I got a chance to get a lot of information on the new Nikon Coolpix S52 and S52c, which were announced in April. I never was a big fan of the Nikon point-and-shoot cameras, but after a very detailed explanation and review of the Nikon S51c compared to the S52, I am happy to say my next point-and-shoot just may very well be a Nikon.

Nikon introduced the new COOLPIX S52 and S52c to its Style Series of digital cameras. These cameras combine Nikon’s interesting (still not sure if I like it) wave-surface camera body with advanced features designed to produce great pictures with ease. With 9.0 megapixels, a 3x Zoom-NIKKOR lens, Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Image Stabilization and manual sensitivity settings (as high as ISO 3200), the COOLPIX S52 and S52c are not going to fail you in taking pictures at great quality in any setting.

Like most cameras these days, the COOLPIX S52 and S52c feature Optical VR Image Stabilization technology. These cameras also boast an AUTO ISO control, which automatically selects the optimal sensitivity across a range between ISO 100 and ISO 800, and up to ISO 2000 in High-Sensitivity mode. The S52 and S52c come with a 3x Zoom-NIKKOR lens designed to capture brilliant detail (like the 51) and vivid colors in every photo. What I love about this camera is the huge 3.0-inch high-resolution LCD screen. I currently have a Canon and although great cameras, the screen is nothing compared to these.

Like all cameras in the COOLPIX line, the S52 and S52c include Nikon’s unique image innovations including enhanced Face-Priority AF, which automatically finds and focuses on up to five faces within the frame; In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, which can automatically detect and correct red eye in a photo; and D-Lighting, which compensates for excessive backlight or insufficient flash in images.

In my article, “The Next Big Thing of 08,” I mentioned WiFi being a common thing in devices this year. The Nikon S52c does not prove me wrong offering WiFi built right in. The Wi-Fi enabled S52c can send images directly via email through its Wi-Fi connection, as well as support for “My Picturetown”, Nikon’s photo sharing and storage service. Through “My Picturetown”, users can email pictures directly to friends and family, publish pictures to the photo community sharing Website Flickr, and link their photos to blogs and social networking sites. Pictures can also be sent to the email addresses of a BlackBerry® device for viewing. So, essentially, you could take pictures, upload them on the fly, and move on, all without the use of a computer. I’d recommend a computer however.

Another cool feature I like is the Pictmotion function which will allow users to combine their favorite movies and photos and create in-camera slide shows with music including songs uploaded from iTunes. What will the stylish, feature-packed camera cost? Not much actually. The S52 has a price of $249.95, and the S52c will cost a little more at $299.95. They will be available this month. For even more information and stunning pictures, take a look at http://www.nikonusa.com.

Korean manufacturer, pixel lab have just released their latest offering in the laptop market, the Ripple Note T7500 – a laptop designed to look like a small handbag. What will they think of next? The T7500 is a 12.1 inch, fully kitted notebook weighing in at 1.88 kg including the battery.

I found an impressive selection of photos at Korean website myripple.co.kr who are, as with all the Korean websites, very excited about this new computer and in their own words, (I must find a a better translation algorithm):

“None of this product has some unique features of the biggest design 15,552 Palestinians? 노트북 상판은 평면이어야 한다는 고정관념을 과감히 탈피, 마치 가죽 핸드북을 연상케 하는 마름모꼴 요철이 매우 인상적입니다. Notebook stereotype that boldly that the Palestinians should be held in the flat, shaped like a leather Handbook reminds us that water is very impressive. 하지만, 만져보면 딱딱한 강화 플라스틱이라 더욱 놀라게 되죠. However, the hard question even more surprised because it reinforced plastic. 그냥 들고 다니면 서류가방이나 핸드백을 들고 다니는 것처럼 보여 매우 특이합니다. Carrying just carrying on as if it were carried handbags bangyina papers showed very unusual. 다소 밋밋하게 느껴졌던 중소기업 제품들의 혁신이 느껴지는군요. Product innovation of small and medium-sized enterprises had felt somewhat bland feel this way.”

What they have against Palestinians is beyond me. It is a good looking piece of equipment, but if I am reading this right, a little bland, which could adequately describe much of the latest offerings out there. Just another laptop notebook by the look of things. Although, for the ladies amongst us, maybe the fact that it looks like a handbag is a bigger selling point than I would have guessed. Fairly average specifications including:

In the meantime, any Korean speakers out there who can help me with the translation, please leave me a comment. Here’s a selection of photos:

Ultra mobile is the way it’s going. Following on from our coverage of the Gigabyte UMPC U60, the latest offering in this highly competitive new sector is the infinity miPC.

Quite frankly, the specifications of the miPC put the laptops of a few years ago to shame. Microsoft office 2008, web mail MSN Voip, hand recognition and a personal information management system mean it doesn’t just play games. Connection options include: WiFi 802.11, Bluetooth V2.0, USB and TV out. Capable of playing music and video, it has a built-in FM tuner, supports DivX and XviD, and functions as a GPS system when its docked. A 4.3-inch touch screen, and SD slot with a 30GB hard drive and 128MB of RAM complete the picture.

The only think missing is a keyboard, but who need that anyway? In fact the only thing really missing is phone capabilities. Now there’s a thought – if they added a handset, we could do away with all those annoying phones.

I like the whole idea of a gadget this size offering this many features and the GPS includes maps of Canada and the US, so it’s clearly aimed at the North American market. No price as yet, but it’s only small so it can’t be worth more than a couple hundred bucks, I mean it doesn’t even have a keyboard or phone handset. Manufacturer’s details are here.

When is a $279 computer not a $279 computer ?

When it comes with a $15 a month 2 year long service plan, that’s when. Computer manufacturer, Zonbu are trying a new way of selling computers. Their new laptop, the Zonbu Notebook, sells for between $279 and $479 depending on the service plan. If you buy a two-year plan, you get a discount on the computer of $200.

Hmmmm, I haven’t decided whether this is a good idea or not yet, I mean, why would I need a service plan that includes “free upgrades,” to open source software? I’ll have to give this one some thought. My initial reaction is I don’t like the idea of a never-ending service plan and I have a feeling these plans are going to need to go on forever to keep up with hardware and software changes. The notebook itself is a nice looking, basic computer, pre-loaded with a selection of open source software and a linux-based OS similar to the ASUS eee’s. The sales pitch is here. If it is successful, these guys are going to make a fortune.

I think the ASUS is a better deal, although they are coming in for some flak over changes made to the software bundle that break the creative commons licenses.

Everex calls their gPC a “green,” PC, and with a CPU that uses only 2 Watts of power (assuming you don’t plug 2 monster 29 inch screens in to it,) it’s a valid claim.

The latest Everex computer comes with pre-installed apps from Google, Mozilla, Skype, OpenOffice.org and more including Mozilla Firefox, gMail, Meebo, Skype, Wikipedia, GIMP, Blogger, YouTube, Xing Movie Player, Rhythmbox, Faqly, Facebook and OpenOffice.org 2.2 (includes WRITER, IMPRESS, DRAW, CALC, BASE)

The Everex gPC allows you to do pretty much everything a more expensive box will: surf the web, email or play the latest DVDs. (Everex and its products, the gPC and gOS, are not affiliated with or sponsored by Google Inc.).

Based on the revolutionary Linux gOS operating system, the gPC comes with a lifetime of updates and revisions…all for free. A great support pack also comes with a 1-Year limited warrant and toll-free, 24/7 technical support.

Hardware Specifications:

1.5GHz, VIA C7®-D Processor, 512MB DDRII 533MHz, SDRAM, 80GB Hard Disk Drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW Optical Drive, VIA UniChrome Pro IGP Graphics, Realtek 6-Channel Audio, (1) 10/100 Ethernet Port, (1) DB 15-Pin VGA Port, (6) USB 2.0 Ports, (1) RJ-11 Port, (1) Headphone/Line-Out Port, (2) Microphone/Line-In Ports, (1) Serial Port, (1) Parallel Port, (1) Keyboard, (1) Mouse, (1) Set of Amplified Stereo Speakers

Apart from the low power consumption, the beauty of this package is the open source software included, meaning no more costly software upgrades. It might not have the latest Mac or Windows app, but at less than $200, it’s going to be a tough act to beat this Christmas.