Written by JMarsden92 on 21 August 2009
I had the opportunity to check out the SodaStream Jet that my wife has. I think that the concept of making my own soda, and not harming the environment is great.
I found the Sodastream Jet to be very easy to operate. There are a vast amount of flavors available from SodastreamUSA, and Kohls. The cost to operate this item is very comparible to purchasing soda. The biggest difference is the different types you can make each time rather than one specific brand / flavor. You also don’t have multiple bottles laying around.
We have found that after we make the soda we transfer the soda to another bottle so that we can wash, and make more water cold for future use. Sodastream offers an exchange service on the carbon bottles. When you are empty, then just send it in with the cost for refill, and they take care of the rest.
Each soda mix bottle makes @12 liters of soda.
Operation is this simple…
Fill bottle with water.
Chill water.
Put bottle in machine.
Press button till buzz.
Add mix.
Shake, and Enjoy.
Want to see for your self?
SodaStream is allowing me to have a contest to give 1 lucky reader a chance to win.
Read on to find out how you could win.
Here’s all you need to do to be entered…
This is a 2 part main entry. (Both must be completed to qualify)
Visit SodaStream and then comment here about which flavor soda you would you like most.
then
Visit any of the following sites and comment on any non-contest post.
www.MomsBlogs4U.com, www.DisneyContestBlog.com, www.GameBlogs4U.com
or
Visit MomsBlogs4U.Com and comment on the Sodastream video my daughter made. CLICK HERE.
Additional Entries: (Each additional entry must be accompanied by an individual comment here telling me what you did.)
Contest will run from 8/22/09 through 9/19/09. Winner will have 3 days to respond before another winner is announced.
**All blog posts, button placements, Follows, Favs must stay active for duration of the contest.
**Twitter account must have more than 25 people following.
Additional contests are being run throughout our sites. Feel free to check them out, and enter for your chance to win some incredible prizes.
Tags: Contest, review, Sodastream
Posted in Reviews & Contests | 96 Comments »
Written by JMarsden92 on 20 August 2009
Samsung DualView Cameras Help Consumers Take the Perfect Self-Portrait on the Move
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. – August 13, 2009 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc., today announced the Samsung DualView Cameras, the TL225 and TL220. These 12.2 mega-pixel, innovative compact digital cameras feature Dual LCD screens, with one LCD on the front of the camera, and a second one on the back of the camera, to give consumers the ability to truly step out from behind the camera and put themselves in the picture.
Delivering an unrivalled user experience, the 1.5” LCD located on the front of the Samsung DualView Cameras now allows consumers to take first-rate photos whether they are behind the camera or in front of it. Samsung’s new TL225 also features a 3.5” wide touch-screen back LCD. At 1,152K resolution, the TL225’s LCD delivers almost four times more resolution than traditional cameras and also comes complete with haptic vibration feedback for ease of use. A 12.2 mega-pixel CCD and 27mm wide-angle Schneider-KREUZNACH lens with 4.6x optical zoom gives a wider shooting range from a shorter distance, producing clear, clean images with balanced resolution from the center of the image to the edges.
“These cameras are the very first of their kind,” said Sang Jin Park, CEO of Samsung Digital Imaging Company. “The use of digital imaging technologies has evolved and we are offering functionality and capabilities that no other digital camera manufacturer has yet addressed. It has become more common for the photographer to switch roles and become the subject of his or her photo, especially given the rise in popularity of self-portraits or profile pictures for use with today’s popular social networking sites. The Dual LCD on the TL225 and TL220 allows consumers to become part of the picture in a way that they simply were unable to do so before. These cameras will be must-haves for those individuals that use popular social networking Web sites and for families that want to get everyone, including the photographer, in the picture.”
Showcasing further innovations, Samsung’s Smart Gesture User Interface (UI) with built-in Gravity sensor means that once the camera is on, a simple tap on the front LCD activates it and the camera is automatically set to Self Portrait mode with smile detection. This means that if users want to take a self portrait, they only need to tap and smile, and the picture will be taken automatically without pressing the shutter button. Teamed with innovative Samsung technologies such as Smile Shot, Smart Face Recognition and Smart Auto, users are given the ability to take the perfect image with ease.
Additionally, just by tilting the camera in a certain direction, users can go directly to a different mode or view their saved images. A simple touch or hand gesture is all it takes to access the cameras’ full range of key features. For example, with Samsung’s Smart Auto feature, the worry of photos being washed out, too dark, or out of focus is also now a thing of the past. Smart Auto, which is able to recognize 16 different potential scenes, analyzes key elements of your composition and subject, and then selects the appropriate scene settings in response.
Samsung’s innovative Smart Face Recognition technology will memorize up to 20 faces and adjust the focus and exposure to the most high-ranked faces on the camera. It also allows users to sort images by registered faces and scroll through to find images of people in their Smart Album instead of viewing every single photo.
Alongside professional-grade photos, the TL225 and TL220 record 720p HD video at 30 frames‑per-second in H.264 format, providing twice as much recording capacity as MPEG4 format, and four times more than using MJPEG format, all in the palm of your hand. HDMI connectivity means that your HD videos can be enjoyed on any HDTV or HD Monitor.
Samsung DualView Cameras: TL225 and TL220 SPECIFICATIONS
Dual LCD Displays
Samsung DualView Cameras provide the easiest way to take the perfect self-portrait every time with Dual LCDs. On the front of the cameras is a 1.5” LCD that shows you what the picture will look like, so you can now be a subject of the picture, as well as the photographer. Key features of the Dual LCDs include:
- When the camera is turned on, activate the front LCD by tapping the screen. It will automatically be set in Self-Portrait mode, ensuring that the user will always be framed exactly the way they want. You can also turn on the front LCD with a simple selection through the intuitive interface. When in Self-Portrait mode, the camera will also engage its smile detection technology, automatically taking a photo when it recognizes a smile.
- In Child Mode, the front LCD plays a fun animation to capture a child’s attention while taking their photo.
- Shutter Info ensures you take a photo of your subject while they’re smiling. When using Shutter Info, the front LCD will display a “smiley face” when the photographer has the shutter button pushed halfway down, giving the subject a signal that you’re ready to take the photo.
- Function Info helps you keep track of what flash and macro value you’re currently using, as the front LCD provides a visual readout of key camera settings.
- When taking a group photo using the Self-Timer, the front LCD will show a preview of the shot as well as a visual countdown timer so that everyone knows exactly when the photo will be snapped.
Smart Gesture User Interface (UI)
When it comes to smart, user-friendly features, the TL225 and TL220 lead the way. Take for example the cameras’ innovative Smart Gesture UI with built-in Gravity sensor, which lets you quickly access and use key features with either a simple tilt or a hand gesture. To turn on the front LCD, simply tap the screen to activate the display automatically and immediately.
Using other advanced features is just as simple. With the Smart Gesture UI you can quickly scroll through your photos by slightly tilting the device in either direction or by selecting the appropriate photos for a slide show. You can also easily delete photos from your library using the Smart Gesture UI by marking an “X” on the screen using your finger, or you can simply save your favorite photos into a separate folder. Additionally, if you want to rotate an image, you can draw a circle (O) on the screen, and if you want to see the next image in your library you can drag it on to the screen with a sweep of your finger or by simply tilting the device.
3.5” Wide Touch-Screen Back LCD
With 1,152K resolution, the 3.5” wide touch-screen LCD located on the back of the TL225 offers some of the sharpest images of any camera available today, delivering almost four times more resolution than traditional displays. Unlike other digital cameras, the LCD touch-screen uses Samsung’s unique haptic technology, providing users with a slight vibration and audible beep whenever they select an option within the touch-screen display.
12.2 Mega-Pixel CCD, 27mm Wide-Angle Lens with 4.6x Optical Zoom
Samsung DualView Cameras come fully equipped with a true color-filtered 12.2 mega-pixel CCD and boast a powerful 4.6x optical zoom, providing sharp and detailed images. Whether you’re indoors or out, shooting a landscape or friends around a table, the 27mm-wide angle lens plus 4.6x optical zoom gives you a wider shooting range from a shorter distance, delivering greater flexibility than traditional 35mm lenses. Capture images of beautiful landscapes, entire wedding parties, and skyscrapers without having to back up to get the shot. The precisely cut, high‑quality 27mm optical lens from Schneider-KREUZNACH delivers clear, clean images with balanced resolution from the center to the edges. Each lens surface is multi-coated to minimize ghosting or flaring for a great shot every time.
Advanced Dual Image Stabilization (IS)
Samsung’s Advanced Dual Image Stabilization (IS) technology allows you to capture crystal‑clear, blur-free images. The TL225’s and TL220’s true Dual IS combines both Optical and Digital Image stabilizers to produce sharp images without the confusion commonly found in other cameras. The Optical IS intelligently compensates for hand trembling by shifting the lens in the opposite direction. When Optical IS isn’t quite enough, the Digital IS automatically takes over to ensure blur-free images.
HD Video Recording
Besides the ability to take high-quality digital still images, Samsung DualView Cameras also offer impressive 720P HD video recording at 30 frames per second. The TL225 and TL220 use the H.264 format which allows you to record twice as much content as MPEG4, and four times more than MJPEG, the format typically used in other digital cameras. The TL225 also offers HDMI connectivity (adapter sold separately) so that you can enjoy your HD video, as well as digital still images, on an HDTV or HD monitor.
Smart Auto
Samsung’s Smart Auto feature ensures that users never have to worry about their photos being washed out, too dark or out of focus. Smart Auto analyzes key elements of your composition such as color, brightness, motion and subject and then selects the appropriate scene mode which will produce the best results possible.
Smart Album
With Samsung’s convenient Smart Album feature, you can quickly scroll through your entire library of images and organize them in the way that’s best for you. This unique feature allows you to organize photos by Favorite (if tagged as a “favorite” photo), Face (someone you’ve taken many photos of), Timeline (date photos were taken), Week, Color, and Content (photos, videos, voice-note).
Perfect Portrait System
Picture-perfect moments at their best
Samsung’s Perfect Portrait System takes the guess work out of shooting beautiful portraits. Key features of this system are Samsung’s Smile Shot and Blink Detection technologies which automatically detect when your subjects are smiling and if their eyes are closed, allowing you to capture them looking their best. Another advanced feature is the Red-eye Fix mode. This in‑camera feature automatically fixes the typical red-eye associated with the use of the flash, before the photo is produced, a significant time saver as you don’t have to spend time afterwards removing red-eyes from your photos.
Smart Touch Shooting and Auto-Focus
Sometimes the focal point of your picture is not always in the center of the frame. In cases like this, the TL225’s and TL220’s Smart Touch Auto Focus feature allows you to focus on a different part of the shot by simply touching the desired area. That means your subject, no matter where in the frame it may be, will always be in focus. Once you’ve selected the focal point, you can simply leave your finger on the screen for two seconds or push the shutter button to take the picture.
Smart Face Recognition
The TL225 and TL220 feature Samsung’s advanced Face Recognition technology which automatically stores up to 20 preferred faces to the cameras’ internal memory. While taking a portrait, the TL225 and TL220 will automatically recognize if one of the user’s preferred faces is in the frame and identify them as a priority for focus and exposure. Users can also save time sorting through their photos by searching only for those that contain a specific face.
Beauty Shot
Samsung’s Beauty Shot feature lets you remove all the imperfections on your subject’s face such as wrinkles, blemishes, and moles. Simply select one of two editing options to even out skin tone and complexion.
Photo Style Selector and Highlight Feature
Samsung DualView Cameras are designed to help you enhance your creativity when it comes to digital imaging. Samsung’s Photo Style Selector allows you to transform your photos from simple memories to works of art. Choose from a wide selection of artistic treatments ranging from classic black and white to something more vivid, giving you full control over the color tones of your image. Additionally, with Samsung’s unique highlight feature, you can focus on one area of your photo and blur everything around it, turning a normal photo into something much more complex.
Specifications
|
TL225 |
TL220 |
| Mega-Pixels (Effective) |
12.2 mega-pixels |
12.2 mega-pixels |
| Optical Zoom |
4.6x Zoom Lens |
4.6x Zoom Lens |
| LCD Size |
Front LCD: 1.5”Back LCD (haptic):
3.5 inch wide 1,152K-pixel touch-screen |
Front LCD: 1.5”Back LCD (haptic):
3.0 inch wide 230K-pixel touch-screen |
| Lens |
Schneider-KREUZNACH |
Schneider-KREUZNACH |
| Movie Mode |
720p HD / H.264 Format(optional HDMI adapter) |
720p HD / H.264 Format |
| Size |
99.8mm x 59.8mm x 19.1mm |
99.8mm x 59.8mm x 18.9mm |
| Special Features |
- Dual LCD (Front & Back)
- Smart Gesture UI
- Advanced Real Dual Image
Stabilization : Optical IS + Digital IS
- Smart Touch Auto Focus
- Smart Auto
- Smart Album
- Smart Face Recognition (up to 20 faces)
- Perfect Portrait System: Beauty Shot / Face Detection / Self Portrait / Smile Shot / Blink Detection
- Photo Style Selector
- Dual LCD (Front & Back)
- Smart Gesture UI
- Advanced Real Dual Image
|
Stabilization : Optical IS + Digital IS
- Smart Touch Auto Focus
- Smart Auto
- Smart Album
- Smart Face Recognition (up to 20 faces)
- Perfect Portrait System: Beauty Shot / Face Detection / Self Portrait / Smile Shot / Blink Detection
- Photo Style Selector
|
| MSRP |
|
|
| Availability |
- September 2009
- September 2009
|
|
* Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Tags: camera, dualview, Samsung
Posted in From The Desk Of | No Comments »
Written by JMarsden92 on 19 August 2009
My wife was contacted by her weight loss organizer this week. The lady wants to put together an article about her being a 3 time winner, and also part of the 100 lb. club. She was very happy to receive this email, and she said she would gladly allow this.
I am very proud of my wife with all that she has done with her weight loss. It would almost seem like diet class is the best weight loss supplement that she could find. She doesn’t purchase anything special, and she seems happy with her weight loss.
She will be returning to weight loss class again in a few weeks. I told her to make sure she had her fun now, because once class starts she won’t be able to go off much.
Some people need pills, and special foods. Well, my wife only needs pure will power.
Good job Deb.
Tags: dieting, weight loss, wife
Posted in Dieting & Exercising | 1 Comment »
