Marcus Troiano

Things just got a whole lot more interesting in the camera world with Sony's entry into the mirrorless DSLR market today. The NEX-5 (and slightly lower-end NEX-3) are full-featured cameras, offering DSLR quality image quality and performance, and the ability to change lenses, in a point-and-shoot body.

This rapidly growing market segment, which until now has been dominated by Olympus, Panasonic, and recently Samsung, will get a whole lot more competitive with Sony's NEX system products. They offer better, or on par performance, in a smaller and sleeker package, at a lower price!

I currently own a Panasonic LX-3, which is amazing, but I've been leaning towards getting a mirrorless micro four thirds Panasonic GF1 (or its replacement, which remains yet unannounced). This camera now has me seriously rethinking that decision. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens over the next few weeks/months.

Official product site (with specs, etc): http://www.sony.net/Products/ilc/E-series/nex5nex3/index.html

Following Gordon Brown's resignation as (unelected) PM of England, Conservative leader David Cameron has become the nation's 52nd prime minister (the youngest since 1812), ending thirteen years of Labour rule.

The past five days of political negotiations between the Conservatives and the Lib Dems, and Labour and the Lib Dems, ended favourably, resulting in a Conservative-Lib Dem coalition, with Cameron as the PM, and Clegg as his deputy. The coalition, a rarity in British politics (and the first since 1945), will naturally present challenges, but it is encouraging to see a new government ready to forge ahead and tackle the nation's many pressing issues (chief among them, crippling debt).

I congratulate Mr. Cameron, and wish him and his new government all of the best on the road ahead!

More details will become available shortly regarding the conditions of the coalition. For now, check here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/12/david-cameron-nick-clegg-coali...

As I perused through the magazine racks at Indigo earlier last month (in search of the latest issue of what has become my favourite magazine, Monocle), I came across the March 2010 issue of ELLE with Keira Knightley on the cover! I think it's an absolutely splendid picture of one of the prettiest, most charming and talented actresses around these days! After starring in The Duchess in late 2008, she's set to appear in a bevy of new films out soon.

You can see more pictures from the shoot and an article here: http://www.elle.com/Pop-Culture/Cover-Shoots/Keira-Knightley

Nokia and Skype have just announced the introduction of a free Skype client for all Nokia Symbian ^1 phones. This Skype client will be available from Nokia's Ovi Store, free of charge, and will be full-featured - most importantly, allowing for calls/txt's over Wi-Fi, 3G, EDGE, and GPRS. In essence, an owner of an applicable handset will no longer require a voice plan - all calls can be made over data networks.

I've been trying to decide whether or not to buy a Nokia phone for a while, but with this announcement, and the previous Ovi Maps announcement (free full-featured maps for practically every country, including turn-by-turn, walking guides, etc.), I'll definitely be getting one!

Nokia N97 Mini, here I come! Free calls and navigation (without the need for a voice plan and/or data plan) mean this will be a killer travel phone!

Applicable handsets and details: http://www.nokia.com/press/press-releases/showpressrelease?newsid=1390410

I'd love to one day attend (and take part in) Venice's absolutely magical carnival! The costumes are exquisite, and the setting can hardly be outdone!

Dazzling!

More photos from this year's event can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/carnevale2010/pool/

In sudden-death overtime, the Canadian men's hockey team has made history! After losing to the American team early on, Canada has turned the tables! The 3-2 win gives the country their 14th Gold medal of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic games - the most gold's ever won! While being third overall in total medal count (USA 37, Germany 30 and Canada 26), winning in gold's is truly great!

I am truly proud of my country!

You can see the complete medal count here: http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-medals/

There is much at stake in the final event of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics! With the US men's hockey team tying the game at 2-2, the pressure is on for team Canada to win this!

A gold medal for Canada in this final event would set a record for the most gold's won by a country in the winter Olympics. They've already set a record for the most gold's won by a host nation, and have tied for the most gold's by a nation in the Olympics.

I wish my country the best, may they win Gold!!!