gadgets add ons to make your holiday
The gifts are unwrapped but there is still lots of shopping to do to round out many of holiday gifts.
For any digital photographer, regardless of your level, one of the most critical pieces of software is an image recovery program such as Lexar’s Image Rescue 4.
The software has been out for a while and the newest version has a one-step interface to begin recovery of digital images or video.
This can be images deleted accidentally or images that show up as corrupt or damaged when you attempt to download them.
File types that can be recovered include JPEG, TIFF, RAW, MP4 and AVI from any type of media card with any reader.
Image Rescue 4 (Mac or Windows) also will automatically update itself to keep up with the never-ending file formats of newly released products.
Users can get the software free when purchasing high-end professional media such as Lexar Professional CompactFlash or Secure Digital High Capacity cards.
In also can be purchased as a stand-alone product for $33.99.
Details: www.Lexar.com
Think Tank Photo’s newly redesigned Urban Disguise V2.0 series of camera/computer shoulder bags allows photographers to carry gear disguised and protected in an attractive shoulder bag.
With the Urban Disguise 50 ($179), I easily was able to pack an SLR along with three lenses, several small accessories and a 15-inch laptop.
Once it was packed up and closed, the bag looked like a standard over the shoulder briefcase without giving the impression it was holding thousands of dollars of gear.
Like all Think Tank products, extra effort went into the design and craftsmanship to make the product incredibly functional and attractive.
It’s obvious these bags are made with the concept of packing a lot of gear into a small bag.
The Urban Disguise series has a very comfortable padded shoulder strap along with lockable zippers, a rain cover and what seems like a never-ending supply of pockets with adjustable dividers.
In addition to the zippered compartments, which hold a bulk of the gear, front expandable pockets allow the versatility to hold extra accessories.
For travel, if a rolling back is also with you, there are slots on the Urban Disguise to easily attach it to the handles of the roller for easy transportation.
The V2.0 series comes in five models, with each having the capacity to hold a different amount of equipment. Prices range from the Urban Disguise 35 for $155, up to the Urban Disguise 70 for $195.
Details: www.thinktankphoto.com
From cell phones to digital cameras to iPods to just about any portable electronic gadget, the one common element is they are power hungry.
The ZAGGsparq 2.0 is a portable solution for any of these needing a power boost at home or away from an AC outlet.
Built like a square hockey puck, it has a plug that unfolds to insert into any standard wall outlet.
Two USB ports are built into the side for charging almost any portable device whether it’s in the wall outlet or not.
What I like most about the ZAGGsparq 2.0 is that it’s a portable battery once charged up, enabling you to plug into a pair of USB devices needing a charge at any location.
Users can get up to four full recharges for most smart phones with a fully charged ZAGG.
The top USB charging port is optimized for charging smart phones or any device needing an optimized charge.
According to a company spokesperson, the optimized port (which is faster) uses the most updated USB charging format, which is ideal for Apple’s latest products – the iPhone, iPad, etc.
The second USB port is a universal port for devices not needing the optimized charge. This includes devices such as Flip camcorders and some handheld gaming devices.
Inserting a device into the wrong port will not damage the device, it just won’t charge.
Four lights in the unit indicate how much power is available before another charge is needed.
Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/12/29/3287367/gadgets-add-ons-to-make-your-holiday.html#ixzz19c5U0nZK
