Continuing our exploration of Mini HD Action Cameras (So far there’s the roundup, unboxing the GoPro, and unboxing the Contour+) ~ so here’s an unboxing of the germany based, GoBandit. The packaging is good fun, and they have super playful branding that tells you to Shoot Your Adrenaline! what’s most unique about the GoBandit seems to be its software side ~ tracking GPS, speed, and altitude, there are a variety of skins (perhaps someday customizable?) that can overlay your videos to show the data as well as a map alongside to see where you’ve gone. As far as tech specs, it isn’t the most powerful on the market ~ shooting only 720p video, 5mp camera, 135 degree angle of view ~ but is waterproof up to 1m for 30 min without additional housing, and you can embed your videos complete with navigable maps/altitude/speed graphs! And their GoBandit Community is definitely going for the competitive angle on action cam videos sorting videos by FASTEST and HIGHEST! We’re still playing around with it at the moment ~ but check out the unboxing and details of the camera on the next page!

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Tags: accessories - adventure - camera - gifts - outdoor - packaging - shopping - technology - unboxing - video

So you’ve seen the Making Of… well, here is a look at our 6 playful experimental mini videos of new ways to look at Bentleys! Watch them all. We had fun finding the perfect clips and fun music to set the mood for each one…

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Tags: bentley - camera - cars - los angeles - notlabs - video

Nothing quite like new toys, new cars, good friends, and a day of experimenting in beautiful LA weather with Mister C being the home base for the day… two weeks ago we brought our new Contour+ mini HD action cam with us to meet up with Bentley’s fleet en route to Monterey… armed with suction cups, we had far too much fun mounting the camera and driving all over beverly hills, bel air, and late night through the tunnel in santa monica and on pch… take a peek at the setups, as well as the beautiful 1936/37 Mercedes Roadster we found!

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Tags: bentley - beverly hills - camera - cars - luxury - notlabs - video

If you recall, i’ve been a bit research obsessed with mini-HD-action cams ~ and while i have a GoPro, the Contour+ was the one i was waiting for… First impression, i’m impressed with the Contour+ ~ nice packaging, solid chunk of hardware, and the 1080p video quality with GPS and bluetooth connection to both iphone and android devices as monitors are great (though a bit finicky to get connected at times) ~ while this and a few other toys just got acquired for some more playful projects coming up this week, wanted to take a moment to share the unboxing with you to get a first look at what’s included (and you know i’m a sucker for simple matte black boxes with crisp graphics) ~ so check it out on the next page, and more soon as i start playing with it more and comparing it to my GoPro… so far it already has me wishing my GoPro was more aerodynamic and had apps to let my phones be the preview monitor… anyhow, to the unbox on the next page!

p.s. Unboxing occurred while famished at lunch at Father’s Office.

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Tags: camera - gifts - photography - shopping - technology - unboxing - video

This series/post is brought to you by Gillette. Learn more about Gillette and its products at Gillette.com. As usual, thoughts and ideas are all NOTCOT, Gillette is sponsoring us to do our thing!

Technology is AWESOME. I love that moment where it becomes SO easy for just about anyone to capture things we couldn’t even fathom/experience fully without it… like all these tiny everything-proofed action cams that are becoming more and more easily available and create incredible imagery/video ultimately reminding us how amazing humans are… or mounted to things like RC flying magines to create incredible aerial flyover vids of Venice Beach. Why tradeoff between living the action and capturing it on camera? With these Mini HD action cams, you can capture and even stream your activities live and in HD. There’s something for surfers, divers, cyclists, drivers, and just about any other use if you get creative! Whatever your activity, they make a mount for it and a housing tough enough to withstand it. So grab a cam, a mount and get out there! See some of our most enticing finds on the next page!

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Tags: camera - gifts - photography - roundup - shopping - technology - video

This post is sponsored by Best Buy, and is the brainchild of NOTCOT. These tips for great photos are brought to you by Best Buy.

This all started with capturing special moments ~ but ALL moments are special! (And if not, you’re doing it wrong.) And as i tried to figure out what special moment to share, i found myself sitting outside on the grass… macbook air in hand, various cameras next to me, and started exploring with the usb microscope plugged in… turning the macbook air into my microscope screen! And as i played, i found this tiny flower of flowers… and kind of got lost in that moment exploring every little bit of it ~ when suddenly something RAN BUY. Yes, horror movie style. At 200x zoom, the tiniest things seem pretty huge. And i started trying to find it again! They must be teeny tiny aphids or spiders or something… and as i came up out of this random adventure with a bunch of pics all over my desktop, it hit me, how amazing it is that just playing around its so easy for us to capture images like these now! So take a peek at my little microscopic adventure on the next page, and don’t forget ever moment is special for some reason, and even the most mundane of things can become an adventure to share in pics! Ok go see the mini beasts!

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Tags: camera - flowers - nature - sponsored - technology

On weekend adventures ~ the timing couldn’t have been more perfect with the GoPro HD Hero and Bentley arriving at the same time. So, while cruising around, mounted the GoPro upside down suction cupped to the center ceiling console and took off. Tested out photo still mode (making pics like above!) as well as video mode for the majority of the drive… took about 40 minutes of driving and compressed it 20x into about 2 minutes. Ready to take a lightning fast tour from the tops of Malibu’s canyons down to the ocean, along pch, through the tunnel, on to the 10, to the 405, to Sunset and back around to Pacific Palisades? It’s a fun drive ~ pieces of many of my favorite roads in LA. Video on the next page ~ see it in HD even!

p.s. I left the audio unaltered ~ it sounded like a crazy video game…

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Tags: bentley - california - camera - cars - driving - los angeles - video

On fun toys that just arrived… i think i’m in love ~ some things just flood your brain with ideas and it’s the best high. So tiny. So simple. Yet does SO MUCH. With a massive dslr and decent mobile pics these days ~ it’s hard to figure out what else is a car/purse worthy photography gadget. Well, i can think of a million ideas of where to stick, hang, clasp, dunk, strap, swing, launch it… this teeny tiny GoPro HD Hero Camera has infinite mount options, waterproof housing is a default, windproof audio, wide angle views, 1080p HD, super low-light sensitivity, interval photo modes, an awesome sounding battery life ~ and so much more. AND - with the LCD BacPac, i can check the pics on the go… So before the fun begins ~ wanted to share the unbox, because on top of all the features packed into the stealthy little cam… it’s well packaged and designed too! Take a peek on the next page…

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Tags: camera - gifts - outdoor - photography - shopping - technology - travel - video

Thanks, Veuve Clicquot, our Milano Design Week sponsor! We adore their new origami inspired ice bucket, Clicq’up.

On simple things that amuse and delight ~ De Vorm had a little plastic toy camera out ~ the single object on one of their tables they were displaying… of course we couldn’t resist picking it up… when a man emerged from behind a panel (while on the phone!) and said “Take it”… hesitating, he encouraged us further… then offered us another! How could we say no? And how could i not wear it? So in Milan Design Week seriousness… i totally wore this silly little toy camera alongside my real one… and inside it? Viewmaster catalog/press kit of sorts! Delightfully fun idea… so simple, so fun, definitely put a smile on my face. The camera is made by Plastiskop - “The Plastiskop models were patented from 1953 in Germany and turned out as the classic souvenir in the 50’s and 60’s, as with the upcoming mass tourism the Plastiscopes became the memory machine of a whole generation. As well in modern times our series for souvenir, animals, fairy tales keep up as a part of the german cultural landscape. Meanwhile the orignal models in their historical moulds are produced in third generation in north bavaria - hand made and almost in the same way as the first plastiscopes were done.” Amazing, right? See pictures of the camera, the press kit materials, and other Plasticopes on the next page!

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Tags: camera - gifts - milan - packaging - press kit - salone

The Minox Classic Digital Camera available at Photojojo… their email this morning got me lusting after this little digi-replica all over again… “The MINOX Classic Camera Collection are just like their timeless analog predecessors, except these beauties are digital and recreated at a scale of 1:3. The mini cameras are fully functional and take impressive photos too, with 5.1 megapixel hardware resolution, a 2-inch display and attachable viewfinder.They can even shoot video in AVI format and record onto external SD cards.” And the wooden box it comes in ~ gorgeous! And the accessories are even more fun! Swoon Take a peek at pics from Photojojo and Minox on the next page…

p.s. Just imagining how silly i’d look switching between 5DMKII and this at events…

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Tags: camera - gifts - mini - photography - shopping

This CES content is sponsored by BestBuyOn.com. Thanks, Best Buy!!!

Polaroid’s booth had some lovely design details this year. Just to get it out of the way first, let’s acknowledge and move on from the whole Lady Gaga creative director and the grey label products press event. Ugh. Anyhow, what i liked over at their booth are the weird geometric mirrored tessellation growth protruding from within, their use of what looked like black painted raw wood which was a great contrast to the techy textures, and fun graphic design! Oh, and their huge polaroid framed screens really made me want one in my office flipping through NOTCOT.org posts! Take a peek at the details on the next page…

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Tags: camera - CES - mirrors

I’m notorious for carrying my beloved 5D mkII relatively unprotected in just about any purse that will fit it… So long as the stitching seems like it can take the weight. And when placed carefully in my messenger bag with laptop and a ton of other gear… well, maybe there are some flip flops buffering the bottom in that hand carry. And i’ve said for years now that i should get some foam and sew up a perfect little insert/sleeve for it! That being said, i’m always on the look out for a sleek solution that doesn’t add more bulk than necessary. And i just stumbled across Ona’s the Roma tonight, and i must admit i’m quite intrigued. Need to go do some measuring to see how it will do with my set up… but it’s looking pretty good!

Here’s what they say: “Let the Roma camera insert transform your favorite non-camera bag into a protective space for your gear. While the Roma won’t replace your carry-it-all camera bag, its the perfect solution for light trips and shoots where only your camera and a lens are needed. But that’s not all. The Roma also has five exterior pockets that’ll help keep your stuff organized. A camera insert that’s also a bag organizer; quite the twofer if we do say so ourselves. Handcrafted with premium Waxwear. Leather side handles for easy removal from your bag.” Dimensions: 10.5”L X 7”H X 4”D. See more pics on the next page!

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Tags: bag - camera - fashion - gifts - photography - shopping - technology - travel

Last in my series of posts about my adventures with smart TVs ~ sponsored by the fun folks at Intel’s smart TVs! As usual ~ content and pics and all that fun is all me and they are supporting me to do it!

So what ELSE can you do with a smart TV? Apparently be watched. Watch people. (and no, not the vid chat type we talked about before.) That sort of thing. Ok, so maybe it’s not THAT creepy, though i suppose it kind of is in the example i’ll show you! But really, what we’re talking about here are security cameras! Logitech’s in particular! Indoor, outdoor, night vision security cameras! I was amazed that visit to the Logitech Loft in LA ~ you could peek and see in to the kitchen and balcony of the Logitech Loft in SF! And vice versa! And all through the Google TV ~ with the Logitech Alert app. But ok realistically, this isn’t awesome just for co-loft-shenanigans… think about it as a home security system that you can check WHILE watching TV (or internetting, or whatever else you’re probably doing with your TV in the center of your home). There’s a beauty to not NEEDING the computer or external screens to check in on your security cameras ~ be it for the backyard, front door, or vacation home… why not just use the screens you have, including the TV? And while you’re watching TV you can even picture in picture it… so take a peek on the next page of the Logitech Alert system i saw in action on Google TV!

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Tags: camera - google - intel - Logitech - smart tv - Smart TV - technology - television

On design details to lust after, Logitech always manages to deliver ~ while mildly frustrating that my Logitech TV Cam arrived today ~ but my Logitech Revue/GoogleTV isn’t coming until tomorrow… it’s still such a pretty object, i’ll share the unbox first! It beautifully mounts even on the thinnest of TVs and sturdy enough, no need to worry about it leaping off in an earthquake. Armed with a Carl Zeiss wide angle lens with 5x digital zoom and two digital, directional microphones, it promises to take “HD video calls” to a whole new level. Since there’s no Revue to play with today, tried it out with ichat ~ and it works! Nice auto focus, wide angle, and

p.s. on silly design details ~ i love that the blue stripes seen in the website pics aren’t lit up when its off! It’s sleek and black and disappears right into tv…

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Tags: camera - gifts - Logitech - shopping - television - unboxing

On fun new toys this long weekend ~ playing with the Pentax Optio W90 as a life-proofed backup camera to my big dslr. It’s cold proof to 14 degrees, showckproof to 4 ft, mud+sand+dustproof, waterproof to 20 ft, and heat tolerant to 104 degrees! Basically meaning it’s hopefully kidproof, adventureproof, cookingproof, poolproof, petproof, and more! And it even has a “microscope mode” which is basically a super close macro mode… so you can shoot from 1cm away from the lens. It can also shoot 720p HD video! (But no zooming while shooting, thought you can zoom before you start shooting) Hard to believe this is Pentax’s 11th generation of these everything-proofed cameras ~ i had one of the 2nd gen models back in the day ~ perfect for fishing/shallow water adventures! Honestly, i can’t wait to try this one out as my primary kitchen camera i dont have to worry about when getting messy! Perfect for my latest food project (Eep! Shhhh, more to come on that SOON!) Take a peek at closeups on the next page ~ as well as a few test photos of the super macro microscope mode, experiments in the shower, and some video tests at LAX while i was waiting to pick someone up…

p.s. It’s pretty cheap on Amazon relative to list price! I impulse bought it friday, and had it show up saturday!

p.p.s. i wish the design could be sleeker ~ and that i could peel off all the text on the front ~ but the rugged grippiness is awesome.

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Tags: camera - gifts - outdoor - reviews - shopping - technology - unboxing

Ooooh too excited to try these out in real life… variations of the stick on mini lenses have been floating around for some time - like Jelly Lenses, i had quite a bit of fun with a wide angle one for a while, but honestly the jelly bit that sticks gets less sticky, and even washing it, it stops to hold as well! Also the cheesy plastic never was quite as appealing as could be…

Enter these adorable mini camera phone lenses over at PhotoJojo that really look like MINI PRO LENSES! Too cute, right? But the genius part? Stick a magnetic ring on your phone… and the lenses can snap right on and off stably! Now if only they came with extra rings, for various phones, cases, etc… if they work as well as they could, these could definitely make for some fun stocking stuffers… ordering now to poke at in person. See more pics on the next page!

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Tags: camera - gifts - phone - photography - shopping

Metal screw top film containers? Adorable graphics? Miniatures of your favorite lomography cameras to hang on anything from zippers to cell phones to… (use your imagination!)? AND amazingly cute packaging and unboxing experience?!?! Also, awesome point of sale case?!?! I gave in and bought 2/4 - the Fisheye 2.0 (of course!) and the Diana F+… The whole collection is available here. See many a Hotel Vitale photoshoot pics on the next page…

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Tags: camera - gifts - photography - shopping - technology - toys

AMAZING! I joked about an idea like this with people… bags that could protect my camera when needed, disappear to nearly nothing when i’m using the camera? Inflatableness to the rescue?!?! Kata ABS-HD inflatable protective casing comes folded up in a pouch. I love that they say “When on board with your camcorder it takes approximately 1 minute to inflate, wrap up your camcorder and stow it in the over head bin.” So you can basically sneak on seeming like you have very little, then poof you fill the bin? Slightly shady. But then again, perhaps you can use it as a flotation device in case or emergency? I also wonder how it handles the air pressure? Sadly they also say “This is inflatable protection not a camcorder bag, so while on the go use the camcorders strap or handle to carry and upon arriving at your destination it should be deflated and packed away in your working bag.” I’d love a purse/messenger bag fitting version for my dslr for those emergencies if i had to pack it in my check in, or let someone else handle my bags… see more images on the next page!

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Tags: accessories - camera - gifts - photography - shopping - technology - travel

On unexpected packages that arrived ~ a Polaroid SX70 Original from the Impossible Project ~ as well as a pack of the PX 100 Silver Shade / First Flush… The IMPOSSIBLE Project - “In October 2008 The Impossible Project saved the last Polaroid production plant for Integral Instant film in Enschede (NL) and started to re-invent and re-produce a new intant film for traditional Polaroid Cameras.” ~ in addition they’ve been fixing up vintage polaroid cameras… “Polapremium SX-70 cameras are NOT new, but we did our very best to make them look and function like unused cameras. Nevertheless we cannot avoid that some cameras will have some minor cosmetic signs of their former usage.” and i couldn’t resist trying it out… so here’s a first look at the details and a test pic of the first flush on the next page!

p.s. there’s something fun about having a polaroid camera ~ since polaroids were an inspiration in the design of NOTCOT.org…

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Tags: camera - gifts - photography - shopping - unboxing

You know my favorite parts to show you from CES aren’t the products (we can all read press releases everywhere), but the bizarre exhibition design details that are so strange and fascinating? Well camera booths (by booth i mean humongous expo spaces you can lose a friend in within seconds) ~ always have these random setups for you to try their cameras on… sometimes it is a wintery toy train set up going round and round or some women wrestling in the center of the pit or a toy rollercoaster… well Canon’s was like Mr. Wizard… and friend… in this crazy colorful, tv show styled science lab! (i say tv show, because while it feels classroom, it feels staged classroon with the giant foot and ear as well as lots of HUGE beakers with colorful liquids that all look gorgeous.) None the less, it was too cute a set up, and since it was there just for taking pictures, i couldn’t resist. Check out more pics on the next page!

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Tags: camera - ces - photography - science - technology

Joby Gorilla Mobile for iPhone 3G/S ~ perfect for those who want the versatility of both a simple black matte/rubbery case and the ability to mount their phone just about anywhere for any reason... whether that is on the steering wheel of your car (look! handsfree!), the handlebars of your bike, wrapped around a pole, or perched on the table as a tripod... or in my case, i wrapped it around the nearby bottle of scotch as a tripod. As you can see on the next page, the packaging for this one got far more apple styled with the matte white box ~ and i do love that the signature ball jointed gorillapod legs are ALL black this time! Take a peek at all the details on the next page...

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Tags: accessories - camera - gifts - iphone - shopping - technology

Quickly, move past the fugliness, i'm really hoping that's just how it feels in the product shots, and that in your hand its smaller and less bloated seeming (4.08 x 2.63 x 1.92 in./103.6 x 66.9 x 48.8mm) .... ANYHOW, moving along, firstly, it's about time Canon has an everything-proof camera ~ the new Canon D10 waterproof to 33ft, freezeproof, and shockproof! We've had those little pentax optio waterproofs of various generations around for random adventures for some time now, but i've always preferred Canon... And thank goodness you can "customize" the casing and swap off that turquoisey faceplate... perhaps that's their brilliant way to convince most to buy the accessory kit? BUT, the real feature i wanted to show you... did you see the way the various strap options attach to the body? I'm really curious to see how that feels in person and how it works exactly... glad to see Canon branching out with the design details, with the crazy weather we seem to be having all over the world these days this sounds like the perfect "have on you at all times" camera. See the detail shots on the next page!

p.s.
Canon, why no HD video?

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Tags: camera - fire - gifts - photography - shopping - technology - water

Eep! It's here! I'm so so giddy right now that you'll have to excuse these sloppy pics, but i've been bouncing up and down (despite the ridiculously dreary, rainy, weather) ~ but fedex came by with the best xmas/bday present ~ Canon 5D Mark II!!! And EF 16-35mm f/2.8 lens!!! Basically i'm writing this post to buy myself more time while anxiously waiting for the battery to charge... So check out unboxing pics, and side by side comparison pics with my 40D (and since these are IN the shot, they are taken with the TX1)!

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Tags: camera - gifts - photography - review - shopping - technology - unboxing

TO WIN: Leave a comment here ~ tell us an office anecdote? ENTER BY 11/27. WINNER: Weiyi in Singapore!

Genius Jones "Design For A New Generation" ~ don't be fooled, sure it may sound like a kids store at first - a fabulously playful and design kid store online... but there are so many goodies in there that i'm wanting even! So for this giveaway, Genius Jones is giving one commenter a Lomography Fisheye 2 White Edition and NY City Limits Electronic Stapler!

All we ask in return? Leave us a comment about an office anecdote? Afterall, how much fun is this fully automatic stapler with all the colorful gears and gizmos, doesn't it just brighten up and desk and basic office task? And the lomo Fisheye ~ everything looks cooler with a fisheye... any cubicle can look like its own massive WORLD seen through that lens! See more pictures of the goods and a coupon from Genius Jones on the next page!

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Tags: camera - gifts - giveaway - photography - shopping - technology - toys

While i'm totally holding out for that intense mini pro-sumer RED Scarlet, and for now i'm shooting video with my tiny Canon TX1... i am quite intrigued by the little Flip Video cameras, with overly simplified usability i've been told... the perfect gateway video camera for the not so computer savvy is what i heard most all through the holiday season... simply flip out the USB, stick it in your computer, and that was that - ready for youtube-ing. I was skeptical.

But today the Flip Video cameras came up again, and i was browsing the accessories, and i must admit i'm terribly intrigued - they have an Underwater Housing coming soon! And they already have an Action Mount! The Action Mount is basically a standard tripod screw in mount with velcro straps that you can attach to bikes, helmets, trees, cars, anything you can strap it on to! Can you imagine how crazy random reviews and spontaneous videos could be with something this tiny when accessorized for any type of weather/mounting? I know this isn't the only option to accomplish these things, but it did get me thinking about everything from car-videos to underwater product reviews... and for a mere $140 for a 2GB Flip Video Ultra, it's a pretty tempting idiot-proofed toy.

Anyone tried out the quality of the video and the user experience? Is it worth it? Close ups of the accessories i'm curious about on the next page...

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Tags: camera - technology - video