UMAX AstraCam

The AstraCam is astoundingly easy to use. No need to focus. No need to manipulate thumbnail knobs and buttons. Just grab it from your shirt pocket, point, and shoot. In 2.5 seconds, the image is processed. Then the image can be easily downloaded into your PC, e-mailed, posted on a Web-site, arranged into a photo album, and shared with friends. If you're not a professional photographer, you're probably looking for a camera that's easy to use. With the AstraCam, you select four simple settings for the optimum picture under the lighting condition at hand. With After Shot Recovery (ASR) technology, no matter what setting is selected, a click of a button optimizes the picture's white balance. The AstraCam offers speedy USB (Universal Series Bus) connectivity to Windows 98 PCs, and the included Cradle allows for single-touch downloading of images. Simply place the AstraCam in the Cradle and press the download button. The images zip to your computer via the Cradle's ''plug and play'' USB port. The Cradle also charges the AstraCam's 2 AAA rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride batteries while in the camera. No need to buy batteries again!The AstraCam also features a built-in microphone for voice recording. Simply press the record button to capture up to 20 seconds of sound with each image. No need for a pen to add labels and captions to your photographs - just talk into the camera! The AstraCam's 4MB internal memory stores up to 31 images, including 20 seconds of sound per image. With the sound shut off, the AstraCam can hold 46 VGA (640 by 480 pixels) pictures. And if larger images are desired, with the AstraCam software you can get pictures up to 1280 by 960 pixels.The AstraCam includes software to support its fun functions. Adobe PhotoDeluxe Home Edition (full version) provides step-by-step guided activities to create calendars and greeting cards, touch up photos, create screen savers, change backgrounds, and more. Included PhotoCabinet is a desktop management system. Pictures can be downloaded into PhotoCabinet and ''dragged and dropped'' into many popular applications. Keep your photos and voice recordings organized with the PhotoCabinet management software. Use the text memo fields to add notes with your pictures for easy recall of people and events. Quickly find stored photos using PhotoCabinet's intelligent search function. Finally, VistaShuttle makes it easy to create electronic greeting cards that include your photo and voice message for emailing to friends and family. Also use VistaShuttle to make flyers, calendars, printable greeting cards, wallpaper and screen savers with your pictures. Due to its small size (4.3 x 3.2 x 1.3 inches), the camera fits comfortably in your hand or pocket, and due to its low price, fits easily in your budget.