Sony NEX firmware update ver 4 samples

Some samples taken after a day shooting with the updated version 4 firmware.

Observations: All the picture effects limit the user to shooting in Auto mode. Images are saved in JPEG format.
Partial colour effects need good light to ensure uniformity of the selected highlighted colour. That said, under natural sunlight, green seems to work quite well.
Pop gives a nice saturated look, but the existing Creative Styles already do that with manual options.
High contrast monochrome looks fantastic!

Adobe gives up on Flash for iPhone/iPad

The primary goal of Flash has always been to enable cross-browser, platform and device development,” Chambers wrote in a blog post. “This is the exact opposite of what Apple wants. They want to tie developers down to their platform, and restrict their options to make it difficult for developers to target other platforms.

This quote by Adobe's principal product manager for Flash developer relations, comes courtesy of Wired Gadget Lab. And with it, my friends, takes the long awaited horizon away from iPhone users who've been waiting for ages for the day they can natively use Youtube in their browser.

Time to shift to Android?

Or we can see if other developers create a platform that will eventually be able to solve the problem this corporation could not.

Autodesk Homestyler Renders Your Blueprints in 3D

Yet another 3D home decorator (we showcased SweetHome 3D recently here). This one is a free version of Autodesk Revit (home design software) that has the backing of a Lifehacker reader who says it has 95% of the functionality in the free package, AND is a ton quicker and easier to use. Big words. I'll have to try it out soon!

Check it out here, via Lifehacker.

Ubuntu's Karmic Koala OS launched!

Focusing on user-centric improvements to bring "the world of open source to the user", feature:

a faster graphical boot sequence (no more scary text scrolls), a revamped audio framework that improves sound control across multiple applications, and a new Software Center that visually simplifies the Add/Remove Applications tool.

Thanks to Engadget. Click here for the Linux link.

LH's Windows 7 Guide

I'm not a Microsoft or Windows fan, but here's Life Hacker's guide for Windows 7 that I find comprehensive. Just to be unbiased and objective.

Freeware: PhotoFilmStrip

Create Ken Burns-style zoom-in/out effects with this freeware program - PhotoFilmStrip - using images.

Here's a sample of what you can do:


For Windows/Linux only (Mac already has this effect).

Taken from Freeware Genius via Life Hacker