This is one of the coolest gadgets we’ve seen in quite some time. The Parrot AR.Drone is a quadricopter that you control visually through wifi using your iPhone or iPod touch. The quadricopter has a built in camera that displays the real time view of the drone on your screen while you control it. We’re not sure if still photography or video capabilities are built in, but this could open the door to making simple aerial photography accessible to the general public.

What’s even cooler is the fact that the AR.Drone comes with augmented reality games for both single and multiplayer. This means the real world is turned into the battleground, and you can either have aerial fights with virtual enemies or your friend’s quadricopter!

Parrot is currently showing off the carbon-fiber toy at CES 2010 in Las Vegas, and there isn’t any word on the pricing or availability yet. If the price is anything reasonable, you can be sure these things are going to be flying off shelves!

To whet your appetite even more, here’s a super-awesome video demonstrating how the AR.Drone works:

(via PDNPulse)

The Consumer Electronics Show hasn’t even officially begun, but product announcements and press releases are already flying around.

There are plenty of new, amazing, and often routinely updated camera features, point-and-shoots, and swanky add-ons like the upgraded Eye-Fi 8GB Pro X2. In addition to our regular content, we’ll be discussing some of the gear on PetaPixel and sharing noteworthy photo-related news links over the next few days as CES kicks off.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HXV5 has GPS Feature

Sony’s got an interesting concept: the Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V features a built-in GPS and compass, on top of the included Sony G 25mm-equivalent lens, 10x optical zoom, and a 10-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, a full HD video mode, and 10fps. Impressive. However, for consumers who already have a functioning GPS system or a smart phone, GPS as a camera feature seems a bit redundant.

Read the Sony release here.

Sony starts new line of SD memory

Sony made a surprising announcement that they are to produce a new line of SD memory cards. In the press release, Sony claims the inclusion of SD technology in more products, along with manufacturing Sony branded cards will “compliment Sony’s existing Memory Stick line, satisfying the needs of a broader range of users.”

Read the release here.

Kodak and Canon release Wi-Fi enabled printers paired with Apps

Kodak’s new ESP 6150/ESP7250 models (ESP 7250 shown on left) are compatible with the Kodak Pic flick application which allows smartphone users to print images directly.

Canon multifunction printers (Pixma MX870 on right) also utilize the new Easy-PhotoPrint EX application for the Apple iPhone.

Read more on Kodak and Canon printers.

LaCie’s WhizKey and CooKey modern USB design

While not directly photo-related, the new LaCie key-shaped USB defices are worth a second look. LaCie came out with the innovative design last year, but jazzed the 2010 with faster transfer rates and a more durable handle.

Take a look here.

• Panasonic introduces brand new SDXC card memory
• Snow Goggle Camera by Liquid Image

Stay tuned for more CES 2010 news and product finds later today on PetaPixel.

Whether you love her or hate her, music artist Lady Gaga’s made an interesting new business venture, expanding what she dubs her “Haus of Gaga” into the world of Polaroid. Famed for its square, white-framed instant gratification photography, the company seems to suit her. According to a Polaroid press release, Gaga will be the new creative director for a specialty line of Polaroid products.

She’ll actually be making an appearance to discuss her new line and partnership with Polaroid at the Consumer Electronics Show, which kicks off tomorrow in Las Vegas.

Polaroid’s been an iconic presence in the consumer photography world for over half a century, and music culture seems to have a special place in its heart for the company … or at least OutKast did (“Shake it like a Polaroid picture”). It’s a stretch, but Gaga indirectly references photography in her song, Paparazzi. Whatever the connection might be, keep an eye out for more info at CES from Polaroid, which has now focused its photo business arm onto digital photography.

Lady Gaga will be making speaking at the Polaroid booth tomorrow at 10:45am, and Gaga-inspired products are set to be released late 2010.