TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Canon Inc. (7751.T: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Thursday that it would consider halting development of new film cameras as it focuses resources on digital models, the latest sign of the rapidly fading role of film in photography.
A spokesman at Canon, the world's largest digital camera maker, said it would consider whether it needs to continue developing both compact and single lens reflex (SLR) film models because the markets for both are shrinking.
Canon said it would continue to produce and sell existing models and make a final judgment on the business in the future while monitoring market demand.
Canon's statement follows an announcement earlier this year by rival Nikon Corp. (7731.T: Quote, Profile, Research) that it would stop producing most of its film cameras, expect for a few professional products.
Konica Minolta Holdings Inc. (4902.T: Quote, Profile, Research), meanwhile, has said it would exit the camera and photo film markets, where it has been losing money amid stiff competition and weak demand.
The photographic film and film camera markets have been shrinking rapidly in the past few years due to the rising popularity of digital cameras, which can take and store photos without the need for film.
Canon considers halt to film camera development
Surveyor SRV-1 bot monitors your home
If you have one of those floors that need very close monitoring throughout the day, the Surveyor SRV-1 is the robot for you. The little unit can crawl around your home at around one foot per second, and reports back on its surroundings with a miniature VGA camera. A 100 meter range Zigbee 802.15.4 wireless receiver is included to let the SRV-1 stream its findings to your computer and up onto the web, and you can control and monitor the bot with any major operating system or via a web browser. If you don't feel like taking manual control of SRV-1, he can do fine by himself driving around, navigating obstacles, and even communicating with others of his kind via IR. The best news is the price: at $375 for the bot, the charger and the wireless base station, SRV-1 shouldn't break the bank, and seems ready to provide some good times for the robot hobbyist within us all.
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Bluetooth Aids in Fight Against Car Crime
A new car security system that identifies car owners through the Bluetooth element of their mobile phones is set to revolutionize the fight against car thieves. Auto-txt immediately identifies a car as stolen if the car is started with the keys but the mobile phone is not present. This unique feature allows a Bluetooth enabled device, such as a phone or PDA, to authenticate the vehicle owner, providing an enhanced level of security. Auto-txt incorporates Bluetooth Intelligent Serial Modules from London based company, EZURiO, which pair with the driver’s mobile phone to provide a second “key” for the car. EZURiO has been working with Auto-txt in developing and refining the implementation of Bluetooth wireless technology. “The use of Bluetooth wireless technology underpins the Auto-txt system, enabling us to provide increased security for drivers and help in the fight against car crime,” says Chris Cole, Engineering Director of Auto-txt. “Working with EZURiO has been great as the team there were able to provide both the technical support we needed and a Bluetooth module that works reliably across the range of available Bluetooth mobile phones and PDAs.” Auto-txt is the first stolen vehicle protection and tracking system to be awarded Thatcham’s Category 5 accreditation, the new insurance industry standard that is supported by the police. Thatcham is the motor insurance industry research center which aims to develop research and standards which contain or reduce the cost of motor insurance claims. Auto-txt has been selected by Jaguar Cars and Land Rover to supply car tracking and security systems for all their vehicles from 2006. The systems, called Jaguar Watch and Land Rover Watch, will be available in the UK and across Europe. It is the first time the prestige car manufacturers will be offering a stolen vehicle tracking system in their own name.
Telematicsjournal
Talking Urinals To Discourage DWI
In their continuing efforts to get the word out that drunk driving won't be tolerated, Nassau Country police have initiated a pilot program featuring talking urinals, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reports.
The Wizmark Urinal Communicator is a plastic cover that that rests just above the urinal's drain. It boasts a 3.5-inch plastic screen that displays lenticular images -- digital files that have been specially prepared and then printed onto the back of a thin transparent lens material.
According to its manufacturer, "The device automatically recognizes the presence of a 'Visitor' and after a brief delay allowing the viewer to get properly positioned, proceeds to emit a very audible pre-recorded 15 second message stating "Hey you Yea You, having a few drinks? Then listen up!
"Think you had one to many then it's time to call a cab or call a sober friend for a ride home. It sure is safer and a hell of a lot cheaper than a DWI. Make the smart choice tonight, don't drink and drive," the message continues.
The Wizmark -- which was paid for by DWI fines -- is being be distributed free to bars located Nassau County.
by Gian Trotta
Apple patents workout music matching
It seems that Apple may have plans for incorporating the iPod into your workout other than just the integration with Nike sneakers, as a newly released patent shows that the company has invented a method of adjusting the pace and style of music playback while you exercise. Incorporated into a model called the iPod Sport, perhaps, this technology would use an accelerometer to gauge the pace of a person's workout, and encourage them to "take it to the max" by either increasing the tempo of a particular song (though hopefully not to the point where all your tunes sound like Alvin and the Chipmunks) or automatically changing to a faster-paced track. This is all well and good, but how about throwing in some Bluetooth while you're at it, cause the wire dangling from that runner's head in the illustration has got to go.
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Soldiers bond with bots on battlefield
They may not be as cuddly as RI-MAN or as human-like as EveR-1, but Reuters is reporting that soldiers in Iraq have nonetheless formed strong bonds with their battlefield bots, giving them names and grieving when they meet an unfortunate end. When one bomb defusing PackBot from Roomba-maker iRobot named "Scooby Doo" was blown up after 35 successful missions, the bot's operator asked of iRobot, "Please fix Scooby Doo, because he saved my life."Of course, humans forming meaningful emotional attachments to their robot companions and servants is by no means unusual; studies have shown robo-pets to be as therapeutic as the real thing, and bots like Paro the seal have been helping patients in nursing facilities for years now (and are even crossing over to starring in movies). Still, if there's one kind of robot we'd want to stay away from as the robot-revolution looms near, it's that kind designed for military use. Ruh roh, Raggy.
By Joel Rothstein- Read more