Gadgets Blog

Sigma is on a roll in the digital slr world. Seems like after 20 plus years of languishing as a third tier lens manufacturer, the value base glass maker has come across a series of designs that has even Photography magazine buzzing almost every issue. So when they recently came out with a 200-500mm f2.8 lens, the reaction should have been a predictable one. Until the size became apparent. It’s HUGE.

Weighing in at nearly fifty pounds, this Sigma lens is not for anyone with a steady hand and a regular gym membership. In addition to covering the popular 200-500mm range at f2.8, it can double the focal length and still clock in at f5.6 â€" which isn’t too bad if one has a beefy tripod to hold it still. This Big Bertha like lens would be very popular for astrophotography, sports and wildlife shots thanks to its low dispersion glass elements for image correction. The multi-layer coating reduces glare and ghosting, and it’s specially designed lens hood blocks out annoying ambient light. There is also a built in LCD panel for live view when not looking into the camera’s SLR viewfinder or LCD. The lens is powered by a single dedicated lithium ion battery (BP_21) for auto focusing and zooming operations which would make holding this mammoth a heck of a lot easier.

But the cost is equally heavy at a hefty $28,000.

Hat Tip â€" The Giz

Lie Detection. Apparently, it is the latest thing. Just last week, we reported on the Truth Wristband, a device that can detect a user’s galvanic response to a question, and will glow in a proper color if he or she is telling the truth.

It would appear that Spion has created a Portable Lie Detector that works by detecting the tension in the suspect’s voice. The degrees of vibration are enough to reveal whether or not a suspect is calm when answering interrogation questions.

All you need to do is ask the Spion device three yes or no questions to record the voice and “establish a baseline”. Once you have that, you can have the suspect on his or her lies. The display devil’s nose and horns will grow when a fib is told.

Believe it or not, the Portable Lie Detector can be attached to a telephone, and you can actually ask your truth-revealing questions from a mobile phone as well.

I have heard that this device is not 100 percent accurate, but it is apparently more accurate than the polygraphs that the FBI uses. I believe I mentioned this before in the Truth Wristband article, but I’m not certain how accurate those wired polygraphs are.

If you want to find out how accurate the Spion’s Portable Voice Lie Detector is, feel free to go over to the Brick House Security Web site and lay down $79.95.

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You know how many devices these days feature touchscreen capability? Well, with all that touching and feeling going around, it makes perfect sense for one’s fingers to be less than 100% clean, which means those touchscreen displays rack up a whole lot of dirt, grime and oil faster than you’d expect. Instead of cleaning it with a piece of tissue or even the edge of your pants (if you’re desperate enough), why not get the Mobile Squeegee?

Made from high quality micro fiber ultrasuede fabric and a 1/16” memory foam liner the Mobile Squeegee quickly and safely cleans your iPod, iPhone, BlackBerry or other mobile screens. When not in use simply store the Mobile Squeegee inside your cell phone skin or carrying case, you won’t even know it’s there.

At $5.95 a pop, it certainly sounds as if it wouldn’t hurt to bring a couple of these home. After all, even standard cell phones could make do with this as our faces are often oily enough to soil the display during a long conversation.

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There are certain situations that it’s difficult to mess with your iPod Touch or iPhone.  For one, I’ve noticed the car being a little obnoxious.  As of now I haven’t installed the radio in my car that incorporates my iPod Touch.  So instead as a temporary fix I have a device that creates a radio station for my iPod and I listen that way.  The serious downside is that I can’t just skip on the radio or stop it.  I have to unlock my iPod and then try to drive and play with my iPod.  With this inline remote from Griffin you can feel exactly where you’re at and never have to take your eyes off the road.

It also makes it so that you can safely tuck your iPod out of sight in your pocket and still keep control of it.  That’s always nice when you’d prefer not to advertise it for fear that it might get stolen.  To make this gadget all the more useful, when you’re bored of the music on your iPod you can switch the Griffin remote over to radio.  Sometimes it is nice to shut off the iPod and just listen to the classic FM radio.  The device works with absolutely any iPod with a dock connector.  It’ll cost you $60.

Source: GadgetLab