Hasta La Gadget!

It almost wouldn’t be a camera introduction without a couple of superzooms, would it? Appropriately, Olympus is updating its lower-cost SZ models at CES with new sensors and a handful of extras to match the long-distance optics. The 24X zoom SZ-16 iHS makes the undeniably larger leap: its 14-megapixel sensor now relies on low light-friendly CMOS (instead of the SZ-12’s CCD) and introduces a quicker TruePic VI processor. The added power leads to a multi-shot Hand-Held Starlight mode for would-be astrophotographers as well as 1080p video. Not that the very entry level isn’t getting some love, however. The SZ-15 is a meaningful upgrade in its own right, extending to the same 24X zoom as the SZ-16 while replacing the SZ-10’s 14-megapixel CCD with a 16-megapixel CMOS imager. Olympus includes a handful of options that the SZ-15’s older TruePic III engine can handle, such as a Beauty Mode and SR Zoom (read: digital zoom). Both models ship in March, although the narrow pricing spread between the $200 SZ-15 and $230 SZ-16 leaves us leaning heavily toward the higher-end camera.

Continue reading Olympus reveals SZ-15, SZ-16 superzoom cameras with upgraded sensors

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Source: Olympus

Blue Microphones is known for its top notch USB microphones. Heck, the Yeti is a staple around the Engadget compound for recording podcasts and voiceovers. The company’s latest, Nessie, continues the audio maven’s fascination with cryptozoology while delivering some interesting new features along with another fantastic retro design. At the top is the mic itself, which looks quite a bit like the Snowball. It sits at the end of a long arm with some slight articulation. The small extension allows you to either focus Nessie up for tall casters or down for recording the occasional acoustic guitar track. At the opposite end is the round, surprisingly heavy base that is home to the headphone volume knob as well as a few other controls.

Around back is the 3.5mm jack itself, right above the three postion mode switch. The first position is raw audio, which applies no effects at all. Second is vocals, which boosts mids and applies a slightly agressive compressor and limiter to beef up recordings of people speaking or singing. Last is music mode, which pulls back on the compression and boosts the highs to add a bit more brightness. The knob on the prototype was quite stiff — in fact it was alost impossible to turn with one hand — but the company says the final version wont suffer such issues. Lastly, at the bottom of the neck is a red capacitive button that mutes the mic. Simply brush you finger across it and the blue LED in the base gently pulses to let you know it’s muted.

Inside the housing is some specialized circuitry that helps mask the most basic common mistakes you make while recording. The processor dynamically alters the EQ and levels, while also applying a de-esser to keep your latest bedroom podcast crisp and clean. The pop filter and shock mount also helps keep noise from shaking and plosives to a minimum. Most importantly, Nessie also keeps Blue Mic’s history of affordability with a price of $99. Head on after the break for a video tour of the hardware along with an audio sample.

Continue reading Hands-on with Blue Mics’ Nessie: a USB mic that masks your flaws (video)

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Adding to its line of capable USB recording tech, Blue Microphones has pulled the curtain back on the Nessie at CES 2013. This latest offering looks to get cozy on your desktop and lend a hand with vocal, instrument and voiceover recording all while adapting in real time to keep those captures free from extra editing or mixing. The Nessie touts a built-in pop filter and shock mount to keep unwanted noise down alongside adaptive processing that includes EQ, de-esser and level control that adjusts automatically during the session. Using a single, custom-tuned condenser capsule and cardioid pattern, the mic features three recording modes configured to capture vocals, instruments and raw audio that you’ll want to tweak afterwards. Controls for headphone volume and muting with support for zero-latency headphone monitoring are all on board as well. The unit is also optimized for recording with Apple’s slate, but you’ll need to pick up an adapter to do so. No word on when the Nessie will hit shelves, but when it does, it’s expected to carry a $99 price tag. If you’re jonesin’ for a few more details, consult the full PR after the break.

Continue reading Blue Microphones unveils Nessie: an adaptive USB mic with built-in features to improve recordings

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What’s square and rounded with white all over? That’d be Canon’s new PowerShot N — a point-and-shoot that can be held in any which way. At first glance, it’s a bit of a strange proposition — the camera’s square shape is admittedly a bit bizarre, and it does’t look like it’d be terribly comfortable to use. So, did Canon get it all wrong with the boxy N? Not exactly. It’s surely not going to be a first choice for everyone, but we do see what the device’s design team was thinking here. The idea is that you can hold the camera any way you like, thanks to a shutter release and zoom trigger positioned around the lens itself. So, if you want to flip it upside down, that’s perfectly fine. In fact, doing so will let you take advantage of the 2.8-inch flip-up LCD in order to snag some overhead shots, while keeping it in a more traditional orientation will enable below-the-waist captures.

The camera seems a bit thick because of the small square design, but it’s still compact enough to fit in a jeans pocket, or to be dangled from a wrist strap. And, because there’s no shutter release at the top right corner, it’s a solid fit for lefties, too. The white version we saw was incredibly glossy, and paired with the unconventional design, it’s sure to attract a fair amount of attention on the streets. All in all, it’s designed for fun — the Creative Shot mode lets you add in a bit of color, while the built-in WiFi and direct connect button enable instant sharing on social media sites, via your smartphone. Take a closer look in our hands-on video after the break, or you can pick one up for yourself for $300 in April.

Continue reading Canon PowerShot N hands-on (video)

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Most of the secrets surrounding AMD’s latest series of mobile graphics chips have been known for a while now, but that didn’t stop the company from making everything official today. Intended for traditional laptops and ultrathins alike, the Radeon HD 8000M series supports DirectX 11.1 and stands as the first of the company’s mobile GPUs to incorporate the AMD Graphics Core Next architecture. The lineup consists of the Radeon HD 8800M, HD 8700M, HD 8600M and HD 8500M. The chip manufacturer announced that the Radeon HD 8000M series has already been incorporated into products from ASUS and Samsung — no surprises here — and also let it be known that we can expect similar offerings from Dell, Lenovo and other OEMs in short order.

Rounding out the GPU announcements from AMD, the company also took the opportunity to crow that its Radeon HD 8000 series for desktops is now en route to OEM partners. What’s more, we can expect desktop rigs with this technology to begin arriving on store shelves later this month. If you’re thirsty for more information, feel free to soak up the PR after the break.

Continue reading AMD Radeon HD 8000 series GPUs official for laptops, desktop series now shipping to OEMs

Filed under: Peripherals, AMD

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