At least in the parts of the internet I frequent, pet pictures have been enjoying an unusual popularity as of late. FujiFilm’s Finepix Z700 has technology that snaps a photo when your furry friend smiles. Talk about capturing the zeitgeist.

This 12MP point-and-shoot is the first to include FujiFilm’s pet detection software, but early adopters beware: apparently there are still some kinks to be worked out. At a camera show in Japan this week, the Z700 excelled at shooting stuffed animals but was a bit less successful when live animals were thrown in front of the lens. It also has trouble tracking animals if they’re moving around.
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Well this is totally cool. Imagine having an exoskeleton outside you that has enough strength to crank up something as powerful and humongous as a 220 pound, umm…, something. It shares the name of the exoskeleton that featured in the movie ‘Aliens’. The dual-arm amplification robot uses 18 electromagnetic motors and also has force feed. It’s totally cool and I so wish to see it in an arm-wrestling match with the HULC.

The Power Loader exoskeleton is still in its development phase. It’s being built in Kyoto, Japan and cannot be expected till 2015.

I’m sure you all remember the classic scene in Aliens where Sigourney Weaver enters the room wearing that bulky, yellow, and yet powerful Power Loader suit and heroically exclaims: “Get away from her, you b___h!” Man, did that make the Mother Alien say: “oh, s__t!”

I remember reading a screenwriting book that talked about how awkward that scene would have been if that Power Loader not been given proper introduction in an earlier scene. In fact, when that movie first introduces the Power Loader, I knew it was going to work its way into the film much later.

After all, it was too cool not to. It appears that a company called Activelink, a Panasonic subsidiary based in Kyoto, Japan, has created one in real life. There is a video of it after the jump.

This Power Loader (named after the once-imaginary construction equipment/armor from James Cameron’s classic) has 18 electromagnetic motors that allow its user to lift 220 pounds. Unfortunately, it actually weighs 500 pounds, and moves slowly on its hydraulic feet.

Activelink expects to have this Power Loader out helping relief crews soon, but not until 2015. Hopefully they will have a less bulky model by then, but I don’t think it will be in construction yard yellow like Ripley’s. I’m liking the silver color on this Power Loader.

[Cnet]

Nikon today announced the simplest, most accessible DSLR to date, the D3000. Nikon D3000 is designed for anyone who wants to take pictures without worrying about settings. You can select from a choice of subject parameters and the camera will do the rest, and the instant response time means you never miss a moment. The 11-point autofocus system ensures everyone is in focus, and the bright viewfinder means you get what you want, when you want it.

The D3000 features a bright 3.0-in., 230k-dot TFT LCD monitor. The large monitor also improves readability of menus thanks to a font size that is 20% larger than that of the D60. Extending the D3000′s excellent performance is Nikon’s exclusive Scene Recognition System, Active D-Lighting, continuous shooting up to 3 frames-per-second, advanced 3D Color Matrix Metering II, and 11-point selectable autofocus..Despite its simple interface, the D3000 delivers exceptional picture quality. Thanks to 10.2 effective megapixels, Nikon’s DX-format CCD sensor, exclusive EXPEED image processing system, and compatibility with an extensive selection of legendary NIKKOR lenses, the D3000 produces finely detailed images that can be freely cropped and enlarged while retaining sharpness. The D3000 features a new Guide mode — a hassle-free way for less-experienced picture-takers to master the capabilities of digital SLR cameras.

Whether it’s grabbing point-and-shoot snapshots or exploiting techniques commonly used by more advanced photographers, the Nikon D3000 offers an easy, inviting way to experience the world of digital SLR photography and obtain. Nikon D3000 measures 126 x 97 x 64 mm and weigh 536 g (inc.batt).

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Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) today introduced a family of new portable power-charging solutions that enable fast and convenient charging of multiple devices, including a solar-powered charger that harnesses the sun’s power to charge gadgets while on the go.

“Millions of consumers rely on multiple devices for work and play, and need dependable sources of power for them anytime, anywhere,” says John Blake, General Manager Digital Capture and Devices, Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. “Our new KODAK chargers provide reliable portable power and hours of extended run time for any USB-charging compatible gadget.”

Leading the new line of chargers is the KODAK Solar Charger KS100-C+2, which produces enough power to deliver 1.5 charges to a cell phone, or run a music player for an additional 33 hours, or capture up to 200 digital camera pictures (actual results will vary by device).

“Consumers can rely on this charger for power anywhere the sun shines, even when they’re far from electrical service,” Blake says. “And on an everyday basis, they can charge the unit on a window sill or under a desk lamp, and it’ll be ready to go when they are.”

When light is scarce, consumers can use the included USB cable to recharge from a computer or other USB power source.

Other features of the KODAKSolar Charger KS100-C+2 include:

• ENERGY STAR® qualified;
• Achieves full charge in 14 hours via USB-in, 28 hours via sunlight;
• Solar and device charging indicator;
The KODAKSolar Charger KS100-C+2 will retail for US $39.95 MSRP beginning in September, 2009.

Also new to the Kodak line of portable power solutions are:

KODAK Portable Charger KP100-C+2, a palm-sized, ENERGY STAR compliant power pack that lets you plug in any USB-chargeable device to provide up to 40 more hours of run time, two cell phone recharges, or up to 400 digital camera pictures (actual results will vary by device). Designed for use with all USB-compatible mobile phones, music players, cameras and more, the power pack keeps your device running and recharges it at the same time, and is an ideal travel companion.

Features include:

• ENERGY STAR qualified;
• Includes 2 AA Ni-MH rechargeable batteries (2500 mAh);
• Power pack achieves full charge in approximately 8 hours;
• Includes auto-off Energy Saving Timer;

The KODAK Portable Charger KP100-C+2 will retail for US $29.95 MSRP beginning in September, 2009.

KODAK Digital Camera Travel Charger K640/K640E,a compact and cordless ENERGY STAR compliant battery charger that extends the life of rechargeable NiMH batteries by up to 200 pictures per charge.  The unit comes with two AA Ni-MH batteries that recharge in 6 hours or less so you can stay powered and ready to go.

The KODAK Digital Camera Travel Charger K640/K640E will retail for US $14.95 MSRP beginning in September, 2009.

Fujifilm is gearing up to seriously take on the growing digital camera market in India, so it has launched 7 new models of compact digital cameras in the country.

As reported by a national daily, these cameras are priced between Rs. 6,999 and Rs. 35,000, and include FinePix F200EXR high-end compact camera, featuring Fujifilm s EXR technology.

The star camera launched by Fujifilm is the FinePix F200EXR featuring 12 Megapixel/1.6-inch Super CCD EXR sensor and redesigned EXR processor. Aimed at both, professional and amateur photographers, it includes a powerful Fujinon 5x wide angle optical zoom lens, and Face Detection 3.0, claimed to be the most powerful face detection technology available in the market by the company.

The camera also offers auto red eye removal, 5 Film Simulation Modes, a 3.0-inch high-resolution 230,000 dots wide view LCD, HD Photo Output, Dual Image Stabilisation and sensitivity of up to ISO 12800 (3 million pixel approx).

Well, yes. That’s just one of the seven cameras launched. We’re yet to hear from the Fujifilm spokespeople regarding information about the remaining six cameras. So, watch this space for updates.

With this launch, Fujifilm India has also announced its plans to intensify marketing strategies in the country so it it can become a competitor to the existing digital camera bigwigs in the country. “This year, we intend to intensify our campaign and develop the brand image of digital cameras. We also aim to reinforce technical and marketing support to existing channel network so as to penetrate deeper into the Indian market,” said Kenichi Tanaka, managing director, Fujifilm India, according to the press release sent to us.

Besides the metros, the company is looking to expand its distribution network across the country in Class B and Class B which includes Kanpur, Baroda and Lucknow.