Gateway Press Release

Mini MP3 Player Sports a Stylish New Look, Color Scheme

IRVINE, Calif., May 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/—The Gateway(TM) MP3 Photo Jukebox, which combines digital music playback, convenient photo storage and a color display in one 3.4 ounce device, will now be offered with 50 percent more storage capacity, longer battery life and a striking new color scheme. It will be available directly from Gateway and at leading electronics retailers for just $249.99.

“Gateway’s digital music player was already a standout for its versatility,” said Dan Stevenson, vice president, product marketing.  “The new version of the Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox provides even more storage and enhanced features in the same light design.  Our new player combines one of the most straightforward user interfaces with seamless PC music synchronization and compatibility with a broad range of music services.  It is simply the perfect traveling companion for music lovers.”

The newest model, the GCM-6, provides 6GB(1) of storage for housing up to 1,500 MP3 songs(2), putting a vast library of music favorites always within reach.  Sleek enough to fit within a pocket or purse, the Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox is about the size of a deck of cards and weighs just 3.4 ounces.  Its stylish new look includes an attractive two-tone silver and black design.

Sony 5GB Micro Vault Pro is announced. The Sony 5GB Micro Vault Pro is a USB storage device witha built-in 1-inch hard drive offering 5Gb of space. Auto Sync file synchronisation software is supplied for easy downloads, and the Micro Vault Pro has a a unique swivel connector. The Sony 5GB Micro Vault Pro has an estimated retail price of €219 incl. VAT.

Sony Europe Press Release

Paris, 4 May 2005 - Sony Europe’s Recording Media & Energy (RME) division has today announced the 5GB MICRO VAULT PRO. As the highest capacity model in the range of personal USB storage devices, the new enhanced product helps protect and store precious data making it portable and easily accessible when travelling.

The new Sony MICRO VAULT PRO has a in-built 1-inch hard disk drive offering a hefty 5GB storage capacity, equivalent to approximately 9000 two mega-pixel photos or more than two hours of DVD quality video1. The ultra-portable MICRO VAULT PRO, the size of a business card, incorporates a unique swivel connector that plugs straight into a computer’s USB port, enabling users to drag and drop files that are to be stored on the device quickly and easily.

Kodak Press Release

New from Kodak — Easily Shoot and Print Pictures with All-in-One Digital Photography Packages from Kodak; A Complete System in a Single Box

New KODAK EASYSHARE C-Series Digital Cameras, EASYSHARE Printer Docks, and EASYSHARE Software Combinations Make it Simple to “Get the Picture”

ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 4—Eastman Kodak Company is making it simple and quick to shoot , print and share real KODAK pictures, thanks to innovative new packages that combine award-winning EASYSHARE digital cameras, printer docks, and software . With an entire snap-to-print solution in just one box, Kodak is making it effortless to buy a complete personal photography system, and to begin sharing pictures within minutes of returning home from the store — with or without a computer.

Included in these packages are new KODAK EASYSHARE C-Series point-and-shoot digital cameras — C360, C330, and C310 models announced today, as well as previously announced C340 and C300 models — plus the KODAK EASYSHARE Printer Dock Series 3 and KODAK EASYSHARE Software. Simply by placing the camera on the printer dock and pressing one button, people can make a real KODAK picture in as little as 90 seconds. Packages range from US$239 to US$379.

BIOS have just reviewed the new Epson P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer.

“Epson’s P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer is a neat device for copying, transferring, reviewing and storing your digital files in the field. Ideally suited to digital SLR camera users, the device lets you view RAW file formats as well as JPEGs on its beautiful 3.8in. VGA (640x480 pixels) display, and you can also use it playback video and audio files, and connect it directly to a PC or TV. It will even print directly onto compatible Epson printers. Its battery life is better than its predecessor, the P-1000, but at just 3.5 hours is still restrictive. File format support is also relatively limited and audio quality is basic, especially compared to media centre devices, but the P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer is a high quality device that serves a number of useful purposes and is sure to make its way into many photographers’ bags.”

Website: BIOS - Epson P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer Review

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

Canon UK Press Release

If you’ve exhausted the list of traditional ‘Dad’ presents and are looking for something extra special to give to yours this Father’s Day (19 June 2005), Canon’s range of digital kit could make the perfect gift. Whatever your Dad’s into, from extreme sports to classic cars, Canon has a gift that will suit.

For the ultra-stylish Dad
Canon’s Digital IXUS 700 packs 7 Megapixels into a brushed stainless steal ‘titanium grey’ body which won’t ruin the lines in his suit, and will impress on the golf course. Powered by the same DIGIC II processor found in Canon’s professional-series Digital SLRs, the IXUS 700 really is the thoroughbred of digital cameras.

For the emergent photographer Dad
For Dads who have exhausted the abilities of their ‘point and shoot’ compact camera, the EOS 350D Digital SLR can provide the answer. The camera combines features more commonly found in professional level DSLRs with an ease of use designed to appeal to first time users.

auspiciousdragon.net have published the second part of their review of the 22-megapixel Phase One P25 medium format digital back.

“Would I use a P25 in preference to film if I had one? Yes. I would miss black and white film but I wouldn’t miss colour film for one second. I actually intend to go on using 35mm black and white film for years to come for some uses (primarily street photography and portraiture) but scanning 120 film is such a chore that I would be glad to see the back of it.”

Website: auspiciousdragon.net - Phase One P25 Review: Part 2

CNET News have a brief but interesting report on the state of the digital camera industry, based on a report by research firm IDC. Apparently the market has already matured, with sales expected to be strong in the next couple of years and then decline in the long term.

“Digital cameras won’t become as ubiquitous as film because manufacturers became obsessed with features instead of the unmet market,” said Chris Chute, digital imaging analyst with IDC. “They were rewarded with market growth, but once they filled that bucket there wasn’t any other bucket to fill.”

Website: CNET News - Digital camera market peaked too soon

Vosonic XS-Drive Pro VP3320 is announced. The Vosonic XS-Drive Pro VP3320 completes the Vosonic range of its new generation of XS Drives providing fast transfer speeds and longer battery life.  The XS Drive Pro VP3320 will back up all memory cards including xD to its internal hard disk in a very compact and robust casing. The XS Drive Pro VP3320 provides a blue backlight LCD display, high quality MP3 player and FM tuner and voice/line in recorder. The XS Drive Pro VP3320 has internal rechargeable batteries providing 11 hours of use and backs up a 1GB memory card in 5 minutes only. The RRP for the VP3320 20GB version is £185 inc VAT.

Cardmedia (Europe) Ltd Press Release

Portable Storage Device with up 80GB Capacity - Backup your memory cards to the Hard disk MP3 Jukebox, FM Tuner, Voice recording - Blue backlight LCD Panel - Long battery life

Cardmedia (Europe) Ltd, the official UK distributor for the manufacturer Vosonic, has announced the availability of the X’S-Drive Pro VP3320, a new Portable Storage Device and MP3 player with blue backlight LCD display.

The Vosonic X’S-Drive Pro VP3320 is a compact portable Hard disk to backup your memory cards on the field and benefit from 20GB to 80GB of capacity via its internal 2.5” Hard disk.

You can easily use the X’S Drive Pro VP3320 all environments thanks to its Blue Backlit LCD panel. The LCD Panel displays the battery power level, copy transfer status, and all information related to MP3 music player, FM Tuner, voice recording and file navigation.

PicScout Ltd and Digimarc Corp Press Release

PicScout and Digimarc Partner to Enhance Image Tracking Combined offering to deliver dramatic improvements in image monitoring on the Internet.

Herzeliya, Israel, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, 27 April 2005. PicScout Ltd and Digimarc Corp (NASDAQ: DMRCE) announced today a new partnership combining image recognition and watermarking for online image protection and monitoring. As part of the partnership, Digimarc will begin using the PicScout Internet crawling technology to power the Digimarc ImageBridge MarcSpider search. The companies have also started a joint development project that is expected to be completed in the next six months to enhance Digimarc ImageBridge with PicScout’s image recognition technology. The joint development will be funded in part by the BIRD foundation www.birdf.com, which is an Israel - U.S government foundation whose mission is to promote and support industrial R&D between Israeli and US companies.

auspiciousdragon.net have published their review of the 22-megapixel Phase One P25 medium format digital back.

“Anybody currrently using medium format gear must be aware that film is dying. And whilst rumours of its death are much exaggerated and it will go on for some time in mass use and for longer in niche use, there are many photographers who are considering if and when to switch to digital. For some genres digital is already de rigueur and there is a mass of information about the pros and cons of different hardware and different workflows. This article aims to fill one of the gaps in this information universe. Can digital do the business in the fine art and landscape field?”

Website: auspiciousdragon.net - Phase One P25 Review

Epson UK Press Release

New Firmware for the Epson P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer

The Epson P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer allows users to store and preview digital photos, movies and music.  The 3.8 inch Photo Fine display provides outstanding definition for unsurpassed picture quality.

April 2005 -  A firmware upgrade is now available for the Epson P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer.  New features include; increased image handling; compatibility with a larger range of digital SLR cameras and the addition of histograms.  Existing P-2000 customers can download the new firmware (version 02.02), free of charge from the Epson website.  Go to www.epson.co.uk, click on digital photography products and follow the support link from the product information page.

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

HP UK Press Release

LONDON ,UK, April 21, 2005 - HP has announced that it will be offering dedicated colour management solutions with its printer and scanning products for photographers, creative and pre-press professionals. Users will now be able to achieve more consistent and accurate colours with the new, easy-to-use colour management solutions, powered by GretagMacbeth technology.  The colour management solutions will be available with a selection of HP printers and high resolution scanners. Advanced users can also opt for the HP Spectrophotometer, now being offered as a separate accessory.

Colour management benefits
“These new printer and scanner solutions fall in line with HP’s Graphic Arts Initiative, launched in 2003, to provide complete solutions to the creative professional. Our solutions are tailored to specific workflows, and are designed to improve price/performance ratios,” says, Kevin Dobson, Hewlett-Packard, Business Manager. Mac-connect, Imaging and Personal Systems Group, UK and Ireland.

Firing Squad have reviewed the new Dual Core AMD Opteron CPU. I’m sure you’re thinking that doesn’t sound too exciting, but they review it from a photography point of view, testing programs such as Capture One, Bibble and Noise Ninja.

“In my article, I explain why the future of computing is with multiple CPUs and test a 2x dual core Opteron with real-world benchmarks including a suite of digital photography tests.  The dual Dual-Core AMD Opteron was so fast processing RAWs with Bibble 4.2.2 that I repeated the test five times to make sure something wasn’t amiss. Turns out, it really was that fast. Processing 1GB of Canon EOS-20D images took just 4 minutes.”

Website: Firing Squad - Dual Core AMD Opteron CPU Review

Lexar Media Press Release

Lexar Launches Special Introductory Offer for Free Engraving on New JumpDrive® Lightning

FREMONT, CA, April 19, 2005 – Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a leader in advanced digital media and accessories, recently introduced JumpDrive® Lightning, the latest addition to its vast line of USB flash drives. JumpDrive Lightning is a stylish portable storage device that features a striking stainless steel design. Coinciding with its introduction, all customers ordering JumpDrive Lightning from www.lexar.com will be offered free engraving.

Said Bobby Billman, vice president of marketing, Lexar: “JumpDrive Lightning is our new flagship USB product, and it reflects our commitment to offering uniquely designed products geared toward every consumer’s design sensibility. JumpDrive Lightning’s leading-edge performance capabilities are matched only by its sophisticated design, and our new engraving service adds a fun and useful personal touch.”

DIWA member and German website digitalkamera.de have just reviewed the ColorVision Spyder2 Plus. Dubbed the “Digital Darkroom in a Box”, Spyder2 Plus is a suite of tools for colour calibration and digital imaging. ColorVision Spyder2 Plus has a recommended price of $269.

Website: digitalkamera.de - ColorVision Spyder2 Plus Review

CNET News has a good roundup of portable storage devices for photos, inlcuding the Epson P-2000 that I enthusiastically reviewed a few weeks ago.

“Most have a slot only for Compact Flash cards. If your camera uses a smaller type, you’re expected to provide your own card adapter. Only the Epson P-2000 also offers a slot for SD cards. Nor is that the only virtue of the sleek black Epson ($500 online). The size, brightness and clarity of its 3.8-inch screen blows its competition off the equipment rack. Thanks to its supercrisp 640 pixels by 480 pixels (four times the resolution of its rivals), photos look like glossy drugstore prints. Photo transfer is fast: just under two minutes for a 256MB memory card filled with 103 pictures.”

CNET News - Photo vaults shoot, store, show

Thanks to Sanj for letting me know.

SmartDisk FlashTrax XT is announced today. The SmartDisk FlashTrax XT is a portable storage device with a folding 3.6” LCD screen. The SmartDisk FlashTrax XT costs $399.99 for the 40GB version and $499.99 for the 80GB version.

SmartDisk Press Release

SmartDisk Introduces FlashTrax XT—Today’s Digital Lifestyle Portable Multimedia Player/Recorder

FORT MYERS, Fla.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—April 18, 2005—SmartDisk Corporation today introduced FlashTrax(R) XT, a handheld portable device for storing, playing and sharing digital images, video and music. FlashTrax is being demonstrated in Booth SL5828 at the National Association of Broadcasters and RTNDA Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 18-21.

FlashTrax XT, a palm-sized, portable multimedia player and video recorder, stores high-resolution images transferred from any flash memory card or video device and displays them on its 3.6” LCD screen, on a TV or a projector. In addition, the user can enjoy music from a personal collection, listen to the built-in FM tuner, or watch slide shows while listening to music. A user-friendly screen display and control make video, image or music selection quick and easy. The LCD folds to ensure that both the screen and control buttons remain protected while on the go—a unique feature among portable multimedia players. With transfer speeds of up to 480MBps, FlashTrax XT can also serve as an external hard drive to transfer, store and access data. To facilitate portability, FlashTrax also includes a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery.

Kodak EASYSHARE Picture Viewer is introduced. The Kodak EASYSHARE Picture Viewer has a 2.5-inch high-resolution display screen and stores up to 150 digital pictures. The Kodak Picture Viewer also has a SD/MMC memory card slot, is Pictbridge compatible and is compatible with any a KODAK EASYSHARE Printer Dock Series 3 device. The Kodak EASYSHARE Picture Viewer will be available in May for £99.99 RRP.

Kodak UK Press Release

Showcase and Share Digital Pictures “On the Go” with New KODAK EASYSHARE Picture Viewer

Credit Card-Sized Device Brings Favourite Memories to Life in the Palm of Your Hand

LONDON, 18 April — Eastman Kodak Company is making digital picture sharing more convenient, personal and portable by introducing its new EASYSHARE Picture Viewer, a pocket-sized “digital photo album” that fits in the palm of your hand.  Whether showing off recent vacation pictures, priceless memories or snapshots from life’s everyday moments, the Picture Viewer (£99.99 RRP; available beginning in May 2005) is designed for people who love to share favourite pictures on the go.

Olympus Japan have released two new coloured versions of their 5Gb m:robe MR-100 digital music player. At the moment the pastel pink and pastel blue versions of the Olympus m:robe MR-100 are only available in Japan.

Website: Olympus Japan - Olympus m:robe MR-100

Kopin Press Release

Kopin Introduces World’s First Complete Electronic Viewfinder Product for Digital Cameras; CyberEVF 230K Combines All Electronic Viewfinder Components in a Single Ultra-Small, Power-Efficient Package

TAUNTON, Mass.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—April 12, 2005—Kopin(R) Corp. (Nasdaq: KOPN), the leading provider of microdisplays for mobile consumer electronics, today announced CyberEVF(R) 230K, the world’s first complete electronic viewfinder (EVF) for digital cameras. Kopin has designed the CyberEVF 230K in collaboration with a tier-one digital camera OEM (original equipment manufacturer), with the goal of making it the standard EVF for the new generation of high-zoom, high-resolution (6+ megapixel), extra-slim cameras.