Gadgets Future

Are Kodak that desperate for business when it comes to digital photo frames that they’re offering theirs to feature 100 pre-loaded photos? Of course, these photos won’t consist of random shots from other people as you will need to select 100 uploaded images from your Kodak Gallery account, and they will be shipped on an SD memory card along with the frame. Sounds like a pretty nifty idea if you’re going to present a Kodak digital photo frame as a gift for somebody. After all, this move by Kodak will help you save - what, a minute transferring photos?

Word has leaked out that the M528 3G device is now available for pre-order for AUD$1,199. What do you get for that amount of cash? For starters, there is an 8GB flash drive within to go along with a 3 megapixel auto-focus camera, an 800 x 480 touch screen display, integrated GPS navigation, a 3G radio, and an Intel Atom 800MHz processor. Now that’s a pretty steep price in comparison to other alternatives like the Asus Eee PC and perhaps even the RazorBook 400. After all, for that price you will be able to get a pretty decent mid-range laptop to tote around, but you’ll need to sacrifice the touch screen display and instant 3G connectivity. Looks more like a niche market product to me than anything else, this.

Microsoft just announced its new LifeCam VX-5000 webcam that ought to see action in June. With integrated webcams making an appearance more commonly in laptops and LCD monitors these days, it makes me wonder whether the standalone webcam market is shrinking or not. The VX-5000 comes with a flexible base that allows you to affix it virtually anywhere, be it on your laptop or LCD or even the desk. Microsoft has set a $50 price tag for its LifeCam VX-5000.