More than point and shoot
With nearly every mobile phone equipped with a camera feature, digital camera vendors are realizing that their devices must offer more than the ability to take a great shot. Two cameras new to the Middle East market show how innovative features can set a digital camera apart from the competition.
From Samsung comes the TL225 and TL220, DualView Cameras. These 12.2 megapixel, compact digital cameras feature dual LCD screens, with one LCD on the front of the camera, and a second one on the back. The 1.5” LCD located on the front of the Samsung DualView Cameras shows how the framed shot will appear. This allows the user to take first-rate photos whether behind the camera or in front of it. Alongside professional-grade photos, the TL225 and TL220 record 720p HD video at 30 frames per-second in H.264 format. The camera is targeting users of social networking sites who frequently post images updating their activities.
And for those who just can’t wait to share their photos, there’s the Nikon COOLPIX S1000pj. This 12.1 megapixel camera transforms photo-sharing into a multimedia experience. With the touch of a button, users can project images and videos as large as 40 inches, and with the camera’s unique slideshow function, it’s easy to playback pictures with music, effects and creative transitions. This means that at a party, just take some shots and then turn the camera towards any flat surface and project a show for all to see instantly!
Twitter Arabic lessons
Many people are finding unusual uses for the social networking site Twitter. Eton Institute, a Dubai-based languages institute, has generated quite a following by offering Arabic lessons through www.twitter.com/EtonInstitute. Short lessons are offered free Sunday to Thursday. The mini lessons include basic words and sentences, with the focus on real world situations. All lessons are in Arabic — English transliteration, with the English equivalent included. Followers of Eton Institute at Twitter are able to go back to previous lessons to revise or catch up if they miss any lessons.
E-books free for all
Kobo (kobobooks.com) is a global service that supports e-book content on most major handsets as well as the PC and Mac. Kobo has just announced that it will be making available 1.8 million titles from the Internet Archive, free of charge. This partnership will give Kobo users access to Internet Archive’s recently-launched BookServer project. Internet Archive’s library of titles will be added to Kobo’s current selections, which include titles from all top publishers, as well as literary, independent and regional presses.
Internet Archive has a library of 1.8 million public domain classics, academic works, reference materials, and fiction and non-fiction titles. The collection includes works in 180 languages, acquired from over 200 library partners and scanning locations in five countries. Over 1,000 new books are added each day.
Morning wake-up
The Moshi Voice Control Travel Alarm Clock (moshilifestyle.com) is a great piece of gear for road warriors. With Moshi, there is no need to worry about fiddling with unfamiliar hotel alarm clocks or untrustworthy wakeup calls. Using just the simple touch of a button, the Moshi Travel Alarm Clock allows for complete control, with nine voice commands including setting the local time, alarm and asking for the temperature. The travel alarm works right out of the box, capable of understanding almost anyone’s voice with no pre-programming necessary.
