If you want to take pictures with your Handspring Visor, the eyemodule2 not only lets you take snapshots, it even even captures short video clips.
These days, you don't need a standard camera to take a picture. With the right device, your phone, your handheld, and even your watch can be used to capture those memorable moments. If you use the Handspring Visor, you can take digital snapshots by plugging the IDEO-designed eyemodule into the Springboard expansion slot. IDEO is a US-based company that develops Springboard modules for Handspring.
Now, there's eyemodule2--an upgrade that gives you better pictures and also lets you capture mini movies.
Plug in and shoot
Looking very much like its predecessor, the eyemodule2 sports a minor design tweak that makes it much easier to use, i.e. the lens of the module is actually tilted at an angle to the Visor so you can preview the image without tilting your handheld such that it's pointing straight at your subject. The device also comes with a rubber cap that gives your lens adequate protection.
To use the eyemodule2, you don't need a degree in photography. Just slot it into your Visor and the required software will be automatically installed on your handheld. As the camera draws power from the PDA, no additional attachments are needed and the module sits flushed in the back of the Visor while protruding about 2cm from the top of the handheld. To capture images, you can either use the button on the module or the Up button on the PDA.
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Mini pictures and movies
While the original eyemodule captured pictures at 320 x 240 pixels, the eyemodule2 lets you take yours at two times the resolution (640 x 480 pixels), or if you prefer, smaller Palm-size images at 160 x 120 pixels. If your snapshots are taken on a Visor Prism, your pictures will be in colour. If they're taken on a monochrome one, then they'll be in black and white. Colour Palm-size images take up 38K while black-and-white ones occupy a mere 9K.
Although the pictures you take with the device probably won't win you any awards, the pictures are still clear and good enough for general viewing purpose.
The eyemodule2 also lets you capture short Quicktime movies. By default, the 160 x 120-pixel video clips are limited to 5 seconds and take up about 2MB for a colour clip and 384K for a black-and-white one. However, you can always adjust the limit if you have enough storage space to spare on your handheld.
If you love black-and-white images but use a colour-display Prism, the device curiously doesn't let you capture images or clips in black and white. However, full-size images taken on a monochrome Visor will be in colour when you view these on your PC.
Working with pictures
The eyemodule2 software on your Visor is also easy to use and lets you categorize, manage and even beam your pictures to other Visors with an eyemodule2 software installed. If you beam colour images to a mono Visor, these will be automatically converted to black and white. The software also lets you view the images as thumbnails or in slideshow mode. There's also a timer mode for you to capture images at regular intervals and film the mini movies after a delay. For both the above functions, you can specify the times you want the events to take place.
Transfering the images and videos you took to your PC is as easy as pressing the HotSync button. With the conduit software installed, your photographic masterpieces will be copied to your PC everytime you HotSync. Pictures are saved in JPEG format while video clips are in Quicktime.
Software
The eyemodule2 comes with a CD-ROM comprising various software to help you manage your images on your PC, such as Album To Go and Living Album 2000. An 'eyedrop' application also lets you easily drag and drop images from your PC to the Visor. Perhaps the most useful app on the CD-ROM is Eyecontact. It is an address book that lets you attach images to the contacts on your Palm. For instance, you can attach a mugshot of the person to his contact details.
At AU$435.45, the eyemodule2 is rather dear when you consider that for the same amount, you can purchase a pretty decent entry-level digital camera that gives you much better pictures. However, the eyemodule2 is small, compact, as well as fun and easy to use. For such a small device, picture quality is pretty decent. If you want to have fun taking pictures with your handheld, the eyemodule2 is certainly worthwhile considering.
eyemodule2 for Handspring
Company:Handspring Australia
Distributor:Advance Portable Technologies
Ph: 02 9433 8333
Price: AU$435.45
Availability in Australia: Early November
Rating:
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