FotoNation Press Release

May 19, 2006, Galway, Ireland – FotoNation, Inc. (www.fotonation.com), one of the world’s leading award-winning imaging and connectivity solutions companies for the digital photography industry, announced today that it has been awarded a patent for Red-Eye detection and correction. Issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), U.S. patent #7,042,505 for “Red-Eye Filter Method and Apparatus” claims priority as of October 1997.  The patent describes the process of red-eye detection and red-eye removal for any digital filmless apparatus and illustrates FotoNation’s offering of red-eye correction technology for devices, such as digital cameras, imaging-equipped cell phones as well as digital printers.  The patent is the latest addition to FotoNation’s extensive list of granted and patent-pending applications in the U.S. as well as in Europe and Japan.

SmartDisk Press Release

Fort Myers, Fla., May 15, 2006—SmartDisk Corporation today introduced FireLite XPress, the portable, palm-sized hard drive that includes a unique cholesteric liquid crystal display. The award-winning, always-on display is readable without power, identifies the drive by a user-designated name, indicates the last date that information was recorded and provides a table of contents for the drive. The display provides excellent readability even in direct sunlight, allows for wide-angle viewing and exhibits high brightness and contrast.
“Content explosion is sending the personal storage market to new highs,” states Charles Klinker, Vice President-Marketing for SmartDisk. “Whether it’s your music collection, pictures of the kids or your favorite videos, the need for portable hard drive storage is climbing sharply. Until now, determining information about the portable drive has required an arduous connecting and technical-viewing process.”

Micron Technology Press Release

BOISE, Idaho—(BUSINESS WIRE)—May 18, 2006— The world of digital cameras just got bigger and smaller at the same time. Using a tiny 1.75-micron pixel design, Micron Technology (NYSE:MU), Inc., has built the world’s first 8-megapixel image sensor in a 1/2.5-inch optical format, the standard size for mainstream digital cameras. This new sensor comes loaded with features and functionality that will catapult Micron-equipped cameras into the next generation of digital cameras featuring high-resolution still images, ultra-fast image capture and vibrant high-definition video. The company today unveiled a prototype of an 8-megapixel image sensor that packs a punch with incredible capture rates at full resolution and stunning high-definition (HD) video capture. Because of its high resolution, the sensor captures large, crisp pictures (11-inch by 14-inch) or can be used to zoom-in and print just a portion of the image without sacrificing image quality.

Sony Electronics Press Release

New VAIO UX Model Combines Micro-Portable Design with Smooth Functionality

SAN DIEGO, May 16, 2006 – Sony Electronics today introduced the VAIO® UX Micro PC, placing full-size computer performance in a pocket-sized package. Weighing just over a pound, the new PC has a Microsoft® XP Professional operating system and an Intel® Core™ Solo Ultra Low Voltage CPU for fast processing and long battery life. The UX model also features a 4.5-inch wide SVGA screen with XBRITE™ technology for viewing that slides up to expose an integrated keyboard. This allows you to access familiar applications easily in the same way you would on a full-sized computer. The pocket-sized PC also comes equipped with a stylus and Sony’s VAIO touch launcher for quick access to functions frequently used such as Internet access, e-mail, various computer applications, games and music. Just push the launcher button located on the side of the unit.

Ever wanted to find out how the 39 megapixel Phase One P45 digital back compares to the Canon EOS 5D, Hasselblad H1 or Mamiya 645? Find out in a fascinating article over at Lumnious Landscape that compares the resolution of 11 professional cameras.

“For some photographers, statements comparing the image quality of different cameras are an emotional powder keg almost as sensitive as racial or gender comparisons. Any ranking I might make would likely ignite a flame war so I have decided not to rank the nine backs. I have accurately described the procedure used to make these JPEGs and you are welcome to draw your own conclusions. However, for any critical comparisons I recommend ordering the DVD with all the original camera RAW files and making your own personal comparisons.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Measuring Megabytes

Sanyo Epson Press Release

Sanyo Epson Develops High-Resolution LCDs That Produce Clear Images from Any Angle

TOKYO, Japan, May 17, 2006 - Sanyo Epson Imaging Devices Corporation (“Sanyo Epson”) today announced the development of high-resolution liquid-crystal displays featuring Photo Fine Vistarich wide viewing angle technology. The new technology enables the displays to produce beautiful images even when viewed from an angle of 90 degrees from the top, bottom, left, or right. Volume production of displays featuring this new technology, which are available in five sizes (2.4-inch, 2.5-inch, 2.8-inch, 7.0-inch, and 10.1-inch), will commence in Autumn 2006.

Apple UK Press Release

Apple Unveils New MacBook Featuring Intel Core Duo Processors - New MacBook Design Completes Apple’s Intel-based Notebook Lineup

CUPERTINO, California—May 16, 2006—Apple® today unveiled the newly designed MacBook™, the world’s most advanced consumer notebook featuring the Intel Core Duo processor and a gorgeous new 13-inch glossy widescreen display, all in a sleek design that is up to five times faster than the iBook® and up to four times faster than the 12-inch PowerBook®.* Together with the 15-and 17-inch MacBook Pros, the new MacBook completes Apple’s Intel-based portables lineup and replaces both the iBook and the 12-inch PowerBook. Apple’s entire portables lineup now offers Intel Core Duo processors; a built-in iSight™ video camera for video conferencing on-the-go; breakthrough Front Row media experience with Apple Remote; and several advanced features including DVI with dual display support, optical digital audio input and output, Gigabit Ethernet, Sudden Motion Sensor, Scrolling TrackPad and MagSafe™ Power Adapter.

The new Vosonic VP8360 is is a multimedia storage device that offers a large 3.6” TFT LCD screen, 2.5” HD capacity (40-120GB) that you can upgrade yourself, support for most memory cards and JPEG, TIFF, BMP, GIF and RAW file formats. Looks like a viable alternative to the Epson P-4000, although there’s no word on price yet - in fact Vosonic don’t seem to have made too much noise at all about the launch of their flagship product…

Website: Vosonic VP8360

Shutterbug have just reviewed the new 80Gb Epson P-4000 photo viewer.

“While you’re traveling the 3.5” screen makes the P-4000 a great “pass-around” device to share images with friends or you can always plug it into a big screen TV (with an optional cable) to show to larger groups so everybody can ooh and aah at the same time. The built-in slide show capability adds pans and dissolves to the presentation, making it look professionally designed and all you have to do is push a few buttons on the Magic Box.”

Website: Shutterbug - Epson P-4000 Review

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Panasonic and Sony Press Release

Panasonic and Sony Jointly Developed New HD Digital Video Camera Recorder Format for Recording on Disc

Tokyo, Japan, May 11, 2006 – Panasonic, the brand name for which Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is known and Sony Corporation today announced specifications for “AVCHD”, a brand new high definition (HD) digital video camera recorder format the two companies jointly established. The AVCHD format allows for recording and playback high-resolution, digital HD images using 8cm DVD media. The two companies have started preparations for licensing to extensively promote the format throughout the industry.

Colour Confidence Press Release

Birmingham UK, 9th May, 2006 - Colour Confidence, the leading independent colour management specialists, have today unveiled the upgrade path from the ColorVision PrintFIX to the TIPA award winning PrintFIX PRO. Owners of the original PrintFIX can receive a £100/€150 discount by trading in their old model. For more details on the scheme customers should visit www.colourconfidence.com/pfupgrade . ColorVision PrintFIX PRO is based around the new Datacolor 1005 Spectrocolorimeter patch reading hardware and stand-alone software. The new software creates printer profiles that support all RGB-driven inkjet, dye-sub, thermal, chemical and laser printers. Spectro technology enables support of a wide range of media, especially third-party fine art papers and third-party inks.

Direct Source Marketing Press Release

Rolleiflex/Horseman Partnership Announces Horseman LD With Full Bellows Functions for Canon or Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

CONCORD, CA (May 9, 2006) –  Direct Source Marketing, www.dsmww.com the Rolleiflex and Horseman partnership for professional-level products, today announced the Horseman LD, a camera accessory that provides full bellows functions to DSLR cameras and the ability to convert the LD into a 4 x 5-inch film camera. The LD is the most versatile “front end tool” the digital photographer can own. Whether you are using a Canon or Nikon digital single lens reflex, the Horseman LD gives advanced photographers the ability to add full bellows functions with all the associated perspective and creative effects of the view camera.

Kodak UK Press Release

New centre will strengthen Kodak’s position at the forefront of technological advances in digital imaging, display technology and health care.

Cambridge, May 4th 2006- At a ceremony attended by representatives from the European Commission, academia and industry on 26th April, Mr Ken Ducatel, Member of the European Commission for Information Society & Media, officially opened Kodak’s new European Research Centre, which is based on the Cambridge Science Park. This groundbreaking facility was established at the end of 2005 to consolidate the company’s research operations in Europe and forge increased links with Europe’s leading university.

Fujifilm USA Press Release

System Found in Fujifilm’s FinePix V10 and FinePix F30 Digital Cameras Reduces Noise For Improved Picture Quality

Valhalla, NY, May 2, 2006 - Not happy with the quality of your digital pictures? It just might be too “noisy” in your digital camera. Fortunately, there is a new system from Fujifilm that reduces image noise, letting point-and-shoot camera users capture moments as their eyes see them, leading to more natural, life-like images under a wider variety of shooting conditions, even low light. The system is Real Photo Technology and it is found in Fujifilm’s FinePix V10, now available, and the FinePix F30, shipping to retailers this month.

Lexar Media Press Release

Innovative Card-Level Security System Named “Best Imaging Storage Media” by Europe’s Most Influential Imaging Editors

FREMONT, Ca., May 2, 2006 – Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a world leader in advanced digital media technologies, today announced that Lexar® LockTight™ Professional CompactFlash memory cards, ideal for security-conscious photographers worldwide, have been recognized by the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) as the “Best Imaging Storage Media” introduced in Europe in the past 12 months. The award-winning system employs a unique functionality for protecting stored data when used in conjunction with a camera that supports the system and, as a result, is a valuable tool for photographers in fields such as forensic photography, scientific research, military, law enforcement and mass media.

Pixelplus Press Release

Pixelplus Announces a Key Design Win for Its 1/11 Inch CIF Image Sensor, One of The Industry’s Smallest

SEOUL, South Korea, May 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/—Pixelplus Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: PXPL) , a leading fabless semiconductor company that designs, develops and markets complementary metal oxide semiconductor (“CMOS”) image sensors for various imaging applications, announced today that the Company obtained a design win to furnish its highly customized PO3010K common intermediate format (“CIF”) image sensor to one of the leading CMOS camera module providers in the industry. Pixelplus’ PO3010K CIF image sensor, which incorporates an image signal processing engine to enhance overall image quality, is one of the industry’s smallest and most compact with an optical size of 1/11 inch.

Fujifim UK Press Release

Digital cameras and accessories for anyone about to embark on their travels in 2006

Don’t let your hand luggage weigh you down on holiday this year. Make one of Fujifilm’s compact digital cameras or travel accessories your beach bag companion, and capture all your favourite holiday moments, day and night.

A new start-up company called Eye-Fi are developing an intriguing product that could provide Wi-FI connectivity for digital cameras that don’t have that capability out of the box. How are they doing this? By building wireless into the memory card! It’s still early days, but there’s quite a lot of discussion already on the web, including over at Robert Scoble’s blog:

“No buttons to push. Just turn your camera on when you’re within your WiFi network at home (or possibly at WiFi hotspots that are open around the world) and everything happens — automatically. When he took my picture my picture appeared on his computer without him touching the camera further. Obviously there’s a bit of setup, but that’s easy. Anyone who can use a Web browser could setup the system.”

Website: Eye-Fi

Website: Scobelizer - More on Eye-Fi

Fuji Photo Film Press Release

April 27, 2006 - Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Shigetaka Komori; hereinafter Fujifilm), announced today that it resolved a decision at its Board of Directors meeting to start a holding company structure on October 1, 2006, launching a new holding company and new operating companies. The names of the new companies have also been decided along with candidates for membership of the Board of Directors. The administration will be launched under the new structure on October 1, subject to approval at the annual Shareholders’ Meeting, to be held on June 29, 2006. On October 1, the current Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. will become the holding company, FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation (hereinafter FUJIFILM Holdings) to provide strategic management of the entire Fujifilm Group. Through this change, the Fujifilm Group will shift to a new group management structure. FUJIFILM Holdings will be directly responsible for the two major operating companies, FUJIFILM Corporation and Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd

Nikon USA Press Release

Nikon continues to break new ground in the world of digiscoping — not only with state-of-the-art equipment and technology, but with how simple it has made matching up the proper components in a digiscoping system. The new Nikon Coolpix DigiScope 8.1 Photo Package is the simplest, most versatile digiscoping system ever, putting extreme high power, high-resolution digital photo capabilities into the hands of wildlife photographers of every level. This new package includes the latest in Nikon’s digital cameras—the Nikon COOLPIX P4 digital camera, a Nikon 16x/24x/30x wide Digiscoping Eyepiece, and a Nikon DigiScope P4 Digital Camera Adapter Bracket.  MSRP for this package is $729.95. The only thing you need to add to complete the system is your choice of Nikon Fieldscope body: whether it’s the award-winning 82mm Fieldscope ED, 60mm Fieldscope or 60mm Fieldscope ED or the incredibly compact, new 50mm Fieldscope ED (awarded Outdoor Life magazine’s 2006 Editor’s Choice in spotting scopes).