BenQ unveils iPhone-like touchscreen camera

The Taiwanese manufacturer has just introduced what it claims is the world's thinnest 8-megapixel digital camera, the BenQ T850. Measuring a compact 14.9mm thick, the camera also sports a stainless steel casing, a large 3-inch LCD display, 3x optical zoom and high ISO 1,600 setting.

But while its imaging features are nothing to brag about, the T850's iPhone-like touchscreen capabilities stand out from the competition. According to the press release, users can access almost all the camera functions with three simple finger movements: Tap, circle and swipe. The swipe gesture (left to right across the screen), for instance, can be used to view images, while drawing a circle lets you enlarge a specific portion of an image. You can also tap on the display to specify exactly where you want the focus to be on an image, tap the bar to navigate when watching videos or listening to music, and even add scribbles and fun artwork to photos.

Other nifty features on the T850 include image stabilization and face detection modes, as well as various preset settings and a "Smile Catch" function that shoots in succession to capture that perfect smiling shot. The camera is expected to be launched mid-May in China and selected markets across Asia and Europe. No pricing was given.

Via BenQ and FarEastGizmos

Mickey wants your kid to shoot

Japanese camera accessories maker Kenko is slapping pictures of Disney characters on its new point-and-shoot, and it seems it is targeting kids or ardent fans of Mickey and his gang.

The DMC-50 comes with a 5.17-megapixel sensor, 2.4-inch LCD screen, 128MB of internal memory (with SD card expansion slot) and 4x digital zoom. That's right, boys and girls, this shooter doesn’t have a zoom lens. Compared with digicams in our Lab, this new kid on the block is asking to be ousted in terms of specifications.

But what's interesting is the rear interface--it looks like a portable game console, all the more encouraging us to presume that this snapper is for kids. At the very least, the design is still quite conventional, unlike Polaroid's kids cam.

Pricing has yet to be confirmed, and we're not sure if you can get it from Kenko's Web site, too. Your best bet is to get someone who's going to Japan and check it out.

BBQ multi-tool

Remember that BBQ light we featured, the one that magnetically adheres to your steel utensils? That's yesterday's gadget. Here's the Grill TEK Griller's 6-in-1 Multi-tool, a device that could propel you to outdoor cooking greatness.

Aside from a knife, it has an LED light to check for doneness and a timer so you can keep track of how long that steak has been on the grill. When you are done cooking, there's a whistle to call everyone to the table and it even opens bottles in case you want a beer with that steak.

It's a pity the online store that stocks it, AJ Prindle, doesn't ship outside of the US. But, hey, it's the age of the Internet, so if you really want one, seek out one of those parcel forwarding services that ships to your country.

Via Productdose

Gresso takes another cut at diamonds

It's been a while since we'd heard from Gresso, the Russian phone maker that created a buzz back in 2006 with its unusual luxury handsets, followed by other interesting gadgets (and a clunker or two along the way).

Now it's back to doing what it does best--phones--with its new White Diamonds Collection. There are two models in the line, with the superior of the pair--the Royal White Diamonds handset--regally bearing 23 keys of 18k gold topped with 2.53 carats of its eponymous stones, according to BornRich.

As with all Gresso phones, both models are made of titanium, sapphire crystal, African Blackwood, and other high-grade materials. But if you want the royal version, get ready to shell out US$52,000. For the budget-conscious, however, the lesser model goes for only US$14,000.

Via CNET Crave

Digitimes reports ASUS not taking anymore Eee PC 900 orders

Believe what you want, but we are going to take this with a bucket of salt. Digitimes is reporting that its sources have said ASUS is no longer taking orders for its Eee PC 900 in anticipation of the upcoming 901-series launch at Computex on June 3. They even go as far to say that the Eee PC 900 "based on an Intel Celeron processor, was a transitional product launched to compete with Hewlett-Packard's (HP's) VIA Technologies C7-M-based Mini-Note PC, while Asustek waited for Intel to start deliveries of Atom CPUs". Ouch.

We are still waiting for ASUS to comment on this report. What's certain for now is that the company will launch its 901- and 1000-series of Eee PCs on Tuesday, June 3, at Computex in Taipei.

Via Digitimes

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