Skype for iPhone is Live
Image from Engadget
Back in January, we blogged about Skype coming to iPhone. Well, it’s finally here. According to Engadget, Skype is releasing the iPhone version on Tuesday, Japan’s version went live earlier, nothing for Hong Kong yet. Also BlackBerry users will have their own Skype around May.
An interesting point noted in Engadget’s article is that “the Skype app works over WiFi only (not over EDGE or 3G data) and supports calls to SkypeOut contacts in addition to many of the other features you’ve used from the desktop client. iPod touch owners will require earphones with an embedded mic to talk.”
Source – Engadget
CNET Asia Community Blog Entry – The Customer is Always Right? Not
My new entry over at CNET Asia Community Blog is up. This week’s entry, “The Customer is Always Right? Not“. Click here for the full read.
Earth Hour 2009 – 28 March 2009, 8:30pm
[Youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG2Qiia6SHI]
Join the global movement now by turning off all your lights tomorrow night. To sign up as a supporter, go to Earth Hour Hong Kong’s link here.
Source – Earth Hour
Canon EOS 500D / Rebel T1i DSLR Announced
Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 25 March 2009: Canon announces the new 15.1MP EOS 500D which offers photographers an outstanding combination of features. Following the launch of the first Canon EOS camera to shoot movies – the EOS 5D Mark II in September 2008 – Canon now brings Full High Definition (HD) video capability to consumers in a compact and lightweight DSLR.
The new EOS 500D features a 15.1 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor – ideal for large detailed prints or enormous cropping possibilities. For shooting in near-dark conditions, the EOS 500D offers a high ISO sensitivity up to 3200 which is expandable to 12800, giving photographers the power to shoot in the dimmest light conditions. Outstanding noise reduction is made possible by Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor.
Tilt & Shift All You Want – tiltshiftmaker
Remember I posted up the above pic on my earlier post over on my photo blog, First Look Pics from the Sony Carl Zeiss 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM. Well, used it as a testing shot for the awesome application, the tiltshiftmaker and WOW, loving the effect. Give it a try, it’s free.
Link to tiltshiftmaker here.
My Gears – Tamron SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro (Sony Mount)
Front view with my Sony A900
Side view
Top view
Got this lens for two weeks now and been out shooting a bit the past two weekends. Initial feeling towards the lens – great F/2.8 lens at this range, not a fast lens, great for portrait but okay with sports. Tamron Hong Kong now offering firmware upgrade to the lens but they can only do so by sending the lens back to Japan and it will take up to four weeks in doing so. Reviews on the firmware upgrade from the local forums indicated that the lens focus a lot faster and more quiet. Think I’m going to check it out after my two trips next month.
Will post up some pics over at my photo blog, Phooey Pics, later this week. So far I can say, for a third of the money in getting the G lens from Sony, I’m happy with this Tamron.
Finger – Turning Your iPhone/iPod into a Chinese Writing Tablet
My buddy Belle Liu over at Beansbox just teamed up with Headnix and Zendesk this past week by launching one exciting application for both your iPhone/iPod and Mac (PC Support coming soon). Finger is a great application that automatically pairs up your iPhone and your Mac over WiFi and then turning your iPhone as an input tablet. Just like using your Chinese input method on your iPhone while composing email or SMS.
The app currently cost US$7.99 and is available via http://thisfinger.com.
Check it out, sure you’re gonna love it.
Canon Rebel 500D Announcing Next Week?
Image from Photography Bay
According to Photography Bay and MacNN, a possible upgrade to the Canon 450D might pop up next week at one of the Canon event. Rumored specifications includes -
- 15-megapixel sensor with a DIGIC IV processor;
- supporting ISO levels up to 12800;
- LCD with 900K resolution; and
- 1080p video recording???
Guess we’ll wait and find out.
Source – MacNN, Photography Bay
bc unplugged 10 @ The Wanch Tonight
Event: bc unplugged 10
Date: March 19 (Thur)
Time: 9:30pm
Location: The Wanch
Entry: Free
Featuring -
A-dAY
The duo that sparked off WHOLALA and winner of the 2007’s CASH Song Writers Quest
Official homepage: http://www.adaymusic.com
FB Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=16334558706
Richey Lam
American-born Chinese pop/rock wonder kid
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/richeylam
The Private Broadcast
A trio of dark vocals, spare guitar and throaty bass influenced by the like of BRMC and Interpol…
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theprivatebroadcast
Check out http://bcunplugged.bcmagazine.net for interviews, pictures and updates!
Source – bc unplugged
AIST’s Newest Fembot – HRP-4C Gynoid
Remember back in 2006, I blogged about the Actroid DER2 fembot from Sanrio, well fast forward two and a half years and now you get to see the state-of-the-art fembot (female robot), the HRP4C from AIST. Really unbelievable right?
For more pics, check out their site here.
Source – Robot Watch
All You Want to Know About iPhone 3.0
Finally cut and paste is here, LOL. Well, what else is new? Apple also added spotlight search; shake to shuffle; notes sync; WiFi auto-login; voice memo; MMS and many more. Check out the following articles for more info, all good read.
Apple previews iPhone OS 3.0, adds copy and paste, Spotlight search, plenty more from Engadget
Engadget’s article with some nice pics on the new OS, iPhone OS 3.0 hands-on!
Apple posts iPhone event video from MacWorld
Apple sets $10 price for iPod touch 3.0 software, free for iPhones from iLounge
and lastly, the official iPhone OS preview page where you can watch the presentation.
Source – Engadget, ChillaFrilla, MacWorld, iLounge, Apple
My Gears – Really Right Stuff L-Plate for Sony A900
The Really Right Stuff L-Plate for Sony A900
Ordered my Sony A900 L-Plate (US$140) from Really Right Stuff last Friday and received it yesterday, nice and fast service (well, US$33.74 shipping, LOL). Slipped it on today and took some pics. Initial feeling: nicely built, sturdy and works perfectly when switching from landscape to portrait. No more resetting the ball head and recomposing. Well worth it.
In Landscape Mode
In Portrait Mode
The Sirui G-20 BallHead
As for the ballhead, Really Right Stuff’s BH-40 seems to be the best fit but given the US$300+ price tag, too steep for me. Went down to Sham Shui Po today for a spin and found the Sirui G-20 ballhead for HK$550 (US$70) at Ying Kee, and it worked perfectly.
Source – Really Right Stuff
Underground 77 @ California – 14 March 2009
Underground is back this weekend at California down in Lan Kwai Fong. For more info on the artists, head over to www.undergroundhk.com.
Source – Underground
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