Eye-Fi wireless memory card adds support for Youtube video uploads

by Scott Carmichael on

To me, the best travel gadgets are those that continue to get better, the longer you use them. The Eye-Fi wireless SD memory card is such a device.

Eye-Fi was recently featured as one of our top 25 travel technology products of 2008 thanks to its ability to upload photos directly from your camera to a large number of photo hosting sites (or your home PC), any time you are in range of a wireless network. In 2008 Eye-Fi added options for wireless hotspot access (through the Wayport network), as well as photo Geotagging.

The newest feature for 2009 enables the card to directly upload video clips from your camera to Youtube.

No word yet on when the new feature will actually be available, but Eye-Fi VP of business development Ziv Gillat let us know that the card would even support uploads of HD video like that made with the new Nikon D90 (and the Kodak Zi6 we recently reviewed).

Being able to shoot some video on your next vacation, and have the clips appear automatically on Youtube without any interaction is a brilliant solution, and a fantastic addition to the card. Just remember to swap out the Eye-Fi card for a normal card if you plan to shoot some steamy video in the boudoir…

Glastonbury hippies claim local WiFi network is damaging their “ley lines”

by Scott Carmichael on

In something that sounds like it came right out of a South Park episode, a local group of hippies is complaining that a recently installed WiFi mesh network in the UK village of Glastonbury is causing all kinds of health problems.

The new-age residents descended upon the village several years ago because they believe in its powerful healing abilities.

To combat the signals from the Wi-Fi hotspots, the hippies have placed orgone generators around the antennae, but so far without any success.

This might have to do with the fact that orgone generators look like they are just bundt pans with some tin foil pieces.

Speaking of tin foil, despite 100’s of research studies, nobody has ever found any links between WiFi signals and health issues, and the village of Glastonbury has been blanketed in mobile phone signals since the late 80’s without anyone feeling ill from the “radiation”.

(Via: The Inquirer)

Daily deal – Blue Proton high powered WiFi adapter for $21.99

by Scott Carmichael on

My daily deal for today may be a little too “geekish” for some, but don’t let the scary box and antenna scare you away.

The Blue Proton G-Sky USB Wireless adapter is a regular WiFi device with a twist. The G-Sky has a large external antenna, and a boosted transmission power of up to 500mW.

What this means to you and I, is that it will pick up WiFi signals your laptop usually can’t find. And once it gets a signal, it’ll lock onto it much better.

If you have ever stayed at a hotel with poor wireless coverage, or are just looking for something that can pick up more (often open) wireless signals, then this device may be worth your investment.

The package comes with the wireless adapter, a USB cable, the antenna and a CD with drivers.

This wireless adapter usually retails for $49.99, but Amazon currently has it on sale for just $21.99 (with $3.99 shipping). To make the deal a little sweeter, you can even add a free 1GB MicroSD card, just make sure you scroll down to “special offers and promotions” on the product page.

Toronto Airport Opens Lounge for All Passengers

by Josh Lew on

Toronto Pearson International has announced that it is opening a lounge for all passengers. Before you start envisioning a scene similar to the chaotic free-for-all at the local buffet, you should know that entry is $35. Pretty steep for those who just want to hang out and see if they can snag a few peanuts off the bar.

What does the $35 get you? Lounge-users have access to wireless internet, printers, large flat-screen televisions and some quality food and drink. $35 might seem a bit steep, but not as expensive as upgrading to business-class or first-class just so you can spend your layover in the lounge. The lounge is in Pearson’s Terminal 1, near the international pier.

Terminal 1 is actually one of the more pleasant places in the world to wait for a connecting flight. Travelers could easily chew up a couple of hours wandering between the numerous art installations and shops in the terminal.

Eye-Fi user with a SmugMug account? Free geotagging and hotspot access!

by Scott Carmichael on

This piece of news makes me giddy, as it involves 2 things I am pretty passionate about; the SmugMug photo sharing service, and my Eye-Fi wireless photo sharing memory card.

If you are like me, and use SmugMug for your photos, and an Eye-Fi card for uploading your pictures, then this piece of news is just for you – Eye-Fi will turn your regular card, into a card with the same features as their newest Explore card for free!

The Eye-Fi Explore card features free Wi-Fi hotspot access at any Wayport location for one year, as well as free geotagging of your photos using the Skyhook system. You can read more about what Geotagging is on the Eye-Fi site but in a nutshell, it involves adding some hidden information to your photos with the location the photo was taken. Once you return home, you can view your images online, and instantly see where you were when you took the photo.

To get these new features, you have to follow several simple steps:

  • Insert your Eye-Fi Card or Eye-Fi Share into the card reader.
  • Launch the Eye-Fi Manager and log into your account
  • Navigate to Settings
  • Click on Upload to Web
  • Select your SmugMug profile, and DELETE it (you will NOT lose any of your upload histories)
  • Click to Add another photo service
  • Notice how SmugMug is now at the top :-)
  • Select it, and enter your account credentials
  • Go back to Settings, and notice how now, you have Geotagging and Hotspots as new features on your card.
  • Navigate to Hotspots, agree to the Terms and Conditions, and activate it
  • Navigate to Geotagging, and activate it
  • If you’d like, navigate to Notifications, and 1 or more SMS’s or emails. This way, you’ll know when your Eye-Fi Card is uploading from open hotspots or Wayport hotspots (or at home)

That is all there is to it. Thanks to SmugMug and Eye-Fi for this free update!