What is Apple up to?

For the first time, Apple will be heading to the Cologne, Germany to be a part of Photokina 2006, the photographic and imaging trade fair, this coming September. Not only will they show up, but they're also going to have a presentation during the trade fair.

It's possible that they may be previewing or releasing a new version of their Aperture image editor. At the very least, they're certainly going to make their presence known.

Photokina is scheduled to take place from September 26 to October 1, with Apple expected to have their presentation the day before the formal opening of the trade fair itself.


New Information: QJ Reader Mike has brought us a little hint. According to him, "Photokina will be one of the largest product unveilings ever." If he really means more than one, then it really will be an interesting event. Keep posted here folks, and thank you Mike!

So you want to play a wholesome game of Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 with your friends and family out on the patio, but everyone won't be able to see the action because your TV is too small? Fret not, for Pearl is here to save the day!

At least, we hope that's the case.

Pearl is the name of Sony's new projector, which is meant to be somewhat more affordable yet just as dependable as its predecessor, the Ruby. There's not a lot of details yet, since the primary information source was a Japanese forum and free translation isn't 100% accurate. Let's see if we can give you the lowdown, though.

The Pearl, model number VPL-VW50, is supposed to be a lot sleeker than the Ruby, but there's still going to be a lot of HDTV goodness. Since it's got progressive scanning and 1080 lines of vertical resolution because of Sony's SXRD technology, the Pearl is almost surely going to be wonderfully widescreen in its presentation. It's also supposed to have a 22-decibel fan cooling system to keep the 200-watt bulb that shows the widescreen goodness from overheating.

Some of the rumored information, as a result of weird translation, talks about a dynamic contrast ratio of 15,000:1, as well as a static contrast ratio of 5000:1. The press release also mentions only having 2 HDMI ports and no components, which limits its utility for thrifty movie buffs. Since these are rumors, however, let's hope they're wrong.

Till then, expect this gem to to shine in stores come October.

 
 

It isn't a gadget, but it still happens to be way cool.

If you've ever owned a photograph and looked at it, or maybe if you've ever played a game and enjoyed it, you've probably wondered what it might be like to step into the world in that photo or game. Microsoft's Live Labs is cooking up something to get us one step closer to doing just that.

Microsoft's Photosynth lets you take a bunch of related photographs and turns them into a three-dimensional space, a world unto itself. Once completed, its creators say, Photosynth will allow you to fly through the world you've created, looking at the collection of photos from any angle, zoom in almost indefinitely on anything in the picture, and see how your photos are connected.

With an internet connection, it'll also allow you to send the collection, and possibly the 3D world you just made, to friends (or whoever), as well as find pictures that are somehow related to your existing collection.

While Photosynth's still in the development stages, it's definitely going to be something to look forward to. Imagine taking picture of your house and then making a virtual model of the interior on your comp, flying through the rooms like a ghost. Better yet, why not explore your own personal "world map" by connecting photos into a 3D model of your neighborhood? We only wonder about how it would work with edited images, as well as forcing unrelated photos to mesh together.

Would it make for your own virtual fantasy world, perhaps? Only time will tell. But you can have a look at an overview of the program right here.

Download: [Microsoft Photosynth Overview]