Microsoft Released Silverlight 3 Beta And Related SDK For Developer

The world’s software giant, Microsoft has released its beta version of Silverlight 3 Internet media player at MIX 09 developer and designer conference. The new Slverlight 3 is smaller in size than its Silverlight 2 predecessor, at just 4.4 MB. Beside that, Microsoft also released associated tools for developers including the Software Development Kit (SDK) and various authoring programs.

There are many improvements in the latest Silverlight 3 which include multi-touch application compability, GPU acceleration, 3D support, MP4 and ACC video support. The new navigation page framework has been improved for developer to integrate the player with browser forward and backward buttons. Apart of that, the Silverlight 3 is also capable of running outside the browser, work offline, detect local network and download content to cache memory as well as library caching.

With Silverlight 3, the users also can solve the SEO-related challenges posed by RIAs. By utilizing business objects on the server, together with ASP.NET controls and site maps, users can automatically mirror database-driven RIA content into HTML that is easily indexed by the leading search engines.

Silverlight is also available in Internet Explorer 6 Web browser for Windows Mobile.

New Canon EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR Camera With Full HD Video Capture Feature

The leading company in digital imaging, Canon U.S.A., Inc. has announced the launch of its new EOS Rebel T1i (also known as EOS 500D) digital SLR camera, which the company claims as the first model in Canon’s Rebel family to feature Full HD video capture, capable of recording 16:9 720p HD video at 30 fps as well as Full HD 1080p video at 20 fps, incorporating 15.1 megapixel APS-C size CMOS sensor, 3-inch VGA Clear View LCD (920,000 dots) monitor and an advanced DIGIC 4 imaging processor with 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion.

“We are witnessing the emergence of a new phase in digital imaging history, as high-resolution still images and HD video can now both be produced in a hand-held device, for under $1,000,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. “This is truly a great time to be involved in digital imaging as the advent of online communities are helping usher in this next great era in imaging.”

Impressive Features Of Canon EOS Rebel T1i:
15.1-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor 
Full HD movie recording with HDMI connection for viewing and playback on HDTV 
ISO 100-3200 (expandable to 12800) 
Continuous shooting at 3.4 fps for up to 170 large/fine JPEG images or up to 9 RAW images in a single burst 
3.0-inch ClearView LCD with Live View mode (for both still images as well as video)
9-point wide area AF with cross type centre point 
Powerful high-speed DIGIC 4 performance and superb image quality 
Highly acclaimed EOS Integrated Cleaning System with fluorine coating on the low-pass filter for better dust resistance
Auto Lighting Optimizer technology helps ensure that the subject of each photo is clearly visible
Creative Auto Mode allows users to make image adjustments including exposure compensation, aperture and shutter speed

According to Canon, “Like the EOS 5D Mark II model, the EOS Rebel T1i camera will record video up to 4GB per clip equaling approximately 12 minutes of Full HD video, 18 minutes of 720p HD video, or 24 minutes of SD video depending on the level of detail in the scene. 1 Video clips are recorded in .MOV format using an MPEG-4 video compression and sound is recorded using linear PCM 2 without compression. The camera features a built-in monaural microphone to record sound. To help show off those fantastic movies as well as still photos, the EOS Rebel T1i camera includes an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) output to display crisp, clear images on a High-Definition TV.”

The new Canon EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR Camera that available in body-only configuration and kit version with Canon’s EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens will hit the market by early May for about $800 and $900, respectively.

Cops Shoot Criminals with Axon Taser

A camera that sees through the eyes of a policeman can make crime so much more visible in the public eye and CSI a little less exciting. Axon has unveiled a new GPS-enabled camera targeted at the police force which can capture audio-video as the action unfolds before the eyes of the user. 

Taser Axon consists of a headcam, a tactical computer and a Com Hub that connects to a radio. The camera is water-proof and solidly built. Worn around the head and with the small camera peeking from behind the ears, the images and sounds captured by the camera will be sent to independent EVIDENCE.com servers in heavily encrypted code. The camera is equipped with sophisticated sensors to ensure the data is not tampered with in any way, so that there is a high chance of it being used as court evidence.

Enforcement officers can also protect themselves against accusations of abuse of power by the police. However, the device could be subject to police abuse itself as there is a privacy mode for officers to temporarily suspend recording; thus, the recording could be taken out of context to blur the situation or distort the overall picture. Nevertheless, mounting the camera on the head of policemen can reduce crime, assist the legal process and perhaps even save lives.

Wi-Spy Analyzes Wireless Network as the World’s Smallest Spectrum Analyzer

Curious about what could have interfered with your wireless networks in your surrounding environment? Now with this handy tiny device named as Wi-Spy, it can analyze what kinds of wireless networks that could be the culprit in creating the interference or cross talks in congested wireless spectrum bandwidth suitable for both consumer and industrial use.


Wi-Spy is also known as the world’s smallest 2.4GHz Spectrum Analyzer that can be used to identify 802.11b/g/n wireless technology, cordless phones’ bands, microwave ovens, Zigbee, Bluetooth technology and many more. As compared to its predecessor, the new Wi-Spy 2.4x has been redesigned and enhanced with higher amplitude (1.5dBm) and frequency resolution (1MHz) that make the trace captures much more meaningful and attractive with rich graphics display. Good thing is, all these can be recorded and playback in spectral, topographics and planar views. Some of the scenarios that this can be useful are such as when you experienced Wi-Fi network drops when a cordless phone conversation on-going, multiple networks interference and etc.

Unlike other industrial grade spectrum analyzer, the product is retailed at $199 which is quite affordable even for household usage. It is compatible with Windows 2000 or newer OS with .Net 2.0 installed in PC system.

Intel May Release New Atom Processors with 2GHz and Burst Mode Performance Technology

Not long after the successful launch of the new Intel Atom processors in larger package size with extended temperature support targeted for both industrial and automotive usage, there is a leak news indicating that giant chipmaker is ready to launch two additional models to boost up total system performance while still maintaining a low TDP (Thermal Design Power) as its previous version. The two models, with the name of Z550 and Z515 are being enhanced with higher core frequency of 2.0 GHz as well as Intel BPT (Burst Performance Technology).


Not much change in terms of micro-architecture and process technology, Z550 will still be based on earlier design and 45-nm process technology but will have a performance boost by clocking at 2.0GHz, instead of previously 1.86GHz at maximum. On the other hand, Z515 is believed to be employing Intel famous Burst Performance Technology that can dynamically scale the core frequency from 800MHz up to 1.2GHz depending on users’ requirements.

Similarly to previous models, the ultra small form factor and thermally efficient processor will be paired with either US15W or US15L, a northbridge and southbridge combo chip that is being enhanced with GMA500 graphics engine to handle graphics intensive applications such as H.264, MPEG-2/4, VC1 and WMV9 formats with HD (High Definition) hardware decode capability.

The new Intel Atom processors are expected to continue the momentum by offering better options to both existing and new board manufacturers for various market segments such MID (Mobile Internet Device), UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC) as well as embedded markets.

Asus’s New Eee Top ET1602 for a Steal

With a name that shouts eccentricity and uniqeness, Asus’ Eee top ET1602 is set to tantalize some taste buds and fend off others. It is not the most powerful touchscreen computer in the market nor the fastest. Nevertheless, it has its appeal to people who adore space and like a small light device for easy portability. 

The new Eee Top ET1602 is delicate in size because the touchscreen feature enables users to get away with a lightweight keyboard. The computer can stand on a countertop or desk without occupying too much space. For the bargain price of $599, the computer is powered by a 1.6GHz Atom processor and can perform most basic functions including surfing the Net, playing music and chatting. But the speed leaves much to be desired and the computer compares unfavorably with other more sophisticated touchscreen computers in the market such as HP’s TouchSmart. 

In short, despite its shortcomings, Eee Top offers an alternative for users who are looking for an elegant-looking touchscreen computer at a bargain price for their work or personal use.

Diana for Beautifully Flawed Photos in an Instant

Unlike household names such as Sony, Nikon, Kodak, Canon, Olympus, etc, Diana Camera should be quite unfamiliar to the young generation. This simple, low-quality plastic-bodied box camera was born in the 1960s under the production of the Great Wall Plastic Factory. This old clumsy and awkward camera was quite popular in the golden days. However, with the emergence of inexpensive but higher quality consumer cameras such as Kodak Instamatic, this plastic camera gradually disappeared and its production was stopped. After missing from the market for over 25 years, this unlikeliest of cameras has finally made a comeback under Lomography’s production.


What is so interesting about this golden age camera to deserve a resurrection? The novel part about this camera is its ability to create unexpected, funny and even artistic photos. Due to its body design and lens’ structure, this Diana camera has serious light leaks and other photographic errors. However, due to this technical “imperfection”, this camera almost always delights the photographer with many “flawed” but individualistic or artistic photos. 

Lomography has improved and redeveloped the old Diana and recently introduced a new Diana Instant Back model. In line with the current age of instant gratification, this new Diana can work its magic in creating unique images and then enables users to watch them develop instantly before their eyes. In an age of precise technology and calculated results with usually no surprises in between, the new Diana introduces an element of creativity and unpredictability which breathe new excitement and artistry into the art of photography. A ‘flawed’ camera (by design) enhanced with the latest accessories such as the Splitzer, Fisheye, close-up, Colorsplashing, pinhole, etc. make photography a game and a risk. And the results can be viewed immediately!