The world of technology is booming, and it’s refreshing to see a young tech start-up with a vision. Skytex Technology, based just outside of Los Angeles, is just such a company. Situated a couple hundred miles south of Silicon Valley, Skytex is dedicated to bringing quality mobile computing and entertainment to techies and non-techies alike.

Tablets are hot right now, and Android is the OS of choice for many tablet makers. With so many options abound, it tends to get a little confusing. The Skypad Alpha 7” Android 2.3 tablet was designed to address the confusion by delivering a feature set unprecedented in its class. With its powerful Arm cortex-A8 processor and features like Bluetooth 2.0, wireless N, and a 1.3mp front camera, the Alpha offers a great tablet experience at an affordable price.

The lines between different tech products are blurring and the Primer Pocket is a great example of the convergence of consumer devices. With a 4.3” LCD screen and its ability to play a multitude of music and video files, the Pocket is an excellent media player. Then you add in multi-touch, a g-sensor, wireless N, and all of the features of Android 2.2. After that, throw in a price point of under $100 and you have a recipe for the ultimate handheld media tablet.

Raising the bar on performance, the Skytab S-series dual-core Windows 7 tablet is designed for the power user. It was created to excel, pun intended, at content creation while also offering more robust entertainment options for those times we need a break. The Skytab S-series offers the familiarity, flexibility and functionality of a Windows 7 PC in a touch-friendly package, and the ExoPC user interface layer brings added touch-friendliness along with an entire ecosystem of free touch-oriented apps to get you started.

In today’s ever changing “digital” world, how we buy, store, and use our media has become more important. As our libraries expand and diversify, it’s inevitable that we will encounter situations where we want to share something with others.

Innovative and portable, the AAXA P1 Jr. Pico Projector is the world’s smallest LCOS pico projector with an on-board MP4 player. Everyone from the casual user to the media fanatic will find this to be a handy device.

The P1 Jr. fits easily into your pocket, as it weighs 0.27 pounds and is less than one inch thick. It also supports common media formats (MP4, MP3, AVI, JPG). Its LED light source enables the P1 Jr. to achieve full brightness within seconds; it also turns off instantly, giving the unit a robust 15,000 hour lifespan.

The P1 Jr. connects to your camcorder, flip cam, smart phone, and media player. It has an on-board speaker, perfect for audio playback.

The P1 Jr. Pico Projector connects directly to your DSLR or Point and Shoot camera. Its built in battery last up to 90 minutes, allowing you to share every photo from your latest vacation with friends and family. The P1 Jr. can also connect to your portable gaming system, such as the Sony PSP. It projects up to a 50″ image in low light.

If you are looking for a projector for the office or classroom, be sure to check out the AAXA M2 Micro Projector or the M1 Ultimate Micro Projector.

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By Janice Marchese

A couple years ago, while on vacation, we were driving through the back roads between Butler and Mountain City, Tennessee.  I am an amateur/ semi professional hobbyist, so I always try to have a camera with me.

We were driving past fields of corn and suddenly there were fields of sunflowers that seemed to keep going until you reached the mountains. I told my husband to stop and I started photographing.

By Raman Shakya

Raman is an IT professional and works as an SDET (Software Developer Engineer in Test) for Microsoft. Raman is from the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal, photography is one of his favorite hobbies. His interest in photography began with his first digital camera, a 3 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix. He loves travelling to new places and capturing joyous moments.

I took this picture during my visit to Times Square. I used a Nikon D5000 and a Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX lens, which is my “all-rounder” lens. Its VR (Vibration Reduction) feature is phenomenal, especially while taking night shots, such as this one. The Nikon D5000 is one of the best cameras. I like the picture sharpness it produces and its ease of use.

Sometimes getting a focused picture at night is tricky, as I used the manual focus option to take this photograph. I didn’t use a stand; the shot was taken with an ISO range of 350-500, to reduce the noise level, which also meant it required a slightly longer exposure. I had to support my camera on one of those electric poles to minimize camera shake during a long exposure shot.

I find lots of tutorials online for good photography and framing techniques. I tried implementing one of those techniques in this picture. The buildings in this photograph create two triangles on each corner and the sky creates a rectangular shape, in between. The multicolor lighting also gives additional charm to the overall composition.

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Fire Water

By Mike Kebis

Mike is a production manager and photography enthusiast from Sussex, WI.

Fire Water was shot back in January of 2008 at Disney World’s Epcot with my trusty Canon G3. This shot is one of my favorites. The fireworks and the platform of fire, against the pitch black sky, along with the reflections dancing across the lagoon, capture the full array of the finale. Photos like this, as well as the others from our trip to Disney, not only captured, but preserved the experience for years to come.

By Roy Anderson

These photographs were taken at the Army-Navy Game on December 12, 2009 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.

This long time rivalry started in 1890 and has become one of the greatest inter-service rivalries of all time. Simply put, it is a matter of Service Academy PRIDE!

The Brigade of Midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy won with a score of 17-3. The Naval Academy leads the series with a record of 55 wins, 49 losses and 7 ties. This year will be their 112th meeting.

Navy Won!

 

Army Lost!

With a sleek design, 14.2 megapixel image sensor, and fast performance, the Nikon D3100 proves to be an outstanding Digital SLR camera.

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Nikon D3100 with with 18-55mm VR Lens

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Customer Reviews:

Here is how our customers feel about the Nikon D3100!

From: “Woodbaron”

Great for new SLR users!

Our 1st non point and shoot,we just got it before the holidays and was it great to be able to zoom it on the grandkids opening their gifts!!! We got the type of shots you just can’t get with a point and shoot.

From: Ed the Designer

Great Overall DSLR

Great DSLR camera. It has built in guides to help you choose the right settings. Video in HD, autofocus needs some improvement in video mode, but it still takes good video. This is a great DSLR for anyone who wants to take great pics without the headache of changing a bunch of settings.

From: Ron

Fantastic!

This if my first SLR and I am just about learning the art of photography. I am absolutely thrilled to have bought this camera because of how easy it is to use for a beginner.

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By Lee Ann Munster

Lee Ann is from Maragate, Florida and recently received her degree in Education. Lee Ann is an amateur photographer who got her first 35mm camera at the age of 12 and her first digital camera at 17. She enjoys all types of photography, but has affection for capturing natural landscapes and wildlife.

You can see more of Lee Ann’s photography on her Flickr page.

The subject of this photo is an American Flamingo. It was taken in December of 2010 at Flamingo Gardens and Wildlife Sanctuary in Davie, Florida. The Sanctuary is home to several different species of birds.

By John M. Santora

With a good design, accessible button layout, and preset modes the Canon PowerShot G12 is a quality compact digital camera. If you’re a recreational photographer who is reluctant to invest in a DSLR or somebody looking to learn a little bit more, this could be the perfect camera for you. The G12 is also great as a second option in a photographer’s camera bag.

Canon PowerShot G12 Camera specs:

Sensor: 10.0 Megapixel, 1/1.7-inch type Charge Coupled Device (CCD) Focal Length: 6.1 (W) – 30.5 (T) mm ( 35mm film equivalent: 28 (W) – 140 (T) mm ) Digital Zoom: 5x Max aperture: f/2.8 (W) – f/4.5 (T) Video: 720p HD LCD: 2.8 inch vari-angle, 100% coverage Viewfinder Coverage: 75%-80%

1. Size

The Canon PowerShot G12’s solid design immediately stands out as one of its strengths. While larger than your common Point and Shoot camera, it has features one can find in a DSLR, but at a fraction of the price and size.

Pictured – Canon A495, Canon G12, Canon EOS T2i

2. Dials and Controls

The G12’s convenient button layout and customizable dials put expansive control at the edge of your fingertips. Dials are customizable and can be assigned in the camera’s settings menu.

Front Dial

When in Manual Mode, the front dial is used to control shutter speed. This dial can also be used to adjust some in camera effects and options.

Mode Dial

The G12’s multi layered top dial is used to access preset modes, such as Manual, Tv (Shutter Speed Priority), Av (Aperture Priority), Program, Auto, Low Light, Quick Shot, Scene, and Video. There are also two banks where users can save custom presets. In certain modes, such as Manual, the bottom dial is used to adjust ISO (100-3200, Auto).

Exposure Compensation Dial

In Tv and Av, the exposure compensation dial allows you to add or reduce brightness to your image (+2,-2, in 1/3 increments).

Control Dial

 

The G12’s control dial is used for menu navigation. In Manual Mode, it controls aperture range (f/2.8 (W) – f/4.5 (T)). The interior button on the dial lets you set manual focus, set self timer settings, and turn the camera’s internal flash on and off.

 

Diopter Adjustment Dial

Located to the left of the camera’s viewfinder is a small dial that adjusts the viewfinder focus.

Shortcut Button

We also found the shortcut button to be very useful, as it can be assigned to perform many functions.

 

 

3. LCD Screen

Assuming you’re using it to frame your shot, the G12’s vari-angle LCD screen makes taking changeling pictures easier. Its on-screen balance meter helps ensure your shots are straight and even.

When in Quick Shot, the LCD provides users with in depth information. From this menu, settings can be adjusted with the jog dial.

The G12 can shoot in five different aspect ratios (16:9, 3:2, 4:3, 1:1. 4:5) which are be displayed accurately on its LCD screen.

In Manual Mode, as you make adjustments to shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, the LCD display changes. You can see what effects adjustments have on your, soon to be, capture, which promotes an excellent learning experience. It will help ensure that adjustments and effects add the character to your image that you intend. Scene modes and in-camera effects are also previewed directly on the G12’s LCD.

4. Macro Mode

We were happy with the pictures the G12 produced in Macro Mode. Canon’s Hybrid IS technology delivers excellent image stabilization and minimizes the effects of hand movements and camera shake. You can focus on a subject up to 1cm from the camera’s lens and still capture a quality image. With the G12, macro shooting without a tripod is very possible.

Scissor shot, taken in Macro

5. Accessories

Once you’ve become more familiar, or perhaps mastered, the many options the G12 offers, you’ll want to expand and take your photography to the next level.

The G12’s hot shoe mount is compatible with Speedlites intended for Canon EOS cameras.

You can also attach lens accessories to the G12, which will really help you get the most out of the camera’s fixed lens.

The FA-DC58B Filter Adapter adds the ability to attach 58mm filter thread filters. It moves along with the lens while zooming, preventing vignetting at the wide angle end of the zoom. It also provides filter coverage throughout the full optical zoom range of the lens. The TC-DC58D Tele-Converter Lens increases the G12’s focal distance to 196mm.

Click here to see all of the great accessories we carry for the Canon PowerShot G12.

Here are some of my favorite shots I took with the Canon PowerShot G12:

Cactus -Taken in M, ISO 400, f/4.5, Shutter speed 1/250

Cactus Row – Taken in M, ISO 80, f/8.0, Shutter speed 1/160

Ziggy – Taken in M, ISO 1600, f/4.5, Shutter speed 1/8

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White Pocket

By Ken Martin

Go here to see more of Ken’s great photography.

I would like to thank Charlie from Overland Canyon Tours for taking me to this wondrous butte, located in Page, Arizona. Once you leave the highway, it’s on a back road that has deep and soft sand, which can be tough to navigate. I would recommend hiring a guide, but if you have a high clearance four-wheel drive you might make it on your own and then again maybe not. It’s the same road that leads to the Famous Wave.