Crave

(Credit: Pure Digital)

With many electronics makers looking to replicate the success of the Flip video camera, the company behind it, Cisco, is looking for a new way to stand out.

Since the Flip's debut in 2007, a parade of similar sub-$200 camcorders, from far more established names have followed, including those from Sony, Samsung, Kodak, Creative, Toshiba, and others. Now the Flip folks are mixing it up a bit.

Instead of readying an updated camera for the holidays, the newest product isn't a camera at all, but a tiny, square-ish box that plugs into a TV. Using a small white USB dongle, it can stream your homemade Flip videos stored on your computer to your TV's larger screen, with the ability to sort through videos using an included remote control. The system is called Flipshare TV, and it's available starting Wednesday.

Some 3 million of the pocket-sized flash-based cameras have sold since the Flip's launch in 2007. After establishing the brand, the device's makers Pure Digital sold the company to networking giant Cisco for $590 million.

Jonathan Kaplan, Flip founder and current vice president of Cisco's consumer products group, said earlier this year to expect "networked" Flip cameras, and Flipshare TV is one example of that.

The idea behind Flipshare TV is that you'll be more likely to watch your videos after making them if you can show them to a larger group on a larger screen. Taking home video is great, as Flip's head of marketing Simon Fleming-Wood says, but "the key is the ability is to do fun things with it."... Read more

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

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Today's cornucopia of technology is perfect for when you travel to visit your family for the Thanksgiving holiday. Some tech makes getting there safer and capturing the moment easier. Other tech was meant for your escape from the in-laws.

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Flip MinoHD

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

According to Pocket-Lint, an unspecified Flip camcorder slated to ship in the first half of 2010 will incorporate Wi-Fi connectivity. That's unsurprising, given the recent acquisition of Flip's parent, Pure Digital, by networking giant Cisco. The site also says a Cisco spokesperson confirmed that "the new model will feature 'a large screen that slides to reveal the record and menu buttons underneath' allowing users to see what is going on when they are recording video."

How much you wanna bet this will be announced at CES (or just before) in January? I'm also curious how much Wi-Fi will add to the price; one of the main attractions of these models is their cheapness relative to more full-featured products. Plus, adding Wi-Fi generally means a partnership with a hot-spot provider for free uploads. Just wondering...

For those waiting to see what Flip Video will have for the holiday season, the company is about to ship an upgraded, "premium" version of its MinoHD pocket camcorder for $229.99.

In a nod to Apple, the new model is called the MinoHD, second-generation, and features a brushed metal body, double the internal memory (8GB vs. 4GB), a larger, 2-inch LCD, and an HDMI connection, though no cable is included.

Flip's designers have also rounded off the corners of the unit (it does look sleeker) and tweaked the FlipShare software package to include direct uploads to Facebook (MySpace and YouTube links were already available) and a new Movie Magic mode that takes your clips and automatically arranges them into a "movie."

Other than that, nothing else has changed. Like its older sibling, this model offers 720p video capture and two hours of battery life from its integrated lithium-ion battery. Flip Video has yet to add the electronic image stabilization or macro mode found on Kodak's Zi8, which also features 1080p capture.

The new MinoHD is available in silver or you can get a custom finish at no extra charge if you order the unit from the Flip website. Meanwhile, the original MinoHD ($199.99) remains on sale along with the standard-def Mino ($149.99).

We've been playing around with the new model for a couple of days and it's definitely nicer, though we can't say it's a huge upgrade. If the difference in price was really only $30, we'd say go for this guy, but we're seeing the original MinoHD discounted to around $170 online, which may create a buying dilemma.

Read the CNET review of the Flip MinoHD (second generation).

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It's rare enough to find a standard-definition pocket camcorder like the Creative Vado or Flip Video for under $100, but a high-def model? Schwing!

Geeks.com has a refurbished Kodak Zi6 HD camcorder for $69.99. Shipping will run you about $8.

Before I go any further, here's the catch: It's pink. Now, I'm secure enough in my manhood to bring a pink camcorder to my kid's soccer game, but you might--aw, who am I kidding, no I'm not!

The Zi6 is widely regarded as one of the top models in its pocket-cam class. CNET gave it a generally positive review, griping mostly about the paltry onboard storage. You have to BYO SD card(s).

I consider that a plus: the competing models from Creative and Flip don't have SD slots, so you're stuck with whatever storage is built in. And here's an 8GB SDHC card for all of $17.99 shipped. That'll net you well over 2 hours of high-def shooting.

Speaking of which, the Zi6 captures 720p video at up to 60 frames per second using a 16:9 aspect ratio. It sports a 2.4-inch LCD (way bigger than the Flip's) and the obligatory built-in USB connector for quick uploading to your PC, YouTube, etc.

It comes with a pair of AA rechargeables and a charger, but you can always swap in a couple Duracells in a pinch.

Given that the Zi6 still sells new for upward of $125 (and higher), $70 is almost too good to pass up--especially considering that you get a full one-year warranty, just like new units! Take that, refurb haters! :)

My track record this week suggests these will sell out in about six minutes, so if you want a dirt-cheap, pocket-friendly camcorder and don't mind the color pink, get clicking.

The $180 Zi8 comes in three colors and is capable of capturing 1080p video.

(Credit: Kodak)

Over the last few years, as the pocket camcorder market has taken off, pioneer Flip Video has narrowly hung onto the lead it built by offering models with arguably superior designs and slightly better video quality. A few companies, including Creative, Sony, and RCA, have been nipping at its heels for a while, but none has been able to overtake Flip's offerings. Until now. While Kodak's Zi8 may not be perfect, it has a lot of the little extras we've been asking for--including electronic image stabilization and external mic support--and delivers very respectable video for a minicamcorder well under $200.

Read the full review.

Note: The Zi8 hasn't be released yet, but it is available for pre-order at Amazon.

Jasmine France joins us as we cover a slew of unreadable watches, clocks and bulletproof watch winding safes. She also shows off her insane ability to read the faces of watches that no one else can decipher.

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EPISODE 147

Samsung claims its watch is world's slimmest

LG Watch Phone clears FCC

Turning a Power Mac G3 into a wall clock (Thanks, Nicholas!)

Pong clock (Thanks, Jon!)

Continue Time clock

Digital black-and-white clock is a milestone in minimalism

The Twilight Watch