Crave

Canon on Tuesday announced two new perspective-controlling tilt-and-shift lenses, the TS-E 24mm f3.5L II and the TS-E 17mm f4L. Adding a wide-angle and an ultra-wide-angle in addition to the TS-E 45mm f2.8 and the TS-E 90mm f2.8. With TS-E 24mm f3.5L II replacing it predecessor released in 1991. These new tilt-and-shift lenses have been branded L series with its distinctive red band, signifyng their professional build quality.

(Credit: Canon)

The TS-E 24mm f3.5L II has been updated to feature UD (ultra-low dispersion) glass to minimize chromatic aberrations. Also specially coated aspherical elements to reduce glare. Both new lenses feature a new revolving construction design that allows it to rotated for both portrait and landscape shooting. The TS-E 17mm f4L offers ultrawide perspective controlled ability, allowing lots of creative possibilities. It also features UD glass to minimize chromatic aberrations. As well as revolving construction to easily change orientation. image

(Credit: Canon)

These tilt-and-shift lenses allow you to control the plane of focus, as well as control perspective in things such as the convergence of parallel lines. The lens elements can be tilted forward and back, and adjusted up and down just like the front of a view camera. Giving the photographer amazing control, especially architectural and product photography. These are manually focusing lenses.

They should be available in May with the TS-E 24mm f3.5L for $2,199 and the TS-E 17mm for $2,499.

My iPhone 3G showed the "No Service" sign before switching back to Edge Wednesday morning.

(Credit: Dong Ngo/CNET Networks)

Update at noon PDT: AT&T said it has fixed a problem that caused many Northeast iPhone users to complain that they couldn't access the mobile Web.

I saw a post Wednesday morning that talked about the iPhone data signal outage in the Northeast and thought to myself "Northeast? How about Northern California?"

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and wasn't able to get any 3G signal at all this morning during my commute. The phone automatically used Edge and if I manually reset it to use 3G, it said "No Service" for a while before using Edge again. And even in Edge mode, it was super slow.

I remember AT&T claiming to be the fastest 3G network in the U.S. just one day before the launch of the iPhone 3G. I've had my iPhone 3G for more than a month now and so far it's been rare that I've been happy with both the speed and stability of the 3G signal. The phone switches back and forth between Edge and 3G randomly, and if the switch takes place during a call, the conversation gets interrupted. Most of the time, I turn off the 3G to have a more stable voice signal.

None of my friends or co-workers are totally happy about the 3G signal either, except for one who traveled to Minnesota and reported that it was very good there. But hey, we live in the Bay Area.

So admit it, AT&T, there's something wrong with your data network. I hope this widespread data outage happening right now in the Northeast becomes a cry for improvement. A big improvement.

AT&T Navigator

(Credit: AT&T)

Today, AT&T announced that it's expanding its AT&T Navigator location-based service overseas, making it the first U.S. carrier to offer international navigation capabilities. Dubbed AT&T Navigator Global Edition, the service is available now and works in 20 countries, including North America, the U.S. Caribbean, and most countries in Western Europe. It will also work in six cities in China--Beijing, Shanghai, Qingdao, Shenyang, Tianjin, and Qinhuangdao--all of which will host Beijing Summer Olympics events. (AT&T is an official sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team.)

Like the domestic version, AT&T Navigator Global Edition provides color maps, local search, and text- and voice-guided turn-by-turn driving directions. In addition, the audible prompts are available in English, Spanish, German, or Italian. AT&T Navigator Global Edition costs $19.98 per month, which includes domestic service, and works on a number of devices, including the AT&T Tilt, RIM BlackBerry 8800, RIM BlackBerry Curve 8310, RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8110, Samsung BlackJack II, and the Motorola Q9h. You can check out AT&T's Web site for more information.

One final note: Does anyone think this is another sign that GPS-equipped cell phones and smartphones will take over dedicated portable navigation devices?

You need a 3G phone like the AT&T Tilt or the Apple iPhone 3G to take advantage of a 3G network.

(Credit: Dong Ngo/CNET Networks)

So the iPhone 3G is coming out tomorrow. Are you ready? OK, that's more of a rhetorical question that those who've been lining up in front of Apple and AT&T stores in NYC and San Francisco would call me crazy just for asking. (Though, in fact, it's they who are crazy). The real question is if AT&T is ready. And it looks like it is.

It's only fitting that AT&T announced today that it offers the nation's fastest 3G network, by a significant margin. The claim was made based on a variety of tests conducted by leading third-party researchers, who tested the throughput speed and overall performance by downloading and using multiple applications and files at a time.

The company also announced that it has started doubling the capacity of its 3G markets and that by the end of the year, about half of all its cell sites will receive additional 3G capacity. This will bring the total 3G coverage area to 350 major U.S. cities and metropolitan areas, up from 296 currently. In addition, AT&T also has the largest global coverage, with roaming available in more than 200 countries, with 60 of them being 3G roaming.

Those impressive announcements above are the direct result of the investment AT&T made in network improvements and upgrades between 2005 and 2008 that totaled up to $20 billion. Much of this network investment has gone to building out the 3G broadband data network and deploying additional 3G coverage using the 850 MHz spectrum, which is now available due to the recent sunset of its older TDMA network. This spectrum extends farther and better covers the interior of buildings.

The biggest benefit of the 3G network is, of course, the high-speed data connection; however, it also allows for simultaneous voice and data activities. For example, you can instant message and talk to the same person at the same time with your 3G phone. Now that's really crazy.

(Credit: Casio)

Casio's new BG-2000/2001 series of Baby-G wrist watches continues the cute, colorful, yet rugged theme. Clearly designed with the young female user in mind with its trendy aesthetics, the timepieces are available in three hues: white, yellow and orange. But what's more interesting to us at at Crave is its uber-cool tilt-zoom display, which will automatically enlarge the figures on the watch's LCD screen when angled for viewing. The wearer also has the option to reverse the foreground and background colors and customize the display style. Other features other standard, such as a world time, 100-meter water resistance and automatic backlight. No word on whether the new Baby-Gs will make it out of Japan to the rest of us, however.

(Source: Crave Asia)

Click on the image to start the AT&T Tilt slide show

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)

Looking at the AT&T Tilt, you'd think it was just another Windows Mobile smart phone from HTC. After all, it has a similar design to its distant cousins, the Sprint Mogul and T-Mobile Wing, except it has a screen that tilts up to 40 degrees to give you a better viewing angle. And this device isn't just about cool looks. The Tilt is one of those everything-but-the-kitchen-sink-type smart phones. It's packed with just about every feature imaginable to keep the mobile professional connected and productive on the road, and did we mention that it has a tilting screen? Check out the photos here and read our review for the full scoop on this powerful smart phone.

AT&T Tilt

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)

Whether you know it as the AT&T 8925, the HTC Kaiser, or the HTC TyTN II, this highly anticipated Windows Mobile 6 smart phone officially got its crowning today as the AT&T Tilt. And we'd say the name is quite fitting, given that it has a slide-out screen that tilts 40 degrees for a better viewing angle. However, this smart phone isn't just about the innovative design. It's packed to the gills with features for the mobile professional, and though we've only had a chance to play with a preproduction unit, we think it'll sell like hotcakes. The AT&T Tilt will be available starting October 5 for $299.99 with a two-year contract. You can get all the juicy details in our full preview, and be sure to check back Thursday morning for our photo gallery.

HTC TyTN II

(Credit: HTC)

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy. For all of you who are dreaming sweet thoughts of the HTC Kaiser like I am, we're one step closer to seeing the vision come true. Today, the company announced the HTC TyTN II for Europe; hopefully signifying that the U.S. launch won't be too far behind.

Despite the different naming scheme, the TyTN II is the same smart phone as the Kaiser we've discussed before on Crave. The Windows Mobile 6 device features a 2.8-inch, QVGA touch screen that slides out and tilts up to give you a better view for reading and creating e-mails, work documents, and so forth. It's also fully stocked with Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g), Bluetooth 2.0, HSDPA, and GPS. Other goodies include a 3-megapixel camera, 256MB ROM/128MB ROM, and a microSD slot. The TyTN II will launch with various carriers throughout Europe, including Orange, T-Mobile, and Vodafone, starting in September. You can check out the full press release here [PDF file].

(Credit: HTC)

So what about us here in the States? Well, given that the quad-band GSM smart phone includes HSDPA support and only one of the two GSM carriers--AT&T and T-Mobile--has rolled out its 3.5G network, it's pretty safe to assume it'll land at AT&T. In fact, there are rumors that the HTC TyTN II/Kaiser will be rebranded as the AT&T 8925 (as the successor to the AT&T 8525) and/or AT&T Tilt. CrunchGear is reporting that the mobile could be available as early as September 3 for $499 with a two-year contract, but there's been no official confirmation from either HTC or AT&T.

(Credit: Hammacher Schlemmer)

One of the most vexing things about being chronically paranoid is the limitations of our equipment (technologically speaking). No matter how many security cameras you've installed, for example, there will always be blind spots--and we know that's exactly where our enemies are sure to be lying in wait.

We may be getting some much-needed help, however, from a new remote-controlled tilting camera on the market. This neat little device can pan the landscape at will, controlled from up to 330 feet away with a handheld monitor that includes at 2.5-inch LCD screen to watch your target's every move. Built-in Infra-red LEDs even give the camera up to 16 feet of night vision.

These devices don't come cheap, at $250 apiece, but it's still cheaper than hiring a 24-hour security guard. And it doesn't take coffee breaks.