Hankering for a Camera: 50 Megapixels crammed in Canon CMOS Prototype

Ok. No camera yet. But heck, if a camera does come out with one of these, I'd want one.

Apparently, the 50 megapixel CMOS sensor that the company is working on is meant for a large format surveillance camera for monitoring a massive and active area, such as parking lots and theme parks. It could also be used to monitor detail heavy work in factory part inspections. However, seeing as they've been able to make a 19 x 28 mm sensor prototype, the same dimensions as the sensors currently used in DSLRs, we might, one day, in the far future, see one of these babies mounted in a commercially available camera. When it does, I bet it's going to cost an arm and a leg... heck, I've got two of those. I can take pictures with just one of either, can't I?

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Hankering for a Phone: iPhone restricted to GSM

Look, look, look folks! GSM subscribers rejoice! It seems that the recently announced deal between Apple and AT&T stipulate that the much coveted, 5-years-ahead-of-its-time, do-it-all handset is going to come out with support for GSM bands only, not CDMA that other US providers (Verizon and Sprint) prefer, further enforcing the AT&T exclusivity.

While that' s bad news for US subscribers who plan on buying an iPhone and switching back to their old network, it seems that this announcement would be a boon to most Asian and international subscribers who are angling to get their hands on the phone.

If anybody is planning on visiting the US in the coming months, and say, they have enough cash to buy me one of these, I'd consider it the best birthday gift anyone could ever give. For at least the next 5 years.

Although... I wonder if it's going to be Sim-locked...

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Hankering for a Robot: Korntech's Rogun

Who wouldn't want one of these? While Korntech's robot, designated Rogun isn't the first to sport face-recognition software and intruder alert capabilities, it is the first among the rest to make it to (not so mass) production. This child-friendly 1 meter high robot is available for a built to order value of $100,000. Expensive? Heck yeah. Korntech aims to sell this baby for just $5000 eventually, but until then, being one of the first to own one these little guys is going to cost you quite a hefty sum.

Why buy one of these? Well, aside from the novelty of such a thing, there's the fact that it can and does interact with others using embedded cameras and face-tracking software. It also functions as a security guard, calling its owner on their mobile if there are strangers visiting the empty house at night, or streaming live video of naughty children from to their cell phone.

While I'd love to own one of these, maybe in the future when they sell for $5000, if anyone did come breaking and entering with the intent to steal, I'm pretty sure they'd take this little security guard with them on the way out. I mean, who wouldn't want to?

Wouldn't it be cool though if it actually came with a stun gun to use when it's in security guard mode? It does have "gun" in its name after all. Rogun with stun gun. No danger stunning family members since you've got face-recognition tech built in. Hmmmmmmmm. Maybe someone should suggest it.

Hankering for a Camera: Olympus E510

I want a dSLR. And not just any dSLR... well, ok, I'd settle for any, but if I had the means, I'd probably go for the Oly EVOLT 510. Why?
Well, aside from the digital dedicated 4/3 format which allows for smaller and lighter lenses that gather more light than those made for 35mm, there's the 10 megapixel Live-MOS imaging sensor, enabling the user to compose pictures with the 2.5 inch hypercrystal LCD (which in itself allows a viewing angle of up to 170 degrees without shadow or glare) in Live View mode, not something that most dSLRs are able to do. It also utilizes two storage mediums: CF and XD memory cards, allowing the user more storage options than your usual dSLR. Like other Oly EVOLT dSLRs, it possesses a Supersonic Wave Filter for sensor dust protection, allowing the user to change lenses in almost any field condition. It also features an in-body image stabilizer, meaning that, since it's part of the body itself, image stabilization with this camera can be used with any lens.

Honestly, I haven't got much in the way of experience with dSLRs. If I do get to have though, I'd want to have one of these. :D According to www.olympusamerica.com, it retails for about $999.99 with two lenses: 14-42mm and a 40-150mm! Wow. Anyone need a liver? I'm kidding.

Hankering for a Phone: iPhone gets FCC OK!

I, along with the rest of the world, looks eagerly back and forth, from and to Apple and the calendar, awaiting the iPhone's release. Who wouldn't want one of these? It's an iPod video plus phone plus camera plus PDA plus almost anything... well, not almost anything. What Apple promises to deliver is a handset with software that is 5 years ahead of any other competing cellphone on the market. Just recently, that promise has come one step closer to fruition.

The good folks at the FCC have recently given the thumbs-up to Apple's iPhone, which I don't think anyone doubted would happen, helping its entry into the US market. While available documents from the FCC revealing nothing more about the phone that what is known, we really don't need the FCC to tell us anything we haven't already found out from other sources, or things we've already dreamed about that the iPhone can do... like fly...

While I doubt we're going to see any real iPhones carried locally in Asia any time soon (a rare thing for new mobile phone releases), I'm sure those who really want it will find a way to get it. For my part, I'm sure I could live without this phone for the time being. At least up until every other company develops software that comes at par to what Apple promises... that'll be in approximately 5 years. Til then, I'll just have to content myself to staring at pictures of it, and watching videos about it. If someone gave me one though, then that would be a completely different story! :)