SnapperTalk

U.S. satphone outlet GMPCS has published a pdf flyer comparing some of the different models of new BGAN satphones expected later this year. In it, they reveal their approximate pricing (and at this stage it is likely just that) of the different models, which are all (expectedly) a fair bit more expensive than the current regional-BGAN satphone… but then they do a whole lot more, and much faster.

AddValue Wideye Sabre: Approx. Price: $1,795
Nera WorldPro 1000: Approx. Price: $2,550
Hughes HNS-9201: Approx. Price: $3,550

Hughes Original R-BGAN: Approx. Price: $499

Longevity of CD and DVD discs is a real problem for photographers trying to archive their images and for a while discs using a high gold content have been considered the best for long-term archiving but many manufacturers stopped producing them because of the high cost. As reported on Rob Galbraith however Delkin have added DVD-R discs to their eFilm Archival Gold media line which claim a 100-year lifespan and also includes CD-R discs. At between $2.79 - $2.99 per disc they aren’t that cheap, but losing large quantities of images isn’t pleasant either…. Personally I just use multiple hard-drives for archiving, but I guess one should probably burn discs as well, ideally keeping them in a separate location.

Delkin eFilm Archival Gold DVD-R press release
Delkin eFilm Archival Gold DVD-R product page

As originally noted in this Lightstalkers post and in a triumph for mass consumerism, you can now obtain your very own limited edition 12″ high war journalist action figure for just $59.95 that comes complete with all the accessories needed for that de rigeur war-hack look:

-Blue jeans and checkered denim shirt
-Middle-Eastern style scarf
-Body armour vest with TV markings
-Helmet with TV markings
-Journalist utility vest with working pouches
-Camcorder unit with 3x video tapes
-Camera set including 3 different interchangeable lens
-Rugged laptop with extendable antenna and illuminated keyboard
-Handheld Phone/GPS
-Usable equipment pouch with belt

…and the curiously provided….

-Extra set of hands (!?!)

There’s some more pictures here , here and here

Editor & Publisher has an article about why so few graphic images from Iraq, especially wounded or dead U.S. servicemen, are making it into American publications.

Photo District News has an article about the acquisition and use of camera-phone images from the recent London bombings. The Digital Journalist also has an article on the same subject.

The Digital Journalist has another article about ex-AP photographer and editor Horst Faas, after the German Society of Photography (DGPh), Germany’s most influential cultural organisation for photography, honoured him last month with its Dr. Erich Salomon Award for outstanding lifetime work in photojournalism.

The New York Times has two recent articles - one on the state of american paparazzi, and one on the erosion of the journalist’s image as portrayed in the movies.

I wrote previously about the next generation of BGAN satphones, and now Nera has announced the availability of their unit - the Nera WorldPro 1000 - and it looks like a good one with detachable antenna, detachable cellphone-style handset for voice calls, and small size and weight.

Shame about the cheesy name, but the Project Gizmo Voice-over-IP solution seems to have the possibility of becoming a worthy competitor to Skype. The functionality is very similar with PC-PC, Call-out, and Call-in functionality, plus voicemail etc. It has a recording functionality, no text-instant-messaging as yet but does have a beautiful interface.
The big difference is instead of adopting a proprietary protocol as Skype has done, Project Gizmo is built to use the industry-wide SIP standard, so it should integrate nicely with all the SIP-compliant hardware out there. The question that faces all potential Skype competitors out there is whether they can compete against a system that already has a large existing userbase, is user-friendly, and works well.

Gizmo Project CEO on why Skype bad, Gizmo good
The Register article
Om Malik article
Chris Holland article
Simon Perry article

The final date for switching over R-BGAN satphones to use the new I-4 satellite has been brought forward. This means that you have just one week from July 9th -16th 2005 to upgrade the RBGAN software on your unit and change the settings. Instructions are here and the new software/firmware upgrade package is here.

! Warning: Do not upgrade your unit before July 9 !