All 4 Toys

Reports are coming in that the iPad Camera Connection Kit has finally shown up on a couple buyer doorsteps, and that the pair of white dongles may actually have been worth the wait. While one is a simple SD card adapter that adds one-touch image and video import (including RAW, complete with EXIF data) to the iPad, the second provides a USB port with some exciting new functionality. TUAW reports one reader could type on an iPad via USB keyboard, and those rumors about USB audio were true, too: TidBITS was actually able to make a Skype call after connecting a USB headset. Before you get too excited, however, please note that the USB and SD image transfers are one-way, and not all peripherals are supported — for instance, TidBITS‘ iPad sneezed at an external hard drive. Also, according to the Apple Store, Camera Connection Kit shipments are still two to three weeks out, so don’t be surprised if it still takes some time to get yours. For now you can make do with the video after the break. Read more »

Additional trophy sorting and 3D gaming readiness should have been enough to satisfy and PS3 owner after the latest v3.30 system update (hey, at least it didn’t take anything away this time) but there’s a couple other surprises in store. If you’re the kind of person who loves (or hates) their beeps and bloops, there’s a toggle for Bitstream Direct (output audio with the original digital signal prioritized) or Mix (mixed with sound effects such as button sounds and then converted to bitstream format) on Blu-ray movies, while future VAIO PC owners can get a taste of remote play without any PSP intermediary. Other, unconfirmed, reports include updated Flash compatibility, enhanced region free Blu-ray movie playback, the usual complaints of bricked or otherwise busted consoles as well as erroneous claims of an updated EULA that maintains Sony can update your PS3 whenever it wants (newsflash – it’s always said that.) Sure, you can always wait for a custom build from Geohot instead, but we’ve got a Fat Princess to rescue. Read more »

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Gaming on Linux? That’s not something we hear every day just yet, but it looks like the good folks at Valve might be considering a penguin revolution. In one of the latest beta releases of Steam for Mac, Phoronix spotted a mention of the open-source platform in the launcher script, and we were also able to verify this code ourselves. Furthermore, the eagle-eyed Linux blog has previously seen a handful of evidence hinting Linux compatibility for Valve’s Source gaming engine. We’re probably still a ways off from any announcement (if ever) so for now, let’s just leave the guys alone — we don’t want to distract them from bringing the Portal goodness to our Macs now, do we? Read more »

The Asus N61JV 16-inch laptop for games enthusiast which it says to attempt the balance performance and battery life, is now available. Powered by an Intel Core i5-430M CPU and NVIDIA’s GeForce GT 325M graphics processing unit (GPU), featuring NVIDIA Optimus Technology, the N61JV redefines mobile computing with the power of a desktop inside its elegant and portable design. Now with NVIDIA Optimus technology, the N61JV seamlessly switches between the powerful GeForce GPU, and battery-saving integrated graphics engine depending on demands of the graphics processor- much like a hybrid car automatically switches depending on driving style. The N61JV boasts 4GB DDR3 system RAM, a chiclet keyboard, a multi-touch trackpad, a high-speed wireless 802.11n connectivity, Blu-ray combo drive, a 500GB 7200 RPM hard drive, an HDMI connectivity, a 2.0MP webcam, and plenty of other convenient features. It has a 16-inch TFT display running at a rather low 1366 x 768, and it runs 64-bit Windows 7 Home Premium. The Asus N61JV priced is start at $899.99.

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Compared to the other crazy handsets Dell leaked today, the Aero is definitely the runt of the litter. But with a leaked Q2 AT&T release date, the Aero will be first on our doorstep. What other juicy morsels have we gathered? On the hardware side, it’s sadly a slow 624MHz Marvell processor that drives that 3.5-inch capacitive multitouch screen, but hey, like the Chinese model, it’s planned to ship with a capacitive stylus for handwriting recognition.

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The Lumix G10 got pricing and a vague date yesterday, and now the first full review has finally graced the interwebs. Photography Blog put this $599, 12 megapixel Micro Four Thirds camera (and its 14 – 42mm kit lens) through a full suite of tests and came away generally impressed. The addition of 720p video recording makes this model an easy choice over the older G1, despite the subtraction of a few features and the tilting LCD. But, the upcoming $800 G2 offers all those features plus 720p video recording as well, making it perhaps a better choice for more serious shooters with deeper pockets. Still, the G10 looks to be a great option for those wanting affordable DSLR power and HD video recording in a (reasonably) svelte package. Read more »

Are you looking for a compact digital camera? Well, the newly-introduced Leica V-LUX 20 might be just what youre looking for. Set to available from May for 495, the Leica V-LUX 20 features a LEICA DC-VARIO-ELMAR 4.1-49.2mm f/3.3-4.9 ASPH. zoom lens with a focal range of 25-300mm, a 12x optical zoom, and can shoot 12.1 megapixel still image. As an additional features include include 720p video capture and playback, a 3 inch 460k pixel LCD screen, face detection, image stabilization and the regular range of automatic scene a modes, even the V-LUX 20 will become the first Lecia camera to feature a built-in GPS chip for automatically geo-tagged photos.

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The last concept we saw from designer Soon Mo Kang was a simple but innovative power strip that, with a light press, could automatically send your bulky AC adapters flying. Kang is back with another idea for plugging in and, while it’s in much the same vein, it takes easy unplugging down to the individual level. The Tok Took Power Plug takes inspiration form a retractable pen: push in the back to extend the prongs, then push the back in again to retract them. This makes unplugging very easy (as demonstrated after the break), and also means you can toss it in a bag without gouging everything else in there. It’s another simple but smart idea that, sadly, we’re not expecting to see in the wild any time soon. Read more »