Gerald Arnolds, a Seattle-based education and technology writer, is a guest writer for christian counseling degree and paralegal certification for psychology degree online.

With the recent trends seen in the the personal digicam industry over the last several years, it’s hard to believe that just a short while ago HD video seemed out of reach for all but a handful of people outside of the film industry, requiring expensive software and hardware to perform edits, to distribute, and even to watch. As we roll into 2011, even almost every entry-level digicam offers the capability to shoot video in HD. What’s more, a handful of products exist solely as cheap video cameras, capable of capturing video and getting it online within a matter of minutes; the most prominent of these is the Flip camera, which has become almost synonymous with quickly-made, citizen-produced video.

Sony’s entry into this field is the Bloggie. It’s a compact camera measuring 1 and 9/16″ by 4″ by 2 3/4″ and weighing 6.9 ounces, making it easy to transport in a pocket or in a bag (Flip cameras measure between 1.97″ by 3.94″ by .63″ and 2.19″ by 4.25″ by 1.17″ and weigh between 4.1 and 5.7 ounces, depending on featuresets, making them on average very slightly smaller and lighter).

The Bloggie differs from the Flip in a handful of ways. For one, it captures images at a maximum resolution of 1920 by 1080, larger than the 1280 by 720 offered by the Flip. It also stores video and still images onto Sony’s memory stick format, rather than built-in solid state media. While this adds costs beyond the initial purchase, it also makes it very easy to continue shooting in the event that the camera gets full, which cannot be done as conveniently on the Flip. However, several Flip models offer the choice to be powered either via a rechargeable battery pack or via AA or AAA batteries; the Bloggie can only be powered by a proprietary rechargeable battery pack, making travel away from a computer somewhat difficult and impractical with both, though for different reasons.

Additionally, Flip’s cameras all offer wide-range stereo microphones or omnidirectional microphones, while the Bloggie only captures audio in mono. Sony’s lens offers a more substantive zoom, as large as 20x, and a focal length equivalent to a 35mm camera’s range of 41 and 205mm. Both models offer limited control, like most entry-level digicams. Features such as white balance and image stabilization, as well as low light detection, are automatic in both models, and the Bloggie doesn’t offer any manual focusing. The Bloggie has a larger LCD screen than most Flip cameras (most Flips are 2″, the Bloggie is 2.5″), but many features are very similar; both offer easy uploading to video sharing services, integrated USB 2.0 ports for fast data transfers, and charging via USB to eliminate the frustrations associated with cables.

For the most part, the biggest factor in determining which is right for a prospective buyer is the amount of video one wants to store. If it’s more than a few hours, external storage may be a huge advantage, and this should seal the deal in the Bloggie’s favor. If that isn’t your primary point of concern, the cameras are very similar.

Kin Phones by Microsoft

Microsoft has finally entered the mobile phone battle with their new Kin One and Kin Two. These two adorable phones were launched last Thursday, May 6, 2010.

Kin One and Kin Two were categorized as the phones for “generation upload”. These new phones’ features were focused on social networking sites and everything networking. Microsoft’s new phones target the younger generation today.

Kin One Specifications:

• 2.6” TFT, QVGA (320×240), Capacitive Touchscreen
• Tegra APX2600, 256MB RAM
• QWERTY Keyboard (Vertical slide)
• 3G 1xEVDO Rev. A, Bluetooth (HSP, HFP, A2DP, AVRCP), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
• 5.0MP CMOS Anti-shake, Autofocus, LED Flash, Video
• Zune-powered Music, TV, Movies, Podcast, FM Radio Experience
• Over-the-air streaming and download of tracks with Zune Pass (File Formats Supported: mp3, WMA, AAC, WMV, MPEG4, H.264)
• 3.5mm Audio Jack
• Exchange Mail and POP3/IMAP Pull
• 4GB Storage
• Accelerometer, GPS
• Dimensions: 3.25” x 2.5” x .75”;
• Weight: 3.9 oz.
• Battery: 1240 mAh. 210 hours standby

Kin Two Specifications:

• 3.4” TFT, HVGA (480×320), Capacitive Touchscreen
• Tegra APX2600, 256MB RAM
• QWERTY Keyboard (Horizontal slide)
• 3G 1xEVDO Rev. A (800/1900 MHz), Bluetooth (HSP, HFP, A2DP, AVRCP), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
• 8.0MP HDR CMOS Anti-shake, Autofocus, LED Flash, HD (720p) Video
• Zune-powered Music, TV, Movies, Podcast, FM Radio Experience
• Over-the-air streaming and download of tracks with Zune Pass (File Formats Supported: mp3, WMA, AAC, WMV, MPEG4, H.264)
• Headset: 3.5mm Audio Jack
• Exchange Mail and POP3/IMAP Pull
• 8GB Storage
• Accelerometer, GPS
• Dimensions: 4.25” x 2.5” x .75”;
• Weight: 4.7 oz.
• Battery: 1390 mAh. 232 hours standby.

These two new phones were manufactured by Sharp and will be available with a price tag of $49.99 for Kin One and $99.99 for Kin Two.

Samsung has been one of the greatest tech stuffs manufacturer in the whole world. Samsung has also been dubbed by many tech analysts as the best LED TV manufacturer. Samsung may take over the tech stuffs all over the planet, and one of their humble beginnings is their cheap HD camcorders, the Samsung HMX-U20 and HMX U15.

These cheap camcorders both offers 1080p video recording. But the real deal with HMX-U20 is its 3x optical zoom that is very nice. They also got a built-in USB plugs for convenient and easy transfer of your precious HD videos.

Here’s the specs of these two pocket HD camcorders:

Specifications
HMX-U15 HMX-U20
Image Sensor • 1/2.3″ CMOS • 1/2.3″ CMOS
Lens • 1X, Auto Focus • 3X Optical Zoom
LCD • 2-inch LCD • 2-inch LCD
Image Stabilizer • Hyper Digital Image Stabilization • Hyper Digital Image Stabilization
Memory • SD/SDHC • SD/SDHC
Interface • USB 2.0 (swing-out)
• HDMI • USB 2.0 (swing-out)
• HDMI
Unique Features • 1920×1080 Full-HD Video
• 14MP Digital Stills
• H.264 Video Format
• Ultra-Compact Design
• Seven Degree Angled Grip
• HDMI Connectivity
• Built-in USB (swing-out)
• USB Charging
• Hyper Digital Image Stabilization
• Built-In intelli-studio2.0 Software
• One-Touch Upload to YouTube • 1920×1080 Full-HD Video
• 3x Optical Zoom
• H.264 Video Format
• 8MP & 10MP Digital Still
• Ultra-Compact Design
• Seven Degree Angled Grip
• HDMI Connectivity
• Built-in USB (swing-out)
• USB Charging
• Hyper Digital Image Stabilization
• Built-In intelli-studio2.0 Software
• One-Touch Upload to YouTube
Color • Black, Silver, Blue, Red Black, Silver, Blue, Red
Availability Spring 2010 Spring 2010
Pricing $229.99 $249.99
* Specifications are subject to change without notice.

These Samsung pocket HD camcorders have price tags of $229.99(HMX-U15) and $249.99(HMX-U20) which are nice. When these camcorders arrive in the Philippines, I’ll definitely buy one.