Digital Camera News: iPod Camera Connector Reviews, Use your old memory cards, Wireless USB demonstration

iPod Camera Connector Reviews

We've found two reviews for those that are interested in the iPod Camera Connector:

From iPodLounge: "... we recommend the iPod Camera Connector to specific iPod users only: photo hobbyists who won't mind its lengthy transfers and/or can live with the battery drain. It's hard to complain for the price, and we do like it, but it's not the end-all-be-all photo solution it could have been."  Full review here

From PlaylistMag: "Because the iPod photo can't display RAW images with the help of the iPod Camera Connector and extended use of the device drains an iPod's battery in short order, this adapter may not be the perfect tool for demanding digital photographers in the field. For the rest of us, however, it's an extremely handy gadget that delivers on the iPod photo's potential."  Full review here

MediaGear announces XtraDrive

MediaGear has launched a device to let you use all of your old memory cards.  The see-through USB device will accept SD, MMC, Sony Memory Stick, Compact Flash Types I and II, MicroDrives, SmartMedia and xD.

They also will include an 18" USB adapter so that the somewhat chunky device doesn't crowd other devices out of the way.  A colored, transparent cap allows you to see if there is a media card already in the device.

The XtraDrive will be available in mid-April 2005 at an MSRP of $14.95.  You can find them at MediaGear's website (http://web.mymediagear.com/) and other major office and PC retailers.

Fujitsu and Staccato Communications to demonstrate Wireless USB development platform

Fujitsu and Staccato Communications have announced the joint development of a wireless USB demonstration system.  The demo system uses the Ripcord UWB Development Kit from Staccato and Fujitsu digital still camera development platform.

They will be publicly demonstrating the system at several Intel Developer Forum events held in Tokyo (April 7-8), Taipei (April 11-12) and Beijing (April 14-15). 

Staccato's Ripcord UWB Development Kit (DVK), a hardware, software and consumer product development platform, was also announced today with immediate availability.