Gadgets Lately

Finally, a Blu-Ray Player Worth the PriceIf you’ve been waiting for the right time to buy a Blu-ray player, that time has come. For around $200, the Sony BDP-S570 Blu-ray player has all the right specs: Wi-Fi connectivity to wireless routers, HDMI 1.4 compliance, streaming content like Netflix and Pandora, and 3D compatibility. You can even control it using an iPhone/iPod Touch App.Continuous Focus Comes to Digital CamerasAs cameras replace camcorders for video, continuous focus may be the hot new feature in digital cameras. Nikon recently announced its first DSLR, the D3100, to offer continuous auto-focus. The only drawback may be some audible noise from the moving lens that could show up in your soundtrack. The Nikon D3100 has been available since September for $699.95. New Projector CameraSpeaking of Nikon announcements, in September, Nikon will also be shipping a new version of their projector camera, the COOLPIX S1100pj. It boasts a brighter projector, a built-in stand, and the ability to project what’s on your computer screen via a USB connection. The S1100pj has an MSRP of $349.95.Jailbreaking Your NookWith all the attention paid to Kindles and iPads, people sometimes forget how cool the Nook is. A “rooted” Nook can run Pandora and other Android apps. It’s good to remind everyone that hacking the Nook is done at your own risk. There are active communities and sites like nookdevs.com and hackthenook.com that have all kinds of interesting Nook info.U.S. Open in 3DIf you have access to DirecTV’s n3D channel and, of course, a 3DTV, you may have seen tennis balls fly out of your set from Aug. 30 – Sept. 12. CBS worked with Pace 3D, the company that worked with James Cameron to develop the 3D cameras used to film Avatar. Look for glasses-free 3D on upcoming Toshiba HDTVs.