sd

Lexar is about to start shipping a new reader to complement its line of 300X Professional UDMA CompactFlash cards. First announced back in February, the reader features two slots: one UDMA-compatible CompactFlash slot and one SDHC-compatible SD card slot. The reader's slick design includes an integrated cover for the card slots. If you press buttons on the sides of the reader, the middle portion pops up and the slots become accessible. When you're done, just push the middle part down and the slots are covered, so you don't have to worry about dirt or dust getting inside … Read more

GM is one of a growing number of automakers that is using the SEMA show to debut modified or concept versions of existing production models. One of the stars of the GM booth is the Pontiac Solstice SD-290, a modified version of the popular roadster. The SD-290 features a covered passenger cockpit, some sharp body styling, and a turbocharged 2-liter Ecotec power plant good for 290 horsepower (hence the designation). This Solstice also sports a custom front fascia, hood and front fascia, and grille inserts.

Performance upgrades include 3-piston, 13-inch stainless-steel caliper brakes, a custom exhaust from Solo Performance, and … Read more

Imagine putting all 2,000 of your favorite MP3 songs into a memory card no larger than your fingernail. A few years ago that would have been a tall order, particularly since the CompactFlash media was the only one with storage capacities above 4GB. But today, with the launch of SanDisk's 8GB microSDHC and M2 (aka Memory Stick Micro) cards, it's no longer an impossible task.

Widely considered as two of the world's smallest flash memory formats available today, microSD and M2 cards are most commonly used in handheld devices such as mobile and smartphones. The availability … Read more

Wi-Fi-enabled cameras aren't really anything new. Many professional photographers use wireless adapters with their SLRs, and we've seen a small handful of Wi-Fi-enabled snapshot cameras over the past few years. Unfortunately, Wi-Fi on SLRs requires a rather pricey equipment investment, and Wi-Fi on snapshot cameras until now has only worked on certain models with built-in wireless modules.

Eye-Fi has announced its plans to change the limitations of wireless shooting with the Eye-Fi Card. While it looks like an ordinary (albeit painfully orange) 2GB SD card, it's really a 2GB SD card with a Wi-Fi chip inside.

After … Read more

Sigma has released a new firmware update to its 14 MP SD14 DSLR, with its unique Foveon X3 sensor. This firmware update, v1.05, improves the stability of the camera's operation and adds ISO 50 to its Extended Mode. The addition of ISO 50 allows user's to shoot images with low-noise levels, although Sigma mentions that it has less dynamic range than the camera's higher ISO's. Tips on getting the most out the newly added ISO 50 are available on Sigma's site. The improvements in the previous firmware versions are included in this most recent … Read more

Is it possible to get a quality dashboard-mounted GPS system that can play video and MP3s for $175? We don't know about the quality part, but there's a new product that advertises all of the above, as well as a 3.5-inch color touch screen.

DealExtreme, an online retailer that habitually teases us with interesting products that offer frustratingly little detail, has done it again with this no-name item. The unit, which can apparently be removed from its mount and carried away from the car, also features an SD card slot, a car charger and USB cable, according … Read more

It was bound to happen eventually and, in fact, it's surprising that we haven't seen this sooner.

Blaupunkt's "Melbourne SD27" is the first car stereo that shuns CDs, according to SCI FI Tech, instead playing MP3 and WMA files with a front-loading SD card. To make things even easier, there's an optional adapter that can be used for an iPod, mobile phone or GPS device.

The writing was already on the wall for car stereos to go this route, but the kicker that could accelerate the trend even faster is this gadget's price … Read more

With the HDC-SD1 barely out of diapers--it was only released in February--and the ink on my review barely dry, Panasonic already plans to ship its replacement in September. Given some of the issues I had with the SD1 I won't be sorry to see it go, but it's not clear that the SD5 addresses some of the problems.

On one hand, it's smaller--always a plus--and Panasonic adds an upsweep toward the back of the unit to improve its grippability over the tube-shaped SD1. I got a chance to shoot with the SD5 at the press briefing, and … Read more

From the Department of Bad Ideas: While we totally understand (and encourage) good old-fashioned price wars, they shouldn't come at the expense of basic functions. Take, for example, the "KanaSD" MP3 player from Greenhouse Japan.

The good news is that it costs about $18. The bad news is that it doesn't have any built-in memory--we're talking none. Instead, you need to get your own SD storage card, which will probably be more expensive than the player itself. Nor can we expect find video playback or a color screen at all on this low-budget device, as … Read more