back in February 2005, announced the Multipod 5in1, a device that combines both portable storage and photographic/video recording features along with webcam and voice recorder. Octave, kindly offered us a sample unit for testing. For us, such small device with so many features seemed at very least intriguing as well as interesting ...

- What is the Multipod?

As we said, the Multipod is a digital camera, web camera, video camera, audio recorder and 128MB portable storage device. It does all of this in a three-quarter ounce shell case that's the size of a disposable cigarette lighter.

According to Octave the product main features are:

• Capture up to 12 minutes of video (640x480) with sound.
• Takes up to 3000, color still photos at 320x240 or 750 full color still photos at 640x480
• Supports both USB1 and USB2 connection interfaces
• Storage capacity of up to 128MB
• Plug-n-play video-conferencing device that works with popular IM programs such as AIM, MSN and Yahoo.
• 8 kHz digital voice recording system
• Small dimensions - 87mm long, 23mm wide, 19mm deep, and weighs in at 24 grams
• Retail price ( MSRP) of US$149.99

Below you can see the product specifications, as posted on the Multipod web site

Video

• Hi setting 640x480 30 FPS will record 6 minutes of video
• Lo setting 320x240 15 FPS will record 12 minutes of video

Pictures

• Hi setting 640x480 approximately 2000 can be stored on the Multipod.
• Lo setting 320x240 approximately 4300 can be stored on the Multipod.

Audio Recording

• Hi setting 11 kHz will record 55 minutes of audio on one battery charge. Can store 200 minutes.
• Lo setting 8 kHz will record 55 minutes of audio on one battery charge. Can store 200 minutes.

Lens

• Focal Length 4.5 mm
• Aperture 2.8 mm

Battery

• Lithium-Polymer