Thursday, October 31, 2013

Nikon Unveils D5300 D-SLR With Wi-Fi

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Nikon didn't wait very long to update its excellent D5200 digital SLR. That camera, announced internationally last November, didn't make its U.S. debut until CES in January, and less than a year later we have its successor.

On the exterior the new D5300 is pretty much the same as its predecessor-the only notable change is an LCD that's a bit larger (3.2 inches) and sharper (1,037k dots) than the 3-inch, 921k-dot vari-angle display found on the D5200.

Despite boasting the same 24-megapixel resolution as its predecessor, the D5300's image sensor is a different design. It's the same one that is found in the D7100. That means that it omits the optical low-pass filter (OLPF). Professional medium format digital cameras have long done away with the OLPF, which saps up a bit of detail in order to eliminate the possibility of color moire appearing in images. Over the past couple years, more and more smaller format cameras have dropped the OLPF, including Nikon's own D800E and the Pentax K-5 IIs. But the D5300 is the first camera we've seen that is squarely aimed at the consumer market to take this approach.

The EXPEED 4 image processor is also new to the D5300, replacing the EXPEED 3 chip that powered the D5200. This is the first Nikon camera with this image processor, but the company promises that it will deliver improved performance in low light and faster operation overall. The native ISO range is ISO 100 through 12800, with 25600 available as an expanded option. The metering and focus systems are the same as the D5200-that gives the camera a 2,016-pixel RGB sensor for scene recognition and 39 selectable autofocus. Like its predecessor, the D5300 is rated to shoot at 5 frames per second.

The other big internal upgrade is the addition of built-in Wi-Fi. Previously Nikon D-SLR owners had to purchase the WU-1a adapter to add wireless connectivity to their cameras. This feature is built into the D5300, so you can transfer photos wirelessly to an iOS or Android device without the need for an add-on. A GPS module is also built into the camera, so your location is added to photo metadata automatically. You'll be able to look at shots on a map when using software like iPhoto or Picasa, or sharing online via a hosting service that includes a map view, like Smugmug.

The D5300 will be available in black, red, or dark gray. It's priced at $799.95 as a body only, or $1,099.95 with an 18-140mm lens. It will be available to purchase in mid-November.

This announcement comes on the heels of news of the D610, a very minor update to the full-frame D600. It's essentially the same camera, but with an improved shutter that allows for a 6fps continuous shooting rate. Many D600 owners reported that the camera has a tendency to pick up dust on the sensor after extended use. It wasn't something we saw with our review unit, and sensor dust is a common issue with all interchangeable lens cameras, but the noise that D600 owners made indicated that it was something beyond what is normally expected.

Nikon issued a service advisory for the D600 relating to the dust issue. The company is not saying that the new shutter is there to reduce the instances of dust accumulation; rather, the official line is that it improves the burst shooting rate and also introduces a new 3fps quiet continuous mode.

The D610 comes in at a $100 less than its predecessor; it's priced at $1,999.95 as a body only, and can be purchased in a kit with the 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 lens for $2,599.95.

Rounding out the Nikon announcements is a new high-end prime lens. The AF-S Nikkor 58mm f/1.4G matches the focal length of the classic Noct-Nikkor 58mm f/1.2, but its aperture isn't quite as ambitious. The new lens features the latest nanocrystal coatings, ED and aspherical elements, and an internal SWM focus motor. It's priced at $1,699.95 and will be available at the end of October.


Source: Pcmag

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Nikon brings Wi-Fi and improvements to D5300 DSLR, plus pricey 58mm pro-level prime lens

There are several noteworthy improvements in Nikon D5300 Offers's new D5300 APS-C (DX) DSLR from its predecessor, the D5200. One of Nikon's best-selling and most popular models, the midrange 24.1-megapixel D5300's smaller and lighter body has improved ergonomics - there's more surface area on the grip for a tighter hold and more clearance between your fingers and the lens. Despite the body being smaller, the vari-angle flip-out LCD got bigger (3.2 inches from 3 inches in the D5200). With the Expeed 4 image processor the ISO range has increased (100-12,800). But the big addition is that Wi-Fi is now built into the camera ­- a first for Nikon DSLRs.

Another big change, Nikon has removed the optical low pass (anti-aliasing) filter from the 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, to improve the image quality of stills and videos - a trend that's happening with many new cameras. The D5300 has the same 39-point autofocus system and 5 frames-per-second continuous shooting as the D5200. There's also Nikon's Scene Reconigtion System that uses the 2,016-pixel RGB metering system to automatically select exposure, AF, and white balance based on the scene conditions.

Wi-Fi has been available in Nikon cameras via an optional adapter, but the D5300 will be the first to have it built in. It's also the first Nikon DSLR to have onboard GPS, which lets you geotag your images before you upload or e-mail them from the camera via a connected smartphone or tablet. You can also use a connected smart device as an external monitor for remote shooting.

For video capture, Nikon has added Full HD 1080p at 60p. There are nine special effects you can use to edit in-camera, including a "HDR painting" feature that lets you alter the colors of an image to make it look as if it was shot as a high-dynamic range photo.

The D5300 is on sale now for $1,400, which comes with the AF-S Nikkor 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR kit lens; if you're stepping up and you already have a set of Nikkor DX lenses, you can pick up just the body for $800. The camera comes in three colors: black, red, and a new gray option.

AF-S Nikkor 58mm f/1.4G lens

In addition to the D5300, Nikon has also announced a new pro-level prime lens, the AF-S Nikkor 58mm f/1.4G. Carrying the legacy of popular Noct Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 lens, this fixed 58mm focal length (35mm/FX equivalent; 87mm DX/cropped format) is ideal for shooting portraits, landscapes, and street photography, Nikon says, but it's all about achieving bokeh - that artistic background blurring - with the nine-blade diaphragm. Made for low-light capture, the lens has Nikon's Nano Crystal coating to avoid ghosting and flare. The Silent Wave Motor operates quietly when autofocusing, which is key for recording video.

This premium lens will go on sale later this month for $1,700.


Source: Digitaltrends

Friday, October 25, 2013

WIN a Nikon S9500 camera!

<Nikon D5300 Cyber Monday Dealp>


Honda has launched a#HondaPassport Twitter competition for one lucky winner to choose their dream journey, worth £5,000. We all love to take photos when we're out and about and perhaps even get a little snap happy, so why not put them to good use and try to nab yourself your dream holiday?

All you need to do is fill your Honda passport with stamps from different categories by tweeting your image, including #HondaPassport. Images will be automatically uploaded to the content hub Myjourneys.com/hondaPassport and all entries will receive a stamp in their Honda passport depending on which travel category you're collecting.

The aim of the game is to fill your passport with as many stamps as possible and the more stamps received, the better chance of winning the £5,000 dream holiday. The winner is decided by the public, who will be asked to vote for the Honda Passport they like the most.

To celebrate the #HondaPassport competition, Honda has joined forces with Nikon to help capture those special memories by giving you the chance to win a Nikon S9500 with 22x optical zoom.

For your chance to win, visit our Facebook page and enter your details on the entry page before November 15.

Good luck!


Source: Parentdish

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Camera Deals of the Day: Save up to $600 on Nikon DSLR bundles; refurb Nikon D600 body $1,325; Canon 5D Mark III body $2,550 and much more!

<Nikon D5300 Couponsp>by William Brawley

Happy hump day! We've found a big selection of DSLR-related deals for you to browse through this morning! There's a new promotion for Nikon DSLR bundles from B&H Photo Video, as well as a new set of Canon mail-in rebates. We've also uncovered some great discounts on Canon and Nikon DSLRs, plus special savings on a fast Canon prime lens. Lastly, we found a nice little bargain on some cool neoprene DSLR lens pouches to safely haul you new glass. Check back tomorrow for all new camera deals and discounts.

  • Save up to $600 on Nikon DSLR when bundled with lenses and speedlights - Free Shipping
    B&H has started a new Nikon promotion where you can get up to $600 off with select bundles of lenses and speedlights. Eligible DSLRs run the full gamut of Nikon models from the the D3100 and D5200 to the D800 and D4. Visit the special promotion page for all the details and various configuration of bundles with corresponding discounts. Offers expire at different times depending on the models, but most expire on Nov. 11.
    Read ourNikon D3100 review, Nikon D5200 review, Nikon D800 review and Nikon D4 overview for more details.
  • Mail-in rebates on select Canon EF lenses - Free Shipping
    Canon has a new round of mail-in rebates for select full-frame EF lenses, the vast majority of which are L-series lenses. Eligible lenses include the EF 17-40mm f/4L with $100 off, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II with $300 off or both EF 24-70mm L zoom lenses in either f/2.8 II or f/4 IS versions at $300 off. See the full selection of lenses at Adorama, B&H or on the official mail-in rebate form (PDF).
    Read ourCanon lens reviews for more details.
  • Canon 5D Mark III body - $2,550 (compare to $3,100) - Free Shipping
    BigValueInc via eBay has the Canon 5D Mark III body-only for $2,549.99 with free shipping. Limited quantity available.
    Read ourCanon 5D Mark III review for more details.
  • Refurbished Nikon D600 body - $1,325 (compare to $1,897 new) - Free Shipping
    RobertsCamera via eBay has the Refurbished Nikon D600 body for just $1,325 with free shipping. Limited quantity available.
    Read ourNikon D600 review for more details.
  • Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM lens - $1,259 (compare to $1,619) - Free Shipping
    Adorama has a special deal on the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM lens for a final checkout price of $1,259 with free shipping, plus extra accessories like an Adorama lens cleaning kit, 16GB USB flash drive and a 72mm filter kit. In addition to the $150 mail-in rebate (PDF), Adorama is tacking on additional discounts for this lens. You must go all the way to checkout to see the final lowest price.
    Read ourCanon 50mm f/1.2L lens review for more details.
  • Neoprene DSLR lens pouch 4-pack - $10 (compare to $15) - Free Shipping
    Hottest Deal Ever via eBay (98.9% positive feedback) has a Neoprene DSLR Lens Pouch 4-Pack for $9.95 with free shipping.

Source: Imaging-resource

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Nikon Unveils D5300 DSLR With WiFi, GPS

By Greg Tarr On Oct 17 2013 - 10:59am


Nikon D5300 Black Friday Deal's D5300 ($799 body only) is the company's first DSLR to incorporate WiFi and GPS geotagging.

Melville, N.Y. - Nikon introduced Thursday its D5300 D-SLR, offering an enhanced 24.2 megapixel CMOS sensor and a Nikon-first built-in Wi-Fi and GPS.

The company also added an AF-S NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G lens prime lens.

Nikon's D5300, which will be available in October for a $799.95 (body only) suggested retail price or $1,399.95 for a kit including the camera and an AF-S Nikkor 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens , is the company's first D-SLR with built-in Wi-Fi and GPS functionality to provide instant photo sharing with smartphones or tablets, and to enable geotagging images.

The camera incorporates a 24.2-megapizel DX-format CMOS sensor and is features a compact, lightweight ergonomically body design.

Other key features include a 3.2-inch swiveling Vari-angle LCD display; a 39-point AF system with 9 cross-type sensors; 5 fps continuous shooting, FullHD 1080p video capture with built-in stereo microphone; intuitive scene recognition and a variety of image efects and in-camera editing tools.

The D5300 will be available in a choice of black, red and gray body colors.

The AF-S Nikkor 58mm f/1.4G lens, which will be available in October for a $1,699.95 suggested retail price, will accommodate both FX and DX format cameras offering high quality low-light shooting performance.

Nikon said the unusual 58mm focal length is ideal for portraits, landscapes and street photography.


Source: Twice

Sunday, October 20, 2013

The 25 worst things that actually happened in job interviews

cheap costume ringsI sat in traffic in Boston, Massachusetts one cold autumn morning 16 years ago, cursing myself, cursing the cars around me, and cursing the world.

I had prepared so much for the job interview at the prestigious firm I was driving to - done research, gotten dressed in a sharp outfit, prepared questions to ask - and yet somehow I had not left enough time to make up for a traffic jam on the way to their offices.

I arrived 15 minutes late, and had what I thought was an excellent interview - but of course I did not get offered the job. I may have been a pretty smart, determined guy, but what a stupid mistake I made that day, to not leave enough time to get to the interview early.

I've written before about dressing appropriately for a job interview, and asking the right questions. Of course, there's much more to a job interview. And showing up late may seem like a pretty obvious mistake, but as I talked to other leaders, I couldn't believe some of the mistakes I heard people making.

Below is a list of mistakes to avoid at job interviews - all, believe it or not, based on real stories shared with me by members of the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only organisation comprised of the world's most promising young entrepreneurs. Don't make the same mistakes these people made!

1. Trashing a Boss or Old Job

I get it. You had a horrible boss who ruined your experience, and now you are leaving. You may be bitter or angry, but don't let that unhinge you in a professional setting. You don't know if I know your boss, or how I will react. Was it you or them? I'd rather see someone who can learn from tough experiences and hold their head up high. Don't avoid the question if asked, but handle it with class.

- Trevor Sumner, President and Co-Founder, LocalVox 2. Taking a Call or Checking Messages

In China, a lot of the people we interview have the habit of doing this in interviews. I have no problem if the phone rings, but it is what the person does after that lets me know how that person would treat a client in a stressful situation. They don't know this, but I actually analyse everything they do to determine if it would make a customer feel uncomfortable or not.

- Derek Capo, CEO and Founder, Next Step China

3. Drinking a Beer

I couldn't believe it. On a Skype video interview, a candidate who was great on paper moistened his lips with a beer before starting to talk. He took several more sips throughout the then-shortened interview, and I told the employee who was supposed to screen after me not to bother. We closed him out.

- Ryan Buckley, COO & Co-founder, Scripted, Inc. 4. Over-Selling Yourself

Job interviews can be nerve-racking, and it's normal to feel the need to "sell" yourself. But some candidates get so focused on selling themselves that they forget to ask questions to learn if the job is even a good fit for them in the first place. Or worse, they come off as disingenuous, inauthentic or fidgety. Interviews should be a conversation, not a sales pitch.

- Matt Ehrlichman, CEO, Porch 5. Underdressing

One time a potential hire called and asked what the dress code for the office was. We said casual. Then later that day, that person came in wearing a T-shirt, shorts and sandals. To me, a first impression is everything, and the fact that this person wouldn't even dress up a bit for an interview showed me that he was not a good fit for us.

- Phil Laboon, President, Eyeflow internet Marketing 6. Not Preparing Anecdotes

It's all about the evidence - saying you have a certain skill set or experience isn't enough, and anecdotes and examples are critical in showcasing that you really do have expertise. In particular, it's important for applicants to have quantitative evidence for any skills or experience they have. Without stories and numbers, an interview isn't as memorable or effective as it could be.

-Doreen Bloch, CEO / Founder, Poshly Inc. 7. Saying They Didn't Want to Learn or Work Too Much

I was interviewing a potential candidate who said to me, "My old job had me working and learning too much." This was after a phone interview where I explained we were a start-up! Start-ups are small, nimble, constantly growing and always learning to do things faster and better. This statement showed me someone who isn't ready to fully immerse themselves in the start-up mentality and culture.

- Kim Kaupe, Co-Founder, 'ZinePak 8. Crying

Yes, believe it or not, tough interview questions can make some people cry. When tears flow, the interview is over. No one wants to hire people who can't control their emotions on the job. I've interviewed over 1,000 people during the past 12 years, and in my humble opinion, crying is the kiss of death.

- Robert Sofia, Co-Founder & COO, Platinum Advisor Marketing Strategies 9. Being Unprepared

It's so hard to watch someone squirm during an interview. So many candidates think that they will waltz in, deliver a few canned responses and charm the pants off of their interviewer. It's not that easy. Candidates should know about the history, culture and brand of the company they are interviewing for.

- Maren Hogan, Chief Marketing Brain, Red Branch Media 10. Talking Themselves out of the Job

So many people go into a job interview and set themselves up for failure. Whether it's self-deprecating talk or downplaying their skill sets or just completely talking themselves out of the job, there is self-sabotage all over the place. If you're showing up for an interview, show up, be confident, be prepared, and rock it. You ARE amazing and deserve the job. Now go get it!

- Erin Blaskie, CEO, Erin Blaskie, Digital Strategist 11. Hedging Bets

The worst mistake you can make is hedging your bet. You are interviewing for a specific position within a company; therefore, you should focus on communicating your qualifications for that role. If you mention that "you are also available for consulting work," you don't seem very interested in filling the role you are interviewing for. In fact, you seem uncertain of yourself.

- Chris Hunter, Co-Founder, Phusion Projects 12. Having a Know-it-All Mentality

If I'm starting out a potential employer relationship with somebody, I want to make sure they're going to be a team player. People who think they know it all and/or are rigid in their beliefs can be very hard to work with. A know-it-all tends to accept that they do in fact know it all and won't change when they should really be constantly learning.

- Andy Karuza, CEO, Brandbuddee 13. Asking the Wrong Questions

I had an interviewee stop me in the first couple minutes of an interview to tell me her requirements for vacation. I can appreciate vacation time being important to someone, but I'm interviewing someone who I hope wants to work - not just take time off.

- Sam Saxton, President, Salter Spiral Stair and Mylen Stairs 14. Saying 'Yes' to Everything

When candidates say, "Yeah, I can do that," to almost everything that is asked during an interview, that's a red flag. The reality is they're thinking more about paying their bills or gaining employment than about what the organisation is trying to solve by hiring for the position. Some people have been searching for a job for so long that they're desperate to show they can handle anything.

- Brett Farmiloe, Employee 01: Digital Marketing Auditor, internet Marketing Agency 15. Focusing on the Benefits Over the Value

I've had people ask about benefits such as vacation time and paid time off right at the beginning of the interview. While it's important to have a clear understanding of all incentives offered, focusing on benefits offered by the company over the value they can bring to the company sends a message that the person is looking to take more than give.

- Michael Mogill, President, Crisp Video Group 16. Lacking Company Research

The worst mistake I've seen someone make at a job interview was not researching my company beforehand. It was so easy to tell, especially when I started asking questions related to our products. An hour's research can mean the difference between getting the job and wasting a company's time.

- Ted Murphy, Founder / CEO, IZEA 17. Not Having an Agenda

Most people show up to job interviews with the sole purpose of answering questions. Big mistake. It's imperative to have an agenda. For example, if you only communicate three key points about your experience during the interview, what must they be? If you'd like to display your knowledge of the company and the industry, have examples ready to go. Take a proactive approach.

- Antonio Neves, Founder, THINQACTION 18. Confusing Us With Our Competitor

I once had an applicant forget which company he was speaking with during our interview. About five minutes into our telephone interview, he started mentioning all the reasons why he wanted to work for our competitor. We obviously didn't invite him back for another interview. I didn't see any reason to embarrass him, so I just thanked him for his time. He probably never realised his mistake.

- Chuck Cohn, Founder and CEO, Varsity Tutors 19. Not Having Passion

Recently, a prospective hire fresh out of college applied for a job opening with us. During the interview, he showed a lack of research on the company. When I asked him what he was looking for in his career, he told me anything that hired him and paid well. The only enthusiasm in the whole interview was the possibility of earning a paycheck. Needless to say, we never called him back.

- Fehzan Ali, Co-Founder & CEO, Adscend Media LLC 20. Making the Interview Too Much About You

When interviewing, you're proving you can both do the job and bring value to the company. So don't focus on how great the job will be for you or your career. It's not about what you need at this point; it's about what you have to offer and what you bring to the table.

- Susan Strayer LaMotte, Founder & Principal Consultant, exaqueo 21. Making a Pitch on Autopilot

Interviews fail as soon as the conversation goes into autopilot. Interviewees should engage in a genuine dialogue starting with developing an informed understanding of the company and the person they're meeting with. Responses should be phrased within the context of the company, and the opportunity and questions should be real, not canned.

- Christopher Kelly, Co-Founder, Principal, Convene 22. Not Taking Ownership of Mistakes

I love to grill potential employees on conflict in their previous positions, and I always listen closely to how they describe what happened. I look for people who take full ownership and proactively look back at what they could have done differently. The worst mistake is just blaming others and not seeing how they played a role in the conflict.

- Laura Roeder, Founder, LKR Social Media 23. Asking What the Company Does

Every now and then, there are candidates who may have applied to several companies and are in the process of interviewing with many of them. They show up to an interview asking what our company does without having done any homework on the culture, position or mission of our organisation. We want to know we're bringing on people who are diligent, passionate and hardworking.

- Shradha Agarwal, Founder/Chief Strategy Officer, ContextMedia 24. Not Having Any Questions

At the end of most interviews, the interviewer says, "OK, so do you have any questions for me?" The absolute worst mistake a candidate can make is to say no. Really? Not one question? This immediately tells me they're not passionate about the job. They're not even interested.

-Marcos Cordero, Chief Gradsaver, GradSave, LLC 25. Wearing a Costume

During a one-way video interview, an applicant wore a Jedi robe (you know, as in Star Wars Jedi). The worst part was that the candidate made no reference to the costume at all. We were all baffled!

- Heather Huhman, Founder & President, Come Recommended

Some of these mistakes may seem silly or obvious, but they're all worth thinking about as you apply for your next job. It's worth avoiding the obvious mistakes, such as my lateness to that job interview 16 years ago, so that you can truly shine at every interview.

Now it's your turn. Have you ever made one of these mistakes? Let us know in the comments below or continue the conversation on Twitter @newscomauHQ

Dave Kerpen is the founder and CEO of Likeable Local. He is also the co-founder and Chairman of Likeable Media, the host of the Likeable Podcast, and the New York Times best-selling author of Likeable Social Media, Likeable Business, and Likeable Leadership. This article originally appeared on Linked In.

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Source: Couriermail

Centsible Mom: Halloween spending needn't be scary

When bills and living expenses are lurking in the shadows of every corner, Halloween spending can be a scary thought.

Halloween is fun, but prices of costumes, decorations and candy can be more of a trick than treat if you're not careful.

The excitement has been building at my house since August. My son, Noah, had decided to be Batman months ago. My husband, or "DJ Dad" as Noah calls him, has decided to make a ghost-themed dance party in the front yard for the trick-or-treaters.

Luckily, we've figured out how to pull it all off for very little money.

Costumes

Thrift stores can be an awesome source for Halloween. For Noah's costume, we found impressive bat wings at Savers, 5845 E. Broadway. You pull the string and the wings come up. They sell on eBay upward of $70. We paid only $7. He's going to pair that with a costume a friend gave us. Bam! Costume for $7. Plus, it's something he'll use over and over.

I went to Casa de los Niños Thrift Store, 1302 E. Prince Road, to see if I could find two costumes each for $10 or less . What I ended up with was six costumes for a total of $8 - a couple of them brand-new, still in the package.

Tammy Dominguez, production manager for Casa de los Niños Thrift Store, said the store puts out Halloween  merchandise in early September. But, for those of us who aren't always (or never) early on costume shopping, there's no need to worry. The store still has  plenty of costumes, ranging in price from $3 to $5. Plus, they are 50 percent off. Dominguez said as Halloween gets closer, the discounts get higher.

If prepackaged costumes are not your thing, a thrift store is the place to be to mix and match. "You can find bear gloves and a spooky mask and pair it with a Superman cape or a ballet dress," Dominguez suggests. "Coming into thrift stores is like a treasure hunt. You can come in with one idea, and see so many things you end up with something different."

I went to Speedway Outlet,  5421 E. Speedway, to try my hand at putting something together. I found a cat hat with an adorable face, ears, whiskers and a tail . So, I looked around until I found a complementary black jumpsuit  to make a cat costume. Total - $1.75.

For the creative types, creating their own costumes is an option. Rachel Mosher, a 30 year-old preschool teacher and mother of two, makes costumes her kids will wear again. This year she made a shark costume out of a hoodie for her 5-year-old son and an Elmo tutu for her almost 2-year-old daughter. Mosher used  items she had at home, so she  ended up spending about $10 for both costumes.  And the kids will wear the costumes again.

Mosher's biggest money saving tip? Make it reusable. She said she'd much rather spend $30 on something the kids will wear all year, opposed to something they'll only wear one night.

Decorations

Between dollar stores, thrift shops and items at home, you can decorate without spending a lot.

"Don't ignore the Dollar or 99 Cent Store," said Tucson mom, Ann Tarwater. "They have some neat stuff this year." One of Tarwater's favorite finds is solar lights, which she uses to backlight decorations.

All three thrift stores I visited - Casa de los Niños Thrift Store, Speedway Outlet and Savers - have regular items you can turn into decorations, such as candlesticks to which you can add cobwebs , bowls you can spray paint black or orange for candy dishes, picture frames you can add scary pictures to. The possibilities are endless.

Or, look around your house and see what you have to work with. I bet you already have items you can turn into decorations.

"Using stuff you already have on hand is the cheapest," Tarwater said. She gave an example of using a kitchen trash bag, a marker and a balloon for a ghost. "After the night is over, pop the balloon and reuse the trash bag in the kitchen."

Tarwater's son, Kyle, used his electrical box in front of his house as the centerpiece for a Halloween decoration. He bought clothes from the Goodwill and used an old hard hat he had on hand to make it look like an "electrical guy that got zapped." To add ambience, he played sounds of a hot electrical wire on a CD player.

For our ghost-themed dance party, we got three big sheets - from Speedway Outlet and Savers for about $9 all together - to drape over our three citrus trees. We painted ghost faces on each of them and will light them from behind.

To make hanging ghosts, I got white balloons, a marker and a flimsy white curtain for $4 total. There  are enough to make at least six ghosts. Here's how to put it together: Blow up a balloon and draw a face on it, with the tied end on top. Cut a small hole in the middle of the fabric, tie a string on the balloon and string it through the fabric to hang out on the patio.

We spent less than $15 - mostly at local thrift stores - to decorate our yard. It's a good example of using what you have at your house combined with thrift store finds to pull off decorating on a budget.

Ellen and Peter Staab are making a haunted house the kids can walk through on Halloween night, using mostly found or recycled items and handmade props.

They made a one-way see-through mirror they call the "Bloody Mary Mirror" with scraps of wood, plastic and window tint. To hang cobwebs and partitions, they are using recycled shelves. The partitions will be made of cut up plastic bags, rather than buying tarps and sheets.

The Staabs also glued plastic spiders onto strings of lights and got plastic eyeballs to put in mason jars full of colored water for added creepiness. A stuffed pair of work coveralls will be a headless guy sitting on a couch.

"We are really trying to stay cheap and make things ourselves," Ellen Staab said.

You don't have to be elaborate.

I found a really cool pumpkin faces idea on Pinterest to make your windows look like they're broken. All you need is frosted contact paper. Cut it apart to look like broken glass and stick it either on the outside or inside of the house. It would be cool to pair that with a windowsill display: stacks of jars of colored water and eyeballs, spiders or bats floating in them.

Tarwater has another good tip. She said she uses fall decor, like scarecrows, for Halloween so it lasts through Thanksgiving. Her ceramic jack-o'-lanterns  are turned around after Halloween to add to her Thanksgiving decorations.

Crafts and treats

Mosher enjoys doing Halloween theme crafts and activities with her kids, rather than buying decorations.

"We make pumpkin spice play dough ... or we'll play with baking soda and vinegar in a plastic pumpkin," Mosher said. "I say we're making potions and they love it."

Mosher says making your own play dough is "way cheaper than buying it." Plus, you can make different scents to go with what time of year it is. (See the recipe box on Page E10 to learn how to make it.)

Buying candy can add up as well. The dollar stores may not be the way to go, either. Renee Duffin, a stay-at-home mother of two said she doesn't find dollar store candy to be a good value because of the smaller bags.

Duffin starts shopping for candy about a month before Halloween. She uses candy coupons paired with sales at Target or Fry's to get the big bags of the good stuff.

"When you can get the larger bags for $2 to $3 after coupons and get five times as much candy, it works out better than the dollar bags," Duffin said. It's worth it to put the work into the coupons and sales to get the better candy, she added.


Source: Azstarnet

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

OtterBox Commuter Series Wallet Case Protects Your iPhone

If you're anything like me, you always have your smartphone with you. I always have a fear of losing something in my pocket, especially my car keys, so it drives me crazy to have a lot of things stuffed inside the pockets of my jeans. If you like to go a bit more minimalist and don't want to have to carry your smartphone and your wallet, OtterBox has a new case that you might appreciate.

The case is called the Commuter Series Wallet and is available for the iPhone 5/5S and the Samsung Galaxy S4. This certainly isn't the first case on the market to offer wallet capability, but it does look like OtterBox's offering will hold more than a lot of other 5s iphone cases otterbox commuter amazon on the market. OtterBox is also well-known for making cases that actually protects your phone in the event of a drop.

Rather than having slots, this smartphone case has a sliding drawer on the back that appears to be approximately a quarter of an inch deep. You can cram credit cards, driver's license, and cash inside the wallet drawer and have them with you at all times. The only downside I see is that the case is rather thick and might not fit in your pocket if you're the sort who wears skinny jeans.

The Commuter Series Wallet is available now from OtterBox for $44.95(USD).


Source: Technabob

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Apple iPhone 5S Review

With every major iPhone redesign comes the inevitable S series refresh a year later. Like the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 3GS before it, the new iPhone 5s iphone cases otterbox black defender case iphone 4 takes last year's form factor and adds improved camera technology, a faster processor, and new features exclusive to the latest hardware. But while the iPhone 5S may be predictable, it's nonetheless exceptional, maintaining and improving upon Apple's outstanding software experience and the stunning design of the iPhone 5.

Save for the new, slightly larger camera and dual-LED 'TrueTone' flash on the back and TouchID fingerprint sensor in the home button, the iPhone 5S is identical to last year's model. Apple has maintained the same hardened glass front and aluminum chassis, but now it's offering two new colors - space gray and gold. Space gray is more or less last year's black model with a slightly lighter shade of aluminum, but gold is a true first for the iPhone series. Depending on where your preferences lie, the gold version may be regarded as either gaudy or gorgeous, but regardless of personal taste, it's refreshing to see Apple embracing colors outside of its longstanding black and white iPhone variants.

In spite of any drastic design changes, the iPhone 5S remains one of the best looking, most well-constructed smartphones on the market. Although the competition has shown renewed interest in design with devices like the HTC One, Lumia 925, and the Moto X, Apple remains unrivaled in its meticulous consideration for hardware.

Under the hood, the iPhone 5S' advancements are far more significant. Apple has laid claim to producing the world's first 64-bit smartphone processor with the new A7 system-on-a-chip (SOC). While the actionable benefits of its 64-bit architecture are limited until more apps and games are developed natively or optimized to take advantage, the A7 has perceivable impact on the speed of iOS 7 and apps. Browsing through iOS 7's animation-heavy interface and launching apps is notably faster than the iPhone 5. In GeekBench 3 and 3D Mark benchmark tests, the iPhone 5S more than doubles the CPU scores of the iPhone 5 and three times the framerates when running intense graphics.

The iPhone 5S also commands a substantial lead in processing power over the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4, accounting for a graphics boost of up to 32% and 38% in CPU benchmarks.

But the A7 means more than raw power - it actually enables useful features, like the iPhone 5S' expanded camera functionality.

Though the iPhone 5S' camera retains the 8-megapixel count of the iPhone 5, it's now capable of capturing 120 frames-per-second slow-motion video and 10 frames-per-second burst photography. Driven by the A7, the camera snaps photos and videos faster for cleaner, more detailed, and more vibrant shots. Burst mode's rapid capture speeds eliminate the need to time the perfect shot - just hold the shutter button down and the iPhone 5S will snap a string of photos, automatically presenting the best of the bunch. Slow-motion, although viewed as a novelty, is actually one of my favorite features of the iPhone 5S.

Everything - even the most mundane of actions - looks incredible and epic in slow motion with smooth, detailed progressions. While many are certain to embrace the iPhone 5S' slow-motion camera for comedy, an equal share will create stunning montages.

Apple has also made improvements to the lens and sensor. The rear-facing camera now has a ƒ2.2 aperture lens and 1.5µ pixel sensor, which gathers and processes more light for better low-light photography and richer composition. Though the improvements aren't so significant to warrant an upgrade by itself, the iPhone 5S has one of the best smartphone cameras on the market.

The feature most likely to attract attention, however, is the new fingerprint scanner. Apple has built a new sensor into the home button, which is capable of detecting certain distinguishing elements of your fingerprint almost instantaneously. By simply placing your thumb on the sensor - or any finger, for that matter - the iPhone 5S can identify your fingerprint and unlock your phone. When you set up the iPhone 5S for the first time (or access the settings anytime thereafter), you can register a new fingerprint profile via a brief calibration process. The system asks that you repeatedly press your finger to the sensor, including the edges of your print, so that it can capture and store a unique TouchID. The iPhone 5S supports multiple profiles for multiple fingers and users, allowing you to give loved ones streamlined access to your device while maintaining a high level of security. It even allows you to forego the tedium of entering a password every time you want to download a new app - just scan your finger and you're good to go.

Initially, it took awhile for me to shake the learned behavior of waking my display and quickly entering a pin code, but once I became accustomed to TouchID, it became almost like second-nature. Gone are the days where I would mistakenly hit the wrong digit or press one number too many times. Now, I don't have to look at my phone while I unlock it - I just go straight to the primary UI and launch an app.

The only I gripes I've found with the iPhone 5S are minor. Calibrating the TouchID for each finger on either hand that you may choose to use to unlock your device can be time consuming. There were also times - albeit rarely - when the TouchID would fail to recognize my fingerprint, causing me to make repeated attempts before just unlocking the device manually, thus defeating the purpose entirely.

Apple is also becoming increasingly behind the curve in terms of battery life. While the iPhone 5S lasts for a day's worth of casual use, charge levels are substantially undercut by any rigorous app or game usage. The iPhone 5S remains within the acceptable margins, but falls short of larger Android and Windows Phone devices. I also encountered a few odd software bugs, wherein third-party apps would crash randomly and cause the OS to revert to the boot-up logo. It's possible that the issues stem from the absence of patched support for the A7's 64-bit architecture or lingering issues with iOS 7, but in either scenario, should be resolved easily with future updates.


Source: Ign

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Lunatik TAKTIK cases for iPhone 5s: Extreme peace of mind

Summary: Lunatik has issued updated versions of its ultra-protective, extreme lifestyle 5s iphone cases otterbox commuter white for the iPhone 5s.

Anyone who follows this blog knows that I am a huge fan of protective cases for mobile devices. Recently, I looked at OtterBox's latest Defender case designs for the iPhone 5s and 5c.

While I still believe that OtterBox is one of the better cases on the market, recent design changes in the product to accommodate the Touch ID sensor in the new iPhone 5s may have reduced the effectiveness of some of its protection.

So if you really want to add a little bit more fudge factor to your active lifestyle and increase your peace of mind when carrying these expensive devices, there's another solution on the market: The Lunatik TAKTIK.

Lunatik has two cases on the market to address active as well as extreme lifestyles. The TAKTIK Strike, for both iPhone 5s and iPhone 5, is a multi-layered, machine screw-sealed and thick "sarcophagus" enclosure for your mobile device.

The bezels are made out of an impact-resistant polymer, which is surrounded by a silicone, 9mm-thick impact truss, accompanied by PVD-coated steel hardware with aluminum port covers. This is a case designed to take the rigors of daily use and abuse and then some.

What I most like about the case is the tight fit from screwing the enclosure shut, as well as the high elevation of the bezel from the screen area, which is critical for protecting the screen from damage if it happens to fall flat towards the display area. At $60 for both the white or black versions, I happen to think the price is right for what you are getting, which is a lot of peace of mind for an otherwise fragile and slippery device.

Unlike the OtterBox Defender, the TAKTIK Strike does not have a permanent screen protector, but I don't think this is a major deficiency in the product's design.

For those of you with "extreme" lifestyles, there is the TAKTIK Extreme for the iPhone 5s and 5, which adds a secondary layer of Corning Gorilla Glass. This doubles the price of the case ($124) and it also, in the case of the 5s, completely covers the Touch ID sensor, leaving it usable as a home button only and thus requiring the traditional pin-code screen unlock and password entry for App Store purchases.

However, my guess is that anyone wanting to use this case on a 5s probably doesn't care about this issue.

Have you pre-ordered your TAKTIK Strike or Extreme for your iPhone 5s? Talk back and let me know.
Source: Zdnet

Apple iPhone 5S Review

With every major iPhone redesign comes the inevitable S series refresh a year later. Like the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 3GS before it, the new iPhone 5s iphone cases how to open otterbox defender youtube takes last year's form factor and adds improved camera technology, a faster processor, and new features exclusive to the latest hardware. But while the iPhone 5S may be predictable, it's nonetheless exceptional, maintaining and improving upon Apple's outstanding software experience and the stunning design of the iPhone 5.

Save for the new, slightly larger camera and dual-LED 'TrueTone' flash on the back and TouchID fingerprint sensor in the home button, the iPhone 5S is identical to last year's model. Apple has maintained the same hardened glass front and aluminum chassis, but now it's offering two new colors - space gray and gold. Space gray is more or less last year's black model with a slightly lighter shade of aluminum, but gold is a true first for the iPhone series. Depending on where your preferences lie, the gold version may be regarded as either gaudy or gorgeous, but regardless of personal taste, it's refreshing to see Apple embracing colors outside of its longstanding black and white iPhone variants.

In spite of any drastic design changes, the iPhone 5S remains one of the best looking, most well-constructed smartphones on the market. Although the competition has shown renewed interest in design with devices like the HTC One, Lumia 925, and the Moto X, Apple remains unrivaled in its meticulous consideration for hardware.

Under the hood, the iPhone 5S' advancements are far more significant. Apple has laid claim to producing the world's first 64-bit processor in the world with the new A7 system-on-a-chip (SOC). While the actionable benefits of its 64-bit architecture are limited until more apps and games are developed natively or optimized to take advantage, the A7 has perceivable impact on the speed of iOS 7 and apps. Browsing through iOS 7's animation-heavy interface and launching apps is notably faster than the iPhone 5. In GeekBench 3 and 3D Mark benchmark tests, the iPhone 5S more than doubles the CPU scores of the iPhone 5 and three times the framerates when running intense graphics.

The iPhone 5S also commands a substantial lead in processing power over the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4, accounting for a graphics boost of up to 32% and 38% in CPU benchmarks.

But the A7 means more than raw power - it actually enables useful features, like the iPhone 5S' expanded camera functionality.

Though the iPhone 5S' camera retains the 8-megapixel count of the iPhone 5, it's now capable of capturing 120 frames-per-second slow-motion video and 10 frames-per-second burst photography. Driven by the A7, the camera snaps photos and videos faster for cleaner, more detailed, and more vibrant shots. Burst mode's rapid capture speeds eliminate the need to time the perfect shot - just hold the shutter button down and the iPhone %S will snap a string of photos, automatically presenting the best of the bunch. Slow-motion, although viewed as a novelty, is actually one of my favorite features of the iPhone 5S.

Everything - even the most mundane of actions - looks incredible and epic in slow motion with smooth, detailed progressions. While many are certain to embrace the iPhone 5S' slow-motion camera for comedy, an equal share will create stunning montages.

Apple has also made improvements to the lens and sensor. The rear-facing camera now has a ƒ2.2 aperture lens and 1.5µ pixel sensor, which gathers and processes more light for better low-light photography and richer composition. Though the improvements aren't so significant to warrant an upgrade by itself, the iPhone 5S has one of the best smartphone cameras on the market.

The feature most likely to attract attention, however, is the new fingerprint scanner. Apple has built a new sensor into the home button, which is capable of detecting certain distinguishing elements of your fingerprint almost instantaneously. By simply placing your thumb on the sensor - or any finger, for that matter - the iPhone 5S can identify your fingerprint and unlock your phone. When you set up the iPhone 5S for the first time (or access the settings anytime thereafter), you can register a new fingerprint profile via a brief calibration process. The system asks that you repeatedly press your finger to the sensor, including the edges of your print, so that it can capture and store a unique TouchID. The iPhone 5S supports multiple profiles for multiple fingers and users, allowing you to give loved ones streamlined access to your device while maintaining a high level of security. It even allows you to forego the tedium of entering a password every time you want to download a new app - just scan your finger and you're good to go.

Initially, it took awhile for me to shake the learned behavior of waking my display and quickly entering a pin code, but once I became accustomed to TouchID, it became almost like second-nature. Gone are the days where I would mistakenly hit the wrong digit or press one number too many times. Now, I don't have to look at my phone while I unlock it - I just go straight to the primary UI and launch an app.

The only I gripes I've found with the iPhone 5S are minor. Calibrating the TouchID for each finger on either hand that you may choose to use to unlock your device can be time consuming. There were also times - albeit rarely - when the TouchID would fail to recognize my fingerprint, causing me to make repeated attempts before just unlocking the device manually, thus defeating the purpose entirely.

Apple is also becoming increasingly behind the curve in terms of battery life. While the iPhone 5S lasts for a day's worth of casual use, charge levels are substantially undercut by any rigorous app or game usage. The iPhone 5S remains within the acceptable margins, but falls short of larger Android and Windows Phone devices. I also encountered a few odd software bugs, wherein third-party apps would crash randomly and cause the OS to revert to the boot-up logo. It's possible that the issues stem from the absence of patched support for the A7's 64-bit architecture or lingering issues with iOS 7, but in either scenario, should be resolved easily with future updates.


Source: Ign

Review: The iPhone 5S really is the best iPhone yet

<5s iphone best iphone 5 cases otterbox griffinh2>With cutting-edge architecture, a better camera and a motion coprocessor, the 5S offers a lot of hardware for the money

Computerworld - The iPhone 5S and 5C arrived last month to a record-smashing first weekend of sales - 9 million were sold, with the iPhone 5S proving more popular than the less-expensive 5C. I was among those waiting in line for the new iPhone before dawn on Sept. 20 -- specifically the top-end 5S model. As a technology writer, getting the more expensive 5S made sense for me. But is the new iPhone 5S worth it for the less tech-centric?

Let's look at that question using logic and context: If your wireless carrier contract is up and you are looking for a new phone, then yes, the iPhone 5S is worth owning. With the addition of Apple's new fingerprint sensor called Touch ID, the phone's new 64-bit A7 processor, a refined camera system and the M7 coprocessor, the iPhone 5S's cutting-edge features match its still-sharp design.

Like last year's iPhone 5, the new 5S sports a glass front and aluminum back, weighing in at a svelte 3.95 oz. And like the iPhone 5, the 5S has a 4-in. fingerprint-resistant oleophobic-coated multitouch screen with an 1136-x-640 pixel resolution and a pixel density of 326 pixels per inch. Below the screen is the now-familiar Home Button with integrated Touch ID, on top of the phone is a lone sleep/wake button, and on the left side you can find the silent switch and the volume up and down.

In other words, aside from the three color schemes offered this year - Space Gray, Silver and Gold -- the 5S looks virtually identical to the old iPhone 5. The Space Gray is a lighter version of last year's black iPhone, the Silver version looks pretty much like the old white model - with the addition of the silver Touch ID ring - and the Gold iPhone 5S is more of a champagne color. It's actually much less gaudy than many Apple fans feared when it was unveiled, and it has proved to be a popular option. Two weeks after launch, all iPhone 5S models -- especially gold -- are still hard to come by.

The box contains a minimal set of accessories, including a set of Apple ear buds with built-in mic and controls, a USB/Lightning cable, a wall plug and very sparse documentation.

Pricing is unchanged, with the iPhone 5S starting at $199 for the 16GB model, $299 for the 32GB model and $399 for the 64GB model. (Those prices require a two-year contract with your wireless carrier.) The new price leader is the iPhone 5C, which comes in five colors and costs $99 for a 16GB model and $100 more for a 32GB version. In addition to the new plastic shell, the 5C has an upgraded battery and camera system, though the camera isn't as full-featured as the one in the 5S.

I ended up purchasing the 64GB iPhone 5S in smoke gray (the only color still available for sale at the local Apple Store on opening day).

Touch ID

The most obvious new feature of the iPhone 5S is the new Touch ID fingerprint sensor, which is ingeniously built into the Home button and allows you to easily unlock the phone using your fingertip. Far from just a superfluous addition, this new feature has already prompted me to change my security habits.


Source: Computerworld