Four new Flip HD camcorder sticks in the Ultra and Mino lines

The "grandfather" of the camcorder sticks, the Flip, now owned by Cisco itself, has announced four new models, two new MinoHD (4GB or 8GB) and two new UltraHD (4GB or 8GB). The 8GB models offer two hours of recording while the 4GB models offer one hour. HD remains at 720p, they do not jump to 1080 as some of the other camcorder sticks have gone. Some do however go up to 60fps at 720p. Channeling the iPad, the 8GB UltraHD adds an "expansion port", which Cisco can use to sell exciting$ accessorie$.

Of the four, the 4GB UltraHD takes AA batteries, while the other take rechargeables, some internal, some external. That's one way to deal with the different battery-related dilemmas!

The camcorder stick market has continued to expand, with more companies joining in, including Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, JVC, Kodak, and a few days ago, even HP.

It's funny how we jump from an 80-megapixel digital back to a tiny little camcorder stick :)

These are available for pre-order at Amazon for $150 to $230.

Read more about them
+ hands-on at Engadget
+ CNet Crave
+ Gizmodo
+ /Gear