Creative’s latest point-and-shoot camcorder has emerged, and though the feature list isn’t exactly overwhelming it’s a decent update over the second-gen version.  The new Creative Vado HD still grabs 720p high-definition footage but now the company are claiming improved low-light and bright-light performance together with out-of-the-box compatibility with both PCs and Macs.

There’s also more choice in terms of connectivity, with a freshly added stereo microphone port and headphones connector.  The Vado HD will also now take still photos, and can be used in a motion-activated mode.  HDMI connectivity, a pull-out USB cord and a wide-angle lens are still present, though the 8GB model appears to have been canned in favor of the 4GB version, which can store up to 120 minutes of HD footage or 7,000 still photos.

Most obviously, the somewhat bland casing of the previous versions has been replaced with a choice of glossy black or white, with red, blue and purple to follow.  It’ll be available to preorder imminently, priced at $179.99.

Press Release:

CREATIVE UNVEILS ELEGANT NEW DESIGN WITH THIRD GENERATION VADO HD

Creative, a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, today announced the chic third generation Vado HD Pocket Video Cam, combining a sleek design with stunning HD video quality.

“We’ve won prestigious awards and accolades for the great performance, ease of use and compact form of our Vado HD cameras. The third generation Vado HD brings a cool new design and adds additional features to the already award-winning feature set. The design looks so cool people will stop you on the street and ask you where you got it,” said Steve Erickson, VP and GM for audio and video at Creative.

Building on the great features the Vado HD line is already known for, such as HDMI out and a wide-angle lens, the third generation Vado HD adds important additional features:

• Improved quality of video in low light or brightly lit conditions with manual exposure adjustments
• External stereo microphone support for better audio recording
• Headphone output for private listening
• Motion Detection Mode enables users to program the camera to begin recording as soon as motion is detected
• Out-of-the box Mac and PC compatibility
• Still Photo Capture Mode

The third generation Vado HD also features new Vado Central 3.0 software with more instant web uploading capabilities and integrated editing options. Users can simply select one-click uploading to a number of popular social media sites, including Facebook and YouTube, and their videos will be ready to view or share in a matter of minutes. For users who don’t want their videos to be shared publicly, videos can be uploaded to KinKast via one-click uploading and then those services offer a variety of other features, including an email invite option for a more private viewing experience. Simple video editing capabilities enable users to edit videos directly in Vado Central 3.0. For more advanced editing options, users can edit videos in other editing programs, including iMovie and Movie Maker.

The third generation Vado HD with better compression can still hold up to 120 minutes of HD quality video or up to 7,000 still photos in 4GB of onboard storage. The removable rechargeable battery provides more than two hours of recording or viewing. Users can easily recharge the battery via the flexible, pull-out USB cable, with no additional cables required. Extra batteries and a wall plug-in battery charger are also available.

Pricing and Availability

The 4GB third generation Vado HD is available in black or white and is available for pre-order from www.amazon.com and www.us.creative.com for US$179.99. For more information about the complete line of Creative Vado Pocket Video Cams and Vado Pocket Video Cam accessories visit www.us.creative.com.

• Creative Vado HD 720p $200 camcorder up for preorder
• Creative Vado point-and-shoot budget camcorder
• Flip Mino camcorder landing June 4th
• Creative Vado HD Gets Upgraded With Memory, Mac Support, and New Colors
• DXG launch 567V $179 high-def camcorder to take on Flip Mino

The rest is here:
Creative Vado HD camcorder boosts low-light performance

Nokia have outed two new budget sliders with a strong emphasis on media sharing, the Nokia 6700 Slide and the Nokia 7230.  The 6700 Slide packs a 5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, together with onboard editing software, while the 7230 gets a more modest 3.2-megapixel camera.

Both have 3G for high-speed uploads (though only according to the press release; the 7230 data sheet only mentions EDGE), and integration with various (unspecified) social networks that we’re expecting to include Nokia’s own Ovi system and probably Facebook and MySpace.  The 6700 Slide has a 2.2-inch QVGA 16.7m color display, FM radio, mediaplayer and microSD card slot, while the 7230 has a 2.4-inch display.

Both handsets are expected to arrive in Q1 2010, with the Nokia 6700 Slide priced at around €160 ($239) and the Nokia 7230 at €100 ($150) (both pre-tax and pre-subsidy).  Each will be available in various colors.

Press Release:

Fresh looks and smart features: new Nokia 6700 slide and Nokia 7230 unveiled
November 24, 2009

Espoo, Finland – Nokia today unveiled two new 3G slider phones, the Nokia 6700 slide and Nokia 7230, made for the design-conscious consumer and optimized for socializing and sharing with those closest to you.

Available in various fresh colors, with great imaging features and quick access to popular social networking communities, the Nokia 6700 slide and Nokia 7230 make a real style statement.

Both devices are expected to become available in the first quarter of 2010, and the retail prices before taxes and subsidies are anticipated to be EUR 160 for the Nokia 6700 slide, and EUR 100 for the Nokia 7230.

Nokia 6700 slide – Capture and share quickly and easily
With a choice of six fresh and vivid colors – pink, red, petrol blue, aluminum, lime and purple – this slimline slider is sure to turn heads. Its compact size, modern design and aluminum finish feels great in the hand, and fits perfectly even in the smallest pocket or bag.

The smart capabilities of the Nokia 6700 slide are beautifully easy to use: The 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics is perfect for capturing and sharing moments as they happen. Favorite images can be edited on the go and uploaded to the web directly from the camera menu. The device’s high speed 3G connectivity ensures your favorite communities are always as close as your Nokia 6700 slide.

Nokia 7230 – Share in style
Being connected has never looked so good. The Nokia 7230’s compact slide design, colorful looks and solid set of features are a package that offers great value for money.

Sharing special moments and joy with friends and family is effortless, thanks to the 3.2 megapixel camera, large 2.4″ display and fast 3G connectivity. With the Nokia 7230 in your pocket, you also have quick access to email, instant messaging and social networks on the go, and the subtle illumination indicates if you have missed calls or messages from your friends.

• Nokia 6790 Surge (aka Mako) caught on video
• Nokia 2700 classic, 6700 classic and 6303 classic announced
• Nokia 6760 Slide is Europe’s AT&T Surge
• Phlash, you’re on camera
• Nokia 12-megapixel cameraphones with optical zoom in 2010?

Continued here:
Nokia 6700 Slide and 7230 budget cameraphones outed

Google has obviously tired of waiting for handset manufacturers to push out Android 2.0 to existing handsets before users can play with the Google Maps Navigation beta, and as such has released the turn-by-turn software for Android 1.6 devices.  Available now in the Android Market, Google Maps Navigation for Android 1.6 delivers the same topographical layers, voice guidance and automatic rerouting as we found so useful on the Motorola DROID.

Unfortunately not all the functionality has made it across.  One of the more obvious missing features is the “navigate to” voice command shown in the demo video below; instead, Google suggest creating shortcuts to specific locations – such as your home or workplace – which can be placed directly onto the Android desktop.

As before, only US Android users have access to the Navigation beta; those outside of the country will have to wait until Google see fit to extend their testing.  If you’re in the US and you have a device such as the T-Mobile myTouch 3G or the G1, you can download Google Maps Navigation now.

[via Xatakamovil]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

• Google Maps Navigation beta for Android 2.0: turn-by-turn, Car UI, more [Video]
• GSM Motorola MILESTONE lacks turn-by-turn in Android 2.0 Maps [Update: Confirmed]
• HTC Hero Android 2.0 update confirmed in works
• Google “doing exactly what Microsoft did” says angry GPS app dev
• Rubin confirms 18-20 Android phones on sale by end of year

See original here:
Android 1.6 phones get Google Maps Navigation beta

If you like your software homebrewed with just a hint of alpha then boy do we have an app for you. The WebOS homebrew community just released Precorder; an app that lets your Palm Pre record audio and 30fps 480×320 pixel video in H.264/AVC format — you can can even control the built-in LED for recording in low-light situations. Unfortunately, there’s no video preview presented while recording but hey, it’s alpha software bro… and it’s free. Check a video sample after the break.

Continue reading Palm Precorder brings video recording homebrew to the Pre

Palm Precorder brings video recording homebrew to the Pre originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’ve found yourself somewhat irked by the Kindle’s lackluster organizing abilities, you clearly aren’t alone. A post by The Kindle Team over on Facebook has made clear that Amazon is aware of the shortcoming, and it’s currently toiling away on a “better way to organize your growing Kindle libraries.” No details are given about the forthcoming solution, but the team does confess that it’ll be released as an over-the-air update “in the first half of next year.” Huzzah?

[Thanks, Anthony]

Amazon promises update to better ‘organize Kindle libraries’ originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Immediate obsolescence is an age old problem in the computer industry, but it doesn’t look like the upcoming Core i9 “Gulftown” processor is going to do anything to solve it. Word is from early benchmarks of the upcoming Intel processor is that it bests the current Core i7 at the top of the heap with speed gains as large as 50% — directly in line with its addition of two cores on top of the Core i7’s existing four. Of course, six 2.8GHz cores aren’t quite as exponentially helpful when applied to non-optimized tasks, but with most major modern software development aimed at better utilizing multiple cores, the core overkill of Core i9 will likely prove increasingly useful over time. At the start, however, Core i9’s improvements will come at a premium: 130W power consumption instead of 95W in Core i7, and of course a high-end only price tag to match. Word is we’ll be seeing these chips hit the market in early 2010, possibly as soon as January.

Early Core i9 benchmarks promising, make you wonder why you even bothered with Core i7 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Though OraBrush doesn’t say exactly how its app detects bad breath, this piece of software will definitely be a conversation piece when out with friends. Plus, you can “easily post the hilarious responses of any breath test on Facebook or Twitter for other friends to enjoy.” Video after the break.

Original post:
Free iPhone App Detects Bad Breath

In financial news, HP delivered something positive today. The fourth quarter has been a good one, with HP reporting a net income of $2.4 billion, in comparison to the $2.1 billion they reported last year. It’s nice to see some good news for a change.

HP has given credit to their Services division for the profits, despite a decline in software, imaging, and printing revenue. HP is also optimistic about 1Q 2010, and predicting earnings of $0.90 to $0.92 cents a share.

Read the rest here:
HP announces 4Q profits, and the news is good

Google Maps Navigation, even if it’s not perfect, was one of the juiciest features of Android 2.0. Today, Google’s finally set it free: It’s now available for any phone with Android 1.6 Donut, including the G1 and MyTouch 3G.

The download is live in the App Market—just grab the newest version of Maps, and Nav is included—and Google’s free turn-by-turn navigation software is mostly identical to the version found on the Droid. Mostly:

Some features of Android 2.0 are not available on Android 1.6, for example, the ability to use the “navigate to” voice command as shown in our demo video. However, you can still create a shortcut that will allow you to launch Navigation and start getting directions to a specific place from your current location with just a single touch from your home screen. For example, you can create a “Home” shortcut to quickly navigate home, no matter where you are. Just use the “Add” menu item from the home screen, then choose “Shortcuts”, then “Directions.” Please visit our forum to give us feedback, or our Help Center to get help using Google Maps Navigation.

Still though, free turn-by-turn for all, unless you have a Hero or one of Samsung’s ditties, for which you are permitted to make one (1) extremely sad face. Let us know how it works in the comments. [Google]

See the original post here:
Google Maps Navigation Hits the G1, MyTouch, All Other 1.6 Handsets [Android]

We’ve reviewed a fair few MIMO secondary displays – the original 7-inch USB panels back in November 2008, and then more recently the touchscreen 720-S – and now the company has another on offer.  The MIMO iMo Pivot is being billed as the cheapest (sorry, “most inexpensive”) touchscreen mini-monitor so far, coming in at $199.99.

As with its siblings, the iMo Pivot has a 7-inch 800 x 480 LCD panel and gets both power and signal via a USB connection and the DisplayLink software.  Rather than a fixed stand there’s a ball-and-joint system, but the iMo can also be detached and used with its simple flip-out kickstand too.

Screen specs are 350cd/m2 brightness and 400:1 contrast, but at the end of the day this is a convenience monitor rather than something you’d want to do your primary computing or media consumption on.  Think separate IM, Twitter and email window rather than anything else.

Press Release:

New 7″ LCD iMo Pivot Touchscreen Monitor Now Available with Free Shipping and Free MIMO Care Package at mimomonitors.com

Latest from mimomonitors.com is the Most Inexpensive Touchscreen Mini-Monitor on the Market Today; Device Features Full 360 Degree Maneuverability for Optimum Viewing

mimomonitors.com, the leading online retailer of the MIMO family of USB-based 7″ mini-monitors, has added the revolutionary iMo Pivot Touch to its roster of cutting-edge displays. Available for an amazingly affordable price of $199.99, the iMo Pivot Touch is the first touchscreen monitor on the market to dip below $200 — allowing consumers to experience full touchscreen capability at a very low price.

Featuring a fully pivoting ball-and-joint 7″ LCD screen, the iMo Pivot Touch sets a new standard in affordability, earning the title of most inexpensive touchscreen monitor on the market today. The device — which is also fully detachable from its stand and can operate in stand-alone mode – boasts 800