An $820 version of the camera for researchers will . The company plans a consumer version for release some time next year at a yet-unspecified price.

I recommend that you visit the company's Web site and add your e-mail address to their update list. They'll tell you when and where you can buy the camera when that information becomes available.

The ViconRevue SenseCam is just the beginning. I imagine a universe of software tools and hardware products that automatically post to your "automated lifestream," or lifelog, whatever you choose to post.

For example, imagine a SenseCam that does face recognition, and captures every face in a "log" that includes the subject's Facebook profile information.

Some ambitious startup should create software that uses image recognition, GPS data, computer-activity monitoring and so on to summarize your activities intelligently, and post that information to your lifelog automatically. "Mike is writing his column." "Mike is begging his editor for more time to write his column." "Mike is eating lunch (again)." "Mike is walking with his wife." "Mike and his wife are watching a movie." All this could be posted on a timeline with SenseCam photos and other media.