The latest rage in camcorder technology seems to be the so-called ‘YouTube-friendly mini camcorders’ with the likes of Kodak and RCA touting their wares on the market. So, with those manufacturers in mind, it wasn’t surprising to hear that Pure Digital Technologies (they make Flip Video mini camcorders) announced a model of their own.

According to PDT, the Flip Mino HD is the “world’s smallest HD camcorder,” - I’m not taking any bets on this one considering the official figures show it weighing only 3 ounces! The Flip Mino HD looks nearly identical to the standard-definition Flip Mino but manages to cram in 720p resolution and 4GB of memory which equals about 60 minutes of recording time.

According to the press release, the Flip Mino HD features “all-new built-in FlipShare software for easy saving, organizing and sharing of video from your computer.” Which is kind of what the current Mino does, isn’t it? When more info is released we’ll update this post with the details.

Like the standard Mino, you’ll can customise the Mino HD at theflip.com/store (if you’re in the UK, just buy it from Amazon - it’s cheaper and quicker). Starting prices for the Flip Mino are about £113.93 on Amazon - there’s a link at the bottom of this post.

Other competitors in the HD mini-camcorder market, such as Kodak’s Zi6, haven’t faired so well. Cnet had this to say about the Zi6 - The Kodak Zi6 is technically an HD camcorder the way a tomato is technically a fruit: it meets the definition, but doesn’t deliver the experience. True, the Zi6 records video in 1,280×720-pixel resolution at both 30 frames per second and 60fps–720p resolution–which technically qualifies it as an HD camcorder, but a lot of factors go into creating an image, not just a CMOS sensor capable of capturing an image at a certain resolution and frame rate.”

PDT have managed to stay ahead of the field with their mini camcorders so maybe they have produced a killer product. I’ll guess we’ll see once we have a review!

For anyone interested, here’s the link to the original Flip Mino at Amazon - Flip Mino

Popularity: 38% [?]

In the words of  MySpace CEO, Chief Executive Chris DeWolfe, “It’s possible”. So, I guess that a ‘yes’. Although MySpace is currently concentrating on improving the MySpace Music service a move into the iTunes territory doesn’t seem unrealistic. By teaming up with the likes of Sony, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group MySpace Music is attempting to become THE online place to access your favourite tracks.

Just like Apple, MySpace Music allows you create and share your playlists and browse those of your friends which is a rather clever way of advertising to users who wouldn’t ordinarily browse for tracks other than those they’re interested in.

Apple currently has the advantage in the form of music downloads to a dedicated device, the iPod which dominates the market. But the growth of social networks as a place to share more than just your personal details and interests represents a tantalising source of revenue for an industry struggling to monetise itself. In these circumstance, MySpace would be unwise to discount something like a ‘MyPod’. Maybe Apple know this already hence Apples game downloads

Popularity: 27% [?]

…wheel nuts. Ok, the title is a little bit misleading but it caught your eye. The American car manufacturer has announced the rollout of a range of new features that allow parents to control aspects of their cars. They’ll be able to set speed limits, control the maximum volume of the stereo and send continuous audible alerts if a seatbelt is undone.

The speed limit set on the US version of the system will be 80 miles per hour - this takes differences in state regulated speed limits into consideration. Additionally, audible chimes can be set if the car exceeds 45, 55 or 65 Mph. The technology, called MyKey, will initially launch on a range of cars and trucks in the US but we’ve no doubt it will quickly make the leap across the pond.

Fords market research shows that around 75% of parents like the idea but their kids aren’t so happy - “I wouldn’t want my parents to have that much control over how I’m driving,” said 16-year-old Danisha Williams. “If your parents are holding your hand, you’re never going to learn.” A valid point from the youth of the US but the system isn’t aimed at sensible drivers but rather the reckless idiots who think it fun to drive at outrageous speeds and kill and maim. Because of the few fools, many will suffer!

Popularity: 26% [?]

Ok, first I have to point out that IBM don’t fully support this app but it should keep users happy and, best of all, it’s free.

iNotes Ultralite was launched today Notes admins and iPhone users. At its heart, iNotes Ultralite is a web app which allows users to access Lotus Notes email through Safari on the iPhone (hopefully it’ll be more stable than IE). You’ll also need to install IBM Lotus Domino Web Access 8.0.2 on your servers.

As yet, we’re not aware of a formal deal between Apple and IBM but never rule anything out. The iPhone 3G’s support of MS Exchange has been a big hit and helped the handsets adoption in the enterprise so expect to hear more news on an IBM/Apple collaboration soon.

Update: An IBM representative has said that the two companies are working to bring the Lotus Notes Traveler software to the iPhone. ’nuff said!

Here’s the link to iNotes Ultralite

Popularity: 8% [?]

But only for the US

That’s right, just like Hulu. The MySpace Music launch, which was announced yesterday by MySpace owners News Corp, allows all users to view the new layout and functionality. Unfortunately, music content will only be available to users in the US. According to News Corp, this isn’t a snub to users outside the US but is the result of complex licensing deals in different country which need to be negotiated prior to music being available. MySpace are expecting to have deals in place soon, on a country by country basis (Note: Hulu is now a year old and most video content is still only watchable in the U.S!)

It will be in the interest of MySpace to resolve this licensing issue as soon as possible. There are already millions of non-U.S. users who won’t be able to listen to any new music added by the major labels. This also means they can’t access access, create or share new playlists. It’s not likely that another music site of this size will spring up overnight and snatch MySpace users away but, should we see another similar service rise over time, users could be slowly leeched away with a high quality, open to all service.

Popularity: 26% [?]

The end of the joys of driving?

There’s not a day goes by without our glorious government attempting to ruin our lives and turn us into mindless automatons. Maybe I’m being a little harsh here. After all, just because the speed limiter trials have been hailed a success it doesn’t mean they’ll be fitted in our cars. But then again, what would be the point of testing them?

The Department for Transport has stated they will will now work with vehicle manufacturers, local authorities, insurance companies and others to “…consider what steps should be taken to support the future availability of the technology.” Sounds ominous!

The speed limiter system has three working modes:

The first warns the driver when they are breaking the speed limit on a current stretch of a road. The second mode will apply the brakes automatically when the vehicle is speeding (this mode is voluntary) and the third mode is mandatory; no speeding will be allowed at all.

It’s hoped that, by implementing the system, a large number of the current deaths and injuries on the roads will be avoided.

An obvious shortcoming of the mandatory system is the need to accelerate out of danger - the system would stop you breaking the speed limit which seems dangerous in itself!

Whilst I applaud the attempt to reduce car related deaths and injuries this probably isn’t the way forward. How will the DoT police cars that aren’t fitted with the device? What about boy racer who decides to circumvent the device?

Here’s a final thought; who will be responsible in the event of a speed limiter malfunction that causes death or injury? I bet that event will send our elected morons running for legal cover!

Popularity: 24% [?]

It would be fair to say that most social networks are making hard work of generating revenue from ad networks. The likes of FaceBook and MySpace have been trying hard to pull in some serious cash from advertising - to no avail.  Considering these two social media monsters are having a hard time you’d think that other companies wouldn’t even bother going down the advertising path until a fix had been found. Think again…

LinkedIn thinks they’ve cracked it. Most social networks are hard pressed to sell ads for more $1 CPM (hint; now might be a good time to advertise on FaceBook etc) but LinkedIn have pitched in with ads starting at $30 CPM rising to $76 CPM (text ads from $12 to $20 CPM).

How do they do it? They’ve entered into a deal with Collective Media whereby select sites can target LinkedIn users when they visit a partner site. When a user visits LinkedIn a cookie is placed in the users browser. This will be used to identify them as a LinkedIn member when they visit a partner site. Personal information will be removed, but members will be grouped into different, targetable categories - laser focused advertising delivered to users. The system does allow users to opt out of the program.

Nothing new, you might think until you consider the membership of LinkedIn. Typically, most users of LinkedIn are there to use the business networking aspects of the site, with many being in senior, decision making positions.

Is this really the future of socia networks?

Popularity: 24% [?]

The end of tagging by hand

Looking back, it would seem that Picasa was just left hanging by Google. That’s all set to change on Monday with the launch of facial recognition which should you identify friends and family in your pictures without requiring you to tag them by-hand each time you see them.

The new feature works by suggesting tags for people based on the similarity between their face in the picture and the tags you already put in place for them. This new technology is courtesy of Googles acquistion of Neven Vision, a company specialising in matching facial details with images already stored in a central database.

As yet there’s no guarantee the tech will work but there is a setback - the system works best when users directly face the camera but has problems if they’re not.

It’s a start, now let’s see who gets matched to my ‘horses arse’ photo!

Popularity: 23% [?]

…again!

Yahoo isn’t doing well in its attempt to build a social network; Yahoo Mash is closing down. When you sign into the Mash you’re presented with a splash page that’s basically says, come the 29th September 2008 it’s lights out for Yahoo Mash!

The closure of Mash is Yahoo’s fourth attempt at building a social network; 360, which was launched in 2005 was closed down earlier this year. Back in 2006 Yahoo attempted to tie up a deal with Facebook - that fell flat on its face despite Yahoo throwing up to £1.62 billion on the table. Then there was Bebo - a billion dollar that deal that never was. Think: racehorse, paddock, shot!

Let’s face it, social networks offer potentially huge rewards for the company that get’s it right so you can’t blame Yahoo if they try again and again and again…. Looks like they’ve taken the story of Robert the Bruce and the spider to heart.

Popularity: 23% [?]

Gunning for Apple?

Based on the answer given at the Android Fireside, I’d say ‘Yes’. During the discussion, one of the audience members threw up this quesition; ‘Will there be technology provided to support content distribution?’.

The answer…

“We’ve thought about it. It would be a great benefit to the Android community if there’s a place people can go to safely and securely download their content and have a billing system so that developers can get paid for their effort, and I have nothing to announce today, we’ve thought of it…We wouldn’t have done our job if we didn’t provide something that helps developers get distribution.” –Andy Rubin

There you have it. Looks like Googles Android shotgun has both barrels aimed squarely at Apple!

Is it just me, or can you feel a Google monopoly growing here?

Popularity: 5% [?]