Canon announces 550D
Canon’s new entry-level DSLR is the 550D which is positioned between the 500D (which I just bought, thanks Canon), and the 50D. Differences between the 500D and the 550D are fairly slim, so I’m not too heartbroken with my purchase.
Canon 550D features
- 18 Megapixels (up from 15.1)
- Full HD video at 30/25/24 fps (up from 20fps)
- In-camera ‘Movie crop’ (“An SD quality movie can be cropped to the equivalent of approx. 7x magnification of regular shooting”)
- 3” high-res LCD – 1,040,000 dots (up from 920,000 dots)
- Support for new SDXC memory cards
Other than that, specs between the 500D and 550 are basically the same.
No pricing has been announced, with release scheduled for later this month.
Update
DP Review has their comparison up, go check it out – http://www.dpreview.com/previews/CanonEOS550D/
More info @ Canon
Return to Rapture, Bioshock 2 available now
The much loved immersive horror story that is Bioshock is back for round 2. The story line jumps forward 10 years from the original, with all the action housed in the gorgeous underwater city of Rapture. After the success of the first Bioshock, this game is loved by many, will the sequel live up to the high expectations ?
There’s already reviews starting to surface, Kotaku posted theirs about half an hour ago. Go check it out, or head over to the official site – http://bioshockgame.com
Bioshock 2 is available now on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC (Games for Windows).
More @ Delimiter
Facebook hits 400 Million active users
Well you sure like your facebook don’t you. After the launch of their (first) 2010 UI redesign, Facebook has just made the announcement they have reached 400 Million Active Users. A phenomenal number, and phenomenal growth, with the 350 million announcement only a few months back.
The next milestone is surely the big half a billion users, could it happen in 2010 ?
More @ Facebook.
HP MediaSmart iPhone app updated
Owners of the HP MediaSmart Home Server and an iPhone, should check the app store for updates.
There’s a new and improved version of the MediaSmart iPhone app. A couple of the new features are increased speed and coverflow for audio files.
For more details, checck out the pics below.
Facebook launches new UI
Continuing along the never-ending quest for perfection, the Facebook UI has been changed again. The main change is a restructuring of the top navigation bar. Yes people it’s a change, so grab your pitchforks and scream to the hills, but spend some time with it, you’ll find just like last time, you can actually adjust pretty quickly.
Here’s a handy guide as to what’s new in the update. 
Learn more about it @ Facebook
ABC Open launches, crowd sourcing regional content
Today ABC are launching a new project called ABC Open.
“The aim is to give people the chance to participate in lots of different ways – to create, share and collaborate with the ABC and each other through ABC Platforms; radio, online, tv and mobile.”
This works by gathering up to 45 of the best multimedia producers across Australia, and help tell the stories of communities which otherwise would never be heard.
It’s an interesting project, one that’s starting with a trial in Tasmania, then will spread across Australia.
It’s Judgement Day – iiNet vs Movie Studios decision (iiNet Wins!!)
Update
Well the big decision is in, iiNet have won the case. Here are some quotes from the court room.
"iinet has no control over bittorrent system and not responsible for bittorrent system."
The fact there is worldwide piracy "does not necessitate or compel a finding of authorisation, just because it is felt there is something that must be done."
iiNet "was entitled to safe harbour" as it had a policy on infringement, even if its policy didn’t stand up to AFACT’s standards
"copyright occured as result of use of BitTorrent, not the Internet" said Justice Cowdroy
The end result is, the case is closed, AFACT has to pay for iiNet’s costs.
Today is one of the most critical days in Australian Internet history. From the Federal Court in Sydney, Justice Cowdroy is set to hand down his decision on the iiNet copyright violation case. If you not familiar with the case, a collective of movie studios have banded together to create a law suit against iiNet, protesting that iiNet didn’t do enough to deal with ‘known offenders’. These are people who download and distribute movies and tv shows, of which copyright belongs to the movie studios.
Today’s decision, due at 9.30am AEDT, will set a precedent for how all Australian ISPs will prosecute offenders in the future. It’s also likely that today’s decision will be appealed from whichever side looses. Remember there’s billions of dollars at stake here, so it won’t be settled easily.
Personally I hope some kind of middle ground can be reached.
itnews is doing live coverage of the days events using cover it live. Follow along at http://www.itnews.com.au/News/166296,iitrial-judgement-day-live-coverage.aspx
You can also follow along by watching the #iiTrial hashtag on twitter.