Vuzix has announced the widespread retail availability of the iWear AV310 Widescreen personal media viewer. It is worn by users like a set of eyeglasses and offers a 16:9 aspect ratio with 3D capabilities.

The device projects a virtual 52' screen from 9-feet. A single AA battery provides enough juice to run it for five hours. It offers independent +2 to -5 diopter focus, providing individual adjustment for each eye. The AV310 is compatible with iPod, video cameras, gaming consoles, DVD players & other devices with a video output for NTSC or PAL.

Other features of iWear AV310 include twin high-resolution LCD displays, one for each eye, removable and comfort fit earbuds with adjustable, hypoallergenic nosepiece. The AccuTilt viewer offers 15 degrees of tilt adjustment. It also offers on-screen display settings control.

The Vuzix AV310 Widescreen is available at Brookstone, SkyMall, MicroCenter, Hammacher Schlemmer and Vuzix.com, priced at $249.95.

Link: Electronista

Sandisk has introduced two new ImageMate memory card readers today, the ImageMate All-in-one and the ImageMate Multi-card.

The new readers offer increased efficiency and faster data transfer rates than their predecessors and also have upgraded software applications. They are also smaller and sleeker with detachable tripod base. The All-In-One memory card reader can reach speeds of up to 34 MB per second when using a Extreme IV 45MB/s CompactFlash card, and the Multi-Card reader is capable of up to 30 MB/s read and 27 MB/s write data transfer rates when using a Extreme III 30MB/s Edition SDHC card.

SanDisk ImageMate readers also have a transfer button that automatically launches a user-defined application or web site, such as Adobe Photoshop or flickr.com, to transfer or edit photos.

“The new SanDisk ImageMate readers are two of the fastest and most reliable USB readers, capable of transferring 1-gigabyte of data in less than 35 seconds,” said Jennifer Lee, senior product marketing manager, SanDisk. “The ImageMate readers’ space-saving vertical design makes them unobtrusive on your desk, but with such stylish looks they can’t help but stand out.”

The ImageMate All-in-one reader offers card-to-card data transfers and supports SD, SDHC, miniSDHC, microSDHC, MMC, Memory Stick, MSPD, xD and CompactFlash. It is available now for $29.99.

The ImageMate Multi-Card reader supports xD, Memory Stick, SD, SDHC, and MMC and is retailing for $19.99.

Amex Digital has introduced SP-7 Digital Frame, which comes with a built-in photo printer. The LCD screen offers 16:9 aspect ratio with an 800x480 resolution.

The SP-7 supports JPG, AVI, MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4 and MP3 file formats. The built-in multimedia card reader is compatible with MS/MMC/SD/XD/CF memory cards. It also offers USB connectivity for external storage. Users can control picture slideshow and media playbacks through the included remote control as well.

The Amex SP-7 Digital photo frame comes with acrylic or wood finish and is priced at $199.

Link: Amex Digital

Dell has announced the Wasabi PZ310 inkless printer. The handheld printer weighing just 7-ounce is designed to work with Bluetooth-enabled camera phones, digital cameras and mobile PCs.

The Wasabi PZ310 Photo Printer uses inkless printing technology from ZINK Imaging. It uses paper embedded with yellow, magenta and cyan dye crystals. The colours are activated by heating millions of tiny thermal probes on specific sections of the paper to create images.

It can print 2 in. x 3 in. borderless color images in less than a minute. The sticky-back photo paper lets users print out labels or decorate surfaces - like message boards and laptops. Wasabi uses Bluetooth for wireless connectivity and PictBridge for physical connections. It is available in three colors - pink, black and blue.

The Wasabi PZ310 is available now for a promotional price of $99, that will eventually go up to $149.

Alesis has introduced TapeLink USB, a digital-archiving dual-cassette tape deck. It allows users to transfer cassette recordings on hard disk or flash, CD or iPod.

TapeLink USB is a dubbing and playback deck that connects directly to a computer via USB. It offers CD-quality 16-bit, 44.1 kHz audio output for secure digital archival. The device offers two different dubbing modes, normal or high-speed dubbing. It works with metal and CrO2 tapes, while LED level-meter presents visual level reference. Full auto stop saves irreplaceable older tapes from breaking.

It comes bundled with three applications; EZ Tape Converter to make transfer simple and convenient, Audacity audio-editing software and BIAS SoundSoap professional noise-reduction software to removes hiss, room noise and other background noise.

The Alesis TapeLink USB tape deck is available now, and has an estimated street price of US$199.99.

Vers has introduced the new Vers 1.5R radio/alarm clock for iPod. Finished by hand, each Vers system takes over a week to build and each one is unique.

Slightly more compact than the company’s Vers 2X system, the 1.5R is designed with wood selected from managed plantation sources, 100% post-consumer recycled packaging materials and energy-efficient components.

The precision digital tuner, large, backlit LCD, and 15 watt full range speaker give the Vers 1.5R big system features and sound quality in a surprisingly compact package.

"We have to give credit to our customers for the 1.5R idea," says David Laituri, co-founder of Vers. "They asked for a compact AM/FM/iPod sound system with the natural 'Vers sound,' so we built it for them. We think of it as a 'hybrid' design, since it's a great bedside sound system, but really works well in any room of the home."

It plays and charges all docking iPods (except generation 3 iPod). It comes with an 18-function IR remote. Users can choose to wake to AM/FM radio or to music in their iPod.

Available in Cherry, Natural Walnut, Dark Walnut, Bamboo, Black Gloss and White Gloss, Vers 1.5R is priced at $200 -$220 depending on the finish.

Link: Vers

Pure digital now lets you capture and share HD video in an easy and affordable way with its latest introduction - the Flip MinoHD.

The world’s smallest high definition camcorder, Flip MinoHD can record up to 60 minutes of HD video at 1280 x 720 resolution onto four gigabytes of onboard memory. The on-board application installs directly when connected to any PC or Mac. Drag-and-drop interface allows for easy browsing, playback, organizing and video archiving. You can also capture still photos from any standard or high definition video.

“Consumers have embraced Flip Video because it delivers on the promise of making video simple, affordable, and fun,” said Jonathan Kaplan, Pure Digital’s chairperson and CEO. “Flip MinoHD, along with our new FlipShare software, now make it easy for anyone to capture and share their stories in stunning HD quality.”

Flip claims the MinoHD is the first and only “designable” HD camcorder. Customers can choose from thousands of professional designs or custom-design their own Flip Mino or MinoHD at TheFlip.com with no extra cost.

You can also get your MinoHD in black at Amazon, BestBuy, WalMart and other leading retailers for $230.

Link: The Flip

ViewSonic now offers you an excellent gift for anyone on your list, including yourself. It has introduced two new 8-inch digital photo frames, the DPG801BK and the DPG807BK. The digital photo frames include cutting-edge SwifTouch touch-screen technology to provide a clutter- and smudge-free display.

The digital frames sport 800x600 high resolution screen to displays your photos in beautiful color and vivid detail. 512MB of internal memory provides ample photo, video and music storage. You can enjoy your favorite MP3 music along with your photos.

Pictures can be easily uploaded to the frames through a thumb drive, memory card, USB cable or computer. You could also zoom in up to 16 times, browse thumbnails or create an image slideshow with transition effects and audio. The hidden control buttons illuminate to show your menu selections only when needed.

The DPG801BK can display Motion JPEG, while the DPG807BK can display MPEG1, MPEG4 and Motion JPEG for video.

The DPG801BK is available for $119, while you can have DPG807BK for $159.

Western Digital has introduced WD TV Media Player, offering users a simple way to play their stored digital content on their HDTV in Full-HD 1080p resolution.

The WD TV HD Media Player enables consumers to easily and elegantly access their high-definition content on the biggest screen in the home. It connects to a user's TV or home theater and plays digital movies, music and photos from USB mass storage device.

Navigating content on USB drives is fast and easy with WD TV HD Media Player's remote control and on-screen menu. Content can be viewed either by filename or thumbnails of photos, album covers or movie cover art. In addition, automatic media aggregation lets the viewer see all their media by media type in one menu regardless of its location in folders or drives. The Free ArcSoft MediaConverter 2.5 software is included to easily convert photo, video, and music files into formats optimized for use on the WD TV HD Media Player.

Designed for WD's My Passport portable drives, it also plays content from WD My Book family of drives and most popular USB drives, digital cameras, camcorders, and portable media players that can be recognized as mass storage devices.

The WD TV HD Media Player is available at select retailers and WD's online store for $129.99 USD.

Link: Western Digital

Iridium Satellite has unveiled its smallest, most powerful satellite phone - the Iridium 9555. It offers a significantly reduced size, a more hand-friendly form factor and internally stowed antenna. It is 27 percent lighter and 30 percent smaller than 9505A handset.

Featuring a brighter screen with an intuitive user interface, it also offers a speaker phone, improved SMS and email capabilities, and an upgraded mini-USB data port.

The phone is water and shock-resistant and is engineered to withstand and perform well in the most rugged, remote and industrial environments.

"The 9555 is yet another example of our continuing investment in our products, services and infrastructure," said Don Thoma, executive vice president, marketing, Iridium. "In designing the 9555, we believe we have responded to our customers' needs.”

The 9555 handset will be available from Iridium service partners starting in November 2008.

Link: Iridium