Gadgets | August 18th, 2009 by Staggs
Microsoft has come out with a new, high-definition model of the LifeCam Cinema that has actual 720p resolution. The Microsoft LifeCam Cinema has full 1280×720 video capture resolution at 30fps and a 16:9 aspect ratio; this is unlike similar devices that have since only produced 960×720 resolution videos with a dinky 2 megapixel lens (half-assed video we should say). This little web cam is the first of its kind to offer full 720p definition video capture to your desktop or notebook computer.
The LifeCam Cinema connects easily via USB 2.0 and minimally requires a 1.6Ghz dual core computer to work well. Microsoft recommends, however, using a 3.0Ghz dual core computer with 2Gb of RAM — these specs are probably not your typical notebook computer or is a more high-end desktop. If you’re going to want this 720p web cam, make sure your computer can handle using the device to its full potential. Otherwise, you can risk having sub-par video quality and make you wish you had upgraded your computer instead of plopping down $79.99 for to do video conferencing with the LifeCam Cinema.
Other features of the camera include an auto-focus lens with 4x digital zoom, a built-in noise-canceling microphone, a call button for one-touch access to Windows Live Messenger, and a technology called ClearFrame that was introduced a ages ago by Toshiba as an anti-motion blur feature for its televisions:
To avoid possible motion blur with fast motion video, ClearFrame doubles the frame rate to 120 frames per second, or 120 Hz. While there are many possible methods for creating the additional 60 frames, ClearFrame utilizes superior Motion Vector Frame Interpolation (MVFI) technology. MVFI analyzes Frame A and Frame B and creates a new Frame A+B. By evaluating the speed and direction of multiple picture elements within the frames, this advanced system virtually eliminates motion blur without decreasing image brightness or adding flicker.
The package comes with a mount that can be used for both desktops and notebooks. Either you can clip it to your flat screen or it will stand on a flat surface. The mount also allows the camera to pivot around, panning and tilting as needed. As mentioned the device will retail for $79.99 in the US on September 9th, 2009.
News | August 13th, 2009 by Staggs
There is seldom an opportunity to talk about two great things in a single breadth: legendary Les Paul & his guitar. We make this tribute for Les Paul who has passed away today, August 13, 2009, at the age of 94. Les will be remembered as the most influential musician of the 20th century and as the most important musical innovator for his creation of the Gibson Les Paul solid body electric guitar – a true benchmark instrument that birthed the rock and roll genre.
Today there are many models of the Gibson Les Paul guitar, but they all have the same characteristics – a single formed body, no sound box chamber, and it relies on electronic equipment to create audible sounds. It was the first of its kind when it was built in 1952.
The Gibson Les Paul created sounds that no one had ever heard before and musicians were quick to follow in its path, creating a new genre that incorporated such unique sounds as fretting, chording and doing trills, all electronically. These new musical experiences became known as rock and roll and has since been attributed to the legendary musician who oversaw the guitar’s creation, Les Paul.
While the creation of the instrument remains controversial, Les Paul was the man who had brought the guitar to life with his musicianship and style. He created sounds that inspired, and an instrument to be remembered for life. Rest in peace, Les Paul (1915).
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Features | August 11th, 2009 by Staggs
I’d like to invite our readers to participate in a new upcoming podcast by What’s Leet? to be coming out (hopefully) Tuesday, August 18! If you have any ideas for our show, please leave us a comment below.
If you leave us a comment we will mention your name, and will, of course, be sure to answer any questions that you leave. Since we are just getting started at this we will not be taking any live callers until we get the kinks of our show worked out and perfect our format. The first episode will be a real test for us and we hope that our few readers can chime in and enjoy this new production along with us. Just leave a comment below to get mentioned in our show!
What have we got in store? A whole lot: We want to keep our readers in tune with the news and reviews that surround gadgets and entertainment, just like our sweet writing here. With that said, be sure to tell your friends about us and check back for more! Currently the show is scheduled for Tuesday, August 18 — again be sure to check back, and definitely leave a comment below.
News | August 11th, 2009 by Staggs
Today Microsoft will release a handful of new features for the Xbox Live platform to all users. Some of the most improved features includes updates to Netflix and the Live Marketplace. What will you see in the new update?
- Full Game Downloads: You’ll be able to purchase full games, and download them straight on to your Xbox’s HDD. It will play just like it would from the CD, and you’ll even be able to re-download games as much as you need if you need to delete one to make room for another.
- Netflix Dashboard Queing: Remember the old way of selecting your movies from your computer? No longer will you have to shift your ass to your computer to pull up movies. Just go into the Netflix part of the Xbox Dashboard and you’ll be able to browse the movie selector and choose your movies right there – no more need to shift around to your computer.
- Netflix Movie Party: Have a bunch of friends with Netflix? You can all get together and watch a movie as if you were sitting in the living room with them. Truly digital socializing.
- Avatar Props: You’ll now be able to look around for props for your avatar. You want your mini-you holding a cellphone? You got it! Along with this comes a new marketplace for your avatar where you’ll be able to purchase new clothing and props. New apparel will include branded items as well, so you can really get your avatar to look like yourself.
- Some other fixes and updates you’ll have to explore to find. Everything you can download will now have a rating system to give feedback; friend invites are a little bit easier.
Again this all comes out today and your Xbox Live will begin updating when you log in. You’ll be able to access the game and avatar marketplace online at Xbox.com on August 13.
Gadgets | July 31st, 2009 by Staggs
Introducing Lame of the Month (LOTM), our first one ever, a new column where we introduce a gadget that doesn’t quite make the “Leet” standard that we try to accomplish here at WhatsLeet.com. In fact, this column is left for the biggest lamer at the end of each month to highlight exactly what we don’t like to see people buy. These are things that gets on our nerves for whatever reason (and a lot does get on our nerves). Without anymore interruption, our first Lame of the Month.
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Features | July 30th, 2009 by Staggs
The Half-Blood Prince is the sixth Harry Potter movie in the series that has quickly grown from 3 books, to now 7. Film makers have been keeping up with the release of J.K. Rowling’s books about wizards, and fans are loving every minute of it. Once again the crew starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson grace the movie with familiarity. How does the latest installment do otherwise?
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Gadgets | July 28th, 2009 by Staggs
After we talked about the Samson Q3, we found this gorgeous new gem from Samsung, the HMX-H106 camcorder, the world’s first with fully high-definition solid-state drive (SSD) memory. This gadget is certainly a mouthful of technology, but first here is some insight into the upcoming SSD technology to answer some of your questions. This device may eloquently mark the beginning of the end for a generation of mechanical hard drives
The Samsung HMX-H106 is the first ever portable camcorder to contain a SSD along with variations of 16, 32, and 64Gb of storage. Not only does it include a great new technology that’ll certainly become more prominent in the future (it’ll take a while, just like Blu-Ray taking its sweet time), it has capability to fulfill any videographer’s high-definition needs with 1920 x 1080/60i/30p resolution video.
On top of that, this baby has a 2.7-inch flip-out LCD touchscreen, and a 10x optical zoom with image stabilization. The camera touts very nice 35mm, wide-capture lens that will make your videos look “ace” — just like the movies. Output from the device includes basic component, composite, and HDMI.
Maybe the Samson and the Samsung should mate and become the ultimate video gadget? Wishful thinking, but we’re just excited to see the low-power, no heat, no moving parts SSD technology beginning to snake its way into consumer electronics. It will reshape the way gadgets are made, and that is something not to be ignored.
You can get the Samsung HMX-H106 from Amazon.com
at the starting price of $550.
News | July 25th, 2009 by Staggs
When Palm released their Pre a while back (introduction here), the phone came with the ability to be connected to Apple iTunes to sync your music onto, as you would with an iPod. Then, Apple found out about such activities and have since patched iTunes with v8.2.1 to block out the Pre’s ability to connect.
That didn’t end it. Palm has gone back to release yet another patch for their Pre with WebOS v1.1, once again re-enabling the phone to connect to iTunes, regardless of the patch that Apple had released to block the phone out. How will this affect Apple? Well, they can do one of two things:
- Be perpetually bitchy about letting other devices connect to their software and causing a lot of problems to consumers who do choose to use Apple’s software, but want alternative hardware. Since the Pre isn’t even on the same wireless mobile network as the iPhone, in the United States, I don’t see how it affects Apple at all.
- Let the Pre harness from the iTunes user base. Seriously, it won’t hurt. The more Apple pushes, the easier it will be for legal issues to ensue and customers to get hurt in the long run. If people want to use iTunes with their Palm Pre, let them!
I hope Apple chooses to end the fight by not taking notice of Palm’s actions. iTunes, on one hand, gets to enjoy a whopping share of the music market, and on top of that, in a business sense, doesn’t allowing other devices to connect to iTunes in-turn allow for increased sales of music? Don’t be stupid, Apple. Make everyone happy, and your customers will be happy, too.
Will Apple retaliate?
- Yup, full force! (67% with 2 votes)
- Nope, they'll give up (33% with 0 votes)
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Microsoft has come out with a new, high-definition model of the LifeCam Cinema that has actual 720p resolution. The Microsoft LifeCam Cinema has full 1280×720 video capture resolution at 30fps and a 16:9 aspect ratio; this is unlike similar devices that have since only produced 960×720 resolution videos with a dinky 2 megapixel lens (half-assed video we should say). This little web cam is the first of its kind to offer full 720p definition video capture to your desktop or notebook computer.
