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I am fortunate to count Mark Shuttleworth as a good friend. He's the sort of person who is always genuine. I never get the sense that he's taking shortcuts with me or with the business that he's forming around Ubuntu (i.e., Canonical).

This authenticity in his personality is hugely important for an opportunity looming for him and for Canonical. Like a few big open-source projects and companies, Ubuntu sits at the nexus of various other open-source communities. Unlike perhaps any other, however, Ubuntu has Canonical, a company with a social purpose as much as a corporate purpose.

Herein lies the opportunity, as Mark implies in a conversation he had with Jim Zemlin of the Linux Foundation:

...(It) seems to be that recognizing that enhancing the productivity of collaboration between different groups is a real way to boost the platform as a whole. And at Ubuntu we feel this very, very keenly because not only do we want to collaborate with other upstream projects like Apache or X or Open Office, but we also very much want to be part of and collaborate with Debian which is a very large project in its own right.

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(Credit: Lori Grunin)

When Canon's Chuck Westfall popped by last month to give us a sneak preview of the EOS Rebel XSi, I expressed my disappointment that the camera's raw continuous-shooting maxed out at a mere 6 frames. I asked Chuck if there was anything on the horizon that might deliver a better raw burst-shooting experience for the can't-afford-a-Mark-III set. His immediate and somewhat unexpected response: "JPEG XR." A few weeks later, I put a similar question to Casio's Scott Nelson, a product manager in the camera division, as he showed off the company's burst-mode blitzkrieg, EX-F1--a camera which doesn't support raw for burst shooting. He, too, indicated that JPEG XR held the key for delivering higher-quality, high frame-rate photos at reasonable prices.

Never let it be said that I couldn't recognize a trend once it whacked me on the head a couple of times.

Raw files--data straight from the sensor--place a heavy performance burden on a digital camera. Though they're same dimensions as JPEGs, raw files support 12-bit or deeper color, while JPEG and its widely ignored successor, JPEG 2000, support only 8 bits. That makes the raw file footprint bigger, even when compressed, and increases the required amount of buffer memory. Furthermore, while JPEG-processing chips are cheap, the proprietary nature of raw files makes it necessary to use dedicated silicon for processing them with any speed. That's a lot of cost to add to a sub-$1,000 dSLR or enthusiast shooter.

Microsoft's JPEG XR--the XR stands for "extended range"--provides some of the image-quality benefits of raw while offering the smaller file size and non-proprietary processing benefits of JPEG. Keep in mind that JPEG XR doesn't replace raw. It simply offers better compression algorithms, and a wider dynamic range than JPEG. At best, one might find a JPEG XR photo visually indistinguishable from a processed raw file. That lets it stand up to retouching better--suffer from less degradation--than its predecessor. For shooters in that market segment, that may be enough.

Clearly, no one's talking about actual products yet, and JPEG XR-as-standard hasn't even attained Committee Draft status within the ISO's JPEG committee (that's scheduled for the end of March). But the fact that I'm actually hearing about it in conversation makes me think that we might start to see some implementations by next year. While I still would prefer longer raw bursts, JPEG XR strikes me as a reasonable compromise.

Canon's newest top Rebel boasts a 12.2MP CMOS sensor and a live view shooting mode.

(Credit: Canon)

Editor's note: This blog has been updated to reflect new information from Canon regarding the number of JPEGs the Rebel XSi can shoot in a single burst.

Canon fans looking for an update to the 5D will have to wait a little longer it seems, since the company just announced an update to the entry-level XTi as its big PMA SLR news. You shouldn't be disappointed, though, since the new Rebel XSi makes a good showing in the entry-level dSLR category. The XSi has a 12.2-megapixel APS-C size (1.6x field of view conversion factor) CMOS sensor, 14-bit A/D conversion to allow for more possible color gradations when shooting RAW, a Live View shooting mode with contrast detection autofocus so the camera doesn't have to lower the mirror to focus in that mode, and (some might say finally) a 4 percent spot meter.

A 3-inch, 230,000-pixel LCD provides a nifty screen with which to frame shots in Live View mode, though it's not quite as versatile as the articulated screens found in Panasonic's DMC-L10 or Olympus' higher-end E3. As in its predecessor, sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to ISO 1,600. I was hoping Canon would at least push that up to ISO 3,200 this time out, but since their competitors haven't pushed their entry-level SLRs that far yet, we can't hold that against Canon too much. It does say that the Digic III processor in the Rebel XSi, along with the high-ISO noise reduction inherited from the high-end EOS 1D Mark III and large microlenses over each pixel, should make for lower noise at higher ISOs when compared with previous Rebels. We'll have to wait and see once we get a review sample, though we were quite impressed with the noise profile of the 1D Mark III.

With its bigger 3-inch screen, the XSi demanded a different button layout than its predecessor, the Rebel XTi.

(Credit: Canon)

While the Rebel XSi sticks with a nine-point autofocus system with the same placement as the XTi, Canon says it's using a new AF sensor in the XSi that the company claims will improve subject detection compared with previous models. The center AF point uses a cross-type sensor that provides enhanced performance with lenses that have a maximum aperture of f/2.8 or faster. That doesn't help much with the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS (image stabilized) lens that comes with the kit, but if you decide to buy one of Canon's fancier lenses in the future, it may come in handy. However, lenses with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 tend to be expensive and aren't what I'd expect a Rebel XSi owner to buy, with the possible exception of specialty lenses, such as a macro. On a positive note, it is nice to see Canon include an IS lens in its entry-level kit, since some of its competitors now include sensor-shift IS in their entry-level dSLRS. It was also pleasing to see that Canon increased the viewfinder magnification to 0.87x from the XTi's 0.8x.

Soccer moms should like the fact that the Rebel XSi is the fastest Rebel to date, able to pop off 3.5 frames per second for up to 53 large/fine JPEGs or up to 6 RAW images. Strangely, that's a step up from the XTi's maximum of 27 large/fine JPEGs, but a step down from the XTi's 10 RAW frames per burst. According to Canon, this increase in JPGs comes from the Digic III processor's ability to process JPGs significantly faster than the processor found in the Rebel XTi, while the decrease in RAW images is due to the increased resolution of the XSi's sensor.

The camera also includes the same Highlight Tone Priority mode found in the 1D Mark III, which helps preserve detail in the brightest portion of a scene. Also, the XSi includes Canon's Auto Lighting Optimizer, which automatically adjusts contrast and brightness in case the image you captured isn't quite perfect. Introduced last year in the 40D, the Auto Lighting Optimizer is now available in all exposure modes and employs face detection to prevent underexposure of backlit faces. That's nice, since underexposed backlit subjects was one of Lori Grunin's gripes about the Rebel XTi.

As you might expect, there's not much room to spare inside the new Canon Rebel XSi.

(Credit: Canon)

Unfortunately, Canon didn't address one of my big gripes with the XTi-- its lack of a dedicated status LCD. Instead, the XSi sticks with the lone 3-inch screen, which doubles as a status display and automatically shuts off when you raise the camera to your eye, thanks to a sensor just below the optical viewfinder. If you're not careful when you switch lenses, you'll like that Canon kept the Integrated Cleaning System in the XSi. It shakes the sensor so that any loose dust falls away from the low-pass filter in front of the sensor and is held on an adhesive strip in the bottom of the camera.

In case that's not enough, you can have the camera map any persistent specks so the Digital Photo Pro software that comes with the camera can remove the resulting spots in your image. In case you want to risk cleaning your sensor yourself, the camera can also hold the mirror up so you can reach into the body and risk scratching the low-pass filter while you try to remove any particles.

Joining the growing number of dSLRs that record to SD instead of Compact Flash cards, the XSi will record its images to SD or higher-capacity SDHC cards. For users stepping up from a compact camera this may be convenient, though previous Rebel owners looking to step up will likely have to run out and buy some SD cards. Remaining specs are in line with the previous Rebel. For example, shutter speeds range from 30 seconds to 1/4000 second with a flash sync speed of 1/200 second and the camera employs a 35-zone TTL metering system. Canon plans to offer the Rebel XSi both as a body only ($800) and as a kit with the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5/6 IS lens ($900). Both should be in stores by this April and it should be noted that the Rebel XSi will be available in silver and black finishes and Canon will also offer the BG-E5 battery grip for the new camera.

Earlier this year the National Football League (NFL) announced new "security" rules requiring that all professional photographers wear NFL-issued red vests or lose their stadium access. What the photographers discovered was that these NFL-issued vests also carried the Canon logo, and that has led to outrage and protests across the professional community. Turns out that outrage was justified.

Correction 9:00 a.m. PDT Wednesday: The original version of this article misstated the camera's megapixels. The Canon EOS-1D Mark III has 10.1 megapixels.

Canon U.K. has asked its retailers to return any unsold EOS-1D Mark III cameras for a fix, according to reports Tuesday.

Canon U.S.A. says that it has no plans to issue a formal recall, but will address the autofocus issue soon.

Canon's EOS-1D Mark III

(Credit: Canon)

"We can confirm that Canon U.S.A., Inc. has not suspended shipments of the EOS-1D Mark III camera, and we can also confirm that we have no plans to do so. We will announce the EOS-1D Mark III AF issue on the Canon U.S.A. Inc. Web site in the near future," Chuck Westfall, Canon U.S.A.'s director of media relations, said in an e-mail.

Canon has previously acknowledged that at high temperatures its $4,500 10.1-megapixel digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera geared toward photojournalists does have issues with the autofocus function. It has said solving the autofocus problem requires the adjustment of an internal mirror that reflects light into the autofocus subsystem, and encouraged owners to send any dysfunctional cameras to Canon for the fix.

Now it seems, the company is asking its U.K. retailers to send in all EOS-1D Mark III cameras still on shelves, according to both Digital Photography Review and Gizmodo.

There is no word yet on whether Canon will offer a refund or exchange for EOS-1D Mark III owners who prefer a different camera altogether instead of trying the fix.

Canon SD1000 Elph

(Credit: CNET Networks)

As a back-pocket backup, the Elph series is well respected and widely enjoyed. Canon left off the manual controls on this snapshooters' favorite, but for what it is, it's a sound product and a great deal. It started out on the market earlier this year at $220 or higher, and sellers are starting to lower the price. On Thursday, Amazon's winning the race to the bottom, especially since in most cases they offer free shipping for this item.

According to CNET Reviews, the SD1000 Elph offers unusually good image quality, "solid build quality, speedy performance, an optical viewfinder, (and) face detection" along with assorted preprogrammed settings, a 2.5-inch LCD screen, and admirable speed.

What: Canon PowerShot SD1000 Elph pocket digital camera
How much: $169.95
Shipping: Free (varies)
Where: Amazon (via The Bargainist)
When: Through unknown date
Click here for the CNET product review of the Canon PowerShot SD1000 Digital Elph.

Eyeing the virtual printer.

(Credit: Michael Kanellos/CNET News.com)

CHIBA, Japan--Canon wants to take you into a virtual world so you can learn how to change toner cartridges better.

The headgear you see in the photo, along with the cube with the squiggles, is part of a "Mixed Reality Technology" prototype coined by Canon, which showed it off over the weekend during a special future-tech exhibit at Ceatec, the large Japanese trade show here.

It's called mixed reality because virtual and real-world images are mixed into one frame. When you put the goggles on and stare at the cube, you don't see squiggles. Instead, you see a virtual 3D image of a copier. You also see your own hands move around the virtual world. You can lift the lid of a printer or copier, flip switches, etc. It was actually kind of cool.

Bang the drum slowly.

(Credit: Michael Kanellos/CNET News.com)

Virtual reality was one of the more prominent themes in the future-tech exhibition. The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology also showed off a virtual device it concocted with the Phantom haptic tech from Sensable Technologies of Woburn, Mass., that combines virtual visual, sound and touch stimuli. Basically, you put on the virtual-reality glasses and see a drum and set of bells. Strike it with a mallet and you hear the appropriate virtual sounds over the headset. The top of the drum also "feels" rubbery, while the side is hard. Sensable did the visual and feel parts, while NICT did the sound part.

That second picture, with the guy sitting in front of what looks like a projector, is the Sensable-NICT project. You can see the virtual image above his head.

Waseda University, meanwhile, showed off something called Interactive View, which lets you manipulate and move virtual objects.

As I sat here today, trying to decide what the topic should be for this week's Future Implications piece, I thought of the ever-popular topics of computing, smart phones and even HDTVs. But alas, I came across this list from Ethisphere that lists the World's Most Ethical Companies for 2007.

Upon opening the link and examining the list, I was aghast at what I found: most major tech companies were nowhere to be found. Is this an endemic issue in the technology business? And more importantly, what can be done to fix it?

Glaskowsky taking a picture of himself, his camera, and an unnamed woman at SeaWorld

(Credit: Peter N. Glaskowsky)

A few days before Apple started selling the iPhone, I decided I wasn't going to buy one, and I said ... Read more