This Week in Reviews [January 16-20]

After the pre-CES slowdown, we’re back in action with a bevy of new reviews for your reading pleasure! This week we reviewed the Lenovo Thinkpad X130e, the LG Optimus S from Republic Wireless, the James Bond-esque Recon Live Mod goggles, and the iTwin, an ingenious solution for document sharing and syncing. Rounding out the week are reviews of nine new photo apps.

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Lenovo ThinkPad X130e

Along with reading, writing, and arithmetic, learning to use a notebook is becoming another fundamental for elementary school students. The $495 Lenovo ThinkPad X130e looks to fill the role previously filled by the likes of netbooks, but it adds durability and Lenovo's superb keyboard. Is this 11-inch AMD-powered system destined for the head of the class? Read on to find out.

Read Our Lenovo ThinkPad X130e Review

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Retro Mojo: Olympus Retro OM-styled Micro Four Thirds Camera

This camera looks amazing! We’re totally drooling for this Olympus retro Four Thirds!

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There might be a giant corporate scandal hovering over its head, but that’s not stopping Olympus from planning big things for its digital camera lineup. The company has placed a giant full page advertisement in Amateur Photographer magazine with the headline “OH MY GOODNESS!”. 43 Rumors is reporting that the company will be announcing a new Micro Four Thirds camera around February 8th that’s part of the 40-year-old OM camera lineup — in other words, a digital mirrorless camera that’s beautifully retro-styled. A trademark application filed on January 3rd indicates that camera will be called the Olympus OM-D (D as in digital). Watch out Fujifilm: Olympus is coming for you!

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Make Money By Taking Tourists’ Photos

We’re not sure how we feel about charging tourists for their photos. Canditag is a new service which allows photographers to take photos of strangers, specifically tourists, who are too lazy to lug around a camera. The photographer uploads the photos to the site and the subjects can purchase the photo for a fee. The whole Canditag set-up is capitalism in action so there’s a kind of iffy feeling to something like this. I mean there was a time that people generously took photos of strangers and email them the photos for free, right? That’s just our opinion, we would love to hear yours.

Via Peta Pixel

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How It Works

Follow these steps to start earning commision on your photography:

1) Sign Up.
Registration is 100% Free.
2) Create a Collection
This will be a placeholder for the photos you will take.
3) Print Collection Cards
These will later be given to people that you take pictures of so they can easily find photos of themselves.
4) Take Pictures and Pass out your Collection Cards
You can take pictures of people anywhere. For example, people at landmarks, at little league games, or just people on the street.
5) Upload Your Photos
Upload your photos to the collection you already created.
6) Earn Cash

People can now find your collection based on the card that you gave them. They will have the chance to purchase a print or digital copy of the photos you took.
You earn commission on any purchases made of your collections.

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Photographer In Focus: AlexandFelix

This photography tandem’s most popular series deals with a surreal portraiture of humanity and how technology has assimilated into people’s lives. These are pretty powerful images.

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Alex Gertschen, 1969 and Felix Meier, 1969, both from Switzerland and better known as AlexandFelix work as a team. They are known for staging their subjects and models, without the use of computers, with diverse objects and materials. AlexandFelix create imaginative, somewhat absurd and surreal worlds.

Also the background is not made by computer which is a conscious choice in an effort to make the images more vibrant and less artificial. The series 13 Queens shows how detailed the two photographers work, with much to discover in each image. The following images come from the series 13 Queens and from their Pictures portfolio.

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Not Your Average Pocket Film Size Camera

The Camera from Distortion Design on Vimeo.

In photography, does your equipment match your talent?

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To all photographers who measure their talent by the size of their equipment, it’s time to give up the race. Folks, step right up and meet the Eye of America: a 35-foot long film camera that captures negatives measuring six by four and a half freaking feet. Currently in the possession of Dennis Manarchy, the retro-styled rig is said to barely fit into a truck, and yet can deliver images 1,000 times greater than the average negative. When Manarchy’s not capturing stills for exhibitions that stand two stories tall, he uses the gigantic contraption to teach average folk about how cameras work. Then again, most negatives don’t need to be inspected through windows rigged with LED lights. Frankly, we didn’t think any piece of kit could strike fear into the Maxback — but, that was yesterday. As for a damage deposit on the Eye of America? Well, if you need to ask, you can safely assume you’ve just priced yourself out of the market.

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Deal of the Day: New Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E420 for $494

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January 21st, 2012 by Oliver Renick, LAPTOP contributor  

Ladies and gents: the Lenovo E420, hot off the presses (the computer-printing ones). The E420 is one of the budget-friendly computers offered by Lenovo as part of their new lineup of computers, as seen at this month’s Consumer Electronics Show. As we said then, there’s a fresh new design, with matte soft-touch lids in both black and heatwave rd. Underneath, there’s the standard Intel Core i3/i5 processors (no slouching there). The E420, with an i3 processor, is available for $494 – $100 less than we were originally told – through a deal at LogicBUY.
With the Core i3 processor running at 2.3GHz and a 4GB RAM, this smooth computer will take you through your work with ease. Lenovo is known for cranking out quality business machines, and while we haven’t reviewed this latest model, we’ve come to expect nothing but quality from its maker. And if you’re looking for some extra computing prowess, check out the i5-equipped configuration, which is also available for just $45 more. It also comes with a 500GB hard drive instead of the 320GB that’s included with the former version.

Base specs: Intel Core i3 processor, 14.0-inch W HD (1366×768) AntiGlare display, 320 GB hard drive, 4 GB DDR3 1333MHz RAM, Multi Recorder Optical Drive (12.7mm)

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2010 Toyota FT-86 Concept review

      The Toyota FT-86 Concept was introduced at the company's 2009 Tokyo auto show. It's got eye-catching looks, rear-wheel-drive, a horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine, and a six-speed manual transmission. And a production version is due by late 2011. on-again relationship between Toyota and Subaru, nearly got axed twice. Since that date, the economic downturn led to two cooling off periods in which the destiny of the project hung in the balance. the Toyota-Subaru design team already had a significant springboard in the form of a Subaru platform and engine helped build the case to keep it alive.

          It was powered by a 2.0-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder boxer engine from the Impreza lineup but with a reworked Toyota head that should generate around 200 hp. It will also incorporate a six-speed Aisin-built manual gearbox. The FT-86 is also expected to inherit the front MacPherson strut, and rear double wishbone setup from the Legacy. 

        The FT-86  car was based on the third-generation Prius but uses first-generation lithium-ion battery technology developed by Panasonic. It was offered by 98-horsepower 1.8-liter gasoline engine, with 105 pound-feet of torque. The plug-in is intended to have a 13-mile cruising range and the ability to cruise at highway speeds on pure electrical power. The lithium-ion battery setup is targeted to recharge in three hours at 100 volts and 100 minutes on 200 volts. It emit less than 42 g/km of CO2.

          * Price (est): $21,000

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Toyota FT-HS Concept review

        The concept (cars on display, not mass production) that Toyota demonstrated atVietnam Motorshow 2008 captured the attention of most visitors. Highlights FTHSconcept is modern design with clean lines typical of Toyota. Unveiled at the Detroit showtakes place in January 1 / 2007, FTHS the Japanese manufacturer is defined as "the combination of speed, features and environmentally friendly." Toyota's research groupbased in California cars in the future interpretation, which FTHS representatives, not justspeed but also entertaining, associated with natural human and social responsibility.

        J-factor variable factors FTHS different matter but there are highlights such as longnarrow headlamps, the soft curves and less compact. In language, "Vibrant Clarity" tobring to FTHS seem exciting when kicking tail up, tail lights almost angular separation andthe type of spacecraft. The dynamics also are "resonant" by the wheels 21 inch 5-spokedesign similarities. FTHS almost no smell. The windscreen is prolonged upward anddownward immediately straighten the tail to reduce wind resistance. Axis B is eliminatedwhile the C axis of the body hidden under glass FTHS that is consistent from front to back. Two mirrors are stylized to blend in with the overall structure.

        The engine is on FTHS hybrid, combining gasoline and electric. Capacity is 3.5 litergasoline engine V6, maximum capacity of 292 horsepower while the electric motor power197 kW. Two sources of this energy gives FTHS maximum capacity of 400 kW,equivalent to the GS450h. But thanks to lighter FTHS should have more features. The ability to accelerate to 100 km / h from the starting base is only 4 seconds, one secondfaster than the GS450h.

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Subaru Impreza WRX STI Sedan 2011 review

           The Impreza WRX STI is always interesting how anyone who loves cars. The most famous version of the Impreza family is also proud of its cars from Japan. Recently, Subaru introduced the Impreza continues WRX STI WRX 2011 with his brother at the New York International Auto Show, in which the WRX STI 4-door sedan, new wide-body structure, getting a lot of attention the public's attention.

  

           It drivers feels real surprise, full of excitement and also provide maximum safety.This sports car is a worthy flagship brand Subaru push forward. Highlights of the car is still the perfect match between boxer turbocharged engine with AWD drivetrain and weight with a great way.Developed by a determination to create the fastest WRX STI ever, model 2011 has made significant improvements in functionality to drive, thanks to experiences drawn during the test run in the race Nurburgring (Germany) , as well as after multiple attempts at Japanese. The results of the effort is an ideal steed for the driver, the safety level, the ability to control the most genuine.

           The WRX STI comes with many new features. On the exterior, 4-door car with design ideas on natural elements brings wide and low look stronger, more dynamic. Slab of resistance before and after are clearly shape to nature and sports. Grille, fog lamp socket is a new design.Like the 5-door sibling, 4-door sedan also features flared fenders the car "convex" really out, bring muscle car features horizontal, while the back is a good inspiration from the diffuse gas underlying the resistance, 4 discharge throat divided party and a second wing "imposing" its own special design.

            Ministry of aluminum alloy wheels 18 inch light weight is fitted as standard. If not satisfied, customers can install their car BBS 18 inch wheels optional. In addition to feeling really fun to drive, Subaru also conducted innovative suspension system, which helps lower the car down to 5 mm in height.Interior space with dark colors predominate, covering the dashboard, facing the door ... to create the contrast before bringing some more silver, furniture making and sporty aura.2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI sedan dimensions length / width / height is 4,580 / 1.795/1.470 mm (5-door version with a width and height while similar length changes slightly: 4,415 mm). 

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2009 Subaru Impreza WRX review

         The Subaru Impreza sport compact sedan in all its variations, ever in competition with AWD offerings from Mitsubishi and losing market share to the likes of the Mazdaspeed 3 and Volkswagen GTI, needed a shot in the arm. Reaching into the Subaru parts bin, the Japanese company that has become synonomous with all-wheel-drive has given the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX a larger turbocharger and an entirely redesigned Subaru exhaust system, resulting in a huge boost in horsepower for a total of 265.

         Subaru is also introducing a new Impreza 2.5GT model for 2009, powered by a 224-horsepower turbocharged intercooled engine teamed to a standard 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with SPORTSHIFT. Both the more powerful WRX and the new 2.5GT are available as 4-Door and 5-Door models. As on all Subaru models, the Impreza WRX and 2.5GT models are equipped with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive

        The WRX interior introduced new comfort and spaciousness for 2008, and for 2009 it gains new WRX-exclusive carbon black checkered upholstery accented by red stitching. Performance-design front seats integrate the backrest and head restraint into a single structure. The sporty instrument panel features electroluminescent gauges, similar to the WRX STI. As in the WRX STI, the indicator needles sweep the gauge faces upon engine startup for a sporty effect. 

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