It is a small upright... everything is stored in internal flash, software is included on the device, and has a flip out usb thingy that allows you to plug directly into a computer. The have 4 models... 2 are smaller sized like a digital elph/powershot (smaller ones record up to 1 hour of video), there is a larger one that is quite a bit thicker, little longer and wider - these record 2 hours of video.
With the small and large sizes... there is an HD capable and standard def capable. I was initially looking at the HD related ones... MSRP for the larger sized (2 hours) is $199, smaller (1hr) is $229.
Street prices are cheaper...
As I see it, downsides are: Very tiny LCD, digital zoom (limited) only, and can only capture video
If you look at something like a Canon SD780IS, street price wise you're pretty close and it can capture HD video, much bigger LCD, 3x optical zoom, and you can take pictures.
What I don't know if the quality of the video from the canon line. I'm not expecting much considering the price - just curious if the canon is in the same league as the flip video quality wise, or if it's not even close.
Was hoping to keep the ultimate purchase under $300 - the Canon SD960 just fits in that range. If any one knows of other similarly priced compacts that record HD, and are of decent quality I'm all ears.