Gizmodo: Stylus

Olympus Hazard-Proof Tap-To-Snap Stylus 1050 SW and Its Skinny Sidekick, the 1040

Benny Goldman — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Olympus' tough-as-nails Stylus 1050 SW updates the 1030 SW with a tap-control feature that makes it easy to take pictures in extreme environments. While the specs are nearly identical to the 1030—10.1MP, 5 feet shockproof, 10 ft. waterproof, 14°F freezeproof—he 1050 uses an accelerometer to allow button-free control. Tapping the top, back or sides of the camera cycle through different options, so you can make adjustments to your pictures even if you're wearing gloves. It'll be out in October, and for $300, I'd tap that. The Stylus 1040, one of the best looking Olympus point-and-shoots we've seen, down below.

The 1040 is a super-slim cam, and in fact, the thinnest Stylus yet. It ditches the big zoom lens typical of other Olympus cameras for a more common slick, boxy style with flat controls on the back. As far as specs go, it's basically the 1050 SW without the huevos, a 10.1MP point-and-shoot with 3x optical zoom and a 2.7" LCD screen. Also out in October, the 1040 will run $200. [Olympus]

EeePC 900 Gets a Touchscreen Mod That's So Good We Want It Standard

Jason Chen — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:59:59 EDT

If we didn't know that this was done by a user, we'd swear that this touchscreen Eee PC was made by Asus themselves. The video shows a super sensitive and responsive screen, flicking quickly up and down on a web page with either the finger or stylus. On a laptop of 10-inches or smaller—what we like to call "tardtops"—a touchscreen fits just perfectly. Why get a Kindle when you have a light, touchscreen laptop that can be carried with you and supports lots of colors? Nice work jkkmobile. [JKKMobile]

Lightsaber DS Stylus Elicits No Objections From Phoenix Wright

Jason Chen — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 02:10:53 EDT

These officially licensed Star Wars Nintendo DS Styluses are just what we need to draw insane circles around Pokemon, help Phoenix Wright solve cases and cut open random people in that really hard doctor game. They come in two flavors: a three-pack of standard plastic ones for $7.99 or a two-pack of glowing ones for $16.99. Both are due July 31, which is exactly the day that we're going to pretending we're gigantic Jedi holding regular-sized lightsabers. [Light-up and Boring via View from Heaven via Oh Gizmo via Kotaku]

Brightonnet iPhone Stylus has Bendy Tip for Better Dragging Action

Kit Eaton — Mon, 19 May 2008 11:00:00 EDT

In December, Jesús brought you news of the first stylus designed particularly for the iPhone, or iPod touch: but time has passed, and here's a new one from Brightonnet with an extra trick. It's designed to bend at the neck, facilitating touch-and-drag functions for those with iPhones and chunky fingertips, or who just prefer carrying around a stylus. The nib is made of a special resin that won't damage the screen, and it'll be available in black or silver but sadly doesn't double as a pen. No info on pricing or availability yet. [Brightonnet via Akihabarnews via Oh Gizmo]

Brando Bluetooth Headset Stylus: Napoleon Solo Would be Jealous

Kit Eaton — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:08:29 EDT

Brando's designers, holed up in their top-secret gizmo design bunker, must've been watching The Man From U.N.C.L.E as they dreamed up this Bluetooth device. It's a pendant-style headset, with built-in speaker and microphone, crammed into a pen-shaped stylus. So you can hang it round your neck and use an earpiece, prod at your PDA with it or, most satisfyingly, hold it to your head and gabble into it, making passers-by think you're ~~barking mad~~ a secret agent. It's got Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, a 30-foot range and a USB-charging Li-polymer battery that's good for three hours talk time and 90 hours standby. Sadly it omits a ballpoint function, and an amnesia pill concealed in the cap, but it's available now for just $30. [Brando]

Triforce Touchscreen Pointer Combines Tchotchke With Surprising Functionality

Jack Loftus — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:30:28 EDT

The Triforce Touchscreen Pointer is a marketing ploy destined for swag-bag oblivion, but it could also be a rare case where functionality and tchotchke coalesce into something genuinely useful. First, the lanyard-pointer from Specialdesign eliminates the act of fumbling with your PDA's lanky stylus. Second, the lanyard means no more dropped devices. Finally, when Specialdesign promises the Triforce pairs up with "hip hop" devices you just know the transformation from vanilla roadwarrior to white party-throwing music mogul is close at hand. No info on pricing, sorry. [Triforce, via GeekAlerts]

Lightning Review: Waterproof Shockproof Freezeproof Olympus Stylus 1030SW

Benny Goldman — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 22:00:00 EDT

The Gadget: The Stylus 1030SW, Olympus' semi-indestructible 10.1MP point-and-shoot, is designed for fairly extreme conditions. Olympus claims the camera is shockproof (to 2 meters), waterproof (to 10 meters), freezeproof (to 14°F), and crushproof (to 220 lbs.) We've seen other cameras with features like this, but it's rare that they're all combined into one.

The Price: $400 retail, we've seen it as low as $340.

The Verdict: It's tougher than Glass Joe, but it's no Mike Tyson.

I tested the 1030SW under fairly rigorous conditions, and for the most part it stood up to the challenge. After dropping the camera to the ground from around six feet, it took pictures without any problem. Next was the underwater test. I didn't take it to the limit, but I did bring it with me in the tub. The camera works under water, and there are options designed for capturing images of sea life. The pictures didn't come out too well, but that could be my fault as it is likely designed to shoot fish in clear water and not sitting in a bathtub, taking pictures of my...er...feet.

Things got a little trickier during the freeze and crush tests. I left it in the freezer for about two hours, and when I took it out I had a "Battery Empty" message. Worried that I damaged the camera, I let it thaw and it came back to full power after 10-15 minutes. For the crush test, I placed all 170+ pounds of myself on top of the camera. At first I heard a little unnerving crunch, and when I picked it up, I saw what looked like a crack in the LCD screen. However, after about 15 seconds, it went away and I was left with the same crack-free screen I had when I started.

As for the pictures, they came out well for the most part. In optimal conditions, they looked great. When I was under water, or in a dimly lit room the snapshots left a little something to be desired. I was able to correct some of the shots with the various exposure options, but it's still a point-and-shoot.

If you are going on an outdoor adventure and looking for a light, easy camera to take, this is a good bet. I wouldn't recommend pushing it to the advertised limits, but it's definitely sturdier than other cameras in its price range. [Olympus]

Luminous Handy Strap is Stylus, Ewok Jedi Lightsaber

AddyDugdale — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 07:16:42 EDT

On a slow news day, one company can always be relied on to bring out something so unutterably useless that I fall to my knees and give thanks to James T. Kirk and all the angels: Brando. Their phone strap-slash-stylus-slash-lightsaber-for people-of-extremely-restricted-growth costs five bucks and would redefine the word pointless if it didn't actually have a retractable point. Still, I can think of one person who might find it handy when he's on a post-coital cleanup. [Brando]

Hands On Olympus Stylus 1030 SW Indestructo-Point and Shoots

matt buchanan — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:40:41 EST

Point-and-shoots bore the hell out of me, and most of the PMA P-and-S spam has all bled together at this point. But, I really like the shock- and water-proof armor Olympus has on its otherwise unremarkable 10MP Stylus 1030 SW. It's a steely hardass with style, and I love the exposed. It's actually very lightweight, but you still get a sense of its solidity in your hand (or banging it on the table). Its lesser sibling Stylus 850 SW is lesser both in person and on paper.

Olympus Stylus 1030SW Is Drop-, Water- and Freeze-Proof

Kit Eaton — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 06:19:16 EST

Here's the Jack Bauer of the new Olympus compacts: the Stylus 1030SW, drop-proof from 6 feet, waterproof to 33 feet and operates at temperatures as cold as 14 degrees Fahrenheit. With 10.1 megapixels, a 3.6 x optical zoom and a 2.7-inch LCD, and with built-in scene modes for underwater shooting as well as beach and snow modes, it looks like we need a vacation to try it out. Available in March for around $400. [New Launches]

Canon PowerShot and VAIO Notebook Are Highlights of Holiday Deals From Newegg

Benny Goldman — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:50:44 EST

Newegg has a bunch of deals on cameras, notebooks, and more just in time to miss Hannukah (Thanks a lot, Newegg!). For those of you who celebrate that other holiday, or just expect presents in the winter, here are some of the better ones:

• Canon PowerShot SD870 IS: $295
• Canon PowerShot S5 IS: $336
• Olympus Stylus 790SW: $224
• Olympus Stylus 820 Red: $191
• Sony VAIO VGN-FZ220U/B Notebook: $1200 (Biggest discount of the bunch, retails at Newegg for $1300 and Amazon for $1500)

Some of the items don't stand out on price alone, but free three-day shipping and bundled accessories sweeten these deals. All of the cameras include 1GB memory cards and cases so little Sally won't spit on your feet when she finds out you bought her a present that is missing a key piece. Check the I4U link for the full rundown, and start shopping! [Newegg via I4U]

Best. Stylus. Ever. (a.k.a. Ninjas > Pirates)

Jason Chen — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:20:13 EDT

The pirate over at Kotaku has just discovered what he's calling the "Best Damn Swag on the Planet," and we're calling "the best stylus ever." It's a stylus for Ninja Gaiden DS, but it's not just any stylus, it's a friggin sword. It even has a little sheath to stick it into! Can you imagine playing Pokemon with that thing? Or whipping it and using it as a stylus in your Windows Mobile phone? "Hey John, give me a sec to check my calendar with my fucking NINJA KATANA." And then you throw the stylus into his eye, officially ending your lunch meeting. [Kotaku]

Olympus Rolls Out Stylus 820, 830 and 1200, a Trio of Pretty, Pocketable Minishooters

Charlie White — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 10:08:47 EDT

Olympus, trying to set a record for the number of cameras introduced in one day, also updated its Stylus line of point-and-shoot cameras with three colorful new models, the 820, 830 and 1200. All of them have what Olympus calls an "all weather" body, image stabilization, shadow adjustment goodness, and now they all have face detection to help you focus on what's really important.

The Stylus 820 is a bargain-priced $249.99, and it has a 2.7-inch viewscreen, a 5x optical zoom and 8-megapixel sensor on board. Spend 80 more bucks ($329.99) and you get an 8-megapixel Stylus 830 that now has dual image stabilization, combining both digital image stabilization (which we haven't been too impressed with on its own) with good old mechanical sensor-shift stabilization. Olympus says this trickery can smooth out camera shake and also somehow reaches out and stabilizes subjects who are moving around a lot. Got kids? Good luck with that. For that wizardry you sacrifice .2 inches on the LCD viewscreen, slightly smaller at 2.5 inches.

That Stylus 830 shares a cool feature with the Stylus 1200, called In-Camera Panorama, just like what was introduced on the Olympus SP-560 UZ. Instead of futzing with putting together all those groups of panoramic shots in an image editing application, this baby can take three pictures for you as you pan across a scene, and then stitches them all together for you right there inside the camera. Neat. That 12-megapixel Stylus 1200, the top of the Stylus group for $349.99, gives you a faster f/2.8 lens (the other two are f/3.5) but for that you have to give up a bit of zoomosity; it packs a 3x optical zoom instead of the 5x of the other two Styli.

All three of these pocket-sized point-and-shooters will be available next month. [Olympus]

Olympus Stylus 790SW Adds Tech, Keeps Toughness, Lowers Price

Charlie White — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 00:01:00 EDT

Olympus is talking tough about its latest waterproof and freeze-proof Stylus 790SW camera, the successor to that Stylus 770SW we saw frozen in a block of ice in Las Vegas last March. Carrying on that everything-proof tradition, this one still can brave freezing, dust, shock and water, but adds intriguing new tech under the hood at the same time.

As is the case across the point-and-shoot camera landscape, this tough little Stylus 790W adds face detection technology, automatically adjusting focus and exposure for those lovely mugs you're snapping so many pictures of. Olympus has also made its imaging system a little more intelligent, keeping the 7.1 megapixels but adding a TruePic III image processor to reduce that pesky graininess. It's also smart enough to compensate for seriously backlit situations, taking out some of the contrast when shadow areas look way too dark. Neat.

It keeps a lot of the other features of its predecessor, such as that 3x optical zoom lens with digital image stabilization and the 2.5-inch LCD that we liked so much when we saw it in Vegas. For the frivolous, Olympus now makes this slim babe in pretty (and some not-so-pretty) colors, too, as you can see in the images in the gallery.

And then the best news we saved for last: After all that new coolness, when the 790SW ships in September it'll be cheaper than its predecessor, just $299.99 compared to the retail price of $380 for the old Stylus 770SW. Not quite the level being disposable yet, but a great price break nonetheless.

Epson Rolls Out Powerhouse $200 Stylus Photo RX680 All-In-One and Two Others

Wilson Rothman — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 09:29:20 EDT

Two hundred bones will get you a lot of printer these days. Epson's Stylus Photo RX680 printer/scanner/copier is a Gutenberg wet dream with text and copy speeds up to 40 ppm, two separate paper trays that can hold a total of 270 sheets of paper, draft photo printing in 11 seconds and an auto-duplexer for hassle-free double-sided action.

Today, Epson also introduces the RX680's baby brother, the $149.99 RX595—a bit slower, with everything but the duplexer and extra paper tray. If all you want to do is print, there's also the $99.99 Epson Stylus Photo R280: 38ppm in a slimmed-down package.

Fact Sheets:

The Epson Stylus Photo RX680 Ultra Hi-Definition photo all-in-one with Claria™ Hi-Definition Ink offers photo enthusiasts an unsurpassed combination of speed, quality and longevity. This powerful performer prints 4"x6" photos in as fast as 11 seconds1 and documents up to 40ppm1, while the built-in auto duplexer and two fully adjustable paper input trays further increase productivity and efficiency. The Auto Photo Correction adjusts images to produce the best photos possible, and users can actually preview these adjustments on the 2.5-inch color tilt LCD. The LCD and multipurpose card slots make it easy to view, select, crop, and enlarge photos as well as transfer files to or from a memory card without using a PC. Direct CD/DVD printing makes it easy to create professional-looking CDs and DVDs.

Unsurpassed Print Speeds
• Professional-level print head produces the highest quality prints at record speeds
• Prints 4"x6" photos in as fast as 11 seconds1
• Prints text up to 40 ppm1
• Copies up to 40 cpm1

Superior Ink and Print Head Technology
• Claria Hi-Definition Ink for brilliant photos with richness, depth and clarity - right at home
• Epson's patented MicroPiezo® print head and DX5 technology deliver five sizes of ink droplets, as small as 1.5 picoliters, for the sharpest detail and smooth gradations
• Vibrant photos that are smudge, scratch, water, and fade resistant2 - longevity of up to 98 years on display and over 200 years in an album on multiple paper types3
• Prints can be handled immediately after printing
• Convenient six-color individual ink cartridges for replacing only the color needed
Auto Photo Correction with Preview • Preview corrected photos on the built-in tilt LCD before printing
• Automatically adjusts photos with or without a computer to create the best prints possible
o Corrects dark, backlit and washed-out photos
o Advanced face detection distinguishes people from scenery and makes adjustments to ensure natural skin tones and enhance the richness of scenery in photos
o Sharpens images
o Removes red-eye

Advanced Paper Handling
• Built-in auto duplexer for printing on both sides of the paper
• Front and rear paper trays are fully adjustable and can be loaded with plain or specialty papers
• Trays hold up to 270 sheets of plain paper combined

Easy Photo Viewing with 2.5-inch Color LCD • Features a 2.5-inch, high-quality LCD with tilt to quickly and easily navigate through menus, as well as view/select photos for printing
• Allows users to preview their automatically corrected photos before printing
• Enables users to view, enlarge, rotate, and crop photos for printing - no computer required

Direct CD/DVD Printing • Photos and text can be printed directly onto ink jet printable CDs/DVDs
o Eliminates messy adhesive labels that can bubble, warp and potentially damage CD/DVD players or markers that can corrupt data
o Included Epson Print CD software enables users to easily design custom CDs/DVDs
o Photos from memory cards or scanned items, such as photos or graphics, can be printed easily onto a printable CD/DVD without even using a computer
o Prints from the center to the edge of the CD/DVD for a clean, professional look

Standalone Capabilities
• Ultra Hi-Definition photo printing from the following:
o Built-in multipurpose memory card slots (supports all popular formats, including Secure Digital High Capacity)
o Digital cameras and cell phones via PictBridge™ connection or optional Bluetooth®
o USB flash drives and more
• Copies high-quality photos and everyday documents with auto reduction and enlargement abilities
• Restores old, faded, discolored photos back to their original brilliance
• Built-in slideshow for easy photo viewing
• Prints directly onto ink jet printable CDs/DVDs
• Creates custom photo greeting cards using photos stored on memory cards and customized text and graphics
• Features viewing and printing-by-date, which is great for memory cards containing hundreds of photos
• Prints photos using an index sheet, allowing users to choose images, paper size, paper type, and number of copies
• Scans directly to PDF or JPEG

Photo Quality Scanning • 1200 x 2400 dpi, 48-bit color scanner
• Ideal for scanning photos or everyday documents quickly and easily

Borderless Printing • Epson BorderFree® Printing produces borderless printing in popular 4"x6", 5"x7", 8"x10", and letter (8.5"x11") sizes

Windows and Mac Compatibility • Windows Hi-speed USB 2.0: Vista, XP, XPx64, 2000
• Macintosh Hi-speed USB 2.0: OS X 10.2.8, 10.3.9-10.4.x, 10.5.x (via Web)

Paper Types & Sizes
Supported • Ultra Premium Photo Paper Glossy, Premium Photo Paper Glossy, Photo Paper Glossy, Ultra Premium Photo Paper Luster, Premium Photo Paper Semi-Gloss, Ultra Premium Presentation Paper Matte, Premium Presentation Paper Matte, Presentation Paper Matte, Epson Bright White Paper, labels, and plain paper
• Letter, legal, 4"x6", 5"x7", 8"x10", A4, A5, A6, B5, Envelopes and User Defined 3.5"x3.5" up to 8.5"x44"

Printer Dimensions • 17.6" x 19.8" x 8.3" (WxDxH)
• 25.1 lbs.

Price and Availability • $199.99
• Available in September 2007 through major computer, office and electronic superstores, a variety of retail stores nationwide, mail order, PC manufacturers, the Internet, and Epson's own retail site, www.epsonstore.com

Photo enthusiasts can add flair to any project with the Epson Stylus Photo RX595 Ultra Hi-Definition photo all-in-one. A 2.5-inch color LCD and multipurpose card slots make it easier than ever to view, select, crop, and enlarge photos for printing, as well as transfer files from or save files to a memory card without a PC. This full-featured copier and scanner can also restore faded photos without using a PC. With Epson Claria™ Hi-Definition Ink, this fast, versatile performer delivers the ultimate combination of photo quality and longevity. The built-in Auto Photo Correction adjusts images to easily produce the best photos possible, while direct CD/DVD printing makes it easy to create professional-looking CDs and DVDs.
Superior Ink and Print Head Technology
• Claria Hi-Definition Ink for brilliant photos with richness, depth and clarity - right at home
• Epson's patented MicroPiezo® print head and DX5 technology deliver five sizes of ink droplets, as small as 1.5 picoliters, for the sharpest detail and smooth gradations
• Vibrant photos that are smudge, scratch, water, and fade resistant1 - longevity of up to 98 years on display and over 200 years in an album on multiple paper types2
• Prints can be handled immediately after printing
• Convenient six-color individual ink cartridges for replacing only the color needed

Fast Print Speeds
• Professional-level print head produces the highest quality prints at fast speeds
• Prints 4"x6" photos in as fast as 11 seconds3
• Prints text up to 38 ppm3
• Copies up to 37 cpm3
Auto Photo Correction
• Automatically adjusts photos with or without a computer to create the best prints possible
o Corrects dark, backlit and washed-out photos
o Advanced face detection distinguishes people from scenery and makes adjustments to ensure natural skin tones and enhance the richness of scenery in photos
o Sharpens images
o Removes red-eye

Easy Photo Viewing with 2.5-inch Color LCD
• Features a 2.5-inch, color LCD to quickly and easily navigate through menus, as well as to view/select photos for printing
• Enables users to view, enlarge, rotate, and crop photos for printing - no computer required

Direct CD/DVD Printing
• Photos and text can be printed directly onto ink jet printable CDs/DVDs
o Eliminates messy adhesive labels that can bubble, warp and potentially damage CD/DVD players or markers that can corrupt data
o Included Epson Print CD software enables users to easily design custom CDs/DVDs
o Photos from memory cards or scanned items such as photos or graphics can be printed easily onto an ink jet printable CD/DVD without even using a computer
o Prints from the center to the edge of the CD/DVD for a clean, professional look

Standalone Capabilities
• Ultra Hi-Definition photo printing from the following:
o Built-in multipurpose memory card slots (supports all popular formats, including Secure Digital High Capacity)
o Digital cameras and cell phones via PictBridge™ connection or optional Bluetooth®
o USB flash drives and more
• Copies high-quality photos and everyday documents with auto reduction and enlargement abilities
• Restores old, faded, discolored photos back to their original brilliance
• Built-in slideshow for easy photo viewing
• Prints directly onto ink jet printable CDs/DVDs
• Creates custom photo greeting cards using photos stored on memory cards and customized text and graphics
• Features viewing and printing-by-date, which is great for memory cards containing hundreds of photos
• Prints photos using an index sheet, allowing users to choose images, paper size, paper type, and number of copies
• Scans directly to PDF or JPEG

Photo Quality Scanning • 1200 x 2400 dpi, 48-bit color scanner
• Ideal for scanning photos or everyday documents quickly and easily

Borderless Printing • Epson BorderFree® Printing produces borderless printing in popular 4"x6", 5"x7", 8"x10", and letter (8.5"x11") sizes

Windows and Mac Compatibility • Windows Hi-speed USB 2.0: Vista, XP, XPx64, 2000
• Macintosh Hi-speed USB 2.0: OS X 10.2.8, 10.3.9-10.4.x, 10.5.x (via Web)

Paper Types & Sizes
Supported • Ultra Premium Photo Paper Glossy, Premium Photo Paper Glossy, Photo Paper Glossy, Ultra Premium Photo Paper Luster, Premium Photo Paper Semi-Gloss, Ultra Premium Presentation Paper Matte, Premium Presentation Paper Matte, Presentation Paper Matte, Epson Bright White Paper, labels, and plain paper
• Letter, legal, 4"x6", 5"x7", 8"x10", A4, A5, A6, B5, Envelopes and User Defined 3.5"x3.5" up to 8.5"x44"

Printer Dimensions • 17.7" x 16.3" x 8.3" (WxDxH)
• 18.3 lbs.

Price and Availability • $149.99
• Available in September 2007 through major computer, office and electronic superstores, a variety of retail stores nationwide, mail order, PC manufacturers, the Internet, and Epson's own retail site, www.epsonstore.com

The Epson Stylus Photo R280 Ultra Hi-Definition photo printer offers photo enthusiasts a fast, easy and affordable way to print brilliant photos or text documents. With Epson Claria™
Hi-Definition Ink, this powerful performer delivers the ultimate combination of photo quality and longevity. The built-in Auto Photo Correction is like having your own photo lab technician at home, adjusting images to produce the best photos possible, while direct CD/DVD printing makes it easy to create professional-looking CDs and DVDs.

Superior Ink and Print Head Technology
• Claria Hi-Definition Ink for brilliant photos with richness, depth and clarity - right at home
• Epson's patented MicroPiezo® print head and DX5 technology deliver five sizes of ink droplets, as small as 1.5 picoliters, for the sharpest detail and smooth gradations
• Vibrant photos that are smudge, scratch, water, and fade resistant1 - longevity of up to 98 years on display and over 200 years in an album on multiple paper types2
• Prints can be handled immediately after printing
• Convenient six-color individual ink cartridges for replacing only the color needed

Fast Print Speeds • Professional-level print head produces the highest quality prints at fast speeds
• Prints 4"x6" photos in as fast as 11 seconds3
• Prints text up to 38 ppm3

Auto Photo Correction • Automatically adjusts photos to create the best prints possible
o Corrects dark, backlit and washed-out photos
o Advanced face detection distinguishes people from scenery and makes adjustments to ensure natural skin tones and enhance the richness of scenery in photos
o Sharpens images
o Removes red-eye

Direct CD/DVD Printing • Photos and text can be printed directly onto ink jet printable CDs/DVDs
o Eliminates messy adhesive labels that can bubble, warp and potentially damage CD/DVD players or markers that can corrupt data
o Included Epson Print CD software enables users to easily design custom CDs/DVDs
o Prints from the center to the edge of the CD/DVD for a clean, professional look

Borderless Printing • Epson BorderFree® Printing produces borderless printing in popular 4"x6", 5"x7", 8"x10", and letter (8.5"x11") sizes

Windows and Mac Compatibility • Windows Hi-speed USB 2.0: Vista, XP, XPx64, 2000
• Macintosh Hi-speed USB 2.0: OS X 10.2.8, 10.3.9-10.4.x, 10.5.x (via Web)

Paper Types & Sizes
Supported • Ultra Premium Photo Paper Glossy, Premium Photo Paper Glossy, Photo Paper Glossy, Ultra Premium Photo Paper Luster, Premium Photo Paper Semi-Gloss, Ultra Premium Presentation Paper Matte, Premium Presentation Paper Matte, Presentation Paper Matte, Epson Bright White Paper, labels, and plain paper
• Letter, legal, 4"x6", 5"x7", 8"x10", A4, A5, A6, B5, Envelopes and User Defined 3.5"x3.5" up to 8.5"x44"

Printer Dimensions • Slim design ideal for smaller spaces
• 17.7" x 11.1" x 7.4" (WxDxH)
• 17 lbs.

Price and Availability • $99.99
• Available in September 2007 through major computer, office and electronic superstores, a variety of retail stores nationwide, mail order, PC manufacturers, the Internet, and Epson's own retail site, www.epsonstore.com

Epson Introduces $149 Stylus CX9400Fax All-In-One, the Speed Demon Stylus C120 and Two More Budget Multifunctions

Wilson Rothman — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 00:01:00 EDT

Today Epson rolled out its entry level line of printers with a few surprises: the $149 CX9400Fax, a super-valued all-in-one with a truly functional fax, a fast-as-hell $90 printer called the Stylus C120, and two more multifunctions (without fax), the $70 CX7400 and the $100 CX8400.

All-in-ones are plummeting in price. I remember when you couldn't get anything decent for under $300, right about the time when fax features started vanishing, so it was crazy when Epson described the Stylus CX9400Fax—including the all-important auto document feeder for multi-page faxes—priced at $149. It's not the Claria inks that I prefer for photo printing, that you find in Epson printers that begin with R, but the DuraBrite inks in the C series now have the advantage of being smear-proof on any kind of paper, including plain old plain.

Though the CX9400Fax can print a 4x6 photo in 26 seconds, and text at up to 32 ppm, it's not the speediest of the pack. The Stylus C120's default black-and-white speed is 25 ppm (10 ppm in color), and can ratchet it up to 37 ppm in draft mode (20 ppm in color).

The other two all-in-ones in the C series may be fairly mundane by comparison, but they are strong contenders in their price ranges: The $70 CX7400 has memory card slots and up to 28 ppm print speeds, and the $100 CX8400 jacks up the speed and throws in a 2.5" LCD. It's actually pretty scary how much you can get for the money these days. [Epson]

Epson Stylus C120 ($90):

Epson Stylus CX7400 ($70):

Epson Stylus CX8400 ($100):

Epson Squirts Out Four High-End Stylus Pro Inkjet Priners

Jason Chen — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:14:48 EDT

Epson's latest line of Stylus Pro "Print Engines," better known to us as inkjet printers, have just been announced. The 4880, 7880, 9880 and 11880 all have their share of interesting features, such as the ability to hold a wine bottle's worth of ink in one cartridge.

The three lower models, 4480/7880/9880 all have an 8-channel print head, which shoots out a "variable-sized droplet" as small as 3.5 picoliters. On the large side, the 11880 can support 64-inch-wide paper, which is great for printing out banners showing how much you hate your job. And, the big boy has support for a pressurized ink cartridge that holds up to 700ml of ink. That's something like a wine bottle's worth of ink.

The other specs:
Epson Stylus Pro 4880
• 2880x1440 dpi max
• 8x10s between 50 seconds to 6:25
• 89lbs

Epson Stylus Pro 7880 and 9880
• 2880x1400dpi max
• 16x20s between 1:18 to 12:57
• 131lbs (7880) and 198lbs (9880)

Epson Stylus Pro 11880
• 2880x1440dpi max
• 16x20s betwen 1:18 to 12:57
• 250lbs

No pricing or availability info yet.

New Official Nintendo DS Pencil Stylus

Wilson Rothman — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 10:08:48 EDT

Nintendo is giving you another way to play with their pencil-shaped stylus. For stylus aficionados, the design will feel familiar to HORI's DS Stationery Set released previously. This new stylus, however, comes straight from Nintendo at a slightly lower price.

Only available in Japan (or through an importer), the official NDS Pencil Stylus is basically your regular DS/DS Lite stylus, but thicker. The stylus lacks lead and therefore has no need for an eraser. If you think holding a pencil will improve your game (but won't help on your homework), you can grab one for a costly $10 import, around $5 less than what you might pay for the added frills of the HORI package. – Kevin Hall

Buy it [videogame.brando.com.hk via technabob]

Japanese DS Stylus Faceoff

Jason Chen — Fri, 25 May 2007 13:00:47 EDT

CheapyD from Cheapass gamer just did a super head to head video of all kinds of Japanese DS Styluses. If you're at all interested at getting Styli that stretch, go on your finger, or clip onto your DS, then this is the video for you. It's much better to let CheapyD do all your testing for you instead of spending thousands of yen on crappy ones. – Jason Chen

Cheapassgamer [via TechEBlog via Kotaku]

Ecoplus Pen Cartridge Converts Any Pen to a Stylus

Travis Hudson — Mon, 07 May 2007 19:20:18 EDT

Needle-thin styluses are nice because they fit easily into the said device, but seriously, they are a pain in the ass to hold onto and use. LSN Global, a Korean company, has developed the Ecoplus, a refillable pen cartridge that can turn the average ballpoint pen into a stylus. No longer will gripping that miniature stylus be a pain in the ass. Just use your normal, comfortable pen. –Travis Hudson

Use your ballpoint pen as a stylus [AVING]

PMA 07: Olympus Stylus 770SW Frozen Into a Solid Block of Ice

Charlie White — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 14:45:00 EST

When we saw this solid block of ice at the Olympus booth, we simply couldn't walk by, and we reached out and touched it just to make sure it was real. Hey, wait a minute, are those real cameras frozen inside there? Sure enough, a couple of Olympus Stylus 770SW digital point-and-shooters were temporarily entombed in that huge block of ice, implying that not only are they shockproof and waterproof (to 33 feet deep) but they're also freeze-proof. What an entertaining demo!

This 770SW is one tough customer, but its compact size still allows for 2.5-inch color viewfinder. It's a 7.1-megapixel shooter with a 3x zoom, and feels incredibly solid. That viewscreen is tack-sharp, too. All this toughness isn't cheap, though—the camera will set you back $380. Neat stuff, and worth it. Take a look at the hands-on gallery for some close-up peeks. – Charlie White

Product Page [Olympus]

Sharp W-ZERO3 Gets a Solid Gold Stylus

Jason Chen — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 07:00:52 EST

Not only do the Japanese love solid gold Styluses for their most beloved gadget of the last century—the Nintendo DS—now they've got one for the Sharp W-ZERO3 as well. Made out of solid gold and costing 63,000 Yen ($536), this gold stylus is worth as much as the actual phone. Which means, if you're anything like us, that you're going to be losing $536 on the subway, $536 in your office, $536 in the couch, and $536 at the laundromat.

Seriously, this is a bad idea. Unless of course you're Bruce Dickinson and want one of these to go along with your solid gold diapers. – Jason Chen

W-ZERO3 [Coffret Jewlry via Kotaku]

Nokia Patent Morphs Your Stylus into a Cell Phone Joystick

Louis Ramirez — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 17:18:14 EST

Though it bears a very strong resemblance to another joystick/cell phone patent we've recently seen, Nokia's take on mobile gaming is slightly different cause rather than house a pop-up joystick in your cell phone's mid-riff, they want you to use your stylus as a joystick. Seems like a neat trick as long as it's a tight connection and your stylus doesn't pop out every time you move left or right. – Louis Ramirez

Patent [via CrunchGear]

Olympus Stylus u770SW: Tough Camera, More Pics

Charlie White — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 10:07:37 EST

We briefly mentioned the Olympus Stylus u770SW point-and-shoot camera in a post last month, but we didn't have very good pictures of it and scant information. A bit more has leaked out about this hardened, waterproof camera that can be taken down to 33 feet underwater, including the fact that has a 7.1-megapixel sensor and 18MB of internal memory.

It's nice and small, too, at just over 3.5 inches wide and weighing 5.5 ounces. We also found out the camera will be available in three colors, the silver color you see here, along with purple and brown. Take a look at a closeup of the back of this upcoming underwater point-and-shooter, after the jump.

Olympus still hasn't quoted pricing or release date on this tough mofo. We'll probably get a hands-on at PMA next month. – Charlie White

Update: The price is $379.99 and it will be released on March 19, 2007. Check it out on this Amazon pre-order page. Thanks, Andy!

Product page (Japanese) [Olympus, via Akihabara News]

Olympus Stylus 770 SW Camera: One Tough Mother

Brian Lam — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 21:47:48 EST

These are some ugly cameras, the photographic equivalent of those Panasonic Toughbooks we kinda like. It's a 7MP camera you can basically beat the crap out of, try drowning, and freezing, without harm. It'll hit depths of 33 feet under water, laugh at drops of nearly 5 feet, and be warm as a kitten in an microwave at 14 degrees Fahrenheit. (But more functional than the Kitten.) What's to explain this camera except that it's got a Wolverine-like healing factor. I just don't see it working any other way. There's little else info on this camera, but we'll update when we know more.–Brian Lam

Olympus Stylus 770 SW [DP Review]

The Most Useful Pen Ever

Jason Chen — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 17:45:10 EST

The only time we use a pen nowadays is to write checks every month for our outlandishly overpriced apartment, but this five-function pen could be just the thing we need. The pen comes painted with a metric/imperial ruler on the side—great for when you want to measure ~~your~~ junk.

Not only that, the four switchable tips are a pencil, a ball-point pen, a highlighter, and a stylus. We had one of these switchy-pens when we were kids, but none with a stylus and none with a ruler painted on the side of it. This is nerd heaven. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Acme Studio via Boing Boing]

18K Gold DS Lite Stylus

Jason Chen — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 15:50:22 EST

What do you get for the DS Lite gamer who has it all? Well, nothing, since he already has it. But for the people who don't have it all, this 18K Gold DS stylus could be just the thing to show off their Thurston Howell side.

Heavier (obviously) than an actual stylus, the 18K gold one seems to be only available in Canada or on eBay. I'd sooner trust my $19.99 CND ($17.46 USD) to a Canadian than the weirdos on eBay. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Future Shop]

Olympus Stylus 1000, 750, 740, and 730 Cameras

Brian Lam — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 02:25:49 EDT

Olympus just dropped a load of really nice digicams on us about 5 minutes ago. Without delay, here are the best four of the new Stylus cameras:

Stylus 1000:
This slim-ish camera is a 10Mpixel point and shoot, a weather proof design, and an ISO light sensitivity of 6400, which is great news for all of you who don't like the overblown lighting you get with flash photography. With a 3x telescoping lens, a 2.5-inch LCD, an f2.8 lens, digital image stabilization, the cam goes for about $400 when it hits in September. Jump for information and photos of the 1000's siblings.

Stylus 750:
This is the one I'd get. Slim, 7Mpixels, 5x optical zoom, with both mechanical and digital image stabilization. It also has the same weather proof design as the 1000, and the same price. You only get an ISO of 2500, which is very respectable for a slim cam, but that's nowhere near big brother's nightvision.

Stylus 740:
Like the 750, but without mechanical image stabilizing. Carry on, nothing to see here.

Stylus 730:
Pretty! This little gem of a camera probably employs the same prism-based, periscope like internal lens system as the Minolta Dimage cams. Less than an inch thick, with 7Mpixels, a 3-inch screen, 3x zoom, all for $400.

All cameras use the craptastic xD memory card format, and can shoot 640 by 480 video, with sound, at 30 frames per second.– Brian Lam

Olympus Stylus 1000, 750, 740, 730 [DCRP]

The Comfort Stylus Reviewed (Verdict: A Must-Buy)

gizmodo.com — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 14:26:27 EDT

If you've got a Nintendo DS and play stylus-heavy games like Metroid Hunters or Trauma Center: Under the Knife where precision is key, IGN recently reviewed the Comfort Stylus, a flexible rubber-coated stylus that users can mold to their liking, even wrapping it around their fingers. They gave it an overall ranking of 9.0 and call it the best DS stylus by far, saying:

Every DS owner has dealt with the clumsy transition from button to stylus at some point, trying to slide it into the holder or quickly sticking it in your mouth or in your lap to save time. The Comfort Stylus turns the tip of your pointer finger into a stylus on demand, and since most gaming is done with your thumbs the stylus is out of the way when it isn't needed. It's so simple, yet it literally changes the way we play.

$5.99 each, plus about a dollar for shipping. If you're unhappy with the stylus you use for your PDA or smartphone, the price is low enough to make the Comfort Stylus worth checking it out for use with your non-DS gadgets.

comfortstylus.com
The Comfort Stylus [IGN, via Go Nintendo]

NSFW DS Stylus

johnb — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 11:22:23 EST

I mean seriously, people, what the hell is going on here?

Amazing New Pokemon DS Stylus [WiredBlogs via Kotaku]

PMA Live: Last Days and Olympus

johnb — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 10:15:26 EST

Staying through the end of the fourth and final day of the PMA show in Orlando must feel a little like being the last journalist out of Vietnam after the fall of Saigon. You hear the sound of the buses outside like the roar of the choppers on top of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon circa 1975, but you re surrounded by a sea of Public Relations flaks, manufacturer marketing mavens, camera store owners and other assorted photo enthusiasts who also want to get the hell out of this town and back to their homes as soon as possible, far away from the Land of the Giant Rat.

From the roof of the Orange County Convention Center on International Drive you can see the lights of Red Lobster like hot tracer bullets in a firefight above Da Nang. Do you turn back and face the enemy of blue sport jackets trying to throw a final press kit at you or do you run back to your hotel room and load up on liquor, drugs and guns hoping that your JetBlue Flight back to New York tomorrow isn t cancelled because of some kind of impending storm that s pushing into the Tri-State region through Canada.

I ve opted for the latter and am back here, fully ensconsed, at the (Last) Days Inn just off International Drive (or I-Drive as locals calls it) in Orlando trying to make sense of four days of shutters speeds, ISOs, zoom lenses and memory cards. Though I feel a little like Martin Sheen dancing drunkenly in his hotel room in Apocalypse Now and can hear the machine-gun clip of high-speed Digital SLRs still ringing in my ears, here s a final hightlight from the show floor.

If you re looking for a point-and-shoot camera you might want to bring into battle with you, check out the Olympus Stylus 720 SW, a shock and waterproof camera that you can take snorkeling, fishing or rolling out of your Swift Boat on the Hap River in Vietnam. While I ve been telling camera manufacturers for years to make a camera that can take a licking and can keep on clicking, it s nice to see one actually listen. Despite some heavy construction elements, this 7MP camera isn t exactly as rugged as you might think. (Translation, it ain t no Panasonic ToughBook, though that would be nice) You can supposedly drop the Stylus 720SW from five feet and still be okay but the real test would be whether I could pitch it from my fourth floor hotel room into the pool here at the Day s Inn and still make it back to New York alive. I ll report back to you with the results of this test after all this Sam Adams has finally passed through my system.—Dan Havlik with DigitalCameraInfo.com

Press Release [Olympus]

Olympus Stylus Updates

tgrumet — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 13:59:51 EST

Olympus is having a big day, first with its E-Volt E330 DSLR and now with three new Stylus cameras to shine up their lineup. The first is the Stylus 710, with 7.1 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD and the company's Bright Capture Technology that it says should help with taking and reviewing images in severely low-lit environments. It's also small and weather resistant, with rubber gaskets inside, so you can take some of those rain shots you've been dying for. Look for it next month for $350.

The Stylus 720 SW is the rugged type, with a body that can withstand a drop from 5 feet, shoot underwater up to 10 feet deep and includes a Digital Image Stabilization Mode for those of you with the shakes. Also has 7.1 megapixels and a 2.5-inch LCD, along with 28 shooting modes and a thickness of under 1 inch. Will go for $400 in March.

Lastly, there's the Stylus 810, which is the highest-priced offering at $430. With 8 megapixels, Digital Image Stabilization, Bright Capture Technology and a 2.5-inch LCD, it's a pretty, sleek and ergonomically sound choice. Also less than an inch thick, it's got an all-metal body that should keep it weather resistant (to a point) and 24 selectable shooting modes, including (I love this) Cuisine Mode. Available in March.

New Olympus Stylus 810 Merges Slim Design And High Performance With Innovative Features [Olympus]

Olympus Announces New Stylus 710: Sleek Design, Superior Performance And All-Weather Durability [Olympus]

Olympus Introduces Rugged Versatility With Style: The Revolutionary Stylus 720 SW Digital Camera [Olympus]

The Doofus-Proof Olympus Stylus 800

Noah R — Mon, 29 Aug 2005 10:42:22 EDT

After the success of last years multi-colored Stylus line-up, Olympus splurged on the brand with its new upscale Stylus 800. Sticking with silver this time—and did we mention it s 8.0 megapixelswith a 1/1.8-inch CCD? It s got a 3X optical zoom and 5X digital zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD and 25 different shooting modes, which is pretty neat in a camera this size. Also, it looks like it s designed with an All-Weather feature in case you drop it in your beer (like the doofus sitting next to me at the Yankees game did with his cellphone this weekend). So drink up! The Estimated Street Price is $449.99.

Stylus 800 Digital [Olympus]