Gadgets

Have fun this weekend using free photography editing software. It is Mother’s Day weekend and you may want to capture some great moments. Here’s a list of free tools to help with great photo results.

Gimp

Gimp is editing software that is very similar to Photoshop. It’s an open-source application for the MAC and PC. It provides tools for editing and retouching your images. It also provides layers, like Photoshop, and tools for painting and animation.

Screenshot from Gimp

Photoscape

Photoscape is an easy-to-use editing software. Some of the key features include the editor, batch editor, combine, and face search. The editor allows you to resize, adjust the brightness and color, add text, draw pictures, crop, add filters, use red eye removal, and more. The batch editor allows you to edit multiple photos at once. The combine feature will result in one large photo by combining photos vertically or horizontally.

Screenshot from Photoscape

Pixlr

Pixlr is a popular choice for editing photographs. Choose from three levels for editing your photos: Open Pixlr Editor (Advanced), Open Pixlr Express (Efficient), and Open Pixlr-o-matic (Playful). It’s quick and similar to Photoshop. You can crop, re-size, remove red-eye, and whiten teeth. Pixlr also offers mobile apps of the Pixlr Express and Pixlr-o-matic levels for iOS and Android. The new Pixlr Express Plus version for iOS allows you to add text and stickers! Try out the Pixlr Grabber extension for both Firefox and Chrome so you can grab and edit photos as you surf the web.

Screenshot from Pixlr

Lightroom 5

The New York Times talks about Photoshop’s temporary, free photography editing software, Lightroom 5. It is a beta testing version which will become unavailable once the upgrade version is released. It is easier to use than Photoshop and has some new exciting features. New York Times describes the Radial Gradient feature:

Adobe has also added a feature called Radial Gradient, which lets photographers draw a circular or oval area in which to apply effects. It can be used to create a vignette, where a picture darkens toward the edges, for instance. So you could circle someone’s face, and have the picture dim as it moves away from her, creating a spotlight to draw the eye.

Another feature is the Upright which corrects warped areas due to lens distortion.

Lighthouse 5 Upright Feature Screenshot from New York Times

Adobe Photoshop Express App

This free app is nice for on-the-go cropping and editing. It is available for both iOS and Android. Zoom in, Crop, straighten, rotate, flip, and remove red eye. Use slider controls to find the right color. Adjust the hue, brightness, and white balance of your photos. Then, share with your friends and family.

Photoshop Express Screenshot from Adobe

HeliosPaint

HeliosPaint is a paint program for editing photos and other images. Some of the tools and features include: pencil for editing pixels; adjustable paint brush and spray can with edge feathering; copy brush for copying an area to another area for retouching, healing, and blending; and shape tool for creating freehand, polygon, star, moon, and heart shapes. Heliospaint also allows printing with auto fit to page and allows you to export image to PDF file.

Screenshot from Heliospaint

Google plans to release a non-developer version of Google Glass by the end of 2013. Have questions about what Google Glass can do? ReadWriteWeb recently published, Google Glass: What Do You Want To Know About Google’s Internet Eyewear, which covers fundamental questions and answers about the eyewear. Read the article…

Google’s Internet Eyewear, author ReadWriteWeb

The International Consumer Electronics Show also known as CES is a major trade show that reveals the latest in technology and innovation. Held this year in Las Vegas, Nevada, the CES previewed a number of astonishing products to the public. Below are just a few that were among the many on display.

Cube 3D Printer

The Cube by Cubify is a 3D printer that is available to the public. Compared to other 3D printers the Cube is less expensive and nice looking.

The Cube is simple and easy to use, and Cubify plans to provide a library of CAD files for editing. This will allow even the most inexperienced designer to build something. – pcworld.com

PlayStation Vita

Sony revamps its portable gaming system from the PlayStation Portable (PSP) to the PlayStation Vita. Already available in Japan, the PlayStation Vita’s expected release date to North America, Latin America, Europe, and Australia is on February 22, 2012.

PS Vita revolutionizes the gaming experience with dual analog sticks, front and rear multi touch pads, motion sensors, and front and rear cameras. Game at the speed of your mobile lifestyle, start your game on PS3 and continue on the go with your PS Vita. - us.playstation.com

Tagg GPS Pet Tracker

Have you ever had a pet that got lost? With the Tagg GPS Pet Tracker you no longer have to worry about this!

The Tagg™ pet tracking system uses advanced GPS tracking technology to allow you to see where your dog is and receive a notification if he or she wanders off. The lightweight tracker attaches to your dog’s existing collar, and is designed to be worn at all times, even while swimming. – pettracker.com

Powertech USB Charger

Switch from the standard electrical socket and switch to the Powertech USB wall charger. You can now hook up any of your USB devices to this outlet and charge them from your wall socket.

Samsung OLED

This extremely thin 55-inch screen OLED HDTV by Samsung received a lot of buzz from the CES 2012 show. The Samsung OLED HDTV is 3D-capable and has a new dual-core processor that is able to run apps from the Samsung’s app market. But you will have to wait because this product will not be available until the second half of 2012.

I’m Watch

The I’m Watch, labeled as “the world’s first real smartwatch” allows users to sync their smartphones to the watch. Users can do everything from answer calls, check their text messages, connect to Facebook and Twitter, and more.

Image Credit: Staticworld, CNN, Mashable, Social Barrel, i’m watch

This season we’re providing you with a handy list of gadgets to help out with your holiday lists. These gadgets can make perfect gifts for either you or for someone else. So sit back and take a peek at some of the latest items for the 2011 holiday season.

Apple TV

Apple TV combines all of your favorite entertainment into one tiny box. Apple TV allows you to watch everything you want from movies, TV, shows, photo slideshows, and more wirelessly to your widescreen. Best of all, Apple TV is only $99 — Apple

Mophie Juice Pack Plus

Serving as a soft protecting case, the Mophie Juice Pack Plus doubles the battery power of your iPhone. Coming in six colors, this case will serve as a perfect gift for any iPhone user. $99.95 – Mophie

Samsung Dual View PL120

The Samsung DualView 14.2 Megapixel dual LCD digital camera allows you to take pictures like the professionals. One of the main features of the camera is its front-side display that allows you to take more accurate self-portraits. $139.99 — Samsung

Sony Personal 3D Viewer (HMZ-T1)

Over the summer Sony launched the Personal 3D Viewer also known as the Sony HMZ-T1. This device takes on virtual reality like the movies do.  You “simply slip the device onto your head to experience the movie theater-like virtual screen (equivalent to a 750-inch) expand before your eyes.” The only downside is, we’re still awaiting its arrival to the U.S. $799 — Sony

Jawbone Jambox

The Jawbone Jambox is a compact, wireless speaker, and speakerphone. Producing an outstanding sound quality and making it small enough to throw in your bag, this speaker makes a great gift for the music lover. $199 — Jawbone

LG LW5600 Series 3D LED TV

This LG LW5600 Series 3D LED TV does more than your average 3D TV. “The LW5600 delivers LG Cinema 3D technology with 2D-to-3D conversion which allows you to watch all your favorite 2D content in immersive 3D.” Another plus about this 3D TV is that you don’t have to splurge on the expensive glasses. This TV works with the same glasses that you receive from the theaters. $1,500.00 — LG

iCADE

iPad users can reminisce on old style arcade games with the iCADE.  Simply connect your iPad to the iCade control and get ready to play some of Atari’s greatest hits. The iCade makes the perfect gift for any gamer. $79.99 — Think Geek

Image Credit: Apple Inc., Amazon, Samsung, The Awesomer, Sony, Jawbone, The Tech Journal, Think Geek

Tablets are the hottest piece of technology out on the market today. With the holiday season coming up, we’ve decided to share with you some tablets that may interest you. While there are a large variety of tablets available, the Apple iPad 2, Kindle Fire, and NOOK Color are three tablets that have received much publicity. Check them out and let us know what you think.

Apple iPad 2

With a starting price at $499 the iPad 2 can perform a number of functions and comes with a ton of built-in features. Some of the exciting features of the iPad 2 include:

• Two cameras, one on the back and the front
• A long lasting 10-hour battery life.
• Dual-core A5 Chip
• iOS Operating System
• iCloud
• Wi-Fi + 3G
• Built-in Apps: Newsstand, iMessage, Mail, Safari, iBooks, FaceTime, Photo Booth, Reminders, Photos, Music, Videos, iTunes, Find My iPad, Maps, Youtube, Game Center, Notes, Calendat, Contacts

Amazon Kindle Fire

The Kindle Fire has a low price of $199 with prices of previous models going down to $75. Released a day earlier than expected, the Kindle Fire has received much publicity. Some of the features of this tablet include:

• Fast Dual-Core Processor
• Thousands of the most popular apps
• Amazon Silk, a web browser that supports Adobe Flash Player
• Amazon Cloud
• Durable Display that is 20 times stiffer and 30 times harder than plastic
• Built-in Apps: Email, Amazon Whispersync, Lending Library, Amazon MP3 Store.

Barnes & Noble NOOK Color

Also at $199, the NOOK Color has stepped up from being just an e-reader by expanding itself into the app world. Some of the features that come with the NOOK Color include:

• Built in Wi-Fi
• Fast processor
• 8 hour battery life
• 8GB (up to 5,000 books) built-in memory
• Web and Email
• VividView Color Touchscreen

 Image Credit: Tablet PC Reviewer, PC Mag