jessica's blog

Canon on Tuesday took the wraps off of ten new PowerShot digital cameras. The lineup includes Wi-Fi models, a new rugged digital cam, and one with a 20x zoom (to name a few).

Canon PowerShot ELPH 530 HS

First up is the flagship of the ELPH line - the PowerShot ELPH 530 HS. Measuring in at a mere .78 inches thick, this Wi-Fi enabled camera packs a 10-megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS sensor, DIGIC 5 image processor, and 12x optical zoom into its tiny body.

The ELPH 530 HS sports a 3.2-inch LCD touch screen and also records 1080p Full HD video. Additional features include Smart AUTO scene selection with 58 scenes, Face ID for up to 12 registered subjects and Intelligent Image Stabilization (IS).

The PowerShot ELPH 530 HS will be available in April 2012 in black or white for $349.99.Read more

Still looking for that perfect place to take your loved one this Valentine's Day? Consider these packages from The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead and The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.

The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead

The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead, located in Atlanta, Georgia, is offering a delicious "Countdown to Valentine's" Calendar inspired by rich chocolate in creative variations, giving guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead stylish ways to celebrate romance in February.

From candy-making classes for couples, to chocolate Spa treatments to cocktails, desserts and more, chocolate lovers are on notice to mark their calendars for rich, delectable experiences. Here is a list of what you can take part in from now through Valentine's Day.

Wednesday February 8 – Pairing Chocolate with Port and Aperitifs
Sommelier Linda Torres Alarcon guides Club Level guests in an informal tasting of rich chocolates paired with her very special selections: Quinta do Noval, Tawny Port, "10 Yr Old", Douro, Portugaland Cocchi, Barolo Chinato, Piedmont, Italy. The Club Lounge from 8 to 9 pm.

Thursday February 9 – "Haute Fashion, Haute Chocolate"
Neiman Marcus presents informal modeling of the season's "haute-est" fashions during Chocolate Afternoon Tea. All fashions and accessories are red or pink—the colors of the moment! The Lobby Lounge, 2:30 to 4 pm, $34 Read more

Sony's newest handheld gaming system goes on sale February 22, but if you want to be one of the first to try out the device, you can head to one of more than 3,300 GameStop locations for a playable demo unit of this new technology. Decide you have to have one? GameStop also announced that they will give you $25 toward the purchase of the new PS Vita when you trade in your existing Nintendo DS, 3DS or Sony PSP system.

The PlayStation Vita features a five-inch OLED multi-touch screen, front and rear touch pads, dual analog sticks, dual cameras and six-axis motion sensing system. A variety of games will be available to demo, including:

• UNCHARTED: Golden Abyss
• Little Deviants
• Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational
• EA SPORTS FIFA Soccer
• ModNation Racers: Road Trip
• Virtua Tennis 4: World Tour Edition
• Escape Plan
• wipEout 2048

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Did you catch the Samsung Galaxy Note commercial that aired during the Big Game on Sunday? You can now pre-order the device at Best Buy, Best Buy Mobile, or online at BestBuy.com/Mobile and get a free Protective Flip Cover Case (value of $29.99) when you activate the phone (while supplies last).

The Samsung Galaxy Note has all the benefits of a tablet but the functionality of a smartphone. It features a 5.3" HD Super AMOLED screen, a dual core processor, 8MP rear facing and 2MP front facing cameras, and 16GB memory expandable to up to 32GB with optional microSD card. And, as seen in the commercial below, the device features a new S Pen stylus which can be used to write e-mails, texts and more in free-form handwriting.

Samsung Galaxy Note Commercial:

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February is in full swing, which means it's time to announce X-Rite's schedule of webinars for professional and serious amateur photographers. Four free webinars are offered this month – Editing Portraits in Photoshop & Getting Prints Back that Match Your Display!, Image Edits and Enhancements in Lightroom 3, For the Birds! Nature Photography with Maxis Gamez and Edit & Enhance Landscape Images in Photoshop – all which will help photographers gain new confidence and learn quick, easy and powerful ways to enhance their color workflow.

"This month, X-Rite hosts four completely new Webinars that will surely appeal to a range of photographers looking to improve their photography as well as color management skills," said Mark Rezzonico, vice president, X-Rite Photo Marketing. "And we're especially pleased to co-sponsor with Nik Software, professional nature photographer and bird specialist Maxis Gamez's nature photography Webinar."

February Webinar Schedule:

Thursday, February 9, 2012, 11:00 AM EST and 1:00 PM EST
Editing Portraits in Photoshop & Getting Prints Back that Match Your Display!

Spend an hour with host Joe Brady learning how to edit portrait photographs to create images clients will love. In this free webinar sponsored by X-Rite, Joe will share some of his favorite techniques, tips and tricks for adding shape, direction and finish to portraits. From simple blemish removal to complex reshaping of body parts, these step-by-step tutorials will enhance your Photoshop skills and improve your editing quality and speed.Read more

Shopping for a new mobile phone? Best Buy has announced that they are giving consumers a $50 gift card to anyone who registers and then purchases and activates a mobile phone at Best Buy by December 31, 2012. The offer is valid on Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile phones activated with a new two-year agreement at Best Buy or online at BestBuy.com (excluding T-Mobile activations requiring a deposit).

The offer is simple:

• Step One: Consumers register their phone number at www.bestbuy.com/phonefreedom by Feb. 12, 2012
• Step Two: Consumers activate the registered phone number with the purchase of a new mobile phone with a two-year agreement at Best Buy or BestBuy.com any time before Dec. 31, 2012
• Step Three: Upon purchase and activation, customers will receive their $50 Best Buy gift card

There is no obligation once a phone number is registered. Best Buy Reward Zone program members may register their phone number online between Wednesday, Feb. 1 and Sunday, Feb. 12 to qualify. All other customers may register their phone number online between Sunday, Feb. 5 and Sunday, Feb. 12 to qualify.Read more

The Big Game takes place this weekend and we're still running across HDTV deals from retailers banking on that last-minute purchase. One company in particular, Westinghouse Digital, is being promoted now more than ever before, thanks to their wide range of affordable, yet high performance HDTVs. Check out the Big Game deals below…

Westinghouse specials this week include:

Best Buy:

• 60-inch LCD VR-6025Z $899.99 (Save $400)
• 55-inch LED LD-5580Z $849.99 (Save $250)
• 24-inch LCD VR-2418 $179.99 (Save $20)

Target:

• 55-inch LCD VR-5525Z $599.99 (Save $200)
• 40-inch LCD VR-4030 $349.99 (Save $50)
• 37-inch LCD VR-3710 $299.99 (Save $50)

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FUJIFILM unveiled the X-Pro1 interchangeable lens digital camera at CES last month, and now we know just how much this bad boy will cost. Available at the end of February 2012, you can pick up the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 (body only) for a hefty $1,699.95.

The FUJIFILM X-Pro1 boasts a brand new, custom developed 16MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor, new color filter array and Fujifilm's EXR Processor Pro technology which work together, as the company says, "to deliver superlative image quality that will rival currently available mid and high-end DSLR models."

The camera also features a new 2nd Generation Hybrid Multi Viewfinder and three prime interchangeable FUJINON lenses – the 18mm (27mm equivalent) f/2.0, 35mm (53mm equivalent) f/1.4 and 60mm (90mm equivalent) f/2.4. Read more

PENTAX on Thursday announced its second interchangeable lens camera – the K-01. Designed by Marc Newson, the PENTAX K-01 features a 16MP APS-C CMOS sensor and is compatible with most of the lenses the company has ever made – and that's a bunch, folks – we're talking over 25+ million K-mount lenses!

This mirrorless camera also features a 3-inch LCD with 920,000 dots, sensor-shift image stabilization, it can shoot at up to 6 frames per second, and has an ISO range of 100-25600 for noise-free imaging in almost any lighting. In addition, the K-01 captures Full HD 1080p video at 30 FPS with h.264 compression (60 FPS at 720p). What you won't find on the K-01 is an optical viewfinder or quick-return mirror – the elimination of these components gave Marc Newson more freedom when it came to the camera body's design.

PENTAX is also releasing a new lens for the K-01. The smc PENTAX-DA 40mm F2.8 XS interchangeable lens is said to be the world's thinnest interchangeable lens (as of February 1, 2012). The PENTAX K-01 will be available in black, white and Newson's signature yellow colors, and it features the designer's autograph logo stamp on the bottom of each camera. Read more

Best Buy isn't the only retailer with last minute deals on TVs for the Big Game. Sears is offering huge savings on big screen HDTVs from brands such as Sony, Samsung, Sharp, LG, Panasonic (and more) and also offering deep discounts on home audio systems.

Here are a few examples of Big Game TV and Home Audio Specials at Sears:

• Save $900 on a Sharp 70" class 1080p Smart LED TV – only $1899.88. While quantities last. In store only (057-71310/LC70LE632U).
• Save $1400 on a Sony 55" class 1080p 3D Smart LED TV – only $1499.88. Comes with a 3D Starter kit that includes 2 pairs of 3D glasses and a 3D Blu-ray movie ($149.99 value) While quantities last. (057-71693/KDL55NX720).
• Add a Sony Wi-Fi Ready Blu-ray Player for only $79.99 (057-57251/BDPS380)
• Save $150 on a Zenith 50" class 1080p Plasma TV for only $549.88 – (057-75861/Z50PV220)
• Save $50 on a Samsung 32" class LCD TV – only $299.99. (057-71072/LN32D403)
• Save 10% on a Bose CineMate Series II System when purchased with any HDTV. Add theatre-quality sound to your home, effortlessly. Reg $599.99. (057-90919). Available in select Sears stores and on sears.com
• Save $50 on a Sharp 2.1 Channel Soundbar – Only $249.99 (057-98311/HT-SL70)
• $499.99 Onkyo 800 watt Home Theatre System delivers high quality surround sound with speakers, receiver, active powered subwoofer, 4 HDMI inputs. (057-80611/HT-S5400)

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