Better JPEG standard due in 2009

JPEG XR, an image format created by Microsoft that promises a number of advantages over JPEG, has cleared a key standardization hurdle.

The Joint Photographic Experts Group, which standardized the original and still ubiquitous JPEG format, sent JPEG XR to the "final phases of standardization" after a vote at a January meeting, the group said Thursday. That means the standard's future is more certain.

"The committee expects the JPEG XR International Standard to be published later this year," the group said.

JPEG XR offers a few advantages over JPEG, according to Microsoft. For one thing, as the XR "extended range" abbreviation suggests, it offers greater dynamic range--the span between the brightest brights and darkest darks in a photo.

JPEG uses 8-bit encoding that provides 256 gradations, but JPEG XR can use 16 bits or more for finer distinctions and more editing flexibility. Newer digital SLRs typically record 14 bits data, and the hobbyist practice of combining multiple shots into a single high-dynamic range image also benefits from more bit depth.
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New App Store section for premium games?

Apple may be planning a new section of the App Store dedicated to premium game titles that will put more cash in the pockets of developers.

The new section will supposedly cater to games that sell for about US$20, according to the blog PocketGamer.biz, which first reported the rumor.

The new section will be restricted to only games of large publishers, rather than titles created by smaller gaming developers that are already offered through the main App Store, the site said.

PocketGamer believes that Apple will likely introduce the new section its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June.

The App Store currently offers more than 1,500 games, which is more than the combined titles offered for Sony's PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS, the two main competitors in the handheld gaming market. But some developers have complained that the open market place of the App Store and its Top 100 lists tend to reward cheaper but higher-volume applications.

That said, the Web site AppleInsider quoted Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of iPhone and iPod product marketing, as saying one of the benefits of the App Store is the low overhead required to become an influential player in the market. Developers don't need a publisher on the App Store to get their game out to the masses, which he said he considers a good thing.

Games are the most popular type of application in the App Store. And they make up almost 25 percent of all titles.

Via CNET News

Sony and SanDisk working on 2TB Memory Sticks

That's 2,000GB or 2,000,000MB of flash storage for noobs.

The Memory Sticks don't have an official name yet and the two companies are temporarily calling them collectively as "Memory Stick format for Extended High Capacity". Format licensing is expected to begin this year. Once completed, we'll see storage capacities for these flash media (Memory Stick Pro DUO, Memory Stick Pro-HG, Memory Stick Micro and Memory Stick HG Micro) hit up to 2 terabytes with maximum data transfer rates of 20MB/s (on 4-bit parallel interface) and 60MB/s (on 8-bit parallel interface) for the HG card formats.

Sony is also announcing today the availability of 16GB Memory Stick Micro (M2) cards. These will be available in Asia Pacific starting next month and are bundled with a USB adapter, though there's also an option to purchase the flash card separately.

According to the Japanese outfit, the 16GB M2 card comes with a five-year warranty and can withstand temperatures from minus 25 degrees Celsius to 85 degrees Celsius. The supplied adapter doesn't support the MagicGate content protection technology, though. We are still checking with Sony Ericsson to find out which phones are compatible with the new 16GB card and will update once we have the information.

Update: According to Sony Ericsson, only the C905 Cyber-shot has been tested to support the 16GB M2 memory card. The company added that most devices are designed to support up to 32GB flash media and it will be compiling a list of devices compatible with the new 2TB cards.

Step-by-step guide to making a 400-megapixel camera

The megapixel race among the camera manufacturers is still going on, and it doesn't seem like it is stopping anytime soon. Instead of joining the fray, US photographer Dan Newton has a better idea--make his own 400-megapixel shooter with a budget of US$250.

Using an old Canon scanner he bought on eBay for US$30 and a secondhand 8 x 10 view camera (those big bulky shooters your grandfather probably used), he conceived a gizmo that generates extremely high-resolution pictures. Newton's scanner/camera combination looks awkward and, according to the photographer, has several limitations such as exposure time and the setup being cumbersome.

Nevertheless, he managed to snap (or should we say, scan) a few monochrome shots. Luckily for him, the scanner draws power via the USB port so he won't have to lug a mini generator around to take pictures.

Using a scanner to take pictures is not a new idea, and 400 megapixels is not the highest resolution we've come across for imaging. There is a gigapixel shooter in Hawaii which is protecting Earth as you read this. However, this makes a great weekend project if you have an old scanner and view camera lying around. Let us know if it works for you.

Video cam looks like lighter, works like one

There's nothing worse for a spy than being busted just because the voice recorder pen cannot be used when the villain tries to sign a check. Which is probably why this lighter/video camera combination might work better--at least you can light a cigarette when you're feeling nervous.

The Lighter DVR from US company Ajoka is perfect for any Bond wannabe. It records VGA-quality (640 x 480-pixel) color videos with sound and the battery can last up to 6 hours. The microSD slot accepts cards up to 8GB, which gives approximately 8 hours of footage. The microphone and lens are hidden along the front of the lighter which has a torch and eagle motif.

At the bottom of the device are the USB port, media card slot, on/off switch and the record button. Although they may not be located at the most inconspicuous place, nonetheless it's still discreet enough--provided you don't fumble and give the game away.

The price isn’t listed on Ajoka's site, but Engadget reports that the Lighter DVR is retailing on the company's Web site for US$150 apiece.

Via Engadget

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