CrunchGear |  |
- Olympus Unveils Two New Micro Four Thirds PEN Camers: The E-PL5 And E-PM2
- Hands-On With The Fitbit Zip
- Beats Targets The Business Traveler With Executive Edition Headphones, We Listen In
- Hardware Alley At Disrupt — From Tele-Presence Robots To Golf Swing Sensors
- Hardware Alley At TechCrunch Disrupt — From Coffee To Cortexes
| Olympus Unveils Two New Micro Four Thirds PEN Camers: The E-PL5 And E-PM2 Posted: 17 Sep 2012 04:14 AM PDT  This week is the annual Photokina conference in Cologne, and that means one thing: new cameras. Olympus today outed two of its new offerings, compact interchangeable lens cameras based around Micro Four Thirds sensors. The E-PM2 is Olympus’ smallerst and lightest PEN design, and aimed at entry-level users, while the E-PL5 is aimed more at slightly more demanding users and includes a swivelling screen, but both inherit a number of welcome features from Olympus’ well-received and much more expensive EM-5 model. The EM-5 was celebrated first and foremost for its autofocus speed, one of the main areas where Micro Four Thirds and other compact interchangeables have lagged behind DSLRs in terms of performance. In hands-on use, Engadget found that focusing with these new cameras was nearly instantaneous with every lens they tried, save for some slight sluggishness when paired with Olympus’ 60mm f/2.8 macro, but macros often have to hunt a bit, and in general the performance of these two seems to push the bar forward considerably for the category. They also sport a tweaked design with retro styling also borrowed from the EM-5, adding a hand grip for the E-PM2 which its predecessor the E-PM1 lacked. Both get an upgraded 16.8MP sensor, and image processing tech that promises improved low-light performance ranging up to 25,600 ISO, and new 3-inch 460,000-dot LCD displays with touch navigation. They also ship with a free coupon for a Toshiba FlashAir card, which operates like an Eye-Fi SD card to sling media from your camera to your computer wirelessly But maybe coolest of all, Olympus also introduced a new lens for its PEN line that alos doubles as a body cap, which a fixed focal length of 30mm operating at f/8.0. It makes for a super slim profile on the new PENs, making them almost, but not quite as pocketable as something like an RX100 with a lens that’s decent for walkaround outdoor shooting. The E-PL5 retails for $650 body-only, or $700 with a 12-42mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens, and the E-PM2 sells for $550 body alone, or $600 with the same kit lens. All configurations include an external flash, the FL-LM1. Both ship in October.
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| Posted: 17 Sep 2012 03:36 AM PDT  Fitbit just announced two new devices, the $99 One, a replacement for the Ultra pedometer, and the Zip, a $60 entry-level model that adds a bit of mirth to the Fitbit family. The One won’t be available until October but I carried Zip around for a week or so already and found it to be quite fun and capable. The Zip is a departure from the original “clothespin” style Ultra in that it can be removed from its case to create a sort of pedometer lozenge. It also runs on a single watch battery that lasts for six months, making it far more interesting to folks who don’t want to lug their charger with them. The Zip is similar to the first Fitbit in that it measures steps taken, calories, and distance. It does not support stairs taken, which could be a dealbreaker for fans of the current model. Most important, it does away with Fitbit’s pretty growing flower iconography – a flower grew when you exercised more – and instead replaces it with a smiling face that beams at you when you’ve gotten off your couch. Instead of a cradle, Fitbit includes a small dongle for USB devices as well as low power Bluetooth support for syncing with mobile devices. The other new Fitbit, the One, features everything the Ultra had, including the stair meter, as well as Bluetooth 4.0 support. The One also has a gradual alarm for waking yourself from sleep, something that was missing in the original models. Why a Fitbit? I’ve found that the Fitbit really helps you understand your activity levels. While it’s not a complete indicator of fitness, it’s nice to know I’ve been sitting down all day long and could probably use a walk. While I wouldn’t say it’s a great weight loss tool, it’s definitely an excellent reminder and prod for adding a bit more physical activity to your day. I’m definitely more interested in the One, shown below, when it becomes available because of the gradual alarm and stair feature. Zip Product Page
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| Beats Targets The Business Traveler With Executive Edition Headphones, We Listen In Posted: 16 Sep 2012 09:00 PM PDT  Since launching its first product in 2008, Beats has gone from an obscure niche headphone brand to a multi-million dollar business with plenty of star power (Dr. Dre, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, etc.) catapulting the brand into the mainstream spawning several celebrity and musician endorsed rival brands. Now it’s going after an older crowd with the Executive over-the-ear headphones, which I’ve been testing for the last few days. Originally partnered with Monster, the company has since detached itself from the audio manufacturer, had the majority of the company acquired (51 percent) by HTC, acquired music service MOG, and then regained 25 percent of HTC’s shares back this past July. It’s also had its brand name attached to HP laptops and HTC smartphones. While the company has tapped into the youth of this country, it hasn’t quite gained traction with the folks whose annual incomes are, well, significantly higher than a 17-year-old’s. It’s unclear why Beats is going in this particular direction given that the “b” brand can be seen just about everywhere you look. Maybe it has something to do with Monster now marketing its own line of headphones geared towards an older demo. Or the fact that the Beats brand commands over 60 percent of the over $100 headphone market in the U.S. I guess a $1 billion industry is worth protecting. “If you look at the category right now, almost all the competing products are made of plastic. We're bringing craftsmanship and premium materials, such as aluminum alloy, stainless steel, and hand-stitched leather,” Luke Wood, president and COO of Beats, told me. “Beats has fans of every age, but we wanted to build the Executive for the business traveller who doesn't necessarily feel comfortable wearing bright green headphones on the plane.” Other than looks and what I assume are subtle changes to the audio components under the hood, the Executives appear to be built on the same platform as the original Beats by Dr. Dre headphones, including the use of regular AAA batteries to power the active noise-cancelling functionality. And just like the originals, the Executives won’t work when those batteries die. Pretty annoying in my opinion for a $300 pair of headphones but maybe I’ve grown accustomed to all my doodads having rechargeable batteries. The Executives are said to last upwards of 25 hours per set of batteries. So far I’ve logged several thousand miles (SFO>JFK>ICN) and roughly 15 hours with the included batteries. The noise-cancellation function can be muted by depressing the “b” icon on the right earcup. Batteries are deposited into the left earcup by popping off the cover, which is tethered by a string and kept in place with magnets. A nice touch overall and they definitely feel premium. When asked why the core feature still relies on standard batteries, Wood had this to say: “Our research of this particular use case shows the consumer preference is split in regards to rechargeable and disposable batteries. Keeping the demographic in mind for this product, there is anxiety around forgetting to charge your batteries and getting on the plane for a business trip to find they’re dead and there’s no time or place to charge. Many people would rather just bring a spare set of batteries than risk being stranded on a flight with no sound. With that said, as our products continue to evolve we will consider the technology that makes the most sense as well as sustainability issues.” Regardless of whether I think that a $300 pair of headphones should function sans batteries, the Executives are really comfortable (it’s worth noting that I wear glasses and find it annoying to wear over-the-ears) and offer a less bass-y sound than previous models. Even with the noise cancellation or because of it, you really have to crank up the volume to hear your tunes. The low end seems a bit muddled and when cranked up all the way up it just sounds a bit fuzzy. Albeit ever so slightly. They’ll be available in mid-October and come with a carrying case, cleaning cloth, two adapters and two sets of audio cables, including one for use with your phone. Since the dissolution of its partnership with Monster on July 1, Wood says the Executives are “an example of what's to come” from the now free-standing company. Click to view slideshow.
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| Hardware Alley At Disrupt — From Tele-Presence Robots To Golf Swing Sensors Posted: 16 Sep 2012 06:41 PM PDT  The great thing about Hardware Alley at TechCrunch Disrupt is – apart from the fact that it seems to grow bigger at every event – is the sheer variety of companies exhibiting. There’s pretty much anything you can imagine, and only two feet can separate a robotics company from a mobile gadget. But it’s the opportunity investors look for I guess. Here’s a list of the companies featured in this break-neck video.
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| Hardware Alley At TechCrunch Disrupt — From Coffee To Cortexes Posted: 16 Sep 2012 04:17 PM PDT  With the rise of cheap and affordable manufacturing facilities, combined with new sources of financing such as crowd-funding, hardware startups are hot once again. And there is no better evidence of this than a quick dash through the Hardware Alley at TechCrunch Disrupt last week in San Francisco. We started with a new kind of connected coffee maker and ended with a startup that lets you look at your thoughts. Enjoy. Blossom Coffee
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:04:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:04:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:04:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:05:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:05:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:05:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:05:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:05:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:05:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:05:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:05:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:05:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:05:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:05:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:05:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:05:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:05:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:05:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:05:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:05:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:05:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:05:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:06:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:06:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:06:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:06:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:06:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:06:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:06:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:06:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:06:00 AM
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Posted By e Readers Tips to e Readers Reviews at 9/17/2012 05:06:00 AM
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