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December 17, 2009 12:56 PM PST

The 20 most notable tech products of 2009

by David Carnoy
  • 2 comments

Not every noteworthy product was made by Apple in 2009.

We've been doing a lot of end-of-the year lists here at CNET as our editors round up the most popular and best products in their categories. That's all great, but then someone said, "Hey, why don't we do a list that's a best-of-the-best list of all the lists combined?"

Well, that's what I was tasked with, but instead of calling it the "Best products of 2009" or the "Most popular products of 2009," I've come up with "The most notable products of 2009," which I like to think of as a kind of a hybrid between popular, best, and most hyped.

Once again, I've enlisted the help of my fellow editors, so while my name may appear at the top of this list, it's really a collective effort. That said, you can blame me if you don't like the picks (a few may surprise you).

As always, feel free to suggest your own picks. If you make a good case, we'll update the list and make some changes.

Click on any image to start the slideshow and see the picks (they are listed in alphabetical order).

More: The decade's 30 biggest tech flops

Originally posted at Fully Equipped
December 16, 2009 10:41 AM PST

Entry-level SLR plunges 3,000 feet--and survives

by Stephen Shankland
After a plunge of about 3,000 feet during a parachuting trip, the Canon Rebel XT still worked, if not flawlessly.

After a plunge of about 3,000 feet during a parachuting trip, the Canon Rebel XT still worked, if not flawlessly.

(Credit: Calin Leucuta)

Camera makers tout the ruggedness of their higher-end products, but apparently even an entry-level SLR can withstand a 3,000-foot drop under the right circumstances.

The camcorder didn't fare as well as the SLR.

The camcorder didn't fare as well as the SLR.

(Credit: Calin Leucuta)

So discovered Marius Ivascu, a parachuting instructor in Florida whose Canon Rebel XT detached from his helmet mount and took the fast way back to Earth on a skydiving trip. The camera mount detached when Ivascu deployed his parachute, recounted Calin Leucuta, a photographer and friend of Ivascu who earlier had sold him the camera.

After searching for less than a half hour after he landed, Ivascu found the camera and a video camera that had been mounted next to it.

"The video camera cracked open, dead, done deal. The Rebel took the fall a little better, just a crack in the left side of the plastic body," Leucuta said on his blog. "With a glimmer of hope, Marius presses the playback button: Quelle surprise! The camera turns on, displays the last image taken, like nothing happened."

... Read more
Originally posted at Deep Tech
December 16, 2009 7:22 AM PST

Get a Vado HD pocket camcorder and accessories for $99.99

by Rick Broida
  • 11 comments

'Tis the season to record a lot of video. And take it from me: you want a camcorder you can slip into a pocket between memorable moments, not some big, bulky thing that requires a neck strap.

Flip Video's popular pocket cams start at around $200, but right now you can grab the Creative Vado HD (with accessories) for $99.99 shipped.

I'll be the first to admit this isn't the best deal I've ever posted on an HD camcorder, but it's one of the best I've seen lately. Plus, the bundled accessories--a mesh case and a USB power adapter--would cost you an extra $45 if purchased separately.

The Vado itself can record up to two hours of 720p-quality video--twice as much as the Flip MinoHD. That's because it sports 8GB of onboard storage compared with the Mino's 4GB. Alas, there's no media slot for adding memory cards.

CNET gave the Vado HD mostly high marks, citing its strengths as solid video quality, removable battery, easy operation, and bundled HDMI cable for watching videos on an HDTV. Of course, as with most pocket camcorders, this one offers fast and easy USB-powered uploading to YouTube.

Also, the Vado features a relatively spacious 2-inch LCD. The MinoHD's 1.5-inch screen seems painfully tiny by comparison (trust me--I've got one).

I have no idea how long Creative's stock will last. But I do know the Vado bundle is also available in red--much purtier, IMHO.

Backup deal: You know what would go great with that $78 Blu-ray player I mentioned the other day? The Optoma HD20 1080p projector for $999.99 shipped. (Add it to your cart to get that price, and use Google Checkout to knock another $5 off.) It has dual HDMI inputs, so you can plug in your Blu-ray player and your game console! Drooooool.

The following products mentioned are available.

On Sale Now: $99.95 - $199.99
View the latest prices for Creative Vado HD

On Sale Now: $994.99 - $1,199.00
View the latest prices for Optoma HD20

Originally posted at The Cheapskate
Rick Broida, a technology writer for nearly 20 years, is the author of more than a dozen books. In addition to writing CNET's The Cheapskate blog, he oversees BNET's Business Hacks. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CBS Interactive. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers. Follow Rick on Twitter at cheapskateblog.
December 14, 2009 12:41 PM PST

Five inexpensive ways to end blurry snapshots

by Joshua Goldman
  • 10 comments

Joby still makes one of the best mini tripods around.

(Credit: Joby)

Despite point-and-shoot camera manufacturers' best efforts to reduce the effects of hand shake--digitally, optically, and mechanically--as long as you're holding the camera there's a very good chance you'll end up with blurry shots. Add in softening caused by noise reduction at higher ISO sensitivities, and getting a sharp shot of moving subjects or in low-light conditions can be tricky. The disappearance of viewfinders from compact cameras doesn't help things either as it encourages you to extend your arms to use the LCD.

Taking the camera out of your hands and putting it on a tripod or other support is one of the best ways to improve your odds. However, when I suggest this to point-and-shoot users I typically get in response that it's not practical to carry a tripod and it kills the point of having a very portable camera. But the solution is easy: get a very portable mini tripod.

Below are five favorites ranging in size, price, and flexibility, and though they aren't all technically tripods, they'll certainly help keep your pocket camera still whether you're behind or in front of it.

In lieu of buying a support, there are free options for helping control hand shake. Look for a lamp post, wall, tree, or any solid vertical structure you can lean against for support. Don't fully extend your arms, but instead pull them into your body as closely as possible with your elbows tucked into your sides or rest on a ledge or wall. Also, even if your camera has a lot of zoom range and optical image stabilization, it's always better to move yourself closer to a subject if possible than using your zoom. Lastly, if you use a tripod or anything else that's stable to support your camera, be sure to shut off any in-camera image stabilization--in this case, more stabilization is not better.

... Read more
December 10, 2009 1:01 PM PST

The decade's 30 biggest tech flops

by David Carnoy
  • 197 comments

Update: After reader feedback, we've added five additional products. Thanks for all the comments.

Here we are just days away from closing out the first decade of the 21st century, which means a lot of publications are in look-back mode, taking stock of all the good--and bad--things that happened over the last 10 years.

The Gizmondo in its heyday.

(Credit: ImageShack)

Before we get to the list, let's get the parameters straight. This isn't a list of all the most spectacular tech failures. I chose to exclude dot-coms, corporate debacles (AOL-Time Warner), search engines (i.e., Cuil), and assorted other Web 2.0 flame outs (I'll let Webware handle that). No, this is a roundup of gear, the stuff that turns on and off, the stuff I've been covering for almost 10 years at CNET (yes, I started in 2000).

It's also important to define just what a flop is. In my book it's simply something that was really hyped but didn't live up to its promise or expectations. And while the word "flop" has a negative connotation, we here at CNET have a lot admiration for the designers, engineers, and everybody else who put their heart and soul into bringing these products and technologies to the world. Some of them didn't deserve their fates. They were ahead of their time or just marketed poorly. Whatever the case, we appreciate the vision, risk taking, and hard work that went into creating these things.

But enough sentimentality (I meant it, really). Let's get to the biggest tech flops of the decade. If you disagree with any of them or have more to suggest, please post a comment. If we missed any clear candidates, we'll modify the list.

Click on any image to start the slideshow. (Note: The list is in chronological order).

More:

  • The 20 most innovative consumer electronics products of the decade
  • Top 40 must-have Blu-ray Discs
  • Top 40 movies not out on Blu-ray
  • Originally posted at Fully Equipped
    December 8, 2009 11:24 AM PST

    Most popular camcorders of 2009

    by Lori Grunin
    • 1 comment

    Ah, long live the year-end listicle. What did we ever read (or write) in December before the media came up with the idea of compiling and disseminating lists of the best, most popular, strangest and stupidest?

    Here's my contribution to the tradition for 2009--oh wait, there's also my Holiday Gift Guide offering--a potpourri of camcorder popularity as based on how many people read reviews of a product since last New Year's. As you might guess, the results are rather heavily skewed toward older products, products on our top lists, and products that we've reviewed, but I've tried to provide some context and combine new and old versions of products to try to minimize redundancy.

    December 1, 2009 11:00 AM PST

    Red Scarlet 2/3 specifications, price revealed

    by Leonard Goh
    • 6 comments
    Red Scarlet 2/3 (Credit: Red)

    If you've seen our Holiday Gift Guide, you'll notice the oh-so-desirable Red One modular videocam, which costs a staggering $17,500. Well, now you don't have to fork out so much for a Red system. The company has just announced the availability of the Scarlet 2/3, an affordable 3k-resolution video camera. That is, if you find $4,750 cheap.

    Red initially unveiled this vidcam late last year with a price tag of $3,750 for just the body and a lens. However, the firm recently added more features to the modular system to justify for the $1,000 price bump.

    Users will get a 2/3-inch sensor, 2.8-inch touch screen, CompactFlash card module, RedMote Pro, battery, and charger. The shooter has a fixed 8x optical zoom lens, but if you're looking to use your own glass, the firm is offering a kit with the body and lens adapters for Red, Canon and Nikon optics at a mere $2,750. More information available here.

    (Source: Crave Asia via Engadget)

    November 24, 2009 3:10 PM PST

    Indecent Exposure Podcast 69: Intervals explored

    by Lori Grunin
    • 34 comments

    A pre-holiday quickie 'cast on time-lapsing judgment, no news is no news, and a cacophony of contest cuteness.

    Listen now: Download today's podcast
    Subscribe now: iTunes (audio) | RSS (audio)

    EPISODE 69

    ... Read more
    Originally posted at Indecent Exposure Podcast
    November 24, 2009 1:55 PM PST

    Creative set to release latest Flip Video competitor

    by David Carnoy
    • Post a comment

    The third-generation Vado HD comes in black or white.

    (Credit: Creative)

    With Kodak and Flip Video releasing new pocket camcorders this fall, Creative will launch the next version of its Vado HD in December. Simply dubbed "third-generation" Vado HD, the new model comes in black or white and will retail for $179.99. It has 4GB of built-in memory, captures 720p HD video, and offers several improvements over previous versions.

    They include:

    • Improved quality of video in low light or brightly lit conditions with manual exposure adjustments
    • External stereo microphone support for better audio recording
    • Headphone output for private listening
    • Motion Detection mode will enable users to program the camera to begin recording as soon as motion is detected
    • Out-of-the box Mac and PC compatibility
    • Still Photo Capture Mode
    • New Vado Central 3.0 software with more instant Web-uploading capabilities (Facebook, YouTube, Kinkast) and integrated editing options
    All Vado HD pocket camcorders have a removable, rechargeable battery and an HDMI port for outputting video to an HDTV. Typically, their street prices end up significantly lower than their list prices, which has made Vado HD camcorders more attractive, despite some shortcomings. Let's hope the same holds true for this model.

    Comments?

    November 24, 2009 7:13 AM PST

    Three pre-Black Friday deals you shouldn't miss

    by Rick Broida
    • 13 comments

    The 720p-shooting Kodak Zi6 is on sale for just $99.

    (Credit: CNET)

    The deals are coming fast and furious this week, to the point where I couldn't pick just one for today. Instead I've rounded up a little cheapskate trifecta. (Note: All have a high sellout risk!) Take a look:

    1) CompUSA has a 24-inch Synaps LCD monitor for $159.99 shipped. It's a 1080p display with VGA and DVI inputs (no HDMI, alas), built-in speakers, and a 5ms response time. User reviews are overwhelmingly positive. And this is almost an all-time low for a 24-inch monitor.

    2) Amazon is offering the Kodak Zi6 HD pocket camcorder for $99 shipped. It can record 720p video on inexpensive SD/SDHC cards (here's an 8GB card for just $15.45). CNET liked its "solid video quality" (read the full review here), and Amazon customers collectively rated it 4 stars out of 5.

    3) At US Appliance you can score a new LG BD270 Blu-ray player for $94, plus $5.99 for shipping. (Use coupon code welcome10 to get that price.) That's not the best Blu-ray deal I've seen, as this model doesn't do BD-Live or Netflix, but it's definitely rare to see an LG for under $100. CNET hasn't reviewed it, but user reviews on Amazon are very high.

    Anything strike your fancy? If not, be sure to check out Five Black Friday deals you shouldn't miss (if you haven't already). And if you spot anything awesome that I've missed, by all means post it in the comments or shoot me an e-mail. Happy shopping!

    The following products mentioned are available.

    On Sale Now: $129.97 - $199.95
    View the latest prices for LG BD270

    On Sale Now: $99.00 - $169.99
    View the latest prices for Kodak Zi6 (black)

    On Sale Now: $89.11 - $164.99
    View the latest prices for Kodak Zi6 (pink)

    On Sale Now: $139.95 - $159.95
    View the latest prices for Kodak Zi6 (red)

    Originally posted at The Cheapskate
    Rick Broida, a technology writer for nearly 20 years, is the author of more than a dozen books. In addition to writing CNET's The Cheapskate blog, he oversees BNET's Business Hacks. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CBS Interactive. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers. Follow Rick on Twitter at cheapskateblog.

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