It looks like your next-generation iPad or iPhone could come with a transparent display.  That is, if the tech disclosed in Apple’s latest patent application turns out to be magical enough.

In a USPTO patent application filed in January of this year, Apple discloses its plans to develop a handheld tablet or mobile phone “that includes a display screen having a viewing area with a transparent portion enabling a user to view objects behind the electronic device by looking at the display screen.”

The application goes on to describe the iPad/iPhone as having an opaque frame with the internal components hidden from view by the frame.  Or, so says Apple, it can hide the components behind a black masked portion of the device’s housing.

In another implementation of the device, Apple suggests that a give iPad or iPhone may have movable or even multiple sections of the transparent display.  For example, when you rotate your iPhone a different area of the screen will be accessible to physically see through.

Just think of where this will take augmented reality gaming.  And mobile photography – real optical viewfinder of sorts an a mobile phone…

• In one embodiment, actual objects may be seen through the display and graphical overlays may be viewed on the display. In other words, both real-world objects and graphical images rendered by electronic device may be visible on the display simultaneously.
• In one embodiment, the entire surface area of the display may be transparent, allowing a user to view real-world objects through the display.
• In another embodiment, one or more portions of the display may be transparent, while the remainder of the display may be opaque.
• In another embodiment, the electronic device may be virtually transparent. That is, the electronic device may include one or more cameras for capturing an image behind the electronic device as well as internal components that may be utilized to generate a graphical representation of the image behind the electronic device on the display.

Apple looks to be taking the augmented reality thing seriously.  In the transparent display application, Apple cites this patent application on using the iPad as an augmented reality device, which was filed concurrently with the transparent display patent application.

In the augmented reality patent application, Apple discusses the ability to use things like mapping software with live views of cities . . . .

We’re just getting warmed up with this iPad stuff folks.

Sony CEO, Sir Howard Stringer, let slip that the company is making sensors for Apple, the manufacturing of which is being delayed due to the Japan earthquake.  However, based on that little tidbit of news and other recent rumors, all signs point to a Sony backside-illuminated CMOS sensor in the iPhone 5 (whenever it arrives).

Frankly, I think this is pretty good news for the next iPhone.  Sony has been knocking it out of the park lately with image quality – particularly so with its smaller compact cameras using the Sony Exmor R technology.  If this trend continues with the next iPhone’s camera sensor, it should be a decent little pocket camera to carry around.

[via 9 to 5 Mac]

The SteddiePod is a unique video camera stabilization device.  It serves the function of multiple camera accessories – and does most of them quite well.

The SteddiePod looks a lot like a monopod.  And, in a way, it is sort of a glorified monopod.  But it’s also a lot more.  The three prongs sticking out of the bottom of the SteddiePod serve as ballasts for keeping the device . . . well . . . steady, as you maneuver with a camcorder on the head.

And, speaking of the head, the fluid head equipped with the SteddiePod works much better than I expected.  While it’s no 501HDV, it is pretty smooth.

While the three prongs help you balance the SteddiePod for fluid movement, they also serve up double duty as a quasi-tripod support.  Set the SteddiePod on the ground and you have a pretty comfortable tripod to work with.  I put my foot on top of one of the prongs to aid in the stabilization of the unit when panning or tilting, but it works great.

The great thing about the form factor of the SteddiePod is that you can get in close to it when in tight environments because it takes up the space of a monopod.  Try walking your tripod to the middle of a dance floor or other crowded location.  With the SteddiePod, you can be in and out before anyone notices you’ve been there.

Since the SteddiePod has three leg sections, you can extend it all the way up and rest the “feet” on your waist/thighs to make a camera boom.  With a little practice, you can put together some pretty cool ad-hoc jib moves.

Finally, you can flip the SteddiePod upside down for low mode to create some doggie camera shots.  It works surprisingly well.  Just flip your footage in post-production and you’ve got some unique angles to work with.

The flying of the SteddiePod is the toughest thing to get the hang of.  And, I’ve certainly seen some folks make better and smoother use of it than I have.  However, it is definitely a versatile and useful tool.  One that, with enough practice, could be your jack-of-all-trades stabilization platform – no matter what you’re shooting.

You can check some short samples of what types of shots you can get with the SteddiePod in the following video.

While my technique could use a bit of polishing in some of those shots, you get the idea about the versatility of the SteddiePod.  The shots that aren’t shown in that video include simple blocked off shots, along with pans and tilts via the SteddiePod’s fluid head.  Add all these shots together and you’ve got one powerful little cinema tool here.

I was surprised by how much I liked the SteddiePod.  Wedding and event videographers are going to want one of these if they ever try one out for themselves.  It’s just too efficient not to have in a professional kit.  Enthusiasts, on the other hand, may be turned off by the price tag, which is close to $400.  In any event, it’s a unique and useful tool that looks like it pretty much sits alone in the market right now.

The Barber Tech SteddiePod is available from Tech Tilt’s trusted retail partner, B&H Photo, at the following link:

SteddiePod at B&H Photo

By making your photography purchases at B&H Photo through these links, you are helping Tech Tilt to continue bring quality gear tests, news and reviews. Thanks for your continued support.

The Samsung HMX-U20 and HMX-U15 are two new ultra-compact camcorders introduced at PMA 2010.

The Samsung HMX-U20 features 1080p video capture, a 3x optical zoom, a 2-inch LCD and a built-in USB connection.  The HMX-U20 can also capture 10MP still images.  The Samsung HMX-U20 should be available in Spring 2010 at an initial retail price of $249.99.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

The Samsung HMX-U15 also features 1080p video capture, no zoom, a 2-inch LCD and a built-in USB connection.  The HMX-U15 capture 14MP still images.  The Samsung HMX-15 should be available in Spring 2010 at an initial retail price of $229.99.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

Samsung HMX-U20 and HMX-U15 Press Release

Anaheim, CA (February 20, 2010) – Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today extended its family of ultra-compact camcorders with the introduction of two new models, the HMX-U20 and the HMX-U15. Building on the success of the Samsung HMX-U10, the new HMX-U20 and HMX-U15 bring new features and functionality to Samsung’s ultra-compact camcorder family, such as a built-in USB connection, which now makes it easier than ever to not only record, but share full HD video with others. Adding even more, the new HMX-U20 now puts a true 3x optical zoom in the palm of consumers’ hands, allowing for additional creativity when recording life’s special memories. Both the HMX-U20 and HMX‑U15 will be on display during PMA 2010, February 21-23, in the Samsung booth, #2227, in the Anaheim Convention Center.

“Thanks to consumers’ demand for portability and ease-of-use, the ultra-compact camcorder category has exploded in growth,” said Mr. SangRyong Kim, Senior Vice President of Camcorder Team, Samsung Electronics. “The new HMX‑U20 and HMX-U15 offer not only portability and ease-of-use but also a number of versatile features like time-lapse recording that allow users to easily capture and share life’s important moments the way they see them.”

High-Quality Video and Digital Stills

The HMX-U20 and HMX-U15 come fully equipped with high-performing 1/2.3 inch CMOS sensors which help capture stunning, 1920×1080 full HD resolution video (30p / H.264). In addition, the ultra‑compact HMX-U20 and HMX-U15 also boast impressive digital still image capability. With the HMX‑U20, consumers can capture 10 mega-pixel digital still images, while the HMX-U15 shoots 14 mega-pixel digital still images. This impressive digital still capability eliminates the need for consumers to carry a separate digital camera as everything they’ll need is in one, ultra-compact device. The camcorders also include Hyper Digital Image Stabilization to help produce blur-free video and the HMX‑U20 adds even more versatility with a true 3x optical zoom. Consumers can also get creative with their video thanks to fun and unique features such as time lapse recording, which allows users to program the camcorder to record at a pre-set interval of one image every one, five, 10 or 30 seconds. Time lapse recording is especially useful for condensing extremely long events, such as rolling clouds on a sunny day, into a short, easy‑to-view video.

Easy Connectivity

The HMX-U20’s and HMX-U15’s built-in, swing-out style USB connection gives users the ability to forego having to always carry a separate USB cable to connect and upload footage to a computer. The built-in USB connection can also recharge the camcorder’s battery, eliminating the need to transport a separate charger while on-the-go. Furthermore, the HMX-U20 and HMX-U15 offer HDMI connectivity, allowing consumers to enjoy their full HD video on their HDTV.

The HMX-U20 and HMX-U15 also feature Samsung’s play‑edit‑sharing program, called intelli‑studio. This intuitive program allows consumers to turn any computer into a mobile studio, giving them the ability to edit and play their video without having to install supporting software. Sharing is also simplified thanks to a one-touch “upload” button on the HMX-U20 and HMX-U15. When connected to a computer with an internet connection, the one-touch “upload” button links directly to popular destinations such as YouTube™, reducing the number of steps needed to upload footage to content sharing Web sites.

Designed for Portability and Comfort

The Samsung HMX-U20 and HMX-U15 are extremely portable with dimensions of just 2.1” x .61” x 4.09”. In addition to their compact size, the HMX-U20 and HMX-U15 are also highlighted by a unique design that’s as ergonomic as it is stylish. Designed to make the camcorders more comfortable to hold, the camcorders’ bodies are angled at seven degrees which encourages a more natural grip reducing overall stress on the user’s wrist and arm.

The JVC Everio GZ-HM340 is a HD video camera with 16GB of internal flash memory and an SDHC card slot for memory expansion.

The GZ-HM340 should be available in February 2010 at an initial retail price of $499.95.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

JVC Everio GZ-HM340 Key Features

• 16GB Internal Flash Memory and SD/SDHC card slot
• 1/5.8″ 1.37 Megapixel CMOS Sensor
• 20x Optical Zoom (KONICA MINOLTA HD LENS
• Advanced Image Stabilizer
• Time-Lapse REC & Auto REC
• One Touch Upload to YouTube�* (HD Compatible)
• Seamless Recording over two media
• Face Detection & Face Flow Thumbnail
• Laser Touch Operation
• 2-Way Grip Belt
• Everio MediaBrowser

More details in the press release below.

JVC Everio GZ-HM340 Press Release

WAYNE, NJ, February 2, 2010  JVC has added a new high definition camera to its recently-announced 2010 Everio line, giving the series three HD models priced under $500. The new Everio GZ-HM340 features 16GB of internal flash memory plus an SD/SDHC card slot.

The GZ-HM340 includes all of the new features and improvements found throughout the 2010 Everio line, including advancements in low light capabilities and image stabilization, while convenience is enhanced with a new auto recording feature and time lapse recording.

For a steadier picture, JVC this year introduced Advanced Image Stabilizer (A.I.S) that ensures steady images even while walking, and is especially effective when shooting bright scenes from full wide to 5x zoom. Available on all models, Advanced Image Stabilizer uses a wide-angle image sampling area that is four times larger than that of conventional systems. A.I.S delivers powerful compensation for camera shake.

Time-Lapse recording is a sophisticated but easy-to-use feature for time-lapse shooting in one- to 80-second intervals, enabling hours-long segments to be reduced to seconds, such as the continuous recording of changing sky patterns spanning an entire day.

Auto record, a new feature, automatically initiates recording when a person or other moving subject enters the picture and the luminance changes, a great convenience for home surveillance, monitoring a baby, recording wildlife, taking group shots (instead of using a self-timer) and more.

Digital files created with the new Everio cameras can be easily shared in a variety of popular formats with the enhanced Everio MediaBrowser software for Windows, which now provides automatic conversion of HD and SD videos for immediate sharing on YouTube, including both down-conversion and up-conversion. Files can also be directly exported to iTunes and synced with an iPod or iPhone, or burned to DVD, all with just a few mouse clicks using the Everio MediaBrowser application.

Like all 2010 HD Everio cameras, the new GZ-HM340 features a KONICA MINOLTA HD LENS, currently one of the world’s smallest and slimmest HD lenses. In the GZ-HM340 it offers a 20x optical zoom.

Everio high-definition models automatically switch between two internal media for continuous, uninterrupted recordings. Users can shoot seamless, drop-out-free recordings using dual SD cards or flash memory. HD-model enhancements also include Face Flow Thumbnail, which displays thumbnails from a particular section of a video by automatically selecting and zooming into human faces.

The 2010 Everio series features an all new, slim design that’s fashionable, easy to carry and comfortable to hold. Portability has been further enhanced with a redesigned grip belt that now works in two handy ways, as a conventional handle-style grip when both ends are snapped in place or as a strap when one end of the belt is released.

The new Everio GZ-HM340 is available later this month for $499.95.

This post will be ground zero for all the CES coverage coming from 3D TV Source, Photography Bay and, of course, Tech Tilt.  I’ll be covering CES 2010 for all three sites and there will obviously be some overlap between them.  As a result, Tech Tilt will link to the appropriate coverage at Photography Bay and 3D TV Source for gear and news in their respective categories.  Other tech news from CES 2010 will be covered here on Tech Tilt.

This post will be updated on a live rolling basis throughout CES 2010, so check back often for the latest updated.

General Coverage

CES 2010 Exhibitor Preview

3D

Corel 3D Blu-ray Playback Software

I-TEC 3D “Glasses-less” Display

Automotive

Cydle GPS Solutions

HD Radio

OnStar Mobile

Cellular Phones

Google Nexus One

ZOMM

Computers

enTourage eDGe

Lenovo Mobile Solutions

Lenovo IdeaPad U1

Digital Cameras & Photography

Casio

Camera Phones Get 14MP and 1080p HD

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II

Lexar Memory Cards

Panasonic Memory Cards

Panasonic FH20

Samsung NX10

Samsung H Series Camcorders

Sony A450

Sony HX5V

Vivitar Video Cameras

Photography Bay Roundup

Home Entertainment

Abbee Commercial Remover

GefenTV Auto Volume Stabilizer

I-TEC 3D “Glasses-less” Display

Mitsubishi 3D-Ready TVs

Popbox

Sanus HDMI Cable with 180° Pivoting Connector

Sound Egg 5.1 Surround Sound Chair

Boxee Box by D-Link

Panasonic Viera HD 3D Plasma TV

Panasonic Wireless Speaker System

Peripherals

Turtle Beach USB Sound Cards

Video Games

Helix Grip for iPhone

Parrot AR.Drone

You Rock Guitar

LaCie has announced a USB 3.0 external hard drive that offers 2 drive and RAID configuration options.  The new USB 3.0 drive will be available in capacities up to 4TB.  The USB 3.0 standard will permit speeds up to 275MB/s burst read transfer speed.

More details in the full press release below.

LaCie USB 3.0 Dual-Drive RAID External Hard Drive Press Release

PORTLAND, Oregon and LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. December 17, 2009 – LaCie, a leading provider of professional storage solutions, in collaboration with Symwave Inc., a leading silicon supplier of system solutions for SuperSpeed USB devices, today announced the industry’s first dual hard disk RAID storage solution based on the new SuperSpeed USB (3.0) standard. LaCie’s 2Big USB 3.0, a dual-disk RAID 0/1 storage solution, powered by Symwave’s USB 3.0 standard-compliant dual SATA and RAID bridge controller, reaches the highest throughput ever achieved in a USB 3.0 external storage product – setting a new standard in the dual disk market. The 2Big USB 3.0 will be available in up to 4TB capacities and is bundled with award-winning backup software for both Mac and PC users.

“LaCie has a strong worldwide brand and a proven track record for developing high-performance and innovative storage solutions. This collaboration with LaCie, which coincides with our SW6318 USB 3.0 dual-SATA product announcement is yet another first in the industry and for Symwave,” said John O’Neill, Vice President of Marketing at Symwave. “The end user experience of external storage is undergoing a very significant upgrade with the launch of USB 3.0 products. We are pleased to be leading the market transition with such a strong partner like LaCie.”

“Offering fast speeds is a major priority for LaCie. Our customers have long awaited a robust, super fast interface to enable a better workflow. Symwave’s industry-leading dual SATA bridge controller enabled us to address this demand, and to achieve the highest speed ever obtained with a dual-disk solution,” said Minh Lê, Marketing Director at LaCie. “LaCie intends to lead the market transition to USB 3.0 technology and will launch a full range of products in the coming months.”

Now professionals who require a large data flow can leverage the USB 3.0 interface. Developed for users that require sizeable data flow and fast storage products – such as video professionals who needs high bandwidth, the 2Big USB 3.0 will let users transfer a high-definition uncompressed video at speeds up to 275MB/s burst read transfer speed, or perform real time streaming and editing of multiple HD files simultaneously.

The LaCie 2big USB 3.0 will be available in early 2010 and will be showcased at CES 2010, January 7-10, 2009 in both the USB-IF Pavilion (South Hall #30769) and Symwave’s private suite at the Las Vegas Hilton (Suite #2900).