Gadgets: HD video in a digital SLR camera

Canon has extended the capabilities of its EOS Rebel consumer DSLR cameras with the new EOS Rebel T2i.

The new EOS Rebel T2i will be available for $800, body only, or $900 with a zoom lens.

It employs the same size 18-megapixel APS-C sensor and 63-zone metering system as the 7D. It is not as fast, however, with a shooting speed rated at 3.7 frames per second, which is in line with the TS1.

As for video, the T2i moves up to full high-def video capture at a resolution of 1920 x 1080. Canon has added selectable frame rates, full manual exposure control, and a new external stereo mic input. The company also says autofocus can now be used during video recording by pressing the shutter button halfway to change the focus setting.

The camera also supports new SDXC memory cards, which will have capacities of up to a whopping 2 terabytes (64-gigabyte cards should be available this spring).

Look for the EOS Rebel T2i camera in early March.

New to the toy market this June will be Fisher-Price's iXL Learning Systems, a new touch-screen educational game platform for preschoolers.

The size of a paperback book, the iXL opens like a clamshell, exposing a color touch screen. The heft is a result of the four AA batteries, which provide about eight hours of play time.

Children can log in to one of six accounts (handy for families with more than one child) by touching their name, and play one of the six onboard activities (additional software will be available). Features include a music player, a photo editor and a Story Book reader where users can flip the pages by turning the device on its side.

Pink, blue and silver color options are available.