The Geek Church

Recently, Sony unveiled two new digital single-lens reflexive cameras called the A390 and A290. Both cameras are equipped with 14.2 MP sensors and they’re intended for the use of first-time photographers. Furthermore, these DSLRs also have a unique feature called the Quick AF Live View.

This feature is coupled with a 2.7-inch tilt LCD screen, which allows users to see their desired target from any angle before taking a photo. Such a camera option is meant to be useful for instances like dealing with heights, crouching on the ground and raising the camera over your head. Then the LCD enables you to clearly see your object or scene of interest as you’re taking pictures.

Other features of the new cameras include a mini-HDMI output, new grip design and button layout, which provide easier use for beginners. The A390 is slightly lighter with a weight 508 grams while the A290 is 549 grams (including the battery in both cameras). According to CNET.com, the A290 with an 18-55mm lens is priced at $500 while the A390 can be purchased for $600. However, consumers can find them on sale in July. Interestingly enough, the A290 has a bigger viewfinder, though. It has 0.83x magnification while only 0.74x is possible with the A390.

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For years, Nintendo has dominated the gaming market of wireless controllers with the Wii Remote for their console. Now Microsoft and Sony are both plotting to dethrone the Wii with new wireless controllers for their own gaming systems and convert Nintendo fans over to their side. Microsoft calls their master plan, Project Natal. However, Sony has already unveiled their concept for a new wireless controller this past Wednesday, hoping to take an early lead on toppling the Wii Remote’s popularity.

At the Game Developers Conference, Sony presented their new concept called the Move. This new wireless controller resembles a microphone but has a ball-shaped object on top of it that contains a LED inside. According to Sony, the Move is their next step in continuing the motion controller era that they believed started with their Eye Toy. Set to be released this fall, the Move will be available for about $100 or less and a PlayStation eye camera and a game will also be included with it. This wireless controller will also come with an accessory called an sub-controller, which seems to be PlayStation’s version of the Wii Nunchuk.

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I believe that we have Sony Insider to thank for this photo, as well as news that the Sony Vaio M series is coming up.

Other than that, this is all we know about this particular series from VAIO. That, and the models from the series will be the VPC-M111AX/B and the VPC-M111AX/W. There isn’t any specific word on a price, but these ones usually are not cheap.

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Okay, today is the day that the new Sony PSP, the PSP Go is hitting the shelves. Yes, with its sliding screen and other cool stuff, I’m sure some of you have already been and gone to the store to get one.

What is not true is this bizzare ad campaign.

More on this after the jump.

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It would appear that the Wiimote will no longer have the monopoly on motion-control, as Sony has formally announced that they will have a Motion Controller for the PS3.

This Motion Controller will use motion sensors, and will required the Playstation Eye camera in order to make it work. The camera can recognize and track the player’s face, as well as their voice and body motion. It also has motion sensors, three axes gyroscope and three axes accelerometer to tell the Motion controller’s current angle. As you see from the picture, it resembles the Wiimote, save for the sphere on top. Apparently, the ball on top glow in various colors depending on where the user is in the room, and there even rumors of a rumble feature.

So far, there hasn’t been any word on what video games that it will work with. Perhaps Sony will have to set up a whole new line of WiiSports-ish games that are designed to work with this lollipop-shaped controller.

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Some of you might be tired of these “Tech News for the Day” articles, which I’m sure that all of you have realized are just filler. Clearly, more original content is needed, don’t you agree?

Fortunately, I’m planning to get pretty serious about articles, but Tech News for the Day will probably a daily weekday posting. So if you like it, then just keep reading. If not, keep your eye out for more original stuff.

So, insert catchy intro here, Fujitsu has a Lifebook known as the T5010 that features a multitouch LCD.

Sony has a new DRC-BT30P Bluetooth headphone conduit.

LG is planning to put out the GW620, their first Google Android handset.

The Viliv S7 gets priced at Dynamism, something that has been long awaited.

Now here is something that I want, but is just too expensive: the Athena Sofa. It could be called a “smart couch” for lack of a better word, and I would love to crash on it for a night, or a month, for that matter.

A product that looks like it is perfect for swimmers who like to listen to music in the water. It’s the FINIS Next Generation SwiMP3 Player that uses bone conduction technology.

Lastly, Gyration has a motion controlled mouse called the Gyration Air Mouse Elite. It can be used in the air and on the table.

While I was at PAX, Sony Playstation had an amazing demonstration of a new game for their new EyeToy camera accessory. The game was simply known as EyePet, and it was pretty much the coolest thing that I saw all that day.

Eyepet allows the user to play with a virtual pet that will only appear on the screen. The eyepet is simply a lovable furry creature that is often found in most “pet” games. What makes it interesting is how the player interacts with the pet.

The player holds up a plastic rectangle the size of a piece of paper, and it has a paw print in the center of it. This serves as sort of an odd sort of controller to this game that really thinks outside the box. With this controller, I was able to wash the virtual pet by moving the rectangular controller to change the angle of spraying. As you can see from the video above, that rectangle comes in handy for a lot of other fun things like an x-ray. You can read more about the EyePet here.

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