 MSRP.

Follow Scosche at twitter.com/scosche or facebook.com/scosche for the latest news on the freedomMIC and all of Scosche’s award-winning products.

The deal is $169.99 – 20% coupon (W4GLR0JCD50M3F) + free S&H = $135.99!

Don’t forget the coupon: W4GLR0JCD50M3F (expires: 9/23)

It’s $199.99 – $50 instant savings – $5 coupon (MUA5014) + $0 S&H = $144.99!

COUPON: MUA5014 expires 8/31!

It’s $185.99 – $37 (Coupon: EMCYTNR78) + free shipping = $148.99!

Coupon: EMCYTNR78 expires 6/30!

Cisco made the Flip SlideHD official today and it is now on sale for $280.  It’s basically a Flip UltraHD or Flip MinoHD (we reviewed) with a touch resistive screen and additional memory – now 16GB, which means 4 hours of 720p video recording.  They’ve also squeezed in a headphone jack on top of the HDMI output that existed in the previous model.  And let’s not forget the now larger 3-inch screen that slides open to reveal a capacitive touch navigation bar.  That’s right, the SlideHD is devoid of any physical control buttons and has now been replaced by a set of on screen controls that mimic the Flip HD’s layout.

Read

Thanks to a tipster, we now know that Cisco is set to release a new Flip called the Slide HD.  Based on the pics alone it appears to include a similar form factor as previous Flips, but when rotated to a landscape mode can be slid open.  What lies beneath the screen is still unknown, but as you can see the display has grown drastically in size.  Video resolution is still capped at 720p with a total of 16GB of memory for recording up to 4 hours of video.

Expect the official release any day now.

Read