An upgraded, next-generation "premium" version of the Flip pocket camcorder - the Flip MinoHD - was announced on Wednesday by Cisco's Pure Digital.

With an enhanced new design, the second-generation MiniHD features a brushed metal body in silver - the finish also being customizable at no additional charge; and boasts a bigger screen and two times the internal memory of its predecessor - 8GB memory as against the earlier version's 4GB memory.

In addition, the new MiniHD, priced at $299.99, has a two-inch anti-glare 960×240 LCD with 1280×720 output; "more responsive" buttons accentuating the back panel; an improved audio and an HDMI output.

The MiniHD has retained some of the features of its predecessor, including the built-in omnidirectional microphone and speaker; the 2x digital zoom; 720p video captures; and the built-in rechargeable Lithium-ion battery which gives two hours of battery life.

However, to give the new device a sleeker look, the designers have rounded off its corners, and have added a unique Movie Magic mode to take clips for users and automatically put them together into a "movie."

Furthermore, the FlipShare software package of the MiniHD has been tweaked with enhanced usability, organization and controls so as to provide for direct uploads to Facebook, over and above the already available YouTube and MySpace links.