Kodak Playfull Waterproof Camera

Kodak has expanded its pocket camcorder lineup with the announcement of the water-, dust- and shock-resistant cousin of the Playfull camera, the Kodak Playfull Waterproof Camera. The Playfull can be immersed to a maximum depth of 10 feet (3 m) for up to two hours and records videos in 720p (1280 x 720) resolution. The pocket cam is shock-resistant, meaning it withstands drops from up to 5 feet (1.52 m) onto plywood. The new Playfull features video recording in 720p (1280 x 720) or in WVGA (848 x 480), both at 30 fps, stored as MPEG-4, AAC-LC files. It can also snap 1-megapixel still images in JPEG/EXIF v2.3 format. The Kodak Playfull Waterproof Camera is priced at US$99.95. Footage is stored on SD/SDHC cards (there’s only 18MB of built-in storage on board) and can be viewed either on the equipped 2-inch color LCD with Glare Shield for bright sunlight viewing, or on an external device, utilizing the camera’s HDMI or AV out ports.

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Ford's Driver Alert System keeps you in the right lane, recommends java on occasion

It ain't the first automaker to do so, but Ford's taking a step in the 'stay in your own lane!' direction with a new technology package for the Explorer. The Driver Alert System is slated to launch in early 2012, and it'll tout new lane keeping technologies, including a system that can help detect drowsy drivers. The goal here is to keep sleepyheads from destroying lives -- be it their own or others -- by suggesting that they pull over, rest and have a sip of coffee if they've been cruising along for an extended period of time. Furthermore, a camera setup will monitor one's lane position, and if they drift too far away from the straight and narrow, their steering wheel will vibrate. It all sounds good and well, but the fact that a AAA survey found that over 40 percent of Americans have "fallen asleep or nodded off while driving" makes 'staying at home' seem like the sensible choice. 

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Not so ultimate Ultrabook: MacBook Air KIRF features mini-HDMI port, 3.5 hour battery life

Hey, who wiped the MacBook Air logo off? Nah, we're kidding -- it's a KIRF. Sure, Apple's svelte 13-incher may have a duo of USB ports and an SD card slot, but this rig adds in a 3-in-1 card reader and and an odd, combo RJ45 / VGA jack (which we assume needs an adapter). For good measure, you'll also find a mini-HDMI output, although, with 3.5 hours of battery life it may prove problematic for getting through a 1080p movie marathon without nearby power. The alloy-encased lappy has a 1.86GHz Intel Atom N2800 CPU with a GMA3600 integrated GPU, 2GB of RAM, a 32GB SSD and a 13.3-inch LED display sporting a ho-hum resolution (for a 13-incher) of 1366 x 768, just like the 11-inch MacBook Air. Amazingly, this knock-off weighs merely .01 kilograms more than its real counterpart at 1.36 kgs (about three pounds), while being only 0.1 cm thicker. Giz-China expects this Ultrabook-wannabe by Shenzen Technology Ltd to land on Chinese shelves sometime in November for about $471. Cue Apple's lawyers in 3... 2...

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Insert Coin: Ray solar charger adheres to your window, basks in the sunlight

In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.

The most frustrating products are the ones that have such simple ideas, you're upset that it hasn't been done before -- or that you weren't the one that came up with it. No idea is so simple as the brilliant Ray solar charger. A mobile phone juicer that comes with a kickstand and built-in suction cup so that it's nearly always pointed right at the sun. If you think that sounds like simple madness or genius, click past the break to find out why it could be worth your investment.

Most solar chargers are little more than candy bar batteries with solar cells slapped on top. This means you have to play the tilting dance when the sun moves across the day. Window-mounting options are no better. Amazon's biggest seller in this category: Accessory Power's ReVIVE, has two rubber sucker pads that attach straight onto the solar cells, obscuring a big chunk of the area you're meant to be putting into direct sunlight -- far from ideal.

In comparison, Ray's greatest strength is its flexibility. Stick it to a car window (use your best judgement as to which one) or use the kickstand to point it towards the low winter sun without balancing it awkwardly on piles of books. Not bundling ten or twenty unnecessary proprietary connectors saves money and resources -- just use whatever USB cable comes with your phone. Fortunately the kickstand also serves as a tidy for your unruly wires. The battery will store enough to "fully charge a phone" and LEDs will keep you abreast of progress.

Best of all, this quirky (ahem) piece of technology has a pre-sale price of $40 -- less than the pre-discount prices of similar chargers from Accessory Power or Lenmar. Window mounts and kickstands are available, but none of them can match the Ray for an elegant execution that makes you want to tote it around wherever you go.

Previous project update: PhaserTape, the laser range-finger for iPhones has got 67 backers, pledging $2,345 -- which means you clearly didn't do your part. Kidding.

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Ubuntu and Dell rekindle their love, in China

In 2007 Dell started a highly publicized experiment with loading Ubuntu on some of its machines. Suffice to say, it wasn't a resounding success -- despite Michael Dell's ringing endorsement. Though their relationship seems to have petered out (US customers won't find a single machine running Canonical's open-source OS on Dell's site), the two companies aren't quite ready file for separation just yet. The two are looking to rekindle their love by heading across the Pacific, to China. Initially the Linux-loaded lappies will be available in 220 retail locations across the country with accompanying branding to promote Ubuntu. Clearly only time will tell if this attempt to save their marriage will be successful, but we're pretty confident Chinese consumers will be more receptive to an alternative OS than Americans were. One more pic after the break.

Update: Turns out there are still a couple of Ubuntu-equipped machines available in the US, but only to business customers and the landing page that once championed their partnership has disappeared.

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