Conventions shattered: Higher resolution = lower noise levels

Traditionally, a higher pixel count in a sensor would naturally result in higher noise levels. However, French company DxO Labs, which specializes in benchmarking digital imaging equipment, has refuted that idea. In fact, it proposes the opposite: More resolution equals minimum noise level.

DxO Labs' rationale is that when a sensor contains more pixels, the amount of light that is distributed to each cell is lesser. Therefore, the signal-to-noise ratio will drop as well and theoretically, this creates less digital artifacts.

However, I have a point to add. The image processor in each camera plays an important role in reducing the noise levels, too. If DxO Labs' theory stands, and when a high-res sensor is coupled with a good imaging engine, the resulting picture will be free of noise. If a sub-standard processor is used, few things could be done to reduce the noise in-camera.

As we've always advocated: Resolution isn't the only thing to look out for when buying a camera. There are other factors such as the lens and image processor to consider, too. For most consumers, a 12-megapixel image is more than sufficient to print an 8R photograph. Unless you need to make A1-sized (59.5cm x 84cm) printout, there are few reasons to lust after a high-res camera.

Nokia announces new smart home solution

Wouldn't it be nice if you could manage all your home appliances, electronics, entertainment, security and climate control system from your mobile phone? This is exactly what Nokia is promising with its Home Control Center solution. The beauty of this Linux-based platform is its comprehensive compatibility with most existing smart home technologies. This allows a unified user interface for these competing offerings which can be conveniently accessed from a mobile phone and Web browser.

Though detailed implementation of the Nokia Home Control Center is sketchy at the moment, the system seems to be centered on a miniature gateway featuring Wi-Fi, GSM, GRPS and Z-Wave wireless connectivity. Another function that caught our attention was its remote access capability. This should give users the added convenience of accessing their home gadgets from the office, in the car on the way home, etc. That's not all. Did we also mention Web, media and email server expansion options as well?

It's still unclear how an infrared or standalone product such as a flat-panel TV can be integrated into the Nokia system. That said, one of our editors will be heading to Europe soon to find out more. Stay tuned for a full coverage.

Via Ubergizmo | Photo credit: Ubergizmo

Goodbye Xdrive

Synchronizing documents over multiple computers in different places is not easy. Sure, you can put it in a USB flash drive, but online storage is the way of the future.

Sadly, one of our favorites, Xdrive, will be closing its doors come January 12, 2009. From a simple Web interface, it had matured as a service and even offers a desktop template which maps the online storage as a folder on your computer. Right now, we are searching for a good and free alternative which also offers folder mapping and a drag-and-drop interface.

Microsoft Live Skydrive offers something similar. It has a drag-and-drop upload interface, though currently it does not map onto your PC folder. Unfortunately, this feature requires the use of Internet Explorer and those on other Web browsers would have to use the old file-by-file upload method.

So for long-time Xdrive users, which service have you switched to in preparation of next year's closure?

Hands-on with the X-mini BLU

XM-I has produced some truly cool mini speakers over the past two years, notably the Red Dot–winning X-mini capsule speaker that started it all for the team, and the double-barreled X-mini Max stereo spinoff. Not bad for a young upstart out of Singapore. The X-mini BLU heralds yet another effort by the company, this time harnessing its nifty sonic prowess for a Bluetooth stereo headset that addresses the growing need for combined phone/music earpieces.

So the question is, does the BLU live up to the standards set by its speaker siblings?

First things first. If you're picky about your listening experience, turn away. A wired headset will always best a wireless headset anytime. There's just no way to avoid the latter's hollowness, fuzzy trebles and sound degradation issues due to radio interferences. The one advantage you'd get in a Bluetooth stereo headset: It's wireless. So if you're looking for a headset that can switch between your music and phone calls wirelessly and at a touch of a button, read on.
Read more »

Photowriter: Wacky text on pics, for free

Go to Photowriter.org and click on the pencil. Now edit the text and press Enter. OK, was I the only one who typed something completely juvenile, just to see it show up on a picture in cloud font? Hmmm, maybe I was.

Photowriter is a free application developed by Deutsch Technologies GmbH that lets you insert text into your photos in weird, wacky, and supposedly photo-realistic fonts. <1--more-->

For example, if you had a wedding photo to send to someone, you could edit in clouds or stones in the background that spell out, "Hey Jacob! Sorry you weren't here!" The "Jacob," of course, can be replaced with any other name. The important thing to remember here is not which name you use, but that you can personalize your pictures with names.

I tried out the software and was impressed by its ease of use--once I figured out what the icons around the UI were for--and its ability to automatically warp the letters depending on the surface you place them on. Put a word on the undulation of a shirt, for example, and the letters warp (mostly) appropriately over the undulation.

It's a fun little novelty app whose usefulness is, I'm sure, directly proportionate to the amount of photo galleries and albums you create.

There is also a Pro version of the software available for about US$13. The Pro version offers over the motif and font creation.

Via CNET Crave

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