Canon’s PowerShot A590 IS is not just a budget camera. Hell, it’s not even a “no-compromise” low-end camera. On paper, it looks a hell of a lot like something that would’ve cost $800 not long ago, but now it’s a ridiculously low $279 (AU: That’s a local price, right there). If that’s not enough of a slap in the face of its competitors, Canon is also offering two more A Series siblings, the A580 at $229 and the multicoloured A470 at—seriously—$179.
So, it’s been four days since I started here at Giz, and I’ve been so busy trying to get myself sorted out that I’ve overlooked introducing myself. Well no more!
The name’s Nick Broughall. Some of you might recognise that byline if you’re a reader of Australian T3 magazine — I was editor there for the past 18 months, reviews editor before that and staff writer before that. I’ve also done a spot of tech freelancing around the place. Think Rolling Stone, OPSM, Paperplane, and probably a few others I’ve forgotten about and you’ll get the idea.
So why should you care? Well, I know you lot are a pretty dedicated lot. You love gadgets as much as me. You hate missing out on the latest product just because you’re Australian too. My aim is to give you all the best local gadget info, plus keep you informed of all the overseas goings on.
I also want to build the Australian Giz community… some of you guys are awesome commenters (applause). But there’s more of you lurking in the corners, maybe to shy to make your opinions heard. Well I want to hear them. In the coming weeks, look out for some great competitions for commenters, plus I also have a few ideas for some Giz-reader get-togethers.
It’s going to be an awesome ride. Feel free to tell me what you like about the site, what you don’t like, tips, tricks, ideas, or if you simply want to send me money. I’m all for receiving anonymous cheques, by the way.
Wednesday night around this time, we like to check in with our favourite columnists. Tonight we expected MacBook Air reviews from Walt Mossberg at WSJ, Ed Baig at USA Today, Steven Levy at Newsweek and of course, David Pogue at the venerable New York Times. Only, when I refreshed my browser at 9pm, Pogue’s Jan. 24 State of the Art column turned out to cover Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac and MacSpeech Dictate, rather than the far sexier (and more controversial) MacBook Air. Can someone please tell me what’s the deal? (And by someone, I mean, a body so far out of the loop that any explanation will be a very wild guess.)
Two MacBook Air reviews are in from USA Today and Newsweek, and they’re both fairly positive, but with caveats.
A press release from RIM has revealed that a new update for BlackBerry phones should hit in the first half of 2008. Users can expect upgrades that include: editable Word, Powerpoint, and Excel documents, remote search for email messages, HTML and rich text email rendering, and enhanced security. Hit the link for the full details. [Press Release via Intomobile via Uberphones]
If you had a slap bracelet back in the day (and I am ashamed to admit that I did), you will surely enjoy this concept device from the Chocolate Agency. Imagine a full-fledged multimedia device that can be slapped on and worn like a wristband. It would feature an e-paper surface and a battery that can be recharged using kinetic energy. Unfortunately, imagining it is all you can really do, because this sort of device is a massive pipe dream at the moment. But there is nothing wrong with thinking big. [Yanko Design]
As you know, nothing gets a woman hotter than a really cheesy pick-up line. Or better yet, a really cheesy and wildly inappropriate line—”Oh, I’m sorry, I thought that was a Braille name tag” for example. Fortunately, even the shy awkward geek can get in on the action thanks to our good old friend the gadget.
When your company earnings nose dive 84% in the fourth quarter and you issue a warning that the recovery will take longer than expected, It is not all that surprising that the reaction on Wall Street will be swift and brutal.
Understandably, the near sighted, big breasted, and fat gutted amongst us can have some trouble seeing the readout on a conventional scale. Thankfully, the Eye Level Wireless Scale can help with a handheld or wall mountable remote infrared LCD that displays the weight calculated on the four sensor scale. Never think of those big breasts as a curse again! Available starting tomorrow for $US39.98. [Product Page via Random Good Stuff]
