Camera Zoom on your iPhone

How I have longed for a zoom on my weak iphone camera . . . and now, a stronger camera AND a zoom on the iPhone. While the zoom is only digital, it will help me in my desire to use the iPhone as my sole camera for blogging photos while on my runs and when wanting to send mobile blog posts of things I need to bring a little closer into focus. In this respect, it will help me travel lighter.

I bought the iPhone app Camera Zoom a few weeks ago, right after I bought the new iPhone 3GS, and have been waiting for the app update so it would work with the iPhone 3.0 software. Well, v1.1 is finally here! It dropped on July 20th.

Here are the result at no zoom,

2x zoom,

Extreme close-up!

and 4x zoom, the highest level. As you can see, the digital zoom takes its toll on crispness, merely magnifying a photo that is starting with mediocre resolution. In looking at these photos, the first thing that strikes me is how nice the regular shot looks, with its new and improved 3mp camera. From this first test I envision the most utility for my purposes coming from around the 2x zoom range. At this point, the photo is still crisp enough for a blog post, and while definitely changing the focus of the shot. Looking forward to putting this app into practice.

Backup Battery for iPhone / iPod - DX001

This iPhone battery is brilliant, and with all the new apps I have added since the iphone 2.0 upgrade, I will be on my iphone more than ever, so this will really come in handy now. And it looks to be just the thing for traveling too!

Backup Battery for iPhone / iPod - DX001: "Backup Battery for iPhone / iPod

"I love my iPhone! It is the best personal gadget I've ever owned. I use it all day, and enjoy all its many features: email, Internet browsing, weather, stocks, maps, and so on . . .

If there is one drawback to being on it all day, it is that the battery begins to show a lower charge level, or run out, towards the end of the day . . .

This led me to work with a leading manufacturer to design and develop a new backup battery using Apple's proprietary connector. It's the rechargeable Smart Backup Battery — just snap it on and it begins to charge instantly. It is the first on the market to be certified for both 'Works with iPhone' and 'Made for iPod.'

One thing about this battery is that it's small but powerful. In fact, it's the most powerful battery of its size available. Keep it in your pocket, purse, or briefcase, and snap it on to keep going all day — and night! You can charge while simultaneously using your iPhone. You can charge both the battery and the iPhone together.

One of the best features of this product is that at night, you snap the battery and iPhone together, and charge them both with the included charger. You'll wake up in the morning with both fully charged. So you are getting a wall / USB charger for free. When you travel, you don't need the Apple charger. Just take this one.

Of course, it works for all models of iPhone and iPod, except for iPod shuffle."

—Richard

(Action photo shot is from http://blogs.zdnet.com/mobile-gadgeteer/?p=1297)

Your inflight personal media station

Your inflight personal media station - iFlyz

This is what I like to see. Someone sees a problem, someone solves a problem. I have not seen one of these in person yet, but it looks well thought out. The flexible gooseneck is perfect. As long as the suction cup is reliable, so your $400 iPhone doesn't end up on your lap, I think it is good to go. At least until they figure out a way to let us plug our devices into the t.v. screens on the back of the seats. Follow the above link for pics.



To be launched Summer 2008. Bookmark the link to keep updated.

The Original iPhone Stress Tests

Still one of the best iPhone video out there. Viewing this test finalized my decision to buy an iPhone. It is tougher than many other phones on the Market, as you can see from video link below.

"The iPhone takes a licking, and keeps on ticking.

Can you scratch it? What happens when you drop it? PC World's Eric Butterfield takes the iPhone through a grueling set of tests to check how the device handles abuse."

PC World - The Original iPhone Stress Tests