But wait, you say. We’ve had three-dimensional microscopy for years. I remember seeing images of that stuff in the science museum when I was a kid. And what does this have to do with making gadgets cheaper?

You’re right, we have had 3D microscopes for years…but they were huge and clunky. They involved either a bunch of lenses surrounding an object, or moving cameras to create the full image. The big deal with this lens is that it throws all that out the window.

And, in fact, it was designed to make your gadgets cheaper, partially by being cheap itself.

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Fujifilm announced its new FinePix W3 today, a point-and-shoot that can shoot 3D footage in HD. The model builds on the W1, a non-HD 3D point-and-shoot, adding a new processor that allows for 3D video footage in 720p.

The camera uses two 10-megapixel sensors that film in sync to capture the 3D effect. To view that wonderful, lifelike footage, Fujifilm includes a mini HDMI port for connecting to your new 3DTV and enjoying the fruits of your labor. In case you don’t happen to have a 3D HDTV around, simply view your video on the 3.5-inch autosteroscopic LCD display on the camera itself–no glasses necessary.

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We’ve seen a few 3D camcorders here at GadgetCrave, but up until now they’ve been focused on the professional market. Panasonic unveiled its first consumer 3D video camera today, so we can get a look at the next-generation of electronics that will be collecting dust in the attics of obsessive first adopters in just a few short years. Here goes–

The HDC-SDT750 features two individual lenses built into one camera housing that record separate images for each eye and then blend them together for playback. Each lens records in near-960 x 1080 HD quality. The camera can also shoot video in standard, ol’ 2D and includes a 12x optical zoom for 2D video.

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To go along with its 3D televisions and 3D Blu-ray players, Samsung has introduced the HT-C6930W, which it says is the world’s first 3D home theater system. The system is centered around a 3D Blu-ray player and offers a 7.1 speaker configuration.

Call me crazy, but doesn’t every surround sound system provide ’3D’ sound? Isn’t that the entire point of surround sound?

Samsung attempts to rectify this issue by saying that its new system adds two vertical speakers that provide a truly immersive 3D sound field that your run-of-the-mill 3D surround systems can’t. That sounds like even more marketing hype than 3D television technology, but I suppose it’s worth a listen for anyone looking for a state-of-the-art 3D home theater.

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Sharp has a mini 3D camera in the works that will be finding its way to manufacturers this summer. The tiny, dual-lensed camera is capable of shooting 3D 720p video footage and 3D stills. It is designed to fit into a cell phone or other mobile device. Sharp plans to start getting them out to manufacturers by July.

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Someone within the outskirts of the 3D industry has rallied to solve one of 3D’s biggest problems: the geekazoid glasses that are required to see that dynamic third dimension. The solution? These designer 3D shades from Look3D. Oh yeah, and getting two models that Hitler himself would have popped a boner for to model them.

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There are many electronics companies out there that are hoping to ride the Avatar-inspired interest in 3D content into the profit-bearing sunset. Now a more static form of media is getting in on the action: Playboy magazine. Let’s face it, anyone that’s ever looked at a Playboy has wanted to see (and feel) the models in a little more 3D–like in person, in their bedrooms. What they probably haven’t really wanted is to wear silly glasses while staring longingly at glossy boobies. But that’s what they got.

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You may not be able to shoot stunning, Avatar-quality video on the new DXG-321 3D camcorder, but you will be able to capture your home videos in some sort of 3D. How good it will look is another question altogether.

The camcorder, which will be offered through novelty gadget retailers like Hammacher and Schlemmer and SkyMall, as opposed to more legitimate outlets, features two separate lenses that allow for 3D recording.

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3D television is set to explode or fail in a big way this year, and Sharp is readying a new screen for those that prefer to take their content on the go. The company will launch an LCD screen this year that will offer viewers the illusion of 3D.  And don’t worry, you can leave those geeky glasses in the living room because this screen works without them. The touchscreen display measures 3.4 inches.

The display sounds to be a little touchy, requiring users to hold it at around 30 centimeters from their face and get the angle just right to get the 3D effect. If it’s held wrong, the image will appear blurry. That doesn’t sound like the most fun way to view content, but the display allows for switching between 2D and 3D in case you get tired of the careful balancing act.

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