Kingston Technology Press Release

Unique U3 Platform Transforms Ordinary USB Drives into Smart, Versatile Devices, Able to Create Secure Portable Workspaces That Store U3 Smart Applications

[19 September 2005]  Kingston Technology, the world’s largest independent manufacturer of memory products, today announced the rollout of its new U3 DataTraveler line of USB smart drives, initially shipping in 512-MB and 1-GB capacities.

“With the launch of the Kingston Technology U3 DataTraveler, we are opening up a whole new world of smart drive computing whereby any PC user moving between various locations and Windows 2000 SP4 or XP-based systems has the freedom to work with their own personal workspace - carried on a device small enough to fit on a keychain,” said, Jim Selby, Product Marketing Manager EMEA, Kingston Technology.

“Our goal is to allow the portable computing experience to be available to nearly anyone without the need to carry the traditional notebook or PDA - and with the U3 DataTraveler, this is a significant step in making that a reality, ” he continued.

Pocket-Lint take a quick look at the Kodak EASYSHARE Picture Viewer.

“The screen is very nice and clear with enough resolution to be useful; you even get a 2x magnification feature. One drawback however is the screen; it is not a fully anti-reflective screen, so it’s easy for glare to affect the viewing experience in bright, outdoor conditions. Oh! I nearly forgot, it comes with a lovely little tan leather case to protect it as well making the bundle even more pleasing – however, due to the positioning of that on/off button you find you turn the viewer on getting it in and out of the said case.”

Website: Pocket-Lint - Kodak EASYSHARE Picture Viewer Review

Samsung Electronics Press Release

SAMSUNG Electronics Develops First 16-Gigabit NAND Memory Using 50-nm Technology for Sharp Jump in Mobile Storage Capacity

Seoul , Korea , Sept ember 12, 2005 – Samsung Electronics Co. , Ltd. , the world leader in advanced memory technology, announced that it has developed the world’s highest density NAND flash – a 16Gigabit (Gb) NAND memory device. NAND is the most widely used memory for multi-feature mobile applications.

“Memory is opening a bold new world in consumer electronics, ” said Dr. Chang-Gyu Hwang, Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor business president and CEO, at a press conference in Seoul today . “With cards containing multiple 16Gb flash memory chips, you will be able to take your entire music and personal video libraries with you on one small portable device . ”

The 16Gb NAND density was achieved with the industry’s first use of 50-nanometer (nm) technology directly applicable to mass production processes and by using Samsung’s proprietary 3D-transistor architecture. The finer geometry substantially reduces the noise level between cells to enable continued migration of storage platforms.

Samsung Electronics Press Release

Seoul Korea , September 12 , 2005 - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a leader in advanced s emiconductor technology, announced that it has developed a 7.2 megapixel CMOS image sensor (CIS). It is the world’s first 7.2M-pixel CIS for compact cameras with the smallest pixel size. Higher resolution CIS chips reflect the industry-wide attention on CIS technology as a promising new imaging technology as well as a feasible replacement of charge-coupled device (CCD), especially in mobile applications such as camera phones, digital still cameras and digital camcorders.

This announcement was made at a press conference hosted by Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor business president and CEO, Dr. Chang-Gyu Hwang in Seoul .

Samsung’s 7.2M-pixel CIS has a 1/2-inch lens aperture and a 2.25um pixel size.  The proprietary pixel structure enhances the fill factor over 55 percent and delivers high signal to noise ratio. Copper technology has been used for interconnects, and the resulting reduced pixel height gives high focusing efficiency and sensitivity. The overall performance is comparable to ,  or even exceeds, CCD quality.

Computer-Darkroom have taken a look at GretagMacbeth’s new Eye-One Display 2, a solution for calibrating and profiling all types of computer monitors.

“The original Eye-One Display, which I reviewed last year was pretty good but lacked some of the attributes that users now seem to demand (i.e. it needs to be fast, have DDC capabilities, and have the ability to measure ambient light) . Whilst the original Eye-One Display produced high quality display profiles it was slower than the competition and had been to a large extent bettered by. With the introduction of the Eye-One Display 2 colorimeter GretagMacbeth have been able to significantly speed up the calibration process without compromising quality and included an option to measure ambient light. The hardware actually includes a new enhanced sensor that provides very good repeatability for consistent calibration and profiling results along with high sensitivity in dark areas for better control of shadow detail and more neutral gray scale.”

Website: Computer-Darkroom - GretagMacbeth Eye-One Display 2 Review

Colour Confidence Press Release

Projector sales set to rise to 4.5 million per year by 2007 - Fastest selling monitor calibrator adds even more value

Birmingham, UK, August 31st 2005, Colour Confidence, the leading independent colour management specialists, have today announced the impending availability of a free software update for the Spyder2PRO Studio which will introduce the capability of projector calibration. Spyder2PRO Studio with projector calibration capabilities will be available imminently and a free of charge software update can be obtained from www.colourconfidence.com

The upgrade introduces unparalleled colour accuracy to multimedia projectors, meaning users no longer have to adjust their projectors colour with subjective judgements made using the naked eye. As well as correcting the contrast and brightness, the Spyder2 colorimeter and software scientifically measure the Red, Green and Blue chromaticity values of the display screen. Those readings are then stored as custom ICC profiles, and loaded to the video card as calibration corrections.

Website: Read my Spyder2PRO Studio Review

Sony Press Release

2GB Memory Stick: More Memory for Less

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 12 /PRNewswire/—At the end of September, Sony Electronics will offer Memory Stick media in 2GB capacities for about $200 or less. The Memory Stick Pro and the Memory Stick Pro Duo are used to capture and store digital video, images and music files.

Both varieties of the 2GB capacity Memory Stick Pro are available for pre-sale at sonystyle.com, at will be available at Sony Style stores and authorized retailers nationwide.

Slovenian website Slo-foto.net have just reviewed the Epson P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer and Nikon Coolwalker portable storage devices.

Website: Slo-foto.net - Epson P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer / Nikon Coolwalker Review

Website: Read my Epson P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer Review

Pretec Press Release

Pretec 4GB MMC Plus 266X Extendable to 2TB, the Fastest Flash Memory Card in the World

BERLIN, Germany—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Sept. 4, 2005—Pretec Electronics Corp., the 1st in the world to demonstrate MMC 4.0 card since 2004, and the 1st in the world to offer 4GB SD card since July 2005, has released 4GB MMC Plus 266X, the largest capacity MMC card, and the fastest flash memory card in the world, today at IFA 2005 (Hall 7 1B, Booth #124) in Berlin.

Theoretical maximum speed of today’s popular MMC 3.x and SD 1.0 cards are 2.5MB/s (16X) and 12.5MB/s (83X) in SD’s favor, however, theoretical maximum speed of advanced specifications call for much higher speed of MMC 4.x at 52MB/s (346X) vs. SD 1.1 at 25MB/s (166X). Pretec 4GB MMC Plus 266X, with access speed up to 40MB/s, doubling the speed of recently announced Pretec 4GB SD card 133X, is the fastest small form factor flash memory card of any format in the world. Pretec 4GB MMC Plus is available now for key customer sampling with unit price of $699 each, mass production is scheduled by Q4 of this year.

Hitachi Press Release

Hitachi Presents Miniature Hard Drives as the New Must-Have Accessory—the New ‘‘Bling’’

BERLIN—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Sept. 2, 2005—8-GB “Mikey” & 30/60-GB “Slim” Hard Drives Stimulate New MP3 and Mobile Phone Designs; Hitachi Gives Away Real “Bling” as Part of Celebration  

While the ultimate fashion accessory of recent popular culture is flashy jewelry—known by its street name “bling”—Hitachi Global Storage Technologies is today saying high-capacity, miniature hard drives are the new “bling” for their ubiquity and desirability among the consumer digerati (see “Hard Drive is the New Bling” video at http://www.hitachigst.com/harddrivebling). Hitachi’s latest “bling” are the industry’s smallest one-inch and lightest 1.8-inch hard drive, introduced in concept earlier this year under the monikers Mikey and Slim.

Is a conventional digital camera like the 4 megapixel Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LZ1 (pictured) “better” than other kinds of camera, like cameraphones, PDAs and camcorders. Find out in DPNow’s interesting take on the current market.

“There has been a lot of talk about conventional digital cameras coming under threat from improving hybrids, like camera phones, PDAs with cameras and camcorders with still photo capability. Indeed, I’m of the firm opinion that some time in the future, perhaps as close as 2-3 years, most new consumer digital cameras will be dual-function still and video cameras that will produce prints up to A4 size at a quality we’d be satisfied with, plus camcorder quality video.”

Website: DPNow - Conventional digicam versus the hybrids

ePhotoZine have published a short review of the XS Drive 2 XL VP2260, a simple to use portable storage device which supports all types of memory card.

“We primarily used the drive with a 1 gigabyte XD card. It has very good compatibility though, with support for the main nine types of memory card (See specs above). Inserting and removing cards is very straightforward with the slots clearly labelled. Being picky, we think it would be worth having rubber seals over the card slots when not in use, to prevent dust and dirt finding their way into the device.

Website: ePhotoZine - XS Drive 2 XL VP2260 Review

X-Rite Press Release

Grandville, MI — August 25, 2005 — X-Rite (NASDAQ: XRIT) today announced Computers Unlimited will distribute its award winning digital imaging color solutions exclusively to its customers in the UK. The company will carry X-Rite’s MonacoEZcolor color management software, MonacoOPTIXXR (DTP94) colorimeter and Pulse™ (DTP20) spectrophotometer, for high-speed, accurate proofs, creating harmony between display, scanner, printer and digital camera. These products are available immediately at www.unlimited.com or by calling +44 (0)20 82 00 82 82.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Computers Unlimited, one of the largest and most recognized distributors of computer products for creative professionals in the UK,” said Jim Weaver, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development at X-Rite. “This is an ideal partnership for X-Rite as we continue to drive growth of our digital imaging products in this emerging market. Additionally, Computers Unlimited distributes many products from our OEM partners like Epson, making this a perfect fit for our company.”

Hasselblad Press Release

Four new products address needs of both general and specialist professional photographers

A year from the launch of the new Hasselblad, the company is setting a new benchmark for digital professional photography with the announcement of new flagship digital cameras and camera backs based on a new digital platform, satisfying the needs of both the general and specialist professional photographer. 

Building on the success of the H1 range of products, Hasselblad has developed the H2 cross-platform camera and the H2D fully integrated digital camera.  Both the cameras include a series of brand new features, and are fully compatible with Hasselblad’s existing H system lenses. 

New products in the Ixpress digital back line include the Ixpress CF and Ixpress CFH, bringing new levels of flexibility to specialist professional photographers, enabling them to take full advantage of everything that leading-edge digital photography can offer.

Photographic Magazine have reviewed the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400 II film scanner, the successor to the popular Scan Elite 5400 model.

” With its high resolution, excellent dynamic range and built-in Digital Ice, the Konica Minolta Scan Elite 5400 II is an excellent way for film photographers to move their work into the digital darkroom. The estimated street price of $570 makes this one of the best bargains around, easily beating the competition in price and features.”

Website: Photographic Magazine - Konica Minolta DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400 II Review

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Lexar Press Release

Lexar’s New JumpDrive® Lightning Strikes With Top-Of-The-Line Capacity, Blazing Speed and Dazzling Design

London, August 2005 – Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq:LEXR), a leader in advanced digital media and accessories, today announced the JumpDrive Lightning range.  The JumpDrive Lightning is the company’s flagship USB flash drive and its stainless steel casing protects between 512mb (£49.99), 1GB (£79.99) and 2GB (£149.99) of plug&play memory.

JumpDrive Lightning is unrivaled in terms of capacity, software functionality and design. With a distinctive stainless steel casing, JumpDrive Lightning is capable of impressive read/write speeds, the 2GB JumpDrive Lightning providing a speed rating of 120x (18MB/sec) minimum sustained write speed capability and 160x (24 MB/sec) minimum sustained read speed capability. It’s ideal for business professionals, power users and anyone looking for high performance storage, portability and the ability to save and carry large amounts of digital pictures, music, presentations or any other data files.

Lexar Press Release

Lexar Offers Personality and Fun with New JumpDrive® Expression

London, August 2005 – Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq:LEXR), a leader in advanced digital media and accessories, today announced the JumpDrive Expression range of stylish, high speed USB 2.0 flash memory drives that bring an element of fun and personality to portable storage needs.
“Continuing in Lexar’s quest to provide consumer-driven product features and distinctive industrial design, JumpDrive Expression is the newest addition to Lexar’s complete line of USB flash drives,” said Fraser MacDonald, Product Marketing Manager at Lexar. “JumpDrive Expression continues in this tradition, providing functionality well beyond storage with a creative twist appealing to those people who want a little more personality and distinct character in their JumpDrive product.”

Lexar Press Release

Lexar’s Platinum Series Flash Memory Cards Provide Consumers with High-Speed Performance and Superior Reliability

Complete Platinum Series of Cards Now Speed-Rated at 40X, Including Memory Stick PRO and Secure Digital (SD) Formats

London, August 2005 – Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a world leader in advanced digital media technologies, today announced the company’s full line of Platinum Series flash memory cards. All cards in the Platinum Range are speed-rated at 40X, equivalent to a minimum sustained data read and write speed capability of 6MB per second, and provide consumers with superior performance.
Available in recently updated, contemporary packaging designed to drive consumer interest at retail sales locations worldwide, Lexar’s Platinum Series now includes Memory Stick PRO™ and Secure Digital™ (SD) flash media formats as well as CompactFlash®.

LaCie Press Release

LaCie Introduces New d2 Hard Drive Range With Unrivaled Speed, Capacity and Design

August 16, 2005 - LaCie continues to break the boundaries of speed, capacity and design with the launch of its fourth-generation d2 Extreme range of external hard drives. This award-winning range of drives combines unrivaled features and benefits including:

  * Capacity: from 160GB to 2TB in ultra-compact metal case
  * Speed: up to an amazing 88MB/s per drive and 800Mbits/s per bus
  * Connectivity: FireWire 800, FireWire 400/iLink, Hi-Speed USB 2.0
  * Reliability: ultra-quiet smart fan on some models and improved natural heat dissipation
  * Versatility: daisy-chain, stack, stand upright or mount in a rack

The German website Photoworld.de have reviewed the new 10 megapixel Leica Digital-Modul-R digital back.

Website: Photoworld.de - Leica Digital-Modul-R Review