Google Pixel 9a crushes Apple iPhone 16e with smarter AI and a better price


After many leaks, Google’s Pixel 9a is finally here! For anyone not locked into Apple’s ecosystem, it’s looking like the smarter choice over the iPhone 16e. At just $499, it packs AI-powered features, a pro-level camera system, and the powerful Google Tensor G4 chip -- all at a lower price than Apple’s so-called budget offering.
The Pixel 9a isn’t just another mid-range phone -- it’s got some legit flagship-level perks. Its 6.3-inch Actua display is the brightest ever on an A-series phone, hitting 2700 nits, while the 120Hz refresh rate makes for smoother scrolling than the iPhone 16e’s 60Hz screen. Google’s color choices -- Peony, Iris, Porcelain, and Obsidian -- also bring more fun and variety compared to Apple’s standard options.
Masimo Stork brings advanced baby monitoring to your home


Oh, new parents, are you ready for something revolutionary? Masimo has just announced the launch of Stork, a baby monitoring system that will change the way you see and understand your little one's health data.
The Stork monitoring ecosystem is made up of several components, each designed to give parents the most accurate and reliable information about their baby's vital signs. The flagship solution, Masimo Stork Vitals+, consists of a boot with a sensor, a video camera, and a mobile app. The boot is made from an ultra-soft, comfortable medical-grade silicone that gently conforms to your baby's skin and comes in three sizes to ensure a perfect fit.
Elgato Facecam Pro is 'The World's First 4K60 Webcam'


All the 4K webcams I have ever used have been 30 FPS max. To get the preferred 60 FPS, you typically need to set the quality to 720p or 1080p. As far as I know, there are no 4K60 (2160p60) webcams on the market.
Until today, that is. You see, Elgato (a Corsair subsidiary), has launched what it claims to be "The World's First 4K60 Webcam." Called "Facecam Pro," the camera is designed to sit atop your computer monitor or laptop display, but it can be used with a tripod too. Facecam Pro connects using a removable USB-C cable.
Microsoft starts rolling out updates for Camera and Media Player apps on Windows 11


Wednesday is the day of the week when Microsoft typically releases new Windows 11 builds for Insiders on the Dev Channel, but Build 25158 with notification badging for Widgets isn’t the only new release from the software giant today.
Microsoft has another treat for Windows Insiders on the Dev Channel to play with -- a Camera app refresh and a Media Player update.
ADATA launches insanely fast Premier Extreme SDXC SD 7.0 Express Card


Nowadays, professional photographers with high-end camera equipment are embracing CFexpress storage cards more and more. The problem? Those cards are quite expensive. Not to mention, many photographers can get by without the latest-and-greatest. And so, for many photographers -- amateur and professional alike -- good ol' SD cards are still more than fine.
Thankfully, companies are still putting out new SD cards, and today, ADATA launches its latest. Called "Premier Extreme," this SDXC SD 7.0 Express Card comes in two capacities -- 256GB and 512GB. What's most notable about the card, however, is its insane read and write speeds.
Google unveils new Nest smart home stuff


Google bought Nest more than seven years ago now, and since that acquisition, there have been many cool smart home devices to come from the search giant. Under the Nest branding, there's not just smart thermostats and cameras, but other products too such as doorbells and speakers. Ultimately, the name "Nest" has become synonymous with the smart home.
Today, Google unveils some new Nest smart home devices, and they are all camera-related. There is a new doorbell (with integrated camera) plus three new dedicated security cameras. What's notable is that the new doorbell and one of the new cameras can be run from a battery, meaning they do not require a hardwire power connection. One of the cameras features nifty floodlights too.
Do you put tape over your webcam so hackers can't spy on you? Apple says not to!


We are in the middle of a pandemic, and lots of us are working from home these days. It is because of technological advances, such as the computer and internet, that so many can work remotely. Let us not forget the mighty webcam which allows our coworkers, friends, and family members to video chat with us. Hell, even doctors are seeing patients using video chat nowadays.
You know who else loves webcams? Hackers! Yes, it is possible for nefarious people to hack into your computer and access your webcam. Any hardware connected to the net can be hacked. And no, you cannot trust an activity light -- hackers can turn them off too. Look, no one wants to be watched by a stranger -- especially when naked or in some other embarrassing situation. Thankfully, something as simple as placing a piece of tape or a privacy shutter (such as this) over the webcam can thwart the bad guys in this regard (the microphone is another story). Unfortunately for those that own Apple laptops, the company is warning users against covering their webcam.
Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera is affordable and chock-full of cool features


If you are a homeowner in 2020, you should have an outdoor smart security camera -- it simply isn't up for debate. Not only are they more affordable than ever, but they are very simple to set up. Many models don't even requires cables or a hub, allowing you to mount it anywhere within your Wi-Fi's range. You can then monitor the outside of your home to detect potential burglars or just keep an eye on your children playing in the yard. There really is no excuse to not have one.
Today, Arlo unveils its latest outdoor smart security camera and it is shockingly affordable. Called "Essential," the 1080p camera is powered by a rechargeable battery and doesn't require a hub, so you can place it anywhere without having to deal with running cables for power. It even has color night-vision and two-way audio. Not to mention, it is sleek and attractive, so it won't look ugly hanging off the side of your house.
Transcend launches DrivePro 10 dashcam


Have you ever seen someone with a dashcam in their vehicle and wondered why they have such a thing? No, they are not just obsessed with recording every aspect of their life -- a dashcam has actual benefits. For instance, if you are in a car accident, or someone with road-rage attacks you (it happens), the recording could provide evidence to show to the police or an insurance company. It's one of those things that you don't think you need -- until you do.
Today, Transcend launches a new dashcam that is chock-full of features and nice specifications. Called "DrivePro 10," it features a small and attractive body that should look quite stylish in your car, truck, or SUV. It comes with an adhesive mount for your windshield and is powered by micro USB -- a "lighter" adapter is included in the box. If you prefer, an optional accessory allows you to hardwire it directly to your vehicle's fuse box for power.
Raspberry Pi gains a new 12.3-megapixel camera and interchangeable lenses


The Raspberry Pi can be used for all sorts of maker projects, and the foundation has offered camera modules for it since 2013, adding vision-related functionality.
The first module was a modest 5-megapixel affair that was eventually replaced by an 8-megapixel Sony sensor four years ago. Today, sees the arrival of a new much higher 12.3 megapixel quality camera, and a range of interchangeable lenses.
Connectivity could make digital cameras vulnerable to ransomware


Modern digital cameras with wireless and USB capabilities could be vulnerable to ransomware and malware attacks, enabling attackers to hold precious photos and videos to ransom.
Check Point Research reveals that the standardized protocol known as Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) used to transfer digital images from camera to PC has critical vulnerabilities.
AVerMedia launches Live Streamer CAM 313 1080p webcam


You know what perplexes me? That in 2019, laptop-makers are still putting low-quality webcams in their computers. Sure, even a poor webcam is passable for a quick chat, but consumers should demand more. For business professionals and content creators, a high-quality cam is a must. Thankfully, a USB webcam can be had for a superior experience.
Today, AVerMedia launches a new webcam for laptops and desktops. The "Live Streamer CAM 313," as it is called, features a beautiful cylindrical design, 1080p video, dual microphones, and my favorite feature -- a physical privacy cover. Yes, if you want to make sure you aren't being spied on via the camera lens, and you don't want to continually unplug the camera from your computer, you can simply slide the cover over -- how cool is that? The base also has tripod threading, so it can be mounted on that rather than on top of a display.
Amazon unveils affordable Blink XT2 security camera with Alexa support


One of the best investments you can make for your home is an internet connected camera. Even if you don’t feel comfortable having them indoors, outdoor variants can be essential for protecting your house. Whether you are home or away, it is nice to know you can always pull out your phone and monitor the perimeter of your property.
Today, Amazon announces the second generation Blink XT camera, which is designed for both indoor and outdoor use. Called “Blink XT2,” it is very affordable, starting at less than $100. Believe it or not, the budget friendly camera features 1080p video, motion detection, and night vision. Best of all, cloud storage is gratis (no monthly fee), making it an extremely inexpensive way to get started with a smart security camera.
Arlo Ultra is an outdoor 4K UHD wireless security camera system


Netgear's Arlo cameras are so popular, that earlier this year, the brand was spun into its own publicly traded company (Arlo Technologies). The success of Arlo is hardly a secret -- it offers quality products that people like. What a crazy concept!
Today, Arlo announces an impressive outdoor wireless camera (that can also be used indoors). Called "Arlo Ultra," it offers 4K video streaming and recording. The weather-resistant UHD camera comes with the new Arlo SmartHub -- a wireless hub that serves as a range extender, but also, has a micro SD card slot for saving 4K video clips locally. Arlo Ultra comes with a free year of the Smart Premier cloud service, but it will only allow 1080p video saves without shelling out an additional annual fee.
Logitech Capture webcam software enters public beta


With YouTube and social media being so popular these days, it can seem like everyone is sharing photos and videos of themselves online. Heck, there are professional content creators and Instagram models that get paid a lot of money to share media content with followers. It's a weird and wild world, folks.
Webcams are an important tool to vloggers and streamers, but make no mistake -- all cameras are not created equally. In fact, the ones that are integrated into laptops are often terrible. Thankfully, companies like Logitech produce high-end USB webcams for those that don't want to compromise. Apparently, the company was dissatisfied with its webcam software offering, however, as today, it launches a public beta for its successor. Called "Logitech Capture," it aims to step things up for both amateur and professional content creators alike.
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