Interactive Bar Opens In London

Twentyfour, is one of the most technologically-advanced bars in the world. It also happens to be located, here in London, England. 24, the Bar and not the TV series, looks like something inspired by the matrix, will be kitted out with interactive displays and projection walls that can transform images and video onto a wall at the click of a switch. There are purportedly hundreds of LED lights installed that will give the venue over 1,000 different color combinations. The cool part is that the interactive projections will react to your presence and movements when you attempt to touch them. I imagine that you can probably get the bartenders attention with just the touch of your hand ... I’m going to check it out sometime and get back to you with my impressions.

Lenovo Launch Solar Power Compliant PC

It seems that some manufacturers have been paying attention to the green movement with a very timely announcement from Lenovo which details a Solar Power compliant PC which comes with a based configuration featuring a 2GHz Sempron processor, 512MB RAM, 80GB hard drive and a read-only DVD drive. The A61e should retail for $399 this base specification. The top specification unit will retail for approximately $799 and feature a 2.1GHz dual core Athlon X2, 2GB RAM a 160GB hard drive and a DVD-RW drive. All configurations use AMD's 690G chipset and offer ATI X1200 graphics. Details will be forthcoming on how the solar power will be supplied, but I'm expecting to hear a lot more in the weeks to come. Recent announcements from HP and several other manufacturers are echoing the thinking behind this unit from Lenovo.

iPod Nano & iPod Classic Unveiled

After unveiling the new iPod Touch, and feeling a little disappointed with Apples efforts, I was pleased to see the Ipod classic and the New Video Playing iPod Nano. The classic is just like the 5G units but in capacities of 80GB and 160GB, whereas the Nano is available in 4GB and 8GB sizes. I for one, like the ipod Nano and can see sense in this PMP. The 8GB & 16GB iPod Touch offering fall short of true excellence due to its relatively small storage capacities ... go on Apple give us more storage on the iPod Touch.

Apple Announce iPod Touch

As expected Apple announced an iPod based upon their iPhone and one which uses many of the features found in the popular mobile phone. Coming in 8GB and 16GB versions the new media device looks pretty cool even if the capacity is a little underwhelming. The 8mm-thick iPod looks very much like the iPhone and also features WiFi which when combined with the free WiFi service from Starbucks who are teamed up with Apple and is being rolled out over the next few months. The unit can also display video and photos synched from iTunes. The Safari based browser will allow users to browse the internet via the WiFi interface. Check out Apples Guided Tour for more info. The iPod touch is available now in a $299 8GB and a $399 16GB version. Both versions included earphones, a USB 2.0 cable, dock adapter, stand and Quick Start guide. System requirements include iTunes 7.4, which has just been released.

onOne Announces PhotoTools and PhotoTools Professional Edition

onOne has introduced two new digital imaging software plug-ins – PhotoTools and PhotoTools Professional Edition. PhotoTools is a new Photoshop plug-in that utilizes Photoshop Actions to provide a wide range of imaging tools. These include; effects, corrections and production automation and all are applied through a nicely crafted interface which allows the user to more easily control their application. With PhotoTools users to preview effects either individually or "combined/stacked together in a layer-like configuration as well as save their favorite combinations as presets to be used in the future." PhotoTools replicates many traditional photographic filters and darkroom techniques. "PhotoTools and PhotoTools Professional Edition will faithfully reproduce camera filters like neutral density, color correction and polarization as well as darkroom techniques and alternative processes like solarization, cyanotype and palladium printing as well as many paper toners. PhotoTools even includes cinema looks popularized by Hollywood movies." Phototools includes over 150 effects, whilst the Professional Edition adds over 100 more. PhotoTools 1.0 is available for a retail price of US$159.95 and PhotoTools Professional Edition will retail price for US$259.95.

Photoshop Express Shown At Photoshop World

Photoshop Express was shown by Adobe Senior Vice President, John Loicono to crowds of onlookers at Photoshop World. Photoshop Express isn't meant to replace any of the existing products, but is instead designed to be a web based application similar to Premiere Express, which was released earlier this year. The application follows some of the same UI principles shown in Lightroom and other RAW apps but is far simpler in its use. Allowing users a pick and use type of approach for edits and enhancements. John Nack mentions it on his blog, and even provides a screenshot of the app in action.

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X3 Lacie Hard Drive Bundle

Corel Corporation announced the latest bundle offer for their flagship product CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite X3 that will provide purchasers of the suite with extra storage space for large image and multimedia files. "Between 1st September and 31st December 2007, customers across Europe are eligible for a free external memory hard drive from LaCie in stylish F.A. Porsche design worth £69 when they buy a full version of Corel’s Vista compatible design software CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X3." Customers buying from resellers are asked to download an application form from www.corel.co.uk/lacieand send it to the address specified with proof of purchase. The hard drive is then shipped within 30 days. When purchased through Corel’s Store, the bundle is shipped within 5 days. Application forms will be accepted until 15th January 2008. Sounds like an excellent deal to me ...

HP Pavilion HDX Laptop

HP have introduced their Pavilion HDX Laptop. This unit isn't so much a laptop as it is more a desktop replacement which will give pretty much any desktop and laptop a serious scare. The HDX is packed with features such as 2GB-4GB ram, a 240GB hard drive, a HD DVD-ROM drive, HDMI output, built-in TV tuner, webcam, a remote control, and a 4 speaker audio system which includes a built-in subwoofer. As a laptop you will most likely need to give your legs a break every few minutes as the thing weighs a whopping 15.5 lbs. The HDX begins at US $2900.

Nokia Reveal iPhone Type Phone

Engadget are featuring a video which showcases an iPhone-esque cell phone and sports a widescreen format display. The unit also has some features very reminiscent of Apples iPhone. No idea on what this device will be called but it (or something based on it), is rumoured for release sometime early in 2008.

Sanyos Sexy 1080p Camcorder

Sanyo have announced the Xacti 'DMX-HD1000' - the world's smallest Full HD capable camcorder. At just 112 x 90 x 54mm and weighing 311g, the HD1000 looks like something out of a Star Trek TV show. Featuring a pistol like chasis that sports a 2.7in fold away LCD. It is a full 1080P based camcorder, which also features the ability to shoot 8MP stills, sports a 10x optical zoom and HDMI-out. With support for SD & SDHC cards and Mpeg4 and a battery life which is good for up to two full hours of continuous recording, you really couldn't wish for much more... Oh yes it should also have an SRP of US $1,000.

Nikon Announce New Compacts

Nikon have followed up their announcement of the D3 and D300, with news of several new compact digicam models. This includes their 12.1 megapixel, Coolpix P5100, the 8.1 megapixel Coolpix P50, the S700 with image stabilization, and other models like the S510, the S51 and 51c and the entry level L14 and L15. All models should be available in the next few weeks.