Photo Courtesy of Apple

Today Apple made magic happen. It wasn’t with the announcement of a new product, but rather an introduction of the newly updated iPod Touch. The new Touch was shown along with the iPod nano With Multi-Touch Interface, the fourth generation iPod shuffle and the smaller, faster Apple TV with a $99 price tag. All of the new products are attention grabbing gadgets, but the new iPod Touch has got the refinements and additions I’ve writing about since Day One when the first Touch was launch.

First the new iPod Touch has added the camera it sorely needed plus added on another forward camera facing to make video conferencing and chat with the FaceTime software. The rear facing camera can capture VGA quality photographs and 720p HD video in H.264 format at 30 frames per second (fps). The front facing camera delivers VGA-quality photos and video up to 30 fps. To edit the video on the iPod Touch you can download to a computer or add the iMovie app for $4.99 and you can edit your HD video on the spot.

Apple’s makeover did not stop with the camera upgrade. The next and probably the most important improvement is the microprocessor has been swapped out for the new Apple A4. Apple A4 is a package on package (PoP) system-on-a-chip (SoC) designed by Apple and manufactured by Samsung. It combines an ARM based CPU with a PowerVR graphics processing unit (GPU) with an emphasis on power efficiency. No clock speed was mentioned of available during the announcement, but the A4 chip in the iPad and iPhone 4 has a published speed rating of 1 gigahertz (GHz). The chip’s “Hummingbird” core was designed by Intrinsity (now part of Apple) and Samsung and is able to reach higher speeds (read Overclocking) and still remain true to Cortex-A8 provided by ARM.

The video quality on the previous Touch iPods has always been outstanding, but when the units were used as an eBook reader it cause a little eye fatigue. Apple future proofed the video with the new Retina display that packs 960 x 640 pixels at 326 pixels per inch for pixels which is four times the dpi of prior iPod Touch displays. The pixels are so small that it is nearly impossible for the bare eye to see where one pixel ends and the next begins under normal viewing. The results are razor-sharp and colors are strikingly vivid. The Retina LCD with LED backlit screen draws less battery power than the previous models.

The last highlight I’ll touch on is the addition of social gaming to the upcoming iPhone Operating System (iOS) 4.1 release. Second, Third and Fourth Generation iPod Touch model will see Game Center app on their home screens. In the Game Center users can sign-in with their Apple ID and start playing in solo, one on one or league play. Players are also able to invite or challenge their friends (with an iOS4.1 device) to play along.

The Game Center is sign that Apple realizes that games, especially gaming in the social environment is a huge market. Mobile gaming has been around for many years with Nintendo being the market leader, but Apple has two advantages over the Nintendo’s DS model – 1.) instant access to purchase new games and 2.) more ways for player interact. A year from now we may be talking about Apple as the market leader in the mobile and social game sectors. In the Christmas 2010 ad cycle be prepared to be bombarded with iPod Touch ads with prominent gaming images. On the plus side the most expensive games on the iOS 4.1 system is still 75% than buying a Nintendo DS game.

Overall I think the new iPod Touch is as about as perfect as it gets for an all-in-one gizmo. It surfs the Internet, handles e-mail, records videos, takes photographs (not at a resolution I would like), rent or purchase major release movies in HD that you can watch anywhere, allows voice and video conversations without an expensive cellular contract, runs hundreds of thousands of programs that range from word processing to niche areas like collecting comic books, has both WiFi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity and much more. Having a starting price of $229.99 it is cheaper than a laptop and far more portable. There are still a few tweaks I’d love to see, but for now the 4th go-around of the Touch will keep you productive and entertained until more features arrive.

Android it’s time to get in the portable touch entertainment sector.

It’s no secret I like Google products and services and use nearly all the offerings regularly. Two of my favorites are Gmail and Voice. Now Google has married the duo so that users can make a phone call while they are in Gmail to any phone number. The service is free to numbers in the United States and Canada, for other countries there will a per minute charge starting 2¢ a minute.

This really a smooth integration of voice calling into e-mail or other Internet-based service. One improvement I wished Google would add is to allow phone calls to be made from Google Docs.

Google Videochat comes the Penguin

Another product Google tweaked was in the Google Videochat. After a two-year wait Videochat has come to Linux. Currently it is only in a Deb package with support for other distributions soon. I’m a long time Red Hat/Fedora Project user, so I am eagerly waiting for the RPM

Today was a busy day for Nikon USA. In addition to announcing four new lenses to the NIkkor line they also unveiled the new entry-level digital single lens reflex (DSLR) the Nikon D3100.

The newest Nikon is a replacement for the D3000.  The D3100 boast a 14.2-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor with the new EXPEED 2™ image processing engine and captures full HD video in 1080p at 24fps.

Two features the stayed with the D3100 from the D3000 are the Guide Mode and 11-point autofocus system. Both were excellent features especially at the price point the D3000 and D3100 come in at.

I really like the D3100. It packs a lot of features users have asked for and manages to come in $200 less than its closest competitor the Canon Rebel T2i. read more…

The new AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Nikon U.S.A. sent word that four new lenses will joining the Nikkor line-up. The announcement marks a milestone of seven new lenses Nikon has brought to market any single year. The new AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR, AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, AF-S 24-120mm f/4G ED VR and AF-S 85mm f/1.4G lenses offer a range of versatility, performance and price that will fit into any photographers needs and budget.

Photography and more importantly digital photography is changing daily; The new lenses are Nikon’s answer to the changing needs of today’s shooters who demand razor sharp images with faithful color reproduction in their still photographs or critical focus and depth of field for the HD video recorded with the newest Nikon DSLRs. The of the new lenses have Vibration Reduction II (VR II) technology that allow image stabilization down to four stops lower to deliver blur-free images. All four of the new Nikkors have Silent Wave Motor (SWM) technology to deliver fast, accurate and quiet Auto Focus (AF) performance and Nikon’s Super Integrated Coating (SIC) for color consistency and reduced flaring.

“The AF-S NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR, 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 VR, 24-120mm f/4 VR and 85mm f/1.4 build upon Nikon’s reputation as a preeminent manufacturer of high quality lenses delivering tack-sharp, high contrast images whether shooting stills or video. ” said Lisa Osorio, general manager of Marketing at Nikon Inc. “As camera capabilities expand and the role of photographers evolves, NIKKOR enhancements continue to meet the demands of beginner and professional photographers alike, and we continue to exceed expectations of optical excellence.”

AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR: Making Super Telephoto Shooting Easy and Affordable

The new AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR fills a variety of roles as the perfect lens for family picture takers and photo enthusiasts alike. This lens is the ideal complement to the 18-55mm VR DX-format camera kit lens, such as the one coupled with the just-released D3100 D-SLR camera, and provides users with an affordable way to achieve super zoom focal lengths from 82.5mm to 450mm (35mm equivalent). The 55-300mm VR lens brings the benefits of longer focal lengths into range for users when capturing distant subjects, such as at athletic events, family gatherings and summer vacations. Additional features include a Tripod Detection Mode, which allows users to keep VR image stabilization activated and automatically compensates for minute vibrations when mounted on a tripod. Additionally, a High Refractive Index (HRI) lens element is implemented to keep the lens compact while offering high contrast even at maximum aperture. The optical construction consists of two Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Elements that effectively minimize chromatic aberration, even at the widest aperture settings.

AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR: High Performance, High Quality and Telephoto Zoom

Building on the popularity and versatility of broad focal range lenses, the new AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is Nikon’s first FX-format lens with a 10.7X zoom range for enthusiasts and professionals. The new 28-300mm is the all-in-one optical solution that is ideal for travel, landscapes, portraits and capturing distant subjects. The 28-300mm VR lens is optimized for edge-to-edge sharpness on both FX and DX-format D-SLR cameras, and has an equivalent focal length of 42-450mm when attached to a DX-format D-SLR. It’s optical formula includes two ED glass elements that effectively minimize chromatic aberration, even at the widest aperture settings, and three Aspherical Lens Elements that virtually eliminates coma and other aberrations at wide aperture settings as well. This high performance lens also incorporates an M/A Focus Mode Switch that enables quick changes between manual and autofocus operation, and Internal Focus (IF) providing fast and quiet autofocus without changing the length of the lens while retaining working distance through the focus range.

AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 G ED VR: Defines Versatility

The new AF-S 24-120mm f/4 G ED VR zoom lens redefines the wide-to-portrait lens category, and provides users with a medium focal range lens with a constant aperture that is ideally suited for a wide variety of photographic disciplines. This high performance lens offers a constant maximum aperture of f/4 to maintain exposure settings throughout the entire zoom range and is perfect for photographing landscapes, portraits, interiors and weddings. The 24-120mm f/4 also features two ED elements, three aspherical lens elements, a useful M/A Focus Mode Switch, Internal Focus and Nano Crystal Coat to reduce ghosting and flare for greater image clarity throughout the entire frame.

AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G ED: Fast Medium Telephoto Lens Destined to Become a Classic

A highly anticipated lens for professional photographers with no room for compromise, the new AF-S 85mm f/1.4G ED is an ultra-fast classic portrait lens boasting amazing picture quality, high performance and the ability to create dramatic background effects (bokeh). This lens is engineered for professional portrait, studio and wedding photographers wanting to shoot at fast maximum apertures while retaining the highest performance. The 85mm lens is also well suited for portraits and low-light shooting situations because of its ability to create a shallow depth of field with exacting sharpness and detail. The AF-S 85mm f/1.4 is optimized for edge-to-edge sharpness on both FX and DX-format D-SLR cameras, and features two focus modes, M/A (manual-priority autofocus) and M (manual) to further enhance versatility and adapt to a shooters needs. Additional features include Internal Focus (IF) that allows the lens to focus without changing the barrel length, Nano Crystal Coat to reduce instances of ghosting and flare, and a rugged construction build to endure aggressive field use.

Price and Availability

The compact telephoto AF-S NIKKOR DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR lens has an estimated selling price of $399.95**. The versatile AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 G ED VR has an estimated selling price of $1299.95**. The AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR zoom lens has an estimated selling price of $1049.95**. The ultra-fast AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G has an estimated selling price of $1699.95**. These four lenses will be available starting in September 2010.

Wednesday Facebook made the announcement (video below) everyone was expecting, that Facebook members could Check In to locations from within the Places in Facebook. More below video

read more…

This is the best week on the NASCAR calendar, the week Sprint Cup comes to Bristol Motor Speedway (@BMSupdates on twitter) for the August Night Race. The IRWIN Tools Night Race will be under the lights this Saturday, August 21st at the Concrete Colosseum everyone calls Bristol.

Every race run at Bristol is special, but this weekend is extra special as it will mark the 100th NASCAR Cup Series race run at the legendary track.

Right now there are still some tickets available for the IRWIN Tools Night Race, which is very rare for the track famous for selling out year after year.  If you are wanting watch a great race and witness NASCAR’s  best race of the summer you can call the Speedway’s ticket office at 1-423-BRISTOL and grab a ticket while you still can. read more…

Nikon announced another first for digital cameras today, a built-in projector that can also be tethered to a users computer via the USB port. The new digital camera allows the user display photos and videos from the camera and from any computer it is connected to via the USB port.

The Nikon Coolpix S1100pj is feature packed with 14.1-megapixels, a 5x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom NIKKOR glass lens (28-140mm) and a 5-way VR Image Stabilization System with ISO settings up to 6400 to ensure incredibly sharp, crisp images in low light or while shooting handheld. To further help users capture stunning photos easily, the S1100pj also features 17 scene modes, Subject Tracking, Easy Auto Mode and Nikon’s Smart Portrait System all packed into a colorful, compact design.

The Nikon Coolpix S1100pj makes sharing family photos and videos or presenting an important PowerPoint presentation to a client a simple task. Users can set the camera to project an image area up to 47-inches from over 7-feet away.

“As the first to introduce a built-in projector in a compact digital camera, our consumers have come to expect innovation from Nikon’s COOLPIX S-Series,” said Bo Kajiwara, director of marketing, Nikon Inc. “In order to meet the evolving needs of our consumers, we have further advanced our award-winning technology, while delivering the high performance and shooting and sharing versatility they have come to trust.”

The Nikon Coolpix S1100pj is schedule to arrive at dealers in September with a suggested retail price of $349.95.