Its been a long seven months since we first learned that Microsoft‘s Xbox division would be releasing a Star Wars x Xbox 360 Kinect Limited Edition Bundle, but the long-awaited release info is here. Available for pre-order now on Amazon at $449, this bundle includes a 320GB Xbox 360 featuring a unique R2-D2 design complete with a blue light and R2-D2 sounds, a first-ever all-white Kinect sensor, a C-3PO themed gold metallic controller, and two games: Kinect Star Wars and Kinect Adventures. Using the Kinect sensor, you’ll be able to fully immerse yourself into the Star Wars universe where you can use the Force, ride a Pod Racer, and jump, fight, and kick your way through the 20+ adventures. So, whether you needed a new Xbox (or not) or just needed the latest Star Wars fix, head over to Amazon to get yourself set-up for its April 3rd, 2012 launch.

Release Date: April 3rd, 2012 (Tuesday)

Making a dramatic entry drenched with water droplets, Olympus finally introduced the OM-D E-M5 Digital Camera last evening. Its the first camera from Olympus’ new OM-D line, a series with lineage as far back as the 1972 Olympus OM-1, then the thinnest SLR camera available. Fashioned out of durable magnesium alloy, the mirrorless camera is the latest to join the ever growing Micro Four Thirds offerings from Olympus. And while it is more expensive than the Olympus PEN Series, the E-M5 also offers more feature. A 16.1-megapixel Live MOS Sensor, working in tandem with the TruePic VI image processor, offers utmost picture clarity even at low-light situations. The sensor also allows a maximum ISO range of 25,600 for a faithful color reproduction and an auto focus system capable of continuous shooting at 9 frames-per-second. One other unique feature is it’s 5-axis image stabilizer, a world’s first. In living up to its retro form factor, the E-M5 employs a new electronic viewfinder with a refresh rate of 120fps. Plus, a tilting 3-inch touchscreen OLED display for less strenuous viewing.

Comes in silver or black, the camera is virtually dust and water proof, a testament to Olympus’ craftsmanship. Fully adoptable to all Micro Four Thirds-compliant lenses and additional accessories to come, Olympus is pricing the E-M5 at US$ 999.99 for body only, US$ 1,299.99 with M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-50 mm f3.5-6.3 EZ lens and US$ 1,099.99 with M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42 mm f3.5-5.6 II R lens. The camera will be available for purchase in the month of April.

• 16.1-Megapixel Live MOS Sensor
• Olympus TruePic VI Image Processor
• Micro Four Thirds
• 5-Axis Image Stabilizer
• ISO 100-25,600
• FAST (Frequency Acceleration Sensor Technology) AF System Capable of Continuous Shooting at 9fps
• High-Resolution Electronic Viewfinder with Refresh Rate of 120fps
• 3-inch Touchscreen OLED Display
• Waterproof & Dustproof Construction

Release Date: April 2012

Hasbro‘s Lazer Tag System for 2012 has been updated so you can use your iPhone or iPod Touch to provide heads-up display and increase your firing distance of over 250 feet. The Nerf Blaster is equipped with a slot into which you can drop in your iDevice, and once you’ve downloaded the free app, you can use it to monitor your gear and power levels, as well as start and host multiplayer games with up to 23 other players. The app also features a global Lazer Tag leaderboard and keeps track of user profile and stats, plus you’ll be able to unlock rewards like a more powerful virtual blaster. While the system allows for a single player experience with enhanced with augmented reality, the real fun will be to dispatch your friends with extreme prejudice, and use blast trajectory to see exactly where you shot them. The new and improved Lazer Tag Blasters will be available in stores starting August 1st, retailing for $40 individually or $70 for a set of two. via: The Verge

A friendly advice to the executives at Canon, now would be the perfect time to launch the Canon EOS 5D Mark III… On its way to gain digital imaging supremacy, Nikon has been on a warpath since the introduction of its V1 and J1 mirror less cameras late last year. Only weeks after the unveiling of its flagship digital SLR model, the Nikon D4, Shinjuku-base company announced the highly anticipated D800 HD-SLR this morning.

Clearly with the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, long been an industry staple, at its sight, Nikon crammed every imaginable features onto the D800. To start with, there is the 36.3-megapixel CMOS image sensor. At 35.9 x 24mm in size, this FX-format, full size sensor enables the D800 to create a TIFF file up to 212MB in size. Several other key features taken from the D4, including the EXPEED 3 image processor along with the 51-point full-time Auto Focus. While less than D4′s ISO range of 12,800 and 204,800 with boost, the D800 is still very capable thanks to its ISO range 6,400 (25,600 with boost). The first Nikon camera to have USB 3.0 connectivity, the dual-slot arrangement on the D800 holds one SD card as well as one Compact Flash, thus streamlines the workflow from camera to post-production.

To really overtake Canon 5D Mark II’s dominance in the field of videographers, Nikon added a HDMI port for footage review on both LCD display onboard and external display. Audio output allows direct sound monitoring sans additional accessories. Capable of recording 1080p HD video at 24 fps and 30 fps, the D800 is also able to record at 720p in 30 or 60 fps.

One interesting addition is the D800E. Exactly identical to the D800 in every way, the D800E removes the antialiasing feature at a cost of $300 extra. The Nikon D800 will be available late next month at a suggested price of US$ 2999.95. The Nikon D800E will follow with a release date on Mid April 2012 and a suggested price of US$ 3,299.95. Laden with so much features, the ball is now in Canon’s court…

• 36.3 Megapixel FX Format (Full-Frame) CMOS Sensor
• Nikon EXPEED 3 Image Processor
• ISO 50 – 6400 (25600 with boost)
• 3.2-inch LCD Display with 921,000 dots resoultion
• 51-Point Full-time AF
• Multi-area Mode Full HD Video: FX/DX, and 2.7x crop mode
• Audio recording for professionals

Release Dates:
Nikon D800 – Late March 2012
Nikon D800E – Mid April 2012

Photo by Wire Image

Hidden beneath the hype and hysteria from last night’s Super Bowl Halftime Show was something unique. No, it wasn’t M.I.A.’s inexplicable action when she flipped the bird and lip-synched the F-Bomb during her routine. Nor was it Madonna‘s subdued performance (in comparison to her Blond Ambition World Tour). Instead, it was right underneath everyone’s nose, when SkyBlu of LMFAO stepped onto the stage. Beneath the electro-pop sensation’s wild mane was the most expensive Beats by Dr. Dre headphones to date. Crafted with help from Graff Diamonds, one of the world’s foremost precious gems dealers, Beats by Dr. Dre placed over 114 carats of diamonds on the headphones. Because of the volatility of precious gems and metals pricing, the collaborators could only estimate the total price around “a million dollars,” give or take a few hundred thousand here or there.

Do you know what time it is? If you’ve been sticking with Stussy and Casio’s G-Shock over the past 15 years then you certainly would, as the two have been getting together every couple of years since then to crank out a new collaborative watch. There have been six pieces to drop in total, with the team up first occurring in 1997, which was followed by an eight year break that ended in 2005 as they finished out the decade at a much more rapid pace. We’ve got a quick set of images here that serve as a retrospective in this project, culminating in the most recent model the Stussy x G-Shock G-001 “Jason”. Follow us after the jump to check them out and grab the Jason now from Stussy Japan.

In spite of its accounting fraud, one of the largest in Japanese history, and the upheaval created during the wake of it, Olympus is pushing forward with its new OM-D series. A modern take on the classic Olympus OM series, the OM-D features a retro silhouette quite similar to another new entry to the market, the Fujifilm X-Pro1, and there is still a streamlined feel to the form factor, much like the popular Sony Alpha NEX-7. Purported to have a 16 megapixel Micro Four Thirds image sensor, ISO range to 25,600, a new 5-axis image stabilization, and the ability to shoot 9 fps in burst (faster than the new Nikon D4), the Olympus OM-D is nevertheless quite user-friendly, with a tilt-able 3-inch OLED touch screen display and a full range of lenses to select from. Official announcement and details about this new camera series from Olympus might be available as early as this Wednesday. Till then, several images have already made their way onto the Internet. via: Photo Rumors

• 16 Megapixels Micro Four Thirds Image Sensor
• ISO 200 – 25,600
• 5-axis Image Stabilization
• Shutter Speeds Range from 60 and 1/4000th of a second
• 3-inch Tilt-able OLED Touch Screen display
• 4fps or 9fps

Last week, we previewed the PENTAX K-01 Digital Hybrid Camera designed by Marc Newson. Understanding our curiosity, PENTAX took the initiative to interview Newson to explain the project and the final product in a five minute video. The highly acclaimed designer discusses his inspiration and approach to the design of the camera, his opinion of PENTAX, what it means to design his first ever camera, and the importance of photography for Newson. As always, it is great to gain insight from an established designer, and the full video interview can be seen after the jump.

On the heel of PENTAX announcing its new Marc Newson designed K-01 Digital Hybrid Camera, rival Fujifilm added a bit of intrigues on its X-Pro1 Camera with a first impression video. Trailing along Australian photojournalist Michael Coyne and landscape photographer Christian Fletcher, the video showcased each photographers’ on-the-field experiences with the new camera. Additionally, it documented Coyne and Fletcher’s opinions on the new camera system. In the meantime, Fujifilm released the suggested prices for the X-Pro1. For the camera body alone, it will set you back US$ 1,699.95. As for the lens, the Fujifilm XF 18mm (27mm equivalent) F2.0 and the XF 35mm (53mm equivalent) F1.4 will be around US$ 599.95 while the XF 60mm (90mm equivalent) F2.4 will be set at US$ 649.95.

After its aggressive marketing spree in the last few years, 2012 might just be HUBLOT‘s biggest year yet. A little less than a week into the new year and Jean-Claude Biver, HUBLOT’s larger-than-life CEO announced he was stepping down, leaving the company in the good hands of Ricardo Guadalupe. Then came the unveiling of its King Power UNICO GMT timepiece, the first of such to utilize the HUBLOT developed UNICO movement. In many ways, HUBLOT’s King Power UNICO GMT is a miniature computer. Through its huge dial face and a set of 4 rotating discs, the full 24-hour time zones is on display. With a push of a button at the 2 o’clock right above the crown, one can simultaneously position the discs. Thus, allowing the time in the 14 selected locations around the globe to be read, though it can be somewhat confusing at times. A large 48 mm dial encase in either ceramic or 18K “King Gold” red gold ceramic, King Power UNICO GMT will have a 72-hour power reserve and water resistant for up to 100 meters. Currently available at HUBLOT flagship stores and fine watch dealers around the globe.

Release Date: March 2012

The discontinued Vivitar Ultra Slim & Wide was originally introduced as a cheap point and shoot 35mm film camera for general use. It has since received a second life as a favorite among toy camera enthusiasts, who enjoy the vignette edges and lens flare in the photos that the camera’s 22mm lens produces. Four Corner Store has gotten their hands on 75 brand new Ultra Wide and Slims, and the online retailer has packaged the camera in a special handmade wooden box along with a roll of their C-41 black and white film. For photographers who crave the lo-fi feel of this throwback all-plastic camera, the Vivitar Ultra Slim and Wide is available for purchase now through Four Corner Store.