Cisco phasing out FlipShare: 30 days to save your videos

Many Flip fans are already sporting black arm bands with little red spots in honor of the dying brand, and the New York Times reports there’s more bad news coming. Starting May 12th, all videos uploaded to FlipShare will expire 30 days after they’ve been posted. This applies to videos you’ve already uploaded as well — so you’ve got till June 11th to follow the lead of Google Video users and back up your collection of clips before they disappear into the digital ether. The FlipShare service will continue to live on for another two and a half years, if you don’t mind the one month limit, but clearly Cisco wants users to move on with their video-sharing lives. Check out the more coverage link for instructions on how to export your videos, and let’s have one more moment of silence for the tiny camcorder that could… at least until it couldn’t.

Cisco phasing out FlipShare: 30 days to save your videos originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 May 2011 03:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Contour+ helmet cam goes official, bringing 1080p video with wider viewing angle

Remember that Contour Plus helmet cam teased by a cheeky cyclist last month? Well, this is it, though it turns out the name’s actually written as Contour+. Like the ContourGPS, this new imager captures 1080p video at 30fps, and also packs built-in GPS plus Bluetooth v2.1 — the latter’s for the wireless viewfinder app on iOS and, eventually, Android. The difference between these two cameras? Well, ignoring the colors and the extra 3mm in length, the Contour+ does indeed come with a mini HDMI-out port alongside the microSD slot on the back. Better yet, you’ll also find an HDMI cable in the box to get you going. And of course, let’s not forget the new super-wide lens (still rotatable) that does 170 degrees for 960p and 720p recording, or 125 degrees for 1080p. Both modes best the camera’s predecessor, though the trade-off is the lack of dual-alignment lasers. If this isn’t a problem for you, then feel free to shell out $499.99 when it launches on May 18th.

Update: We have PR after the break.

[Thanks, Daniel H.]

Continue reading Contour+ helmet cam goes official, bringing 1080p video with wider viewing angle

Contour+ helmet cam goes official, bringing 1080p video with wider viewing angle originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 May 2011 06:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tachyon launches OPS and OPS HD helmet cameras, not as durable but way more tiny

Tachyon launches OPS and OPS HD helmet cameras, just as durable but way more tiny

We can’t say we’ve ever been particularly impressed by the video quality delivered by the Tachyon line of helmet cameras, but they’re a good choice for those who need a recorder that can take one heck of a beating — if you don’t mind some extra bulk. That fat has been banished in the new, slimmer OPS line which will be available in two flavors: a $90 VGA base unit and a slightly higher-end HD (720p) one for $140. If you’re keeping track that’s the same as the earlier XC and XC HD models, but these aren’t waterproof like those. The SD model is less than an inch wide and 2.252-inches long, while the HD model looks to be roughly $0.25 longer. Each camera is square in profile, meaning it can be rotated in four orientations on its mount, or flipped around backward. And yes, just like the XC cameras, Tachyon will be releasing a range of mounts for all your extreme endeavors, including shotguns, picatinny rails, and one that looks like an overgrown tie clip. It should be perfect for when things get fancy down at the range.

Continue reading Tachyon launches OPS and OPS HD helmet cameras, not as durable but way more tiny

Tachyon launches OPS and OPS HD helmet cameras, not as durable but way more tiny originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 May 2011 17:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olympus’ LS-20M boasts dual mics and 1080p recording, split personality

Cisco may have washed its hands of pocket camcorders, but Olympus is ready to dive into the market with gusto. The company, best known for its cameras and voice recorders, just brought those two worlds together by announcing the LS-20M, a handheld whose relatively high-end audio specs should help it go toe-to-toe with Zoom. In addition to 1080p video, the LS-20M records 24 bit / 96 hHz Linear PCM audio using a pair of condenser mics. Alas, at $300 it has a small 2-inch screen and no optical zoom, but at least Olympus borrowed four of the visual effects that make its PEN cameras so fun to use. Look for it in June, and in the meantime, hit the PR for more details.

Continue reading Olympus’ LS-20M boasts dual mics and 1080p recording, split personality

Olympus’ LS-20M boasts dual mics and 1080p recording, split personality originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 May 2011 18:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Bloggie 3D now available for aspiring James Camerons everywhere

Sure, we’ll never see dreams of a 3D Cisco Flip realized, but Sony’s offering the next best thing: the Bloggie 3D. The latest addition to the company’s line of pocket camcorders was quietly made available this week for $249.99 a pop — $80 more than the recently released Bloggie Duo HD, because extra dimensions ain’t cheap. The camera takes a cue from Nintendo’s latest portable, with a 2.4 inch 3D display that eschews the need for glasses. Or, if you’re not in the mood to squint and don’t mind the eyewear, you can output the video to a 3D-enabled HDTV.

Sony Bloggie 3D now available for aspiring James Camerons everywhere originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 19:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Switched On: A legacy from the Flip side

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

Last week’s Switched On discussed some of the challenges the Flip camcorder faced trying to grow in the marketplace, an effort abruptly scuttled by an indifferent Cisco. But while Kodak, Sony and others are now poised to fill the Flip void, no competitor exactly matched Flip’s combination of simplicity and sharing. With point and shoot cameras, camcorders, traditional MP3 players and standalone GPS units in decline, the jury remains out on how long portable electronics can fight the smartphone, but Flip’s success taught the industry some valuable lessons that may have relevance going forward.

Continue reading Switched On: A legacy from the Flip side

Switched On: A legacy from the Flip side originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Apr 2011 20:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba’s waterproof Camileo BW10 does 1080p video, 5 megapixel stills for $150

Flip might have died an untimely death, but spring is here, the birds are chirping, and the march of vacation-ready pocket cams continues — Toshiba just announced the Camileo BW10, whose rubberized coating makes it usable in water as deep as 6.5 feet. At $150, it’s a smidge cheaper than other rugged 1080p camcorders, but then again, you’ll pay a premium for models you can use in deeper water. In addition to video, it snaps 5 megapixel photos and has an SD card slot, USB port, and HDMI output, though Toshiba regrettably doesn’t bundle an HDMI cable. Not a deal-breaker? You can nab one in yellow or silver on Toshiba’s site today with an instant $20 rebate.

Continue reading Toshiba’s waterproof Camileo BW10 does 1080p video, 5 megapixel stills for $150

Toshiba’s waterproof Camileo BW10 does 1080p video, 5 megapixel stills for $150 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 10:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung announces ‘multi-proof’ W200 Pocket Cam with 1080p recording

Cisco may not have seen a bright future in the pocket camcorder business, but it seems that Samsung would beg to differ — it’s just announced its new W200 Pocket Cam, which it proudly boasts is “multi-proof.” That means it will hold up in harsh conditions and keep on working underwater (up to three meters deep, at least), and capture some full 1080p video in the process. You’ll also get 5 megapixel still images from the camera, a microSD card slot to store them on (no internal storage, it seems), a 2.3-inch LCD ’round back, and the usual built-in USB connector. Still no word on a price, but Samsung says this one will be available sometime next month. Full press release is after the break.

Continue reading Samsung announces ‘multi-proof’ W200 Pocket Cam with 1080p recording

Samsung announces ‘multi-proof’ W200 Pocket Cam with 1080p recording originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 16:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Contour Plus helmet cam spied, offers wider view of your extreme antics

ContourHD Plus

If you’re the type who likes to risk life and limb in pursuit of pleasure, then you know the best way to document your exploits is with a little helmet cam action. Bike Rumor is reporting that Contour, one the leaders in this (admittedly niche) field, will soon be releasing a new POV shooter called the Contour Plus. The site came across some Giant pro cyclers testing the device, who claim the Plus will improve on the ContourGPS by adding an HDMI-out port, boosting image quality, and widening the viewing angle from 140 degrees to 170. And, for those who really like to live dangerously, the Plus will supposedly pack a Bluetooth radio so you can stare at the iPhone viewfinder app while hurtling down a snow-covered slope or through an obstacle-riddled bike path. Of course, this is all unofficial at the moment, but the “little birdy” whispering in Bike Rumor’s ear said the updated cam will land in the next month or two. One more blurry shot after the break.

Continue reading Contour Plus helmet cam spied, offers wider view of your extreme antics

Contour Plus helmet cam spied, offers wider view of your extreme antics originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Switched On: Flip-flops

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

This week’s announcement that Cisco is shuttering its Flip Video business was but the latest twist in the history of the market share-leading device. The Flip got its start after its creator, Pure Digital, modified its original disposable camcorder to be reusable after hackers showed it could be done. And its success continued to defy convention that the product would resonate against a slew of digital cameras and increasingly competent smartphones that could shoot competitive — and even high definition — video.

The Flip also soared above the market share of companies with far stronger brands such as Sony and Kodak, although the latter made gains on a string of hits, including the 1080p-shooting Zi8 and waterproof PlaySport. It even fought back an initial foray from Apple’s iPod nano and was still holding its own after the debut of the latest iPod touch, which took the HD video capture feature from the iPhone and made it available without a contract. Yes, the Flip hung tough. That’s why its cancellation says volumes about Cisco, the company that acquired it for some $590 million in stock.

Cisco needed to show growth with a consumer product line that could not be easily augmented with acquisitions and that derived little connection with the mother brand — even less than Linksys, the company’s networking line. Cisco certainly tried. But the Flip group made a few false moves that stuck out like a pop-out USB connector, and with little of that spring-loaded joy.

Continue reading Switched On: Flip-flops

Switched On: Flip-flops originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 17 Apr 2011 20:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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