Solis Energy has announced the Power HotSpot, a portable solar power source that “provides remote power anywhere it’s needed”. The new solar-powered product can run small 12 volt “non-critical” electronics in remote locations or anywhere grid power isn’t available. All that’s required is an electronic device with a car power adaptor (cigarette lighter interface) and the sun. “There are literally hundreds of products that can be powered with this product,” said Solis Energy Founder and CEO Robert Reynolds, adding, “Solis Energy has provided our corporate clients with rugged and reliable solar power solutions since 2005, and that gave us the expertise to develop a product for consumer use”. The Power HotSpot retails for $375.

The the Ilford Inkjet Photo Paper Range offers a complete selection of photo papers for home printing. Specially created for the expanding home printing sector, the ILFORD Inkjet Photo Paper Range offers a variety of papers and sizes. Ideal for studio quality portraits, the Premium Plus paper (270 gsm and 290 gsm) is designed to showcase specially selected photos. For photo albums or holiday snapshots, the Premium Photo paper (250 gsm) is the perfect pick, the manufacturer claims. Free ICC profiles are available for both the Premium Photo Plus and Premium Photo ranges at Ilford’s website. The the Ilford Inkjet Photo Paper Range is distributed in the UK through JP Distribution.

Website: Ilford

Dell today introduced the mini-sized InspironTM Zino HD desktop computer, which is versatile enough to handle tasks from basic computing chores to driving a big-screen, high-definition video media centre, the company claims. Starting at £299 including VAT and delivery, the Inspiron Zino HD includes standard HD-capable integrated graphics, HDMI output and built-in networking. The economical Inspiron Zino HD, with optional additional memory (up to 8GB RAM), hard drive storage (up to 1TB), combo Blu-ray Disc player, wireless remote control and Microsoft Windows 7 Media Player, can be configured into a powerful home media centre computer. In that capacity, the Inspiron Zino HD displays high-definition content from the Internet, and stores and delivers music, video and photos. The Inspiron Zino HD is available today directly from Dell with a choice of Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium or Windows 7 Professional operating systems.

Website: Dell

Sony has announced the launch of the new Microvault line of ‘keyring’ USB flash drives. The Sony Microvault will hit the shelves in January 2010 offering storage capacities ranging from 4GB to 32GB. Created to combine value with functionality, this Microvault features a retractable connector so there will be no more lost caps. Ease of use is also built in, with drag & drop operation for any type of data format and full compatibility with Windows 7, the company claims. The high-capacity 16GB and 32GB versions are particularly suitable for anyone dealing with large quantities of high-resolution images or large video clips. Pricing to be confirmed.

Tamrac has launched the ZipShot, a photographic tripod that springs into action in a matter of seconds. The ZipShot quickly attaches to the handles of camera bags, and at 312 grams and just 38 centimetres long when collapsed, it can be taken practically anywhere. Featuring a 360-degree pivoting ball head, the Tamrac ZipShot has a maximum payload of 1.35kg, and can be extended to a height of 112 centimetres. Simply release the two red shock cords, and the legs spring open in seconds. The Tamrac ZipShot tripod is available now via Adorama for $49.95.

Webiste: Tamrac

Ceiva Photo Frames announced the release of its newest service enhancements. These include a new photo uploader with advanced scheduled send functionality, frame connection wizard and GPS photo mapping. Ceiva’s line of digital photo frames includes the CEIVA Pro 80 and CEIVAshare models, featuring PicturePlan Photo Delivery Service. They automatically display photos sent from computers or camera phones. Customers can send photos with ease using the photo uploader, and multiple photos can be scheduled to send any day. CEIVA Pro 80 is priced at $147.99, and CEIVAshare is $127.99, both including one year of PicturePlan photo delivery service. Free software includes the CEIVA Snap iPhone application, CEIVA Sender for Picasa and Facebook, and Adobe Photoshop Album and Elements.

Website: Ceiva

Epson has developed a new 0.52-inch high-temperature polysilicon (HTPS) TFT colour panel for electronic viewfinders, offering QHD (960x540-pixel) resolution in red, green and blue for a total of 1.56 megapixels. The new panel is currently targeted for use as a widescreen electronic viewfinder in broadcast and industrial camcorders for professionals, though we may eventually see it in digital cameras as well. Epson’s new panel allegedly offers the resolution and fidelity needed to focus the image while providing a number of other benefits such as the ability to recreate smooth gradations and a natural softness. Like the previously announced 0.47-inch SVGA panel, the new 0.52-inch QHD offering is marketed under the Ultimicron brand. Samples are shipping now to camcorder manufacturers worldwide.

Hahnemühle’s Gallerie Wrap Standard (1¼”-deep) stretcher bars can now be purchased in more convenient, more economical Pair Packs. Each pack contains two bars of a given length, two corner braces and two corner holding pins. This will allow a customer who wants to make one 16"x 20” canvas wrap, for example, to purchase only two Pair Packs, a 16” and a 20”, instead of having to purchase a full box of 20 bars each in both lengths, the company says.

Website: Hahnemühle Direct

Data Robotics has launched its online Drobo Store into Europe. Business and consumer customers from more than a dozen European countries can now visit www.drobostore.com/eu to purchase the company’s DroboPro, Drobo and DroboShare storage solutions. roboPro and Drobo, respectively eight- and four-drive storage arrays, provide small and medium businesses, creative professionals, and consumers with a hugely simplified storage experience, enhanced by advanced self-monitoring and self-healing features that ensure the highest levels of data protection. DroboShare turns the four-drive Drobo into a network attached storage appliance. All orders taken through the new online store will be fulfilled by Digital River, a leading European online reseller.

Website: Drobo Europe Onliine Store

The ioSafe Solo, billed as the world’s first high-capacity fireproof and waterproof external hard drive, now offers up to two terabytes of storage space. “The 2 TB ioSafe Solo is a great product for anyone looking to buy a desktop external hard drive who needs the high capacity and single drive simplicity. When used as a backup device, the ioSafe can protect against data loss from primary hard drive failure, accidental deletions as well as fires, floods and other forms of physical disasters,” said ioSafe CEO, Robb Moore. The 2 TB ioSafe Solo is available now from resellers as well as HDDFireSafe.com, Newegg.com, Amazon.com, Buy.com and Provantage.com. Suggested retail pricing is $399.

Transcend has introduced the new Transcend CompactFlash Card 400X Series, offering read/write speeds of 90MB/s and 60MB/s, respectively. The 400x series consists of the TS16GCF400, TS32GCF400, and TS64GCF400 cards, with capacities of 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. All of these new Transcend CompactFlash cards come with hardware ECC (error correction code), wear-levelling technology for consistent long-life operation, and a lifetime warranty. They conform to CF Type I standards and support UDMA. Their durable connectors are claimed to withstand over 10,000 insertions and removals. Pricing to be confirmaed.

Website: Transcend

Panasonic today announced the debut of its first audio system with iPod dock and photo frame - the MW-10. Boasting a 9-inch WVGA LCD, the Panasonic MW-10 can display photos from a CD, SD Memory Card and internal memory. The latter offers a generous 4GB of storage capacity. In addition to a full-screen photo slideshow, the MW-10 offers a versatile combination of screen options: clock and iPod track menu, calendar and photos, clock and photos, and audio and calendar. Other highlights include a built-in CD player and an FM/AM radio tuner that has 45-station preset memory. The Universal Dock for iPod plays music and video downloads. Panasonic’s MW-10 will be available in December 2009 with a suggested retail price of $299.95.

The new DMW-TA1 Tripod Adaptor makes it possible to use a tripod when a large-diameter lens is attached to the Panasonic GF1. These lenses include the 45-200mm/F4.0-5.6 and 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8. There’s no word yet on price or availability of the DMW-TA1 Tripod Adaptor.

The Páramo Dark Cloth provides a clear viewing screen in all conditions and is practical and comfortable to use in wet and windy weather. Although designed primarily for large and medium format, a number of photographers have used the Dark Cloth successfully with Digital SLR to slow down the process, thereby improving composition and the visibility of the LCD screen, especially for fine focusing among live view users. The Páramo Dark Cloth is available now for £90.

A new range of Orkio Urban Bagz has been launched. Small DSLR Bagz, Laptop Backpackz, Laptop Sleevez and Pro Sleevez have all been added to the Orkio collection. Orkio bags are beautifully finished, feature rich and made from high quality materials with original designs that make them stand out from traditional specialist bags. These bags are available now, prices from £19.99.

The new Lastolite TriFlip 8:1 Kit includes the acclaimed Lastolite TriFlip, TriGrip bracket, a flash gun attachment arm, and an air cushioned stand and shoulder bag. The ball joint connector of the TriGrip bracket enables you to position the TriFlip on the stand exactly where you want leaving your hands free to operate the camera. The Lastolite TriFlip 8:1 Kit is available now for £179.99.

The new Baryta FB from Hahnemühle is a fiber-based, 100% alpha-cellulose paper that features a whiter, smoother, glossier surface than other offerings in the Baryta line. This bright white paper with its ultra-smooth surface texture, glossy coating and substantial, 350gsm weight, corresponds to classic silver-gelatin baryta media in both structure and feel.

Website: Baryta FB 350gsm

Aptina has announced the launch of the MT9F001 camera image sensor whose high resolution, high speed snapshot and HD video modes, flexible interface and pre-processing options reflect the new “must have” features manufacturers are looking for in their premier cameras. The new 14-megapixel camera sensor captures high quality, full HD video (1080p/60fps), and features electronic image stabilisation too. The MT9F001 will be in mass production in the first quarter of 2010.

Website: Aptina

The Cranberry DiamonDisc is an archival DVD using high-tech, diamond-hard material. Unlike conventional recordable DVDs and CDs, the Cranberry DiamonDisc has no adhesive layers, dye layer or reflective layer to deteriorate - thereby avoiding “data rot”. Allegedly, the DiamonDisc is environmentally stable and remains unaffected by UV and changes in temperature and humidity. Playable on most regular DVD drives that exist today, the Cranberry DiamonDisc is now available to consumers for less than $30 each.

Website: Cranberry DiamonDisc

Lowepro has launched the Photo Runner 100, billed as “a carrying solution that combines the agility of a beltpack with the utility of a shoulder bag”. The Photo Runner 100 features a fast-access, side-opening lid that opens wide, allowing the user to work right out of the roomy main compartment with ease. Adjustable, protective and padded dividers offer multiple ways to load gear into the Photo Runner 100—vertically with a DSLR with attached standard zoom lens and an additional lens or accessory—or, horizontally with a DSLR with attached lens up to 80-200mm f/2.8.

Website: Lowepro Photo Runner 100