Nikon releasing new 24MP D3200 this month for $700

It is amazing how fast the megapixel race is climbing skyward. I don’t think most amateurs need 24MP, since most of the photos are never enlarged to more than 8”x 10”. Available in red or black color and only $700 with the 18-55mm kit lens. That lens probably won’t do the sensor justice though.

• 24.2 Megapixel, DX-format CMOS sensor
• Supports all Nikon F-mount lenses with a 1.5X crop factor
  • Autofocus is only supported on AF-S and AF-I lenses
• New Expeed 3 image processor
• 3-inch LCD display with 921,000 pixels
• Optical viewfinder has 95% coverage and a magnification of 0.8X
• 11-point autofocus system
• Full manual controls
  • ISO range of 100 - 6400, expandable to 12800
• Guide Mode walks beginners through various shooting techniques step-by-step
• Built-in flash plus a hot shoe (1/200 sec x-sync)
• Continuous shooting at 4 frames/sec
• Records Full HD video at 24 or 30 frames/sec with stereo sound and continuous AF (using H.264 codec); manual exposure controls available
• Stereo microphone input, HDMI output
• Optional WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter ($60) lets you send images to your Android smartphone (iOS support coming in Fall); user can compose photos (but not adjust any settings) and release the shutter remotely from your mobile device
• SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot
• Uses EN-EL14 lithium-ion battery, 540 shots per charge
• Comes in black and red bodies
• Ships in late April with the 18-55 VR lens for $699.95

Apple unveils an HD iPad - Just called "The new iPad" It's Resolutionary

The iPad 2 will be lowered to $399 for 16GB Wi-Fi model.  The Key features of the “new ipad” are:

• High-definition Retina Display
• New A5X chip with quad-core graphics
• 5-megapixel iSight camera with advanced optics, shoots 1080p video
• 4G LTE models allow for connections to faster wireless networks
• Still offers the same 10-hour battery life.

iPad will be sold in the US through the Apple Store, Apple’s retail stores, and select Apple Authorized Resellers. iPad will also be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Switzerland, UK and the US Virgin Islands on Friday, March 16.

The new iPad Wi-Fi models will be available in black or white on Friday, March 16 for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model and $699 (US) for the 64GB model.  

iPad Wi-Fi + 4G for either AT&T or Verizon will be available for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model.

Still no 128GB model, that is really a shame.

Canon announces the much anticipated EOS-5D Mark III

Go to the photo gear page for details.

Apple unleashes OS X Mountain Lion Preview

Just don’t call it “Mac” OS X.  Apple is dropping Mac from the name of OS X with the summer release of OS X Mountain Lion.  I don’t know about you, but I’m not that excited about my “Mac” operating system becoming more and more like iOS on an iPad.

Tim Cook seems to have a different opinion: “We see that people are in love with a lot of apps and functionality here,” said Mr. Cook, 51 years old, pointing at his iPhone. “Anywhere where that makes sense, we are going to move that over to Mac.”

Aperture updated to v3.2.2

Aperture 3.2.2, a maintenance release of the pro photo management and RAW conversion software from Apple, corrects a Photo Stream-related bug.

You can leave your compact camera at home. iPhone 4s is that good.

Just went on a couple of trips, and all I had with me for pictures was my iPhone 4s and I did not miss having a stand alone camera.  My daughter had her Nikon S8200 compact with her, and for outdoor shots my iPhone was it’s equal.

Check out the iPhone 4s gallery here, or click on the picture above.

Updating my ipad to ios 5 took 4 hours

Just dowloading the update took over 3 hours and then the backup/restore part and then the verifying and the …. you get the picture.  Of course it’s my fault for wanting to have it on the first day of release when everyone and their mother, brother, uncle, sister etc want is too.  Earlier in the day I downloaded OS X 10.7.2 for my Mac Pro, and that took about 3 hours as well. 

Apple’s new data center really can’t take all this traffic, can it?  I hope all goes well with your updates.  Maybe you should wait a couple of days for the traffic to die down and you’ll probably download the updates in about 20 minutes.

R.I.P. Mr. Jobs

Sad news to report, Steve Jobs has passed away.

Apple iPhone 4S Available October 14 in US and Canada.

The new iPhone 4S will be available for $199 for the 16GB version, and $299/$399 for the 32GB/64GB.

For the full rundown of features, go here to Engadget for the rest of the story.

Steve Jobs resigns as Apple CEO

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs announced on Wednesday that he is no longer fit to serve as the company’s chief executive officer, officially resigning from the position, which has been be filled by Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook.

The announcement came Wednesday evening in a press release directed at the Apple Board of Directors, as well as the company’s community. Jobs said he would like to stay on as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee, a wish that was granted by the board.

This is the letter below:

To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:

I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.

I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.

As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.

I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.

I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.

Steve