PMA Marketing Research Department Press Release 05/02/04

New PMA report forecasts digital images will generate one-third of printing activity by 2006

The PMA Marketing Research Department released a new report, Photo Industry 2004: Review and Forecast. This 13-page report offers a summary of film, photofinishing, and camera sales through 2003, with forecasts for the current year. It also includes information on consumer printing activity from digital images and examines how economic factors may impact the industry this year.

Among the key points of the report are:

- At the end of 2003, 31 percent of U.S. households owned a digital camera, with penetration projected to exceed 42 percent by the end of 2004. The past year was a pivotal one for the industry, with digital camera sales volume overtaking traditional camera sales for the first time in 2003.

- In 2003, 11.6 percent of all amateur photographic prints were made from digital images, projected to rise to 17.7 percent of all images in 2004 and 34.2 percent in 2006. The total number of prints made will hold steady at more than 30 billion annually, as rising digital printing activity offsets declining film processing sales.

- Nearly 22 percent of digital printing activity during 2003 occurred in a retail environment. During 2004, more than one-third of digital prints are projected to be made at retail outlets, and in 2006, retailers will make 60 percent of digital prints.

- Film sales in 2003 declined by 8 percent in terms of volume, and are projected to fall by another 6 percent in 2004. Film processing sales have fallen at a similar pace.

- A bright spot in the traditional photographic market has been the continued growth of one-time-use camera sales, which increased by 7 percent in 2003 and are projected to rise by another 5 percent in 2004. It is important to note, however, the rate of sales growth is slowing.

- The 2004 outlook for economic growth is relatively favorable, with GDP expected to rise by 4 to 5 percent during each quarter. These increases would follow growth of 8.2 percent in the 2003 third quarter and an estimated 4.5 percent during the fourth quarter.

- Consumer confidence experienced a slight rebound in late 2003, rising to a level not experienced since the first quarter of 2001. The job market will likely play a significant role in determining whether or not confidence will continue to rise and consumers increase their discretionary spending.

Photo Industry 2004 is available for free download from the Marketing Research area of the PMA website at www.pmai.org, or through a fax-on-demand service. To receive a faxed copy of the report, dial (800) 536-8677 and follow the prompts. The ID code is 8222.

Delkin Press Release 05/02/04

DELKIN’S LIGHTNING FAST CARDBUS ADAPTER NOW AVAILABLE IN SD AND MEMORY STICK

Poway CA, February 5, 2004 Delkin Devices Inc., maker of premium quality eFilm memory cards and other innovative products for camera stores worldwide, has added Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC), and Memory Stick (MS) formats to its line of fastest PCMCIA Adapters on the market. The eFilm PRO CardBus 32-bit PCMCIA adapter is four to six times faster than all current conventional 16-bit adapters and has ushered in a new phase of adapter performance. PCMCIA adapters have long been popular for their convenient size and ease of use for quick file transfers from memory cards to laptop computers. The eFilm PRO CardBus 32 is the only adapter that achieves maximum speeds from the popular high-speed professional grade memory cards that are currently popular with high-end SLR digital cameras. The SD/MMC and MS CardBus 32 Adapters joins the initial CompactFlash (CF) CardBus Adapter that was released at the end of last year. The Delkin CardBus CF adapter was featured on many web sites and in photo magazines, and was referred to as a ?must have? accessory for any professional photographer by one of the top Internet Digital Photography sites. With the new introduction of video cameras, which require high-speed SD cards, and mobile phones that use both SD and MS cards, a faster way to get data from the card to a mobile PC is required. All CardBus 32 adapters allow memory cards to work in the PC Card slot on most Windows based laptops and uses the high speed CardBus PCMCIA standard.

ePhotoZine have just reviewed the SpyderPro monitor calibration device. This is is an an all-digital, seven-filter colorimeter that works with both CRT and LCD monitors with the industry’s premiere monitor calibration software - OptiCAL. The SpyderPRO with OptiCAL calibrates your monitor to a universal standard for color and automatically creates a correct monitor profile.

“The funny looking gadget is placed on your computer screen over an area that displays a series of colour patches controlled by PhotoCAL or OptiCAL software that you have running. The Spyder then reads the information and creates an ICC-profile from the measurements made. The Spyder has a seven filter system that allows its results to come closer to the requirements of the human eye than comparable three or four filter measurement devices.”

Website: ePhotoZine - SpyderPRO Review

DIWA Press Release 05/02/04

Digital Imaging Websites Association (DIWA) makes inaugural awards

09:00 CET, Thursday 5th February, 2004: DIWA, the Digital Imaging Websites Association, today announces three digital camera product awards, the first such awards from this recently launched industry organisation.

Since November last year, testers from DIWA member websites covering the four corners of Europe have evaluated and compiled test scores for dozens of cameras. DIWA’s rigorous technically-based scoring system has produced two winning cameras to date: the Olympus E-1 and the Casio QV-R40. The latter merits a DIWA Silver medal in the category of Amateur Compact Digital Camera and the Olympus E-1 a Gold medal in the category of Professional System Digital Camera. In addition, DIWA has chosen to make a special award to Olympus in recognition of the innovation invested in the Four Thirds standard-based Olympus E-System, of which the gold medal-winning Olympus E-1 is the first example.

DIWA’s general manager, Ian Burley, commented: “The seed of the idea that turned into DIWA was sown by DIWA’s test manager, Kai Thon, several years ago. However, it has been the hard work of a dozen or so people in the last year that has brought DIWA into reality and to the point of making our very first awards.”

The New York Times has published a useful article today which gives a good overview of the current state of the memory card market, and which also considers its future (found via Visually Speaking).

“Even as the flash memory business is growing rapidly over all, however, some formats are losing market share. And within the next five years, analysts say, a few will disappear altogether.

“In the long term, two memory formats will survive, Memory Stick and SD,” said Nelson Chan, senior vice president for SanDisk, the only company licensed to make and sell every flash memory format, which includes MultiMediaCard, SmartMedia and xD-Picture Card.”

Not everybody agrees with that. But in the last year, the SD memory card’s monthly market share has surged. By last November, 42 percent of all aftermarket flash memory cards sold in the United States were in the SD format. CompactFlash, its closest competitor, accounted for under 26 percent, according to the NPD Group, a market analysis company.”

Website: New York Times - Memory Evolution: Survival of the Smallest

The website Nomads’ Land, run by photographer Jean-Francois Maion, has recently published an excellent article which looks at the challenges of taking a digital camera, in this case the Canon EOS 10D digital SLR, to an environment as extreme as the Himalayas:

“Is digital photography up to the challenges of extended outdoor adventures in harsh conditions? A year ago, I would probably have answered: no. As a trekker and mountain climber, it was actually the main reason why I stuck with my film SLR.

That is, until this spring, when I could not resist the call of the new EOS 10D. And when I embarked this autumn on a climbing expedition to the Himalayas, I intended to photograph digital.”

Website: Nomads’ Land - Digital Photography in the Wilderness

Lexar Media, Inc. Press Release 29/01/04

Fourth Quarter Revenues of $177 Million Increase 80% Sequentially and 171% Year-over-Year;
Fourth Quarter Earnings Total $0.21 per Diluted Share

FREMONT, Calif, January 29, 2004—Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a leading manufacturer and marketer of high-performance digital media and accessories, today reported record financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2003.

Total fourth quarter revenues of $177.5 million increased 80% sequentially from $98.7 million in the preceding quarter and 171% from $65.5 million in the same period last year. Product revenues of $172.8 million increased 83% from $94.3 million in the preceding quarter and 183% from $61.2 million in the same period last year. Gross margin for the quarter was 24%, compared to 27% in the preceding quarter and in the fourth quarter of last year. Net income was $18.9 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, as compared to $9.7 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, in the preceding quarter and $5.6 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, in the same period last year.

Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2003, were $412.3 million, a 137% increase from $174.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. Product revenues of $394.6 million for 2003 increased 152% from $156.7 million for 2002. Net income was $39.9 million, or $0.49 per diluted share in 2003, as compared to $4.0 million, or $0.06 per diluted share in 2002.

ZDNet are reporting that a new memory card format, smaller even than the postage sized SD memory cards, is due to be unveiled on February 5th. The Universal Transportable Memory Association (UTMA) are a consortium of electronics makers behind the as yet unnamed memory card format. Apparently “It will put two flash memory chips in a a single package, like existing high-density cards from makers such as SanDisk; but it will place the processors side by side instead of stacking them”. The first available cards will be 1Gb in size.

Website: ZDNet - Portable memory format gets set for launch

Website: Universal Transportable Memory Association

Canon Press Release 29/01/04

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 29 January 2004. Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today releases the DVK-E2. Designed to work with the EOS-1Ds and new EOS-1D Mark II D-SLR cameras, the DVK-E2 provides the facility to prove that images taken with the EOS-1D Mark II have not been altered, tampered with or manipulated in any way. The DVK-E2 is the successor to Canon’s DVK-E1 and will work with both the EOS-1Ds and the EOS-1D Mark II.

Recent well-publicised cases involving image-tampering by news agencies have identified a strong need for a system capable of verifying the originality of digital photographs. Without such a kit it is impossible for an agency to identify whether or not a given image has been enhanced or manipulated.

ISO certification
With the capacity to detect the slightest (single bit) discrepancy, the DVK-E2 kit is expected to be popular amongst law enforcement, insurance, news and other agencies that have a need to verify the legitimacy of digital images. Canon is applying for ISO 15408 certification (evaluation criteria for IT security) for the Data Verification Kit to further validate its application. The acquisition of ISO 15408 certification will give international recognition to the originality of images shot with the EOS-1D Mark II or EOS-1Ds whilst in data verification mode.

How it works
The kit consists of a dedicated SM (secure mobile) card reader/writer and verification software. When the appropriate function (Personal Function 31) on the EOS-1D Mark II or EOS-1Ds is activated, a code based on the image contents is generated and appended to the image. When the image is viewed, the data verification software determines the code for the image and compares it with the attached code. If the image contents have been manipulated in any way, the codes will not match and the image cannot be verified as the original.

Compact and easy to use
The SM cards used with the kit are the same size as an SD card. The tiny SM card reader/writer is barely bigger than the cards it takes. It draws the power it requires from the USB port of the computer to which it is connected. The software is Windows 2000/XP compatible. Up to 100 images can be evaluated simultaneously, simply by selecting the images and clicking ‘Verify’.
The kit supports English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and Chinese languages.

Nikon UK Press Release 28/01/04

Nikon is pleased to announce the Coolwalker MSV-01; a 30GB portable image storage device for the organisation of digital images.

The Nikon Coolwalker is a stylish and powerful storage device that offers an invaluable solution to the organisation of thousands of large resolution image files of all formats produced by today’s high-resolution digital cameras.

Featuring a large 2.5 inch TFT monitor and easy to use Menu the Coolwalker guides you through the process of efficient image management on the move, with practical PC-less options to share and print work later.

Compatible with all major image file formats (JPEG, TIFF) as well as NEF (Nikon Electronic Format) Raw files produced by Nikon Digital SLRs and certain Coolpix digital cameras and a variety of popular storage media formats. 

Transfer and organise your digital images
The Coolwalker has 30GB of storage capacity, translating to over 10.000 2MB* image files. *E.g. a typical 6Mp camera JPEG Fine. Images are transferred quickly via the Compact FlashTM 1 / II media slot to free up your camera media card to continue shooting in the field.  Optional adaptors are available for SD, MMC, SM and MS media formats as well. Images are automatically stored by date and folder creation is simple through the plain language Menu interface displayed on the large TFT monitor.

Browse and Save
The large 2.5 inch TFT monitor makes instant browsing of thumbnails in the field easy and conserves camera battery power for shooting pictures, rather than playing them back. Full image playback functions are offered such as Rotate, Zoom, Histogram and EXIF shooting data displayed.  The large screen and Nikon’s ergonomic four-way Multi selector style pad makes delete, move, copy, rename operations easy, supported by a straightforward 5 language Menu: En, De, Fr, Es, Jp.

Share images
Once your output is organised into an extensive mobile photo album, images are easy to share with family, friends or colleagues without the need of a PC. Just connect the Nikon Coolwalker to a TV or projector (PAL/NTSC), using the included remote control and present your slide show playback. 

Print direct (PictBridgeTM compatible)
It also enables a PC-less solution for printing your images. Just plug the Coolwalker in to any PictBridge(tm) compatible printer for PC-free printing.

Long Life Battery
The Coolwalker can operate for up to two hours, due to the powerful rechargeable Lithium Polymer Nikon EN-EL6 battery and charger/AC adaptor (included). 

Freedom to move around
The Nikon Coolwalker is a complete solution for anyone who enjoys digital photography but risks getting lost in the organisation and archiving of their work. Internal shock absorbers protect the hard disk in the field and in the office, providing a safe secure location for your precious digital image archive.

Hans Gaarlandt, Marketing Executive Prosumer Film and Digital products says: “Extensive research tells us that customers are rapidly embracing the benefits of digital photography, but losing their way when it comes to organising them for sharing later. Everyone wants to be taking pictures instead of filing and captioning them! But the most pleasure from your digital photography comes in sharing them quickly and easily, instead of browsing around folders on your PC screen.

The Nikon Coolwalker combines two major benefits for the digital camera user: it frees up your expensive CF card capacity, say, on holiday or a business trip, without the need for a PC.  Once you return home, you can view your digital photo album with family, friends or colleagues using the simplest viewing medium of them all, television”.

Estimated recommended retail price ?399.99

Nikon UK Press Release 28/01/04

Nikon are pleased to announce the new SB-600 speedlight - the latest member of the Creative Lighting System.

The perfect i-TTL flash partner for the new Nikon D70 digital SLR, the SB-600 offers increased opportunities for creative flash photography when using zoom lenses, off camera or in wireless multiple flash arrangements.

Featuring a powerful GN of 30 (35mm at ISO 100), full directional bounce flexibility and an easy to use LCD display, the SB-600 offers an effective solution for anyone who is seeking a lightweight, compact but powerful lighting solution for their digital photography.

I-TTL
The SB-600, similar to the SB-800, features Nikon’s new i-TTL Balanced Fill Flash technology, compatible with both the new Nikon D70 and the professional Nikon D2H. I-TTL uses two powerful monitor pre-flashes to enable accurate flash exposures, especially in bright lighting conditions.  For the first time, the Nikon D70’s 1005-pixel Matrix Metering sensor is used instead of a separate 5-segment Balanced Fill flash sensor found in previous Nikon SLR cameras.

Multiple Wireless Flash
Groups of SB-600 can also be included in the Nikon Creative Lighting System of completely automatic I-TTL Multiple wireless flash arrangements for a quick and easy studio lighting on the move. When set up as a Remote flash, groups are wirelessly controlled by using the exclusive new ‘Commander’ function of the Nikon D70. This function offers wireless control in either TTL, AA or Manual modes, set via the camera menu. The D70 pop up flash uses Nikon’s Advanced Data Communication method of coded pulses of flash output to transmit a variety of flash mode instructions to Remote flash. After exposure the SB-600’s beep confirms firing. 

Zoom and Output control steps
The SB-600 has a focal length zoom range from 24,28,35,50,75,80mm and 14mm with the fold down diffuser that covers the most popular lens focal lengths. Manual output control ranges from Full Power to 1/2; 1/4; 1/8; 1/16; 1/32 and 1/64 with 1/3 EV steps. 

The SB-600 also features wide AF area illumination for the latest 11-Area Multi-CAM2000 AF system, Modeling flash triggered from camera, Auto FP High Speed Sync, FV Lock and Flash Colour Communication. 

The SB-600 is a fully powerful and featured Speedlight that offers excellent handling balance when used with compact digital SLR’s such as the Nikon D70 and Nikon D100, especially when using short telephoto lenses.  The SB-600 also comes complete with AS-19 Speedlight stand, and soft case SS-600. Available from May.  Estimated RRP is ?229.99.

Imaging Resource have taken a break from reviewing digital cameras by taking a look at the Zenon MagneFlash 57Plus flash unit. This is a specialized flash that “is ideal for illuminating objects photographed at close range, especially highly reflective objects.”

“The Zenon MagneFlash line is nearly, nearly, nearly the simple solution we’ve wanted. Our only reservation, really, is that it isn’t designed to light up a room of family and friends at a party. But it’s wonderful for macro shots and portraits and it plays very, very well with all sorts of digicams. So let’s take a look.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Zenon MagneFlash 57Plus Review

Following the news last week that Kodak is stopping the production of APS film cameras is another announcement from the company about the discontinuation of its professional medium format digital camera backs. Apparently a memo to Kodak Professional retailers states that “Kodak will focus its digital camera development resources on the growing segment of professional digital SLR users”. The current models will continue to be available until current stocks are depleted. No more units will be manufactured and no more new models will be developed by the company.

Website: Rob Galbraith - Kodak Discontinues DCS Pro Backs

The Hungarian website Index Digicam have published their review of the new X’s Drive Pro portable storage device (so new that I don’t have a picture of it yet…).

Website: Index Digicam - X’s Drive Pro Review

This must be the first time that I’ve ever linked to the website Space.com :-) They have a very interesting article that should prove once and for all that megapixels are not the be all and end all of image quality. Apparently NASA’s Spirit Rover is using a digital camera with a CCD that has a mere 1 megapixel resolution. There’s a technical explanation of how it all works if you’re interested…

“The technology used to make Spirit’s Panoramic Camera, or Pancam, is essentially the same as what goes into a Casio or Pentax digital camera.

But the Pancam’s lenses—there are two, which provides stereo imaging capability—are crafted more finely than anything you’d probably want to plunk down a Visa for. And the light-capturing chunk of silicon, called a charged coupled device, or CCD, was manufactured with no tolerance for the minor flaws that are inherent in mass-produced consumer cameras.”

Website: Space.com - Digital Secrets: How Spirit Makes Great Photos

SanDisk Corporation Press Release 08/01/04

SanDisk Leads In Capacity By Designing And Manufacturing Memory Card Format Pioneered By Sony and SanDisk

January 2004 (Newstream)—SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK) today introduced a 2 gigabyte (GB) SanDisk Memory Stick? PRO?, the highest capacity available in this card format. SanDisk also introduced the first Memory Stick PRO Duo cards that it has designed and manufactured. The new cards were introduced at a press conference at the Consumer Electronics Show where SanDisk is demonstrating products in Booth #23062, South Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center.

Sony and SanDisk jointly pioneered Memory Stick PRO to meet the growing consumer need for high performance and high capacity flash cards for a wide variety of digital devices including digital cameras, camcorders and PDAs. These new cards are manufactured by and include advanced technology from SanDisk to assure optimal performance and large capacities at very competitive prices. SanDisk meets or exceeds all Memory Stick PRO specifications and performs extensive testing to guarantee compatibility.

“SanDisk has dramatically extended its commitment to the Memory Stick flash card format by upping our investment in design, manufacturing, technology and the channel to rapidly grow the market,” said Nelson Chan, senior vice president and general manager of SanDisk’s retail business unit. “The company has leveraged its expertise to deliver new Memory Stick PRO and PRO Duo cards at competitive prices in line with other industry-standard card formats such as the SD card. Through this renewed focus on the Memory Stick card format, we intend to deliver the best overall price/performance and value to our customers.”

SanDisk Corporation Press Release 08/01/04

Growing Need for Portable Storage to Transfer Digital Images, Music, Video and Data Fuels Demand for Larger Capacities; Two New Capacities Expand Cruzer Mini Line

January 2004 (Newstream)—SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today introduced a 512 megabyte (MB) and 1-gigabyte (GB) version of the CruzerTM Mini, an embedded USB 2.0 hi-speed “key chain” flash drive. With the 1GB Cruzer Mini, consumers can transport up to 30 hours of digitally compressed music, more than 5 hours of MPEG-4 compressed video or more than 1000 high-resolution digital images.

The 512 and 1GB Cruzer Mini drives are part of SanDisk’s most popular family of USB drives including the new Cruzer Titanium, an incredibly rugged and stylish flash drive with a titanium-coated flash drive case, and the new Cruzer Micro, an extremely small form factor that is approximately half the size of Cruzer Mini and expandable with an available MP3 Companion accessory. SanDisk introduced its family of Cruzer flash drives in a press conference at the Consumer Electronics Show where SanDisk is demonstrating products in Booth #23062, South Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center.

“USB flash drives are now a ‘must-have’ item as consumers use them to transport and easily access personal computer data files, image files or video and audio between home, office, school and other locations,” said Eric Bone, retail product marketing manager at SanDisk. “With up to 1GB of storage capacity, USB 2.0 accessibility and a sleek design, the Cruzer Mini is the ideal personal storage device for work, school and personal use.”

SanDisk Corporation Press Release 08/01/04

Cruzer Micro Adds To SanDisk’s Reputation As The Company With The Most Innovative Line Of USB Storage Drives In The Industry

January 2004 (Newstream)—SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today introduced Cruzer? Micro, one of the world’s smallest USB 2.0 hi-speed flash memory storage drives, and the Cruzer Micro MP3 Companion which provides MP3 player functionality when connected with the Cruzer Micro USB flash drive. Cruzer Micro and other new additions to the Cruzer USB storage drive product family were introduced at a press conference at the Consumer Electronics Show where SanDisk is demonstrating products in Booth #23062, South Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center.

The Cruzer Micro is very small, with a size roughly equivalent to half a stick of chewing gum. Another great feature of the Cruzer Micro is that it can be upgraded to become an MP3 player simply by sliding it into the Cruzer Micro MP3 Companion. With the Cruzer Micro and Cruzer Micro MP3 Companion, users can carry their important files and favorite songs on their keychain and simply attach the MP3 Companion when they want to enjoy music. The two items will be sold separately.

Eric Bone, SanDisk Cruzer retail product line marketing manager, said, “A small-size USB flash drive is a big priority for many of our customers. And you don’t have to sacrifice storage capacity with this tiny drive because we are initially selling three different capacities - 128, 256 or 512 megabytes (MB). With its stylish design and miniaturization the first word that comes to mind for most consumers is “cool”. Besides storing your music, Cruzer Micro also can be used to transport data files, images or video between home, office, school and other locations.”

Bone added, “It is quite exciting for the USB flash drive market to have a stand alone device such as the Cruzer Micro that can be expanded with the addition of the MP3 player. We think that this combination will give consumers an excellent value.”

SanDisk Corporation Press Release 08/01/04

Cruzer Titanium Has Style, Extraordinary Mechanical Strength And Great Speed
January 2004 (Newstream)—SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today introduced CruzerTM Titanium, a sleek, stylish and mechanically virtually indestructible*, portable USB flash storage drive that can withstand harsh working environments and operating conditions and physically protect the valuable data of business and power users. Cruzer Titanium, a USB 2.0 hi-speed flash drive, is one of the fastest USB type 2.0 flash drives on the market with a write speed rating of 13 megabytes (MB) per second and a read speed of 15MB per second. Cruzer Titanium, along with an expanded portfolio of new Cruzer USB storage drives, was launched at a press conference at the Consumer Electronics Show where SanDisk is demonstrating products in Booth #23062, South Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center.

The new flash drive’s titanium-coated metal casing is hardened to provide extra protection against the inevitable rough handling encountered in a typical workday. Cruzer Titanium will start shipping to stores this month and has a suggested retail price of $199.99 for the 512MB version. Higher capacities are planned for future introduction.

Eric Bone, SanDisk Cruzer retail product line marketing manager, said, “Cruzer Titanium is the flagship product in our USB drive line and, we believe it is the premier USB flash drive on the market today. This is easily the most durable and rugged USB flash storage device on the market with construction similar to that found in aircraft and medical instruments. Many other USB flash drives are made out of plastic, and consumers have found that some of these drives can break rather easily.”

Bone also noted “the increased speed of Cruzer Titanium ties in perfectly with the need expressed by many consumers for more storage capacity in USB type 2.0 drives. Many USB drive owners, especially business people, carry numerous, large files on the devices and they need a high-speed drive to quickly and efficiently move their data. You get this high performance when you have a Cruzer Titanium and a PC or Mac that has hi-speed USB 2.0 connectivity.”

Veo Press Release 08/01/04

SAN JOSE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 8, 2004—Veo, a leading provider of digital imaging products, today introduced a 1.3 megapixel camera designed to utilize Secure Digital IO(TM)(SDIO) card slots on select Tungsten(TM) handheld devices from palmOne, Inc. The Photo Traveler 130S(TM) is equipped with a true 1.3 megapixel sensor and standardized JPEG encoding, which allows users to easily transfer photos between devices or print 3"x5” photos directly from their handheld.

“With the release of our Photo Traveler 130S for Pocket PC, we were inundated with supporters who wanted the same great technology for the Palm OS platform,” said Tim Martin, Veo vice president. “We listened to our customers and today’s announcement answers all of those requests.”

The Photo Traveler 130S, priced at $99.99, will be available at major retailers in early February. The camera features an adjustable lens providing users with the flexibility of focusing on close or far away objects with crisp definition. Like the previous Compact Flash version of the Photo Traveler, the 130S can easily capture video clips, but takes the feature a step further by adding advanced audio/ video synchronization into the ASIC. The new 130S lens design now moves in a vertical orientation and features a “+10 design” to add additional degrees of freedom to the 180 degree swivel lens, making it more natural for users during self portrait and downward shots.