The Register briefly reviews a new device from Belkin that lets you transfer photos from digital cameras to an iPod. (It does not work with the iPod mini.)
The Belkin Digital Camera Link is almost as big as the iPod, holds two AA batteries, and has some flashing LEDs, and a button that initiates the transfer. One reason the Belkin device is so large is that the connector cable stows inside of it.
When I first read the review, I figured that this device is a card reader. (Remove the memory card from the camera, and stick it in the Belkin unit?) No. It has a mini USB port: you connect your camera using its USB cable.
That troubles me: using USB leads to compatibility problems. For example, my daughter's new Casio camera has a proprietary connector built-in; she needs to haul around the docking station, which uses the square USB connector. I also wonder if some digital cameras might not connect via the USB connection.
If the Belkin unit were a card reader instead, then my daughter could just pull the memory card, and plug it in -- no need for the docking station.No compatibility issues.
Back to the The Register's comments: You cannot view photos on the iPod, but can see a list of filenames. Photos are stored in their own folder. I could see Belkin introducing similar devices for other hard-drive-based MP3 players.
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