flips

Is Kodak's new Zx1 better than the Flip Mino HD?

Last year, Kodak was first out the gate with an HD minicamcorder, the Zi6. That model was pretty good and won some fans for its decent video quality and relatively large LCD display. This year, Kodak's sticking with much the same as far as the guts of the camcorder, but it's evolved to a more rugged design that's geared toward consumers with "action and adventure in mind."

The $149.99 Zx1 incorporates the same 1/4.5-inch 1.6-megapixel sensor as the Zi6. However, according to Kodak, it has upgraded the processor in this model, … Read more

Is Cisco really going to take on Apple? Not quite

Cisco Systems' acquisition of Pure Digital Technologies, maker of the Flip camcorder, has sparked a lot of discussion about the networking giant's intentions. One theory is that Cisco is looking to compete with Apple--especially in the digital living room.

Ben Worthen at The Wall Street Journal surmises:

It isn't a big leap to see Cisco developing a home-media hub that cobbles these pieces together--some sort of device that allows people to upload and watch videos and listen to music throughout their homes. In fact, it looks like a next logical step. Apple has a similar device called Apple … Read more

Cisco's consumer electronics dream

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated Cisco's yearly earnings.

If you haven't noticed, Cisco Systems, whose products have been used to build the Internet for 20 years, has spent the past 6 years becoming a big player in the consumer electronics market.

While Cisco still generates the bulk of its nearly $40 billion in yearly revenue from selling routers and switches to large companies and Internet service providers, the company has also been pushing into new markets, such as consumer electronics, over the past several years.

Still, most consumers probably have no idea who Cisco is or what it does. Sure, they may have seen those cute "human network" commercials on TV. But other than that, I'd guess the average Joe has no clue what Cisco does.

Some might be familiar with the Linksys brand, which has traditionally sold home networking gear. But Cisco executives say they are on a mission to make Cisco a household name. Not only is the company making a bigger effort to brand its products as Cisco, but it's also busy developing a slew of new products for the consumer market.

And on Thursday the company announced its most aggressive play in the consumer market to date with the $590 million acquisition of Pure Digital Technologies, the maker of the popular Flip Video mini camcorders.

But Pure is by no means the only major acquisition Cisco has made in the consumer market. In fact, the company so far has pretty much built this part of its business through acquisitions. In 2003, it got its start in the competitive CE market with the $500 million acquisition of the home-networking equipment maker Linksys. Then in 2005, it bought Scientific Atlanta, a quasi-consumer electronics company, for $7 billion. Scientific Atlanta makes set-top boxes that Cisco sells to subscription TV providers.… Read more

CNET News Daily Podcast: Why Cisco's Flip Video buy isn't so crazy after all

Cisco announced Thursday that it will pay more than $600 million to buy Pure Digital, the company that makes Flip Video camcorders. Reporter Marguerite Reardon joins today's podcast to talk about why that shouldn't be a surprise.

Also in this podcast: Microsoft unveils Internet Explorer 8; a security conference in Canada that got makers of Safari, Firefox, and IE's attention; and Google adds a feature to Gmail that just might make your life Rickroll-free.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Today's stories:

Cisco buys Flip Video maker for $590 million

Oracle delivers solid third quarter

Safari hole exploited in seconds at hacking contest… Read more

Buzz Out Loud 934: Cockpod block

Apple is apparently suing the maker of an iPhone dock called the Podium because the product name has the word pod in it. Really? So if I refer to the cockpit of my plane as the cockpod, Apple could sue, because the cockpod has a music player in it? Are you blocking my cockpod, Apple? Also lepidopterists may be in trouble because the letters for pod are in there, as well. Of course, we also talk IE 8, and Sony and Google hooking up for free books.

Listen now: Download today's podcast EPISODE 934

Sony Reader gets all Google … Read more

Cisco buys Flip Video maker for $590 million

Updated 7:46 AM PT with comments from executives at Cisco and Pure Digital.

Cisco Systems, the world's largest maker of switches and routers that power the Internet, has taken another step toward becoming a major player in the consumer electronics market.

On Thursday the company announced it has acquired Pure Digital Technologies, the maker of the popular Flip Video camcorders. Cisco will pay about $590 million in stock for the company and will also provide about $15 million in retention-based equity as incentives to PureDigital employees, the company said in a statement.

Pure Digital started selling its consumer-friendly mini camcorder in May 2007. The device, which is a little bigger than a deck of cards and has a built-in USB connection, was designed to provide an easy and simple way to take video and upload it to the Internet, especially to popular sharing sites like YouTube and MySpace.

The device, which costs between $100 and $229, depending on the version purchased, has built-in memory storage to take up to 30 minutes or 60 minutes of video. The integrated software also makes the device easy to upload video to PCs or Macs. The product line has grown and now includes the Flip MinoHD, a small high-definition camera. Pure Digital says it has sold more than 2 million total Flip video units since the product first went on sale.… Read more

Cisco buying maker of Flip Video camera?

Pure Digital, maker of the popular Flip Video camera, is reportedly nearing a deal to be acquired by Cisco, according to a report in TechCrunch.

TechCrunch cites several anonymous sources saying that San Francisco-based Pure Digital is considering a sale. Another source says the Cisco sale "is a done deal," and puts the price tag at "north of $500 million."

Pure Digital CEO Jonathan Kaplan wasn't available for comment.

Pure Digital had been in the business of making one-time-use cameras for about five years before it hit the jackpot with its Flip Video, a small, … Read more

Bring the breakfast bar home

Waffles are good any time of the day or night. This may be because waffles are good topped with sweet or savory ingredients. From chicken and waffles to ice cream and berries, the waffle is a versatile base for many a delicious meal.

Perhaps more amazing than the ability to have waffles with any meal is the ability to have breakfast anytime. The breakfast bar in a hotel closes at a certain hour and the biscuit-selling fast-food joints do the same. Many restaurants serve breakfast until a predetermined time. For those who want 24-hour breakfast availability, it's best to … Read more

Sony's Webbie cam follows Pure Digital bid

LAS VEGAS--Before making the new inexpensive mini camcorder it unveiled at CES Wednesday, Sony tried to purchase the category leader, Pure Digital.

Sony Electronics President Stan Glasgow on Wednesday told CNET News that the vastly popular Flip Video camera made by Pure Digital came onto Sony's radar almost two years ago. Glasgow said he knew he wanted Sony to have a product in the category and talked to San Francisco-based Pure Digital about a possible acquisition six months ago.

Without saying how much Pure Digital was asking, Glasgow said it was much more than Sony wanted to pay. The … Read more