RearSight – change your view

Published 5, February 2010 New Product Leave a Comment
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RearSight at ITmadeSimple

RearSight

Over the Christmas period the team here at ITmadeSimple have been scouring the web for the best and most practical technology tools for home and school. One of those really simple yet smart bits of Technology we found was the RearSight setup.

RearSight has been designed for Apple based laptops specifically the MacBook range, however we have been testing it on the MacBook Pro range and found that it works just as well on these. We are about to get into testing this great product on a range of Windows based laptops and netbooks just to test the range.

What does RearSight do? RearSight allows you to record the activity occurring behind your laptop screen. With most new laptops the built in video camera is generally fixed and pointing towards the person operating the laptop, there are lots of times when you may want to record what is happening behind the laptop screen. To do this you either need to turn the laptop around so the built in camera is facing the action (making laptop operation awkward) or you could purchase a RearSight from ITmadeSimple. RearSight simply slips over the top edge of the laptop case in front of the built in camera and with the use of a mirror it reflects the image behind the laptop screen into the camera for image or video caputer – how simple.

All of the people that have purchased the RearSight have reported simple set up and easy use. You can pick up your RearSight from us, just visit out online store.

RearSight being used at ITmadeSimple

RearSight in action at ITmadeSimple

We have a whole range of other products coming up, please keep and eye out for new updates and details.

Tony – from ITmadeSimple

Zoom Q3 – A camera that captures audio as well as video

Published 14, November 2009 Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Finally we have been a able to get our hands on the latest camcorder to hi the market the Zoom Q3. This video camera comes from an amazing company known for its work in the audio field – well they have made the jump into the video field with the addition of this camcorder which boasts the best audio recording quality available for cameras in this market space. We have unpacked our trial unit and will be giving it a going over in the next few days. Until we have time to come back and report on how good this little unit is – you can pick your camera up from ITmadeSimple for the cheapest price in Australia and you can check out these reviews from around the web:

Wired – Zoom Q3 Review

CNet – Zoom Q3 Review

Zoom Q3 - available from ITmadeSimple

Zoom Q3 - Side and Front view

Zoom Q3 available at ITmadeSimple

Zoom Q3 - Side and Back View

 

 

 

More Ultra HD are in Stock for christmas

Published 11, November 2009 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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We have just received our christmas shipment of cameras and we are wrapped with loads of the New Flip UltraHD. The UltraHD camcorder combines Flip Video’s signature shoot-and-share simplicity with the power of vivid, vibrant HD video. With 120 minutes of record time, you’ll never miss another minute again. And because of UltraHD’s pocket-sized portability, you’ll truly be able to capture HD video anytime, anywhere.

Benefits at Home…

  • A simple and easy to use camera for recording those special moments
  • The cost for the quality and simplicty is amazing
  • Slip your Flip in your bag and take your camera with you every where you go and when you need to record something – pop it out, turn it on and press the red button…. how easy
  • Easy to use software to access your flip thats free.
  • A great gift or gadget for children and adults alike.

Remember to drop by the store @ ITmadeSimple to check out our latest offerings.

Benefits in the classroom…

  • Simple for students and teachers to use to capture activities and learning
  • Great with low light levels, such as those found in the classrooms
  • Great for teachers to capture evidence of student achievement
  • At 120 minutes it provides plenty of filming capacity ideal for incursions, excursions or simply filming around the school
  • No licensing or networking headaches
  • ITmadeSimple supplies all Flips with a cool bright neck lanyard for classroom use at no extra cost as well as a FREE USB extension cable – just in case.

Remember to drop by the store @ ITmadeSimple to check out our latest offerings.

Customer feedback on the Zi8 vs Flip

Published 8, November 2009 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Recently I received the following feedback from a customer of ITmadeSimple in regards to the Kodak Zi8 and the Flip line of cameras – some interesting food for thought:

“The camera arrived safely a couple of weeks ago and I have put it to some use.
It is an interesting comparison between it and the original flip ultra that I have used for a couple of years.
They are both good but for different reasons
The flip I like because it is soooo simple and I feel like I can throw it around a bit more which means I feel happier to take it everywhere and use it more. The worst feature is having to convert the files before putting them into editing software ( not sure if more recent Flips have overcome this issue). The quality of sound and video is pretty good. In low light the Flip is great.

The Zi8 -because it is a bit more expensive, does not come with  a pouch and has more delicate buttons – seems more fragile so I don’t throw it around so much but the contoured shape slides more easily into your pocket and it feels nice to use. Files go straight into editing software which is great. The video and sound quality is significantly better than the Flip’s esp’ with digital image stabilisation. In low light the Zi8 is completely hopeless.
I have yet to use many of the “features” like external mic, connect to TV etc.
The Arcsoft software it comes with is good in that it does a wide range of things (organise and simple editing/movie making).

In a school I would continue to use the standard flip (depending on the quality required for the final video) and for me I will use the Zi8.”

Kodak Zi8 Camcorder – Avaliable at ITmadeSimple

Published 7, November 2009 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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For a long time we have been big fans of the Kodak range of camcorders – we even use the Zi6 as a personal video recording tool. Know we can proudly say we have the whole family available with the addition of the Kodak Zi8 Black, Raspberry and Aqua cameras.

The Kodak Zi8 has taken the developments and applications of the Zx1 and Zi6 and wrapped them up into this latest camera.

What makes the Kodak Zi8 so special? The Zi8 has a lot of the little extras going for it including electronic image stabilization and external mic support, while delivering very respectable video for a camcorder.

The Zi8 model comes in three colors Kodak dubs black, aqua, and raspberry, and it has a sharp and generously sized 63 mm LCD on the back. This camera also sports a slimmer lithium ion rechargeable battery instead of the AA NiMH rechargeable that ship with the Zi6. the only draw back with this development is you are not able to use other AA batteries should you run into the unfortunate situation of your batteries dying. You can charge the Zi8 directly from your computer via the flip-out cable.

The Zi8 is the first pocket camcorder on the market to boast 1080p 30fps video capture and 5-megapixel still-image capture, thanks to its integration of a 1/63mm 5-megapixel CMOS sensor. Like the Zi6, this model also records video in 720p resolution at up to 60fps, which Kodak says is “best for sports and action,” as well as 720p/30fps (“best for sharing on YouTube or Facebook”) and WVGA (“best for conserving memory card space”).  We have calculated that when you record video at the highest level (1080p), you will eat up anywhere from around 110 to 150MB per minute, depending upon video content, or about 14 to 18 minutes of video on a typical 2GB card. Kodak quotes 20 minutes per gigabyte, but that’s for 720p, videos are encoded as generally compatible QuickTime MPEG-4 MOV files, using H.264 compression. ITmadeSimple can supply you with your SDHC card requirements to make sure you capture all those important moments.

The Zi8 is designed to be easy to use, it lives up to the claim with an improved interface, and the inclusion of a four-way rocker control to make navigating the device’s menus much simpler.

You can get the Zi8 today from ITmadeSimple.

Kodak Zi8 camcorder avaliable from ITmadeSimple

Kodak Zi8 Camcorder

New Livescribe 4Gb & 2Gb Pulse Smartpen

Published 22, October 2009 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Livescribe the makers of the Pulse Smart Pen have just released new additions to the product line up.

The 4GB and 2GB Pulse™ Smartpen is available in a shiny, new titanium color, along with Charcoal Blue. With 4GB of memory Smart pen, you can record over 400 hours of audio with plenty of room for applications on your smartpen. Applications! Yes that is correct the Smartpens will soon have applications available to extend and make your Smartpen even smarter – more details to come.

As yet Australian release details and prices are not yet available, however we are expecting our first shipment of items to arrive in time for Christmas – if you are unable to wait then you can always pick up a current Smartpen from the ITmadeSimple store at an amazingly great price.

New 4Gb Titanium SmartPen

An afternoon of Classroom Technology Discovery at the Powerhouse Museum – Oct 28th 2009

Published 21, October 2009 Uncategorized Leave a Comment

On Wednesday 28 October an event for teachers and ICT co-ordinators is being held at the Powerhouse from 12:30 to 4:00pm if you are in Sydney on the 28th book in and check out new technologies, ideas or simply network with others.

The afternoon will feature 2 key speakers – Peter Mahony, Manager of Learning Technologies, Powerhouse Museum, who will be talking about how the latest RM classroom resources will be in the Thinkspace area of the Powerhouse Museum (where you will get a chance to see new products such as Easi-Speak, Easi-Cam and Ed-E, amongst others).  The other – and this is quite a coup – will be Dr Jim Wyatt – the inventor of ED-E, the humanoid robot, who will be coming from the UK.  He will be talking about engaging classrooms for the 21st century and announcing a new online global robotics competition. There will also be a group of school students demonstrating their ED-E entry they performed for the RoboCup competition.

Optional short workshops will also be held, along with a showcase of new products for attendees to try out for themselves. Lunch will also be provided.

Attendees will get the chance to discover new technologies that can be implemented in their classroom today and will get to hear new ideas from both guest speakers, Peter Mahony and Dr Jim Wyatt.  This event is particularly geared towards ICT co-ordinators and teachers.

This activity should be quite a different event, with a mix of presentations by experts, real life examples, fun workshops and the chance for people to explore and play with products for themselves.

If you are interested in attending you can RSVP By Friday 23 October at www.rmap.com.au or email: pbowley@rmap.com.au

Software Update for Livescribe desktop

Published 20, October 2009 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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In late September Livescribe released upgrades to both versions of Livescribe Desktop.

To download the relevant update simply connect your Pen to your computer by docking your Smartpen – then accept the prompt to download the update.

Livescribe Desktop for Windows version 1.7

Livescribe made improvements to Livescribe Desktop for Windows to correct known issues, and improve usability. Livescribe recommend this upgrade for all users.

Notes on update here…

Livescribe Desktop for Mac OS X version 1.2

Livescribe has made improvements to Livescribe Desktop for Mac OS X to add new features, correct known issues, and improve usability. Livescribe recommend this upgrade for all users.

The new features include

  • Support for Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.
  • Support for drag and drop installation.
  • Support for handwriting to text conversion using MyScript for Livescribe from Vision Objects

Notes on update here…

Check out our latest Special for these great Pens…. Tell us what you think about these pens and how you are using them….

Flip Ultra 2 Gb video cameras Avaliable in OZ

Published 25, May 2008 Uncategorized Closed

Just a quick update – Flips are available in Australia from ITmadeSimple.

We have them is stock and can provide to you 0n request.

While our new site is being built please contact me directly at tony@itmadesimple.com for more details.

ITmadeSimple

Published 28, March 2008 Uncategorized Closed

Due to a few unforeseen issues ITmadeSimple is on the move – check back in soon for more information and details.

We will have all the links and resources back up again for you to access.

In the meantime please take the time to visit the following associated sites:

My Blog – Learning – Thinking – Playing

Podcast – Ed Tech Crew

If you need to contact ITmadeSimple please use the following email: tony@itmadesimple.com

Regards

Tony

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