Northlight Images have been busy reviewing all three of Pantone’s new monitor calibration devices, including the affordable Pantone huey (pictured).

“At the price, it’s (Pantone huey) going to be popular, but I do take serious issue with the degree that the interface/help has been dumbed down, to the point of not including useful information that might help people make better and more consistent use of the product. The help available provides no additional information to help you beyond getting the device to work (it’s fine for that). I just wish that the need for product differentiation had not removed the opportunity to educate users in colour management if they were curious. A short sighted omission and I’ll blame my favourite villains—marketing”

Website: Northlight Images - Pantone huey Review

Website: Northlight Images - Pantone Eye One Display LT Review

Website: Northlight Images - Pantone Eye One Display 2 Review

Nazdar Press Release

SHAWNEE, KS – Nazdar, North America’s largest manufacturer of screen inks, digital inks, and chemicals, announces the acquisition of Lyson, Ltd., and its subsidiary, Lyson, Inc., a leading manufacturer of inkjet inks for digital printers. The Lyson brand and product line are now part of Nazdar’s Inks and Coatings Division, based in Shawnee, Kansas. Based in Stockport, UK, with a US subsidiary in Chicago, Illinois, Lyson supplies major OEM digital printer manufacturers and end-users through an international network of distributors.  The Lyson product line includes digital inks for all major inkjet print technologies, including piezo, thermal, and CIJ. Lyson manufactures both solvent and water based inks in pigment and dye formulations for markets such as industrial coding and marking, office printing, wide format graphics, fine art, photography, proofing and grand format billboard printing.

Sony Europe Press Release

Sony launch customisable CD-R and DVD-R printable media range for a more professional finish

Paris, 15th February 2006 - Sony Europe’s Recording Media & Energy (RME) division today announced it has launched its new CD-R and DVD-R printable media range for users who wish to customise discs with their own unique designs. Sony’s new comprehensive printable media range is easy to use, providing a top quality, professional finish, not achievable with adhesive labels.

Panasonic Press Release

The World’s Smallest, Lightest LCD Projector with a Built-in SD Card Slot

Panasonic is introducing the world’s smallest, lightest LCD projector with a builtin SD memory card slot. Called the Panasonic PT-P1SD, the new projector gives users a new way to enjoy pictures taken with a digital still camera that uses SD Memory Cards. Simply slip an SD card into the slot, and the Panasonic PT-P1SD projects clear, bright, beautiful images onto a huge screen. The Panasonic PT-P1SD is also exceptionally small and lightweight and easy to use.

The-Digital-Picture have a short review of the BG-E4, a new battery grip designed especially for the Canon EOS 5D DSLR camera.

“The Canon BG-E4 Battery Grip costs significantly more than its Canon battery grip predecessors, but it is more ruggedly built. Like the EOS 5D, the BG-E4 body construction has magnesium alloy incorporated into it for strength. The only attribute I don’t like about the BG-E4 is the too-square grip. Although others didn’t seem to mind it (or really liked it), I found the too-squared edges to be slightly uncomfortable. But not as uncomfortable as holding the 5D in portrait orientation without the grip installed.”

Website: The-Digital-Picture - Canon BG-E4 Review

Intro 2020 Press Release

From 13th February 2006, the distribution of Metz flashguns and accessories will be handed over to Intro 2020 Limited. Hasselblad (UK) Limited has successfully distributed Metz products for over twenty years in the UK.  However, as the Metz range continues to develop within a broader marketplace than before, Hasselblad’s own development remains firmly rooted in the professional market.  Distribution and service of the Metz product line has therefore been passed to Intro 2020 Limited who is well equipped to service Metz customers in the UK.

Sony Europe Press Release

Sony launches Sony Memory Stick Micro (M2) for mobile phones - Three models of the ultra-small memory card to ship later this year

Paris, 6th February, 2006 - Sony Europe’s Recording Media & Energy (RME) division has today announced that it will introduce the first Memory Stick Micro (‘M2’) products with storage capacities of 256MB, 512MB and 1GB later this year. The new ultra-small memory card is designed to meet the growing storage needs of highly compact, multifunctional mobile phones. An ‘M2’ adaptor in the size of a standard Memory Stick will allow users to exchange data to Memory Stick PRO compatible products.

SanDisk Press Release

SanDisk Receives CES Innovations Design Award for Its Gruvi Rolling Stones Music Card; Flurry of New Honors for SanDisk Products Also Includes SanDisk Ultra(R) II SD Plus Card That Can Be Inserted into USB Ports

SUNNYVALE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Feb. 2, 2006—SanDisk(R) Corporation’s (NASDAQ:SNDK) innovative Gruvi(TM) music flash memory card, bearing the latest album of the Rolling Stones, has scored a prestigious Innovations Design and Engineering Award from the recently-concluded Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The honor capped a series of year-ending and New Year’s accolades for SanDisk products. The Gruvi music card, made possible through a unique secure content distribution technology called TrustedFlash(TM), consists of the Stone’s “A Bigger Bang” release from EMI Music, digital photos of the band and dozens of tracks from four back catalog albums that can be purchased through e-commerce transactions. The Gruvi card, which resides on a tiny SanDisk microSD(TM) card—about the size of a fingernail—was released in stores just prior to the holidays.

Duracell Press Release

Duracell Introduces PowerPix Digital Camera Battery; Advanced Battery Technology Addresses Growing Demand from Digital Camera Users

BETHEL, Conn.—Feb. 1, 2006—Duracell today announced the introduction of PowerPix, a disposable digital camera battery that delivers up to twice as many pictures as an ordinary alkaline battery. Powered by advanced NiOx(TM) technology, this new battery is specifically formulated to meet the needs of today’s digital camera users. According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), digital cameras are one of the fastest- growing portable digital devices in the United States. In fact, approximately 52 million households were projected to own a digital camera by the end of 2005 as estimated by the Photo Marketing Association (PMA). Nearly 70 percent of these high-drain devices use AA-sized batteries, fueling demand for more powerful digital camera batteries in this size.

Sony Europe Press Release

Sony announces the launch of its 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo PSP (TM)

Paris / Weybridge, 1st February, 2006 - Sony Europe’s Recording Media & Energy (RME) division today announced the launch of its new 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo being included in special promotional packs for the PSP™(PlayStation®Portable).

Hama Press Release

As far as electronic connectivity in the office is concerned, today almost anything is possible. PCs with scanners, cameras with notebooks, and even mobile phones with printers. At this year’s CeBIT trade fair Hama will present a three-way USB 2.0 hub with an integrated 1.2 Bluetooth dongle. Up to three USB and several Bluetooth-capable devices can be quickly and simply connected with a computer.

Hama Press Release

On business trips in particular, a notebook is essential as a mobile office. Thanks to the new U3 technology, you can now shrink your portable desk to the size of USB memory sticks as presented by Hama at CeBIT. When this U3 stick is plugged in, you can run your own programs on any PC, whether to download your mail or listen to music, without leaving traces on the host computer!

Sigma UK Press Release

Sigma Imaging (UK) Ltd is pleased to announce the launch of the new Sigma Micro Fibre Lens Cleaning Cloth. This cleaning cloth has been optimised for use with both digital and analogue lenses making it the perfect accessory for film and digital SLR owners. The advanced structural qualities of this cloth make it suitable for both left and right-handed people. New Low Energy (LE) system utilises the power of kinetic energy, so when your DSLR batteries are running low, the cleaning cloth will keep going and going!

• Unique triangle knitting structure, eliminates dust, finger-prints and oil.
• Excellent water absorbing power and cleaning effect.
• Optimised for both film and digital lenses.
• Incorporates new Low Energy (LE) technology.

PMA 2006: A new range of Olympus underwater and outdoor cases are announced today.

Olympus UK Press Release

Swim and shoot - see what’s beneath the waves with Olympus underwater and outdoor cases

London, 26 January 2006 – Outdoor pursuits such as swimming, snorkelling and diving are some of the most fun and memorable activities of any summer holiday. So why is it that these moments are rarely seen in holiday snaps? Now there can be no more excuses for letting memories of coral reefs and marine life fade, they can live be captured forever using Olympus digital cameras safely housed in one of a range of waterproof cases. Olympus underwater and outdoor cases are constructed from durable yet lightweight polycarbonate and retain all camera functions providing photographers with full shooting control. And with models available that are waterproof to 3m, 40m or 60m*, there’s sure to be a solution for everyone’s underwater shooting needs – whether professional or holiday maker.

Wolverine Data Press Release

Wolverine Data Announces Distribution Deal with Costco.Com; Online Retailer Now Offers MVP 9060 60GB Portable Media Player

IRVINE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 25, 2006—Wolverine Data Inc. today announced it has signed a distribution deal with Costco (NASDAQ:COST) to sell one of its most popular products, the MVP 9060 60GB Portable Multimedia Storage and Player, on www.costco.com and Costco Business Centers. “This is a vital step in expanding distribution of our products,” stated Matt Mardini, president of Wolverine Data. “With Costco reaching sales of $6.37 billion in the last five weeks of 2005 alone, it is obviously a major force in retailing, and we’re proud to be associated with them.” The Wolverine(R) MVP 9060 is a 60GB portable media player and storage device that stores, writes and plays back up to 20,000 songs, 20,000 photos or 60 full-length movies downloaded from computers or through the unique built-in 7-in-1 memory card readers. Features include a razor-sharp 2.5-inch color LCD display with resolution of up to 720x480 pixels. Its Costco.com price is $349.99 (item #975634).

Unibind Press Release

Create Your Own Hard-Cover Photo Album Keepsakes in Only 3 Seconds!

January 23, 2006, Alpharetta, GA—Unibind http://www.unibind.com, the leading binding, laminating, and presentation system company, announced today that it will introduce PhotoBook Creator, the first low-cost do-it-yourself complete photo binding system for consumers, at next month’s Photo Marketing Association (PMA) show held in Orlando, Florida.  Priced at only $99.99, PhotoBook Creator makes it easy to create instant hard-cover 8 ½” x 11” personalized photo albums in only 3 seconds.

Belkin Press Release

Belkin Wins CNET Best of CES Award at 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show; The Belkin CableFree USB Hub Is Honored By CNET as the Best in the Peripherals Category

LAS VEGAS—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 19, 2006—Belkin Corporation today announced that it has received a CNET Best of CES Award in the Peripherals category for its CableFree USB Hub, the industry’s first USB Hub that does not require a cable to connect to the computer. The Best of CES Awards were produced and judged by CNET, who announced the winners Saturday, January 7, at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Selected by CNET’s unbiased, expert editors, winners were recognized as the hottest products in their respective technology categories for their unmatched innovation and creativity, and their ability to excite consumers and make their way into everyday life. CNET’s editors received and reviewed hundreds of entries, and combed the CES show floor for products to consider for the prestigious award.

I/OMagic Press Release

IOMagic Enhances its Portable Storage Line-Up with Release of its GigaBank(TM) 8.0; Easy to Use, Pocket-Size 8GB(a) Storage Device is Targeted to Mobile Consumers

IRVINE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 19, 2006—I/OMagic Corporation (OTCBB:IOMG), a leading provider of data storage products, announced today that it is set to ship to retailers the latest product in its portable storage line-up, the new GigaBank(TM) 8.0. The GigaBank(TM) 8.0 has a capacity of up to 8GB(a) of storage space in a miniature and lightweight USB 2.0 unit, designed to store MP3s, video and photos as well as back up documents or transfer files.

Sigma Notice

Firmware update notice for Sigma’s Nikon fit flashguns (NA i-TTL version)

To our valued customers, In response to recent inquiries, concerning the use of the Nikon NA-iTTL version of Sigma EF500 DG Super and Sigma EF500 DG ST flash units, and the EM140 DG Macro Flash, with the Nikon D200 Digital SLR camera, we would direct you to the compatibility chart on our website, which states that these flashguns currently do not support either the D2X, D2H or D200 i-TTL system.

To overcome this, we will be offering a free-upgrade service to our customers, who own these flash units. This free upgrade aims to respond to the demand of our customers, by providing greater compatibility with Nikon fit Sigma flashguns (EF-500 DG SUPER NA-iTTL, EF-500 DG ST NA-iTTL, and EM-140 DG NA-iTTL).

Lexar Press Release

Lexar Delivers Optimal Performance with 133X CompactFlash and Secure Digital Memory Cards

Fremont, Ca., January 18, 2006 – Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a world leader in advanced digital media technologies announced availability of its new Professional CompactFlash® (CF) and Secure Digital™ (SD) flash memory cards designed to deliver optimal performance in all digital SLR cameras and speed-rated 133X, or capable of a minimum sustained write speed of 20MB per second. Lexar’s new flash memory products signify the company’s continued commitment to providing professional photographers with reliable flash memory cards that deliver near instantaneous image read and write speeds, and seamless operation throughout each step of the digital imaging workflow process enabling the user to spend more time taking pictures.