FotoChute grabs pictures with simple interface
By
Shawn Barnett
(Monday, February 21, 2005 - 22:48 EST)
Well known for it's color flip-screen mobile image storage and playback device called FlashTrax, SmartDisk has launched a new, smaller and less expensive solution for photo retrieval and storage, and they call it FotoChute.
The device is quite a bit smaller than the Flash Trax, and couldn't be simpler. Using the USB cord of your digital camera, just connect the camera to the FotoChute, press a button on the device and images begin to upload from the camera to the onboard 20GB hard drive. A small blue LCD serves as a data and menu display, which is navigated using the five way button cluster right of the screen. A full size USB connector is hidden underneath, with a pull-out, auto-rewind cable for copying pictures to a computer built right in.
We haven't tested it, but FotoChute seems like a great device to take on a "photo shoot" or vacation, because it saves buying several more expensive flash cards, and you won't need to lug along a laptop. If you simply must see those pictures while you're away, the 20GB FlashTrax is still available from SmartDisk for $349, but if you want to save some money and space, and keep on shooting, this looks like a good solution. Available in March for $249.99. www.smartdisk.com
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