Larry Becker
NAPP Executive Director
Company
Natl. Association of Photoshop Professionals
Tampa, FL
Your blog/website
Favorite Gadget(s):
iPod Touch, Nikon D200, MacBook Pro
International Power!
Frequent international travelers have got the power thing figured out. When you travel from the US to another country the question becomes what do you need to charge/use your electronic devices. My friend Michele who was headed to the UK asked me this very question. So I thought I spend a few minutes here giving you some tips along with my favorite power adapter.
Converter vs an Adapter
Many of the electronics designed to be traveled with (like notebook computers, iPods, iPhones) are already geared to be used in different countries. An easy way to know is to look at the description on the power adapter for your gear. If it says that it can handle 100-240 volts then you're all set. All you need is a plug "adapter" so that you can plug it in the wall of the country you're going to.
However, if your power adapter has a max input of 120 volts. That means that it was designed to work in the US only and in order to use it in another country that has 240 volt wall outlets you're going to need a power "converter" something that can regulate the 240 volts down to 120 volts. Or you might just go with a compatible 3rd party adapter like the ones from iGo.
For your Mac, iPod or iPhone
If you have a portable electronic device from Apple, your supplied adapter already works in other countries. All you need is an adapter and Apple sells a nice kit called the Apple International Travel Kit. This kit has everything you need to adapter your MacBook/PowerBook adapter as well as a USB power adapter (actually it's there older version with the removable prongs) and sync cable With this kit you'll be all set in the US, UK, Australia, Korea, etc. You can get the Apple kit here.
MiFi 2352 Portable HSPA WiFi Hotspot Review
The Novatel MiFi is something I've been drooling over for a while now. I think it was first introduced on Verizon and then Sprint. I have an existing 3G datacard from my employer on AT&T. So I waited for AT&T to bring out the Novatel MiFi for HSPA and as of the writing of this review they still don't offer it.
What's a MiFi
You;ve probably seen those 3G cards that all the wireless carriers offer (around $60/month here in the US) that basically allow you to have a 3G data connection for your laptop anywhere that they have 3G coverage. This is great for frequent/business travelers when you can't always depend on there being a WiFi hotspot around. Normally this 3G cards either connect to your computer via USB or a card slot like ExpressCard. Plug it in, connect and you're on the internet.
MiFi is the same thing, but instead of having to plug it into your computer (and installing drivers), you just turn it on and it becomes a 3G WiFi hotspot for up to 5 computers. Of course you can set it up with your preferred network name and secure it with a password.
I got tired of waiting
I'm sure AT&T will come out with the MiFi some day and who knows we may even see iPhone 3G tethering from them, but I'm tired of waiting. Since my existing 3G USB card has a SIM card in it, all I needed was to find an unlocked MiFi sold in another country, buy it and stick in my AT&T SIM card. Done!
I found one from this guy on eBay, ordered it, got it and it works great.
Continue reading “MiFi 2352 Portable HSPA WiFi Hotspot Review”
Tech Profile of Rich Harrington
Richard Harrington
CEO
Twitter bio – Author, Consultant, Digital Dude, Geek, Photographer, Husband and Father
Company:
RHED Pixel
Washington, DC
Blog/Website
www.rhedpixel.com (corporate)
www.richardharringtonblog.com (blog)
www.twitter.com/rhedpixel
Favorite Gadget(s):
Pico Pocket Projector
iPod Nano
iHome Capsule Speakers
Canon 7D
Nikon D300s
Wacom Cintiq
Nintendo Wii
Bose Noise Canceling Headset
Apple Magic Mouse
Drobo
Apple TV
Kodak Zi8 HD Video Camera: Great for travel & video blogging
A few days ago I wrote a post called "Are camera phones the new point and shoot cameras" and I guess the same thing could be applied to video cameras as well. I have a big older 3CCD Sony VX2000 Mini-DV camera as well as a newer Canon VIXIA HF10 HD camera that I LOVE! However, unless I'm specifically doing an event recording I'll probably just capture something quick on my iPhone 3GS and share it. The Canon is small but it's not pocket small. So this time I really do have a need for something in between. While the Canon is great, I don't always have it with me. While I do always have my iPhone with me the video is not the best. First off it's only VGA (640×480) and not widescreen. Everything I do nowadays is widescreen or HD unless it's something personal and fun just to share with friends/family.
I was leaning towards the Flip camera until I ran it by my buddy Dave Helmly (guru of all things video) and he has both cameras and said hands down the Kodak was better. Since they're the same price, I didn't look any further and I bought the Kodak Zi8. I gotta say, I'm blown away by what this little thing does. First off it supports video at full 1080p HD! My HF10 only does 1080i. It has a built-in SDHC slot so I just stuck in one of my Transcend 16GB Class 6 SDHC cards and started shooting. My use for this camera will be mostly for video podcasting/blogging and a few interviews here and there. Speaking of interviews it has a stereo mic input. Another huge plus as I can plug in any mic I want. I'm starting with this one. The Zi8 is about the same footprint as my iPhone 3GS and maybe 1.5 times as thick.
I recorded my first video in 720p mode with it here. This is using the built-in Mic. (Don't forget to switch the YouTube playback to 720p to see the maximum quality):
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o7JNZNctUk
Continue reading “Kodak Zi8 HD Video Camera: Great for travel & video blogging”
Tech Profile of Gabriel Biderman
Gabriel Biderman
Company
Marketing/Photo Specialist
New York, NY
Blog/Website
Gabriel Biederman Fine Art Photography
Favorite Gadget(s)
GorillaMobile 3G/3GS holds your iPhone
I remember when I first saw the GorillaMobile when it was announced and I kinda mentally dismissed it. Don't get me wrong, I love the GorillaPod line of products. It's just that this wasn't what I was looking for in terms of a "holder" for my iPhone to watch videos on the plane. I was looking for something smaller. I never really found the "right" solution. Most were either too bulky to travel with or didn't allow me to lean the iPhone back far enough for a comfortable viewing angle.
I see the light now
I didn't look at the GorillaMobile again until Joby released their FREE Gorillacam App (which I've reviewed here today). I'm very excited about what the app offers in terms of features and of course many of the features can only be realized if you have a way of holding your iPhone still long enough. For example, doing time lapse photography isn't going to be very exciting holding it by hand. This is when I wanted to look at the GorillaMobile again. So I got one and had a ball using it to take pictures. Once I was done playing with the app for the day I started just playing with the positioning of the GorillaMobile itself and realized that THIS IS the holder I've been looking for! It ships with a case for your iPhone 3G/3GS that has a cutout on the back to place it right on the GorillaMobile. This way you don't have "stick" anything on the back of your iPhone.
Why I’m not buying a Powermat (yet)
My tech buddies are all asking me about the new Powermat charger. I was recently reminded of it on my last flight because there was an article in the Delta in-flight magazine. It's cool! I want it to succeed! However, I'm not ready to buy one just yet.
We can't get portable electronic manufacturers to standardize!
The reason I'm not quite ready to buy a Powermat just yet is not because it's not cool technology and not because I don't want LESS wires in my life (trust me, I do!). The reason is simple. In order to use the Powermat with any of my current gear it would require me to either get a special case or dock for each portable electronic gadget I have so that it would charge the device when you place it on the Powermat.
I won't be really interested in this technology until all of (or at least the ones I care about) the electronic device manufacturers agree to build a universal Powerpad compatible receptacle on the back/bottom of each of their devices. This way no matter which device you bought you could just set it on one these pads and it would start charging. How cool would that be?
I'm not hopeful that we'll see this anytime soon. We can't even get all the cellphone makers to agree (and start using) a standard USB charging port. Didn't I read at some point last year that they all agreed to do just that?
Introducing Tech Profile Fridays
Now that my "iPhone App of the Week" feature has transformed into a NEW site: bestappsite.com, I've been looking for something fun to replace it with on Fridays. As you might expect I have lots of friends, family and colleagues that are into tech and gadgets just like I am. Although I love telling you guys about all the gadgets, gear and technology that I'm using or come across I thought it would great to have a look into the gadgets and gear in use by my buddies.
Here's how it will look…
Terry White
Worldwide Principal Cross Media Evangelist
Adobe Systems, inc.
Blog/Website
Favorite Gadgets
iPhone 3GS, Nikon D700, TiVo HD
Cellphone/Smartphone Make/Model
iPhone 3GS
Great little mic for your iPod touch
When Apple introduced the 2nd generation iPod touch one of the features was built-in Audio In support. However, even with the current (3rd generation) iPod touch there is no built-in mic. So you have to get a 3rd party microphone if you want to use Apps that bring audio in. One of my favorite apps is Shazam which can listen to a song that's playing say at a party or on the radio, or even in a movie and then "Tag" it via the internet and tell you what the name of the song, artist and even provide a link to buy it right in iTunes. Well now this kind of app can be used on the iPod touch.
I found this great little Mic
This mike looks like a push pin that goes right into the bottom of your iPod touch. That's it. No software to install or configuration necessary. At this point you can use any 3rd party app that allows you to bring in or record sound. The protective cap is a nice touch and there's also a small loop so that you can string this on a key chain or other type of strap like a Thumb Drive.
What's even more amazing is the price! You can get these for just a couple of bucks here.
What about VoIP Apps?
This mic is not really suitable for VoIP because while it's a great Mic (I just tried a Skype call with it using the Skype App), because it plugs into the same port that the iPod uses for headphones you can't hear the person on the other end of the conversation. It's a mic, not a speaker. Also while it's plugged in it disables the internal speaker. So if you want to do VoIP you're better off getting Apple's Headphone, Microphone and Remote combo here.