Robotics Mint Cleaning Robot

Robots are fast becoming a common feature in homes. Although they may not look like your usual robot, there are now such devices that can help on certain tasks around the home. One example would be the Mint Cleaning Robot from Evolution Robotics.

The Mint Cleaning Robot can clean your floor for you. It can do the task for as long as 3 hours for each charge. It features the NorthStar Navigation System that allows it to keep track of its movements to make sure that every area it is tasked to clean is well covered. It also features smart sensors that allows it to avoid stairs and area rugs. Its compact and square shape makes it able to clean corners and even hard to reach places.

The Mint Cleaning Robot makes use of microfiber cloth available in most stores to clean floors for dry sweeping or wet mopping. Its quiet operation allows it to work without causing any disturbance to the peace in your home. The Evolution Robotics Mint Cleaning Robot is available at the Mint Cleaner website for US$250.

New Gear: Panasonic GH2

Panasonic is touting its all-new touchscreen Lumix DMC-GH2 digital-single-lens-micro unit as a true hybrid camera, offering a long list of impressive photo and video features. Compatible with all micro four-thirds lenses via adapter mounts, and able to use Panasonic’s new 3D lens via a firmware update, the GH2 is both versatile and advanced.

Photo:
At the heart of the new GH2 is a 16MP multi-aspect LIVE MOS sensor and an all-new Venus Engine FHD processor. The new processor is capable of advanced signal processing which allows it to achieve a higher quality image by separating chromatic and luminance noise, preventing color mixture and selectively reducing noise. With all these new quality-advancing features, we are very excited to get the GH2 in our lab and put its color accuracy and noise reduction to the test.

The GH2 also offers 22 different shooting modes to please your creative side including: Expressive, Retro, Pure, Elegant, Monochrome, Dynamic Art, and Silhouette mode. In addition to all of these creative modes, the GH2 also offers Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto mode for amateur photographers and enthusiasts.

With the success of the iphone and other smartphones, it has always surprised us that more companies don’t offer touchscreens in their units, but the GH2 changes all that with its ‘intuitive touch-control operation”. Panasonic claim that the 3’’ 460,00-dot LCD is comfortable to view at any angle thanks to their Multi Aspect Wide Screen Live View Finder.

To top off its still camera features, the GH2’s new mechanical shutter allows for an impressive burst rate of 5 fps for high-speed photography. Additionally the GH2 can be paired up with a total of 11 lenses, including the three new ones launched today.

Video:
In the video department, the GH2 offers a truly impressive full HD 1920x1080 video in 60i, doubling its sensor output from 25p/24p on the GH1, to 50p/60p. It also supports native 1080p video at 24 fps.

Along with its long list of still photo modes, the GH2 offers several video modes including the ability to record at variable frame rates, effectively speeding up or slowing down frames for a creative effect. Other impressive video features include touch-screen autofocus, which allows shooters to simply tap the GH2’s screen to focus in on a subject. To top off its video features, the GH2 is capable of recording in Dolby Digital sound with the addition of an optional stereo mic.

One of the most impressive feature we are very excited to test out is the GH2’s ability to shoot a 14mp still image during video recording thanks to the Venus Engine FHD processor.
The Panasonic LUMIX GH2 will be available in time for the holiday in black and silver, for a price of: $899.95 (Body only); $999.95 (Body with lens LUMIX G VARIO 14-42 mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S.); $1,499.95 (Body with lens LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S.).

Source: www.popphoto.com

Samsung NX100 hands-on (video)

We're expecting to get our grubby paws on an NX100 later today for some longer-term testing, but for now, we wanted to go ahead and get you our initial impressions after handling the new mirrorless compact for a couple of minutes following Samsung's Photokina 2010 press event. The device itself is far smaller than the NX10 of last year, but it's still decidedly solid, if not a touch thick. The 20mm pancake lens on the model we tested was well built, and the i-Function capabilities were downright impressive. It took us a tick to grok how it works, but a good 30 seconds of learning presented us with loads of on-the-fly flexibility. You simply tap the i-Function button with your right hand in order to select what type of setting you'd like to change (exposure, ISO, shutter speed, etc.), and then rotate the wheel on the lens in either direction in order to change the value.

Despite our doubts, it actually worked beautifully, and now we're eager to see this type of technology on even more cameras (even if its reserved for Samsung's range). The 3-inch AMOLED on the rear was also stunning, sharp and bright, and the whole thing fit in our hands well. We're still fond of our DSLR for most things, but we could totally see a unit like this making the most sense for amateurs who aren't fond of lugging around something so gigantic. Ergonomics, design and i-Function? All were stellar -- here's hoping the image and video quality meet those same standards, and we'll be bringing you those opinions just as soon as we can form them. Video's after the break, if you're thirsty for more.

Source: www.engadget.com

HP intros Envy 100, Android-powered Photosmart eStation AIO with Yahoo widgets

We're not sure where CNET's getting its information, but we're liking what we see -- a streamlined HP Envy-branded printer with a 3.45-inch touchscreen for apps, games, scanning docs, and yes indeed, occasionally affixing dye to pressed wood pulp at 30 pages per minute. It reportedly has a pair of mechanical paper trays that open and close like a CD drive, and CNET says it'll ship October 4th for $249. Before you take those figures verbatim though, know that they might not be quite right, as the publication also says the $399 Android-powered HP Photosmart eStation C510 (aka Zeus with 7-inch Zeen tablet) is coming September 13th -- a day when, we're sure you'll agree, the printer failed to arrive.

Also apparently slated for September 13th is the HP Officejet Pro 8500A Plus, a full-size all-in-one inkjet model with a 4.3-inch touchscreen, now imbued with HP ePrintCenter apps. Why sit and talk to co-workers around that boring water-cooler, when you can play with your office's printer instead? Two more pictures of the Envy 100 after the break, which is apparently badass enough to come with its own tote bag and 802.11n WiFi.

Update: We're waiting for the HP IPG summit news conference to begin and, well, three guesses what that is hanging out on stage (pictured above). There's a second shot after the break, with a Yahoo search widget clearly on display.

Update 2: Now official, dubbed the Photosmart eStation AIO, and unless our eyes deceive us, we definitely spotted an Android lock screen and status bar. All for $399. There's a partnership in place with Yahoo, including numerous widgets (we've spotted search and weather so far). Something tells us there won't be another search option, but we'll find out for sure and let ya know. It's currently being demoed live on stage. Google Calendar is there, as is a web browser.

Source: www.engadget.com

LaCie Wireless Space Network Hard Drive

Having a network hard drive benefits an office or a home with multiple PC’s. Having a network hard drive allows having a single storage solution shared among several computers instead of having one for each. It would even be more convenient if that network hard drive is wireless, just like the new LaCie Wireless Space.

The LaCie Wireless Space is a wireless storage solution that can operate as a file or media had drive for multiple PC’s. This device does the job by taking advantage of Wi-Fi technology to connect into a Wi-Fi network and function as a back-up hard drive for different computers within the vicinity. Aside from that, the LaCie Wireless Space can also work as a b/g/n access point to improve Wi-Fi performance or work as a full-featured router. The LaCie Wireless Space currently available in Europe in 1TB and 2TB models. It is set to enter the US market sometime in October. It’s expected price starts at US$230.

Source: www.gadget.com

AIS Outdoor Ultra-Rugged PDA

Some users like to abuse their gadgets. Working on their computers for hours on end, sending text messages while swimming underwater, using the e-book reader as an alternative chopping block and so on. You know these abuses would curtail the lives of your favorite devices, which is why AIS Industrial Innovations provides a PDA that can take on any abuse.

The AIS RPDA37 is an ultra-rugged military PDA that is operational even while under a sandstorm, immersed underwater (as long as it is not soaked for over a minute), or when accidentally dropped from about 60 inches. Powered by a 624MHz Marvell PXA270 processor, it has 256MB of RAM, a 3.7-inch AVGA resistive touch screen display, a built-in WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity options, as well as optional GPS and GPRS technology. The rugged PDA runs on Windows Mobile 6.1.

The AIS RPDA37 is available for US$1899. It is worth the price? We hope so, but the size alone could make you say, "Whoah there."

Source: www.gadget.com

USB Retro Mobile MP3 Player

Most MP3 Players may generally look similar to one another. They may sport the same features and general design that may not make them stand out that well if placed beside the other MP3 players. Sometimes, even a unique design might be eye catching and interesting enough to make them stand out.

For those who are into sentimentality and all that jazz,how about checking this unique USB Retro Mobile MP3 Player? The design of this unique MP3 player is inspired by those bulky first generation cellphones of yesteryears. No wait, they are designed to look exactly like those retro mobile phones. But this time you play music through them, not make calls.

The USB Retro Mobile MP3 Player functions not only as an MP3 player but also as a portable speaker. You can either put in a microSD card or plug a compatible device on its USB slot or a 3.5 mm stereo audio connector to enjoy your favorite songs. It is available at USB Brando for US$23.

Source: www.gadget.com