Panasonic HM-TA20 Blue - Shoot & Share

I recently got my hands on Panasonics latest rugged camera the HM-TA20, for me this camera meets all my needs as a parent and avid beach go, fisher man and snap alcoholic.

My kids love to take photo's and for Christmas the kids all got camera's but we didn't like to take them to the beach, just to many opportunity's for it to go for a swim. That was until we got the HM-TA20.

First Impressions

The HM-TA20 is Waterproof to 3m, Shockproof to 1.5m and dustproof all the hall marks of a child friendly camera.

The Camera looks great and feels solid and practical in the hand, as I stated before in my teaser blog my youngest is 3 and can use the camera with ease, even with my large hands I can take photo's one handed or with two.

I was surprised with the actual size of the device, I thought that it would have been smaller, so was impressed that it was a decent size.

The Specs

Full HD Mobile Camera - 1920 x 1080 with 8MP Still Photo

Features Overview

Available in Blue & Orange

• Full High Definition – 1920x1080p
• 8MP Still Photo
• 4x Digital Zoom
• Records in MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
• E.I.S – Electronic Image Stabilsation
• 3m Waterproof
• 1.5m Shockproof
• Dustproof
• Built in USB
• SDXC Compatible
• 3.0” Touch Screen LCD

The Camera

Front view of the HM-TA20, looks smart and nice clean lines…	View of the LCD screen and on screen menu, which I will talk about latter…
Power button bottom and Lock LCD touch screen top…	Two button combo to unlock the HDMI, Reset button and Headphone Jack ports…
Flap open from bottom to top – HDMI Port, Reset Button, Headphone Jack…	The USB Connector is found in another flap below the HDMI flap…
Once open you will find the USB connecter and a Grey square button…	By pressing the Grey square button, the USB Connector will pop out and lock enabling you to connect to your PC.
At the bottom of the HM-TA20 you will find another Waterproof flap that houses the SD Card slot…	With the Flap open the SD card slot is in the middle, the circular slot at the top is in fact mini stand that comes with the TA-20…

The Ultimate Test

Have you ever been to a 9 Year Girls party with 7 screaming girls and throw in a 10 & 3 year boys you have a nightmare of a time thinking of ways to entertain them... not this time I just threw them the HM-TA20 and said have some fun.

The girls loved it taking pics of each other possing and just having fun, when the weather started to change for the worst and we had slight rain, no problems the kids kept taking photo's knowing the HM-TA20 could handle it.

The Camera came through the ordeal a bit over used but other than being passed from many a hands no damage. Before I gave the camera to the little Princes I asked them that I would need their feed back on the camera and here is what they had to say...

"Loved it! was so easy to use..."

"Dose it come in Pink?..."

"It was so fun to use..."

"I want one..."

Things I loved and disliked

Overall I personally loved this camea and so did my family, so much so it now has become and main family camera, I still use my HTC Sensation smartphone (8 mp camera) as I my personal camera as I have it with me all the time, but wouldn't want to take it to the beach. My wife Lisa loved the simple to use menu system and that you just took the photo and let HM-TA20 do it's thing.

At the end of the day that is what is the clincher for me its Waterproof to 3m, Shockproof from 1.5m (This was tested by our three year old from about 50cm, not a problem for the HM-TA20) and is dust proof... that is a hell of a combo for a camera any every day family would want to use in Australia.

Whether you are tramping the Kimberley, Snorkling at Rottnest Island or visiting the Perth Zoo, the HM-TA20 will be there through thick and thin, through sunshine or rain.

The only thing that I would personally change and its not a deal breaker is the menu showing on the LCD, why have such a nice large screen and have half of it obsucred by the menu? Why can't the menu be on a pop up, say swip up and the meu pops up or have a small menu button at the bottom right or left corner.

So would I recommend the Panasonic HM-TA20 , Yes I would and so would my family, the HM-TA20 was so much fun to use and got us to have fun as a family taking photo's of each other and around the house.

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Panasonic HM-TA20 Blue

Just been sent the Panasonc HM-TA20, and must say very impressed so far, nice camera a lot larger than I was expetcing. Here are some of the specs, will post more info soon and a review as well, my three kids aged 10, 8 & 3 have been playing with it as well, some real funny photo's taken.

HM-TA20

Full HD Mobile Camera - 1920 x 1080 with 8MP Still Photo

Features Overview

Available in Blue & Orange

• Full High Definition – 1920x1080p
• 8MP Still Photo
• 4x Digital Zoom
• Records in MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
• E.I.S – Electronic Image Stabilsation
• 3m Waterproof
• 1.5m Shockproof
• Dustproof
• Built in USB
• SDXC Compatible
• 3.0” Touch Screen LCD

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My new Device - HTC Sensation

Just bought the HTC Sensation this week, awesome device, very fast, love the screen looks so vibrant. New Sense 3.0 is stunning.


Was able to get it Rooted and remove the bloat wear from the Telco.. So far battery life is great got over 11 hours plus on my first day.

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Dell's cowardly E.O.L announcement for Streak 5

While back Gizmodo announced that the Dell Streak 5 was being pulled from shelves and the online stores as it might have been getting a possible overhaul of either hardware or software.

Most Streak owners were hoping for a software update possible gingerbread or even a hybrid gingerbread/ honeycomb, this dream has now been totally shattered thanks to the cowardly approach of Dell with the End of Life announcement for the Streak.

The reason behind this is the release (or up and coming release) of new devices in Europe and other markets blah...blah... blah.... to me it sounds like a load of crap.

They could have gone out with a bang instead it was a wimpier... they could have a least done the 2.3 update then EOL it.

I used to be very happy with Dell they had the Axim X51v which I loved and then hoped they would come out with something radical which in my view they had with the Streak.

I have now abandoned my Streak and currently have it on the market and its now tucked away in one of my draws awaiting its further demise. In the mean time I have poached my wife's HTC Legend and using that till I get either the HTC EVO 3D (most likely) or the HTC Sensation...

I am that frustrated with Dell and this stupid decision that I can no longer support or endorse any of their products to family, friends or work mates. Why support a company that abandoned its loyal customers.

Bye Dell for ever....

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

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Dell Streak Pulled from Web Stores? Why?

Some of you may have herd through the inter-web grapevine that recently Dell and it's re-sellers have pulled the Dell Streak from their websites for sale. If you check Optus website they have the following image of the Streak with a sign at the bottom "No Longer Available".

Originally people thought Dell were discontinuing the Streak and turning its back on the faithful Streak owners? It seems that they may not have and that it might be possible that the Streak could be getting a re-release in August - will it be a Hardware revamp or (HOPEFULLY) software upgrade..

Will it be Gingerbread (2.3.3) or Honeycomb (3.0), or even a Hybrid version? It may just have to be a waiting game... like most Streak owners we all check our software update via our Streaks daily.. I know I do... maybe to much?...Nah just to hopefully.

Hopefully all your answers will be answered over the next few weeks, fingers crossed.

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MobilitySite Review: Mugen 4800mAh battery for Dell Streak

Ok folks just completed my review of the MUGEN 4800mAh Battery for my Dell Streak over at MobilitySite.

 I must admist that when I first saw the battery at MUGEN Power's website it looked bulky and huge, however once I received it and started to use it, it just grew on me to now become my main battery.

For more info please click the logo below to visit my review, to find out more info on MUGEN batteries and how to purchase yours today click here

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MobilitySite Review: Mugen 1800mAh battery for Dell Streak

 "Give me more Power!"

 
I have just posted a review over at MobilitySite.com for the Mugen 1800mAh extended battery for the Dell Streak. For more info on the Mugen line of extended batteries visit their site here - http://www.mugen-power-batteries.com

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Will I have to get Dell Streak Accessories from Santa...?

 So far no further news from Dell on when Accessoires for the Streak 5 will be released in Australia, I had heard originally that there might have been a slight glimour of hope they would have been released at the end of March... However its now May..


I mean how hard can it be? What is taking so long? As I stated in my last rant on this issue its just so frustrating that I can not get anything here in Australia and that I have to spend even more cash to get it from overseas.



Will keep you posted on this saga...




Any Streak owners out thier with the same frustion please leave a comment below.

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iMobiSite Facebook Page...

Well I have finally updated my Facebook Page for my blog, was a great little project. So if you like my post please visit my facebook page and click the "Like" Button...

Dell Streak 5 Unlocked Android Tablet Smartphone (16GB, GSM, WiFi + 3G, Bluetooth)

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Dell abandons Australian Streak Owners! No Accessories!

Ok I have owned my Dell Streak for almost 8 months (or so) and could not find any
accessories - Chargers, Cables, Cases sold in Australia. Thats right you currently can not buy anything related to the Dell Streak (other than the Streak itself) here in Australia. If you want to get anything for your Streak have only a few options available to you

1) Buy from the UK - Come on people that's not that cost effective still very expensive, for example the Car kit cost around £42.66 GBP so about $64.89 AUD then add shipping to this and you will most like get no change from a $100 bucks.

2) Buy from the USA - This is a great place to buy for Australian's as the ozy dollar is at an all time high so better than $1 for $1, same example Dell Car kit is $39.99 USD about $37.28 AUD however that is where the good news stops then your wallet gets slammed! Shipping you could be looking at $35 - $60 AUD for it to be sent. No here is another hurdle to leap across you can buy from Dell.com unless you have a USA address! To get around this you can use some of those redirecting services where they have a American address that your purchase is delivered to then you pay a small % to the redirection company and they forward it to your address overseas. What a bloody rigmarole.

3) Buy from Asia - This is what most people have to do in the ending as the market is closer, however most if not all are 3rd party and it is Russian Roulette if you get a dud and even luckier it doesn't fry your Streak if you bought a charger.

I have luckier than most as I am a News Editor for MobilitySite and have been able to request some accessories from some great manufactures like Otterbox, PDair and shortly Mugen Batteries - I will be reviewing the 1800mAh and 4800mAh batteries for the Streak, but I still have a bitter taste in my mouth that I can't get genuine accessories for my Streak.

So why can't Dell sell or let Streak owners know when they will start selling their accessories in Australia, one so called helpful employee at Telechoice Rockingham in WA stated that the Streak is not that popular so no accessories sold by them or Optus...

Ok that is my rant for the night... doubt that Dell or even Optus give a crap about their customers.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

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My New setup.... iPad + Keyboard Dock + Bluetooth Mouse

After getting a bonus at work I thought great I might be able to afford a new notebook as my wife keeps highjacking mine, but no just wasn't in the budget, but not to worry here is my stop gap until we can afford it....







I already had an iPad 16GB so thought why not just add a keyboard, so I bought Apple's Keyboard Dock and as I had jail broken my iPad I was then able to download BTStack Mouse from Cydia and bought a Logitech M555b bluetooth mouse and bingo I had a possible solution to my internet craving.

The mouse can be used to open apps and with most interact on a basic to intermediate level.

I have posted a full review at www.mobilitysite.com so head over there for more info.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

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Testing Blogger App for Android

Just downloaded blogger app for Android.  Looks clean and easy to use. Here is a screenshot of my Dell Streak home screen did background, bottom bar and top icons using Adobe Fireworks.

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Rumour: Dell Streak to get GingerBread 2.3? Or will it?

It seems that Dell might release GingerBread for the Dell Streak, this from Amy Bivin from Dell responding to @Arc28 via twitter. If they are releasing 2.3 I hope they don’t draw it out like they did with 2.2.

I remember when I was looking at the OTA upgrade last year and asking Amy about it. For starters I bought my Streak from TeleChoice here in Australia out right for $749 AUD and use it currently on Vodafone with no problems, I asked Amy when would we see the Official update for Australian Streaks, response was that my Streak (All Australian Streaks) was locked to Optus network so would get in December 2010 when the carrier released it… If it was looked do you think I could use it on Vodafone?… Just goes to show they haven't got a clue. In the ending I did manually update it to the Official ROM.

Here is the extract from the Twitter conversation….

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Launcher Pro+ on my Dell Streak

Since I updated my Dell Streak to 2.2 I lost a bit of the screen real-estate to Dell's new Stage UI, the new UI widgets looks ok but takes away the whole use of the lovely 5" screen.

I love to customise my devices when ever I get the chance, I did this on my old Axim X51v, Moto Q9h and the HTC HD2. Now I have added my Streak to this list with the use of a 3rd party Launcher software namely Launcher Pro+, I have looked at AWD Launcher, Open Home, Go Launcher but with these apps I was Not able to add a Dock background that looked good.

Here is my current setup, really happy with it, nice looking and simple.





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

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