Link : http://www.fox8live.com/content/news/seregni/story/First-Look-at-High-Tech-HolidayGifts/aK1D0YVmk0SmktTas463UQ.cspx
First Look at High-Tech Holiday Gifts
Reported by: Jerry Seregni, Technology Specialist Email: techguru8@gmail.com Last Update: 10/27 9:30 pm
Slideshow The Samsung DualView TL225 12.2 mega-pixel compact digital camera camera features dual LCD screens, one on the front and another on the back. As the holidays approach, TV commercials hawking high-tech holiday gifts always appear. For example, you've probably already seen TV spots for the two items featured today on the Fox Morning News. Each sells for around $300, and both are interesting. In today's tough economy, however, only one strikes me as a candidate for my 2009 shopping list. See what you think. Samsung DualView TL225 Compact Digital Camera Samsung has designed a camera to add what's missing in most family photos --the photographer! The new Samsung DualView TL225 compact digital camera has an LCD located on the front and another on the back, so photographers can step out from behind the lens and join their subjects. When the camera is turned on, you can activate the front LCD by tapping the screen. This also automatically engages Self-Portrait mode, which uses smile detection technology to take a photo when it recognizes a smile. Parents will also love how the TL225 makes taking great shots of kids easier.
When “child mode” is selected, the camera plays cartoon animation in the front LCD screen to amuse young subjects and capture great expressions. Samsung claims the 3.5-inch wide touch-screen LCD offers one of the highest resolutions of any display on a digital camera, ensuring the best viewing experience, even in direct sunlight. The 12.2 megapixel camera comes standard with wide-angle Schneider-KREUZNACH zoom lens, equipped with both optical and digital image stabilization. Samsung's Smart Gesture user interface also simplifies changing camera settings. The LCD touch-screen provides haptic feedback, which can be adjusted to produce subtle or strong vibrations. The camera actually changes modes simply by being tilted in different directions. Other features include Smile Shot, Smart Face Recognition and Smart Auto, which assist with difficult subject matter and unfavorable lighting conditions. In addition to stills, the TL225 also records 720p HD video at 30 frames persecond in H.264 format. HDMI connectivity means that your HD videos can be played back on any HDTV or HD Monitor. The Samsung TL225 has a suggested retail selling price of $349.99. For more information, visit Samsung.com. Garmin Nuvifone G60 (available from AT&T Wireless) After repeated delays, Garmin Nuvifone G60 is finally on-sale in the U.S., available exclusively from AT&T Wireless, purveyors of the Apple iPhone. The touch-screen device has many of the features of a 3G smart phone, including a touchscreen with self-adjusting portrait/landscape orientation, Web browser, text messaging, MP3 music player, and a three-megapixel digital camera. Its standout feature, however, is the fact that it's a full-fledged Garmin GPS navigation device, providing turn-by-turn driving directions, traffic warnings, and a search engine that finds nearby restaurants and stores. GPS navigation is fully-integrated with the unit's email client and address book, which means you can directly use contact information or an address sent via email as a destination. Unfortunately, unlike Blackberry devices or the Apple iPhone, the unit does not support corporate email, only POP3/IMAP email accounts from local ISPs, Hotmail, Gmail, AOL, etc. The unit does, however, have several interesting features, such as Where Am I?, which displays the nearest intersection, hospital, police station, and other important locations at the touch of a button. Also handy is Where's My Car? When the device is removed from its windshield bracket, it will automatically store the location where it was dismounted. You can then slip the Nuvifone into your pocket and easily find your car later.
AT&T Wireless makes you buy a $30 per month data plan (in addition to a voice plan), but unlike many smart phones, GPS navigation is included, which means there is no extra charge for using the standard navigation system, currency converter, or other built-in apps. Premium Connected Services are available for an additional $5.99 a month (after a 30 day free trial), which provides you with real-time traffic updates, gas prices, white pages, local weather, movie listings and more. The "no commitment" price for the Garmin Nuvifone G60 itself is $549.99. With a two-year contract and a $100 mail-in rebate, the price drops to $299.99, but that's still way more expensive than an Apple iPhone. All in all, the Nuvifone is an interesting device, but I don't think it's a threat to other smart phones. I, for one, would be more inclined to buy a standalone Garmin GPS navigation system and keep my Blackberry, especially in view of the unit's pricetag. For more information, visit Wireless.ATT.com.