Fujifilm FinePix Z900 EXR offers 16 megapixels, multitouch screen

Fujifilm's new FinePix Z900 EXR compact camera offers a 3.5-inch multitouch display, 16 megapixel resolution, and ISO 6400 sensitivity.

Fujifilm has rolled out its latest high-end compact point-and-shoot camera in the form of the FinePix Z900 EXR, featuring a large 3.5-inch multitouch-capable LCD display, a 16 megapixel resolution, a 5× optical zoom, a variety of scene modes, and—what perhaps may be its most advanced feature—a backside-illuminated sensor that substantially improves shooting images and video in low-light conditions. And even with all the bells and whistles, the FinePix Z900 EXR comes in at just over 15mm thick with the lens retracted, making it simple to take anywhere.

Fujifilm has also cranked up the image processing in the camera and improved automatic scene detection for point-and-shoot simplicity: the camera sports 27 scene modes (including blue sky, green leaves, sunsets, and backlit scenes) that it can detect on the fly so users get the perfect shot: that’s up from 6 scenes in the Z800 EXR. The Z900 EXR cam also shoot Full HD 1080p video in H.264 format at up to 30fps, and can manage continuous shooting at up to 12fps—and if you want full 16 megapixel images, it can manage three in a second. the EXR processor can also sport purple color fringing of dark objects on light backgrounds, and improves resolution at the corners of images—and all this benefits from CMOS CCD shift image stabilization to eliminate blur from shakes and camera motion. The Z900 EXR also features an on-board search feature that makes it easy for people to put favorite images in a Photobook for quick retrieval: no more hunting through heaps of images looking for just the one or two you want to quickly show a friend. Fujifilm says that Z900 EXR should be able to get through about 220 shots on a single battery charge.

FujiFilm says the Z9000 EXR will be available in five gloss colors (black, red, white, pink, and blue), and while the company hasn’t announced pricing, reports have it entering the U.S. market in May for about $280.

Microsoft debuts new multitouch mouse for Windows 7

Today at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas Microsoft unveiled the Touch Mouse, a new multitouch mouse designed for Windows 7.

Born from the Mouse 2.0 project conducted by Microsoft Research and the Applied Sciences Group, the Touch Mouse allows user to click, flick, scroll and swipe.

“The new Touch Mouse is a great way for customers to interact naturally with their Windows 7-based PC,” said Mark Relph, senior director of the Windows Developer and Ecosystem Team at Microsoft. “We worked closely with the Microsoft Hardware team to help develop the multitouch gestures that make Windows 7 easier, simpler and more fun to use. After just a few minutes with this mouse you’ll see why.”

Touch Mouse lets users use one, two or three fingers to amplify the Windows 7 operating system by creating simple shortcuts to the tasks people want to do most.

With one finger user can manage individual documents or pages by flicking to scroll, as well as pan and tilt. One thumb lets users move back and forward through a Web browser.

Two fingers is designed to manage windows, maximize, minimize, snap and restore them. Finally, three fingers lets users navigate the entire desktop.

The Touch Mouse is equipped with BlueTrack Technology, letting consumers track on virtually any surface, and the tiny Nano transceiver is so small it never needs to come out of the USB port.

Touch Mouse will be available in June 2011 for the estimated retail price of $79.95 (U.S.). It will be available for presale starting this week at the online Microsoft Store, Amazon.com and BestBuy.com. Microsoft backs this mouse with a worldwide three-year limited hardware warranty.