Tessera Technologies, a provider of miniaturization technologies for the electronics industry, is paying $29 million to purchase FotoNation, a provider of embedded imaging solutions for digital still cameras. Tessera will pay $29 million in net cash with up to $10 million of additional consideration, contingent upon certain milestones over one year. The transaction is expected to close in February 2008. “There is significant, untapped potential for sophisticated imaging solutions in the growing camera phone market, and Tessera’s close ties to this market will enable us to accelerate the commercialization of FotoNation’s rich portfolio of technology and products,” said Eran Steinberg, chief executive officer, FotoNation. FotoNation’s technology is embedded in more than two out of three digital still cameras sold today.

Canon UK held a glitzy event for their new Spring collection of products this morning at the Science Museum in Central London. Against a somewhat ironic backdrop of Euro 2008 (well, at least for us England supporters), which Canon are sponsoring, no less than 36 new products were shown off to over 200 members of the press and trade. In a somewhat low-key line-up from the camera side of things, the new Canon EOS 450D / Digital Rebel XSi stood out as the main draw - unless you can afford several thousand pounds for the new 800mm and 200mm lenses, that is. We managed to make our way through the throng and literally grab a couple of minutes with the Canon 450D, plus get hands-on with the new Digital IXUS 80 IS and A-series Powershot compacts. Click the link below to view a selection of “live” product shots…

Channel 4’s ‘Picture This’ photo contest aims to discover the UK’s most talented up and coming photographers. Six photographers picked from thousands of applicants are competing against each other to win an exhibition at the Baltic gallery in Newcastle and a publishing deal worth thousands of pounds. The first episode of ‘Picture This’ aired on 6th January at 7pm, with the next two episodes on on Sunday 13 January and Sunday 20 January.

The Tamron Educational Purchase Rebate allows US instructors and students to save up to $100 on Tamron lenses. “The new program allows students to visit any Tamron dealer and take their newly purchased lens home with them,” stated Stacie Errera, Chief Marketing Officer for Tamron USA, Inc. “Previously, students had to visit the store to pay for their lens and then go back to the store after their specially-registered lens was available.” Tamron believes the new rebate-driven program is more convenient for both the purchasing student or instructor and the dealer. The Tamron Educational Purchase Rebate can be combined with any regular Tamron rebate in effect at the time of purchase.

Kodak and Panasonic have reached agreement over four U.S. patents, which Kodak claimed Panasonic had violated. In the report by business website Bloomberg, Kodak issued a lawsuit in July 2007, claiming that Panasonic used “inventions for image compression, storage, color sensors and previews it patented between 1991 and 2001”.“The license agreement, which will allow each company access to the other’s patent portfolio, is royalty-bearing to Kodak,’’ said a Kodak statement. A similar lawsuit was settled with Sony in January 2007.

Website: Bloomberg - Kodak, Matsushita Settle Digital Camera Patent Fight

Canon will announce new imaging products on January 24th 2008, a week before the PMA trade show starts in Las Vegas, USA. An interview with Robert Westin of Canon Sweden on the Swedish website Kamerabild.se reveals that 2008 is set to be an even bigger year for Canon than 2007, with more products being released. Westin doesn’t give any details away about what exactly will be released - recent internet rumours have suggested replacements for the Digital Rebel XTi / EOS 400D and the EOS 5D (pictured) DSLR cameras.

Website: Kamerabild.se

Research from Samsung Cameras reveals that more women are buying gadgets this Christmas than men. Six out of ten families said looking through pictures of friends and family was the number one Christmas family activity. Hannah Perry, News Editor of Heat magazine commented on the research; “Gadgets are no longer the preserve of the tech hungry male – we see women embracing technology all of the time without fear of them compromising on style or beauty. Cameras look so stylish now and the latest range from Samsung which are available in various colours make them ideal fashion accessories for today’s fashion conscious women.” The survey was carried out on 1766 UK adults throughout November 2007.

The Stock Artists Alliance (SAA) has called on Photolibrary to answer serious allegations that the company has not paid $2.2 million in commissions due to Index Stock image contributors. Four major North American photographer associations have affirmed their support for SAA’s actions to seek full accounting and payments of any monies owed to contributors. Advertising Photographers of America (APA) National President Martin Trailer stated, “APA supports the actions of SAA to investigate the accounting procedures of Photolibrary, parent of recently acquired Index Stock. APA believes the allegations made by Photolibrary’s controller are serious enough to justify a full review of the company’s accounting practices.”

Kodak has recalled a novelty torch that was sold with multi packs of Kodak Max AA batteries. In a small number of cases the torch overheated causing a small part of the plastic housing at the bottom to melt. Customers will be provided with a replacement twelve pack of batteries. This product was sold in UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Cyprus, Ireland, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Greece, South Africa and Switzerland.

Samsung UK is opening its second Customer Service Plaza, covering North London, Hertfordshire and Essex, on 6th December 2007. The Customer Service Plaza will be a fully functioning diagnosis and repair centre. Customers can drop in for support on Samsung products, discuss servicing requirements, or arrange an in-home repair. “When our customers purchase a Samsung product, be it a fridge, mobile phone, notebook or television, we want them to feel sure that they’re investing not only in a beautifully styled product, with superior technology, but also a fully-focused customer service programme there to support them with help and advice should they need it.” commented Samsung Electronics U.K. Managing Director, Mr. M.S. Kim.

VRMAG is an online travel, photography and technology magazine supported with stunning 360-degree virtual reality panoramas from some of the world’s top photographers. Re-launched this week, the latest issue of VRMAG features contributions from around 29 of the world’s top panoramic photographers. “This is an influential publication within the VR community, and a key forum for users to exchange ideas and see the full potential of this medium. We are very pleased to welcome Marco and his team back.” said Dominique Pouliquen, REALVIZ CEO.

Research by Canon has revealed that that 86% of Brits believe they’re un-photogenic, with over half insecure about their stomachs! A third of us take action to hide double chins being seen in photos. Londoners are the most vain with more than a quarter admitting to regularly re-touching images to improve how they look. One in five people in the UK even believes that they have appeared in up to 5000 pictures in their lifetime.

Hasselblad has launched a comprehensive new Customer Care Program featuring special prices on product upgrades, refurbishment, and extended warranties and support. The first stage provides owners of Hasselblad H1 and H2 cameras with an extremely beneficial trade in or upgrade of their equipment to a number of the most recent model configurations. “...we have set up the Hasselblad Customer Care Program, which will provide a foundation for upgrades, trade-in and refurbishment programs, to ensure that all Hasselblad users have access to the most recent and most advanced products.” commented Christian Poulsen, CEO of Hasselblad.

Nearly a year after Hoya and Pentax first announced their merger, the two companies seem to have finally made it. In an open letter to customers, Pentax and Hoya have announced that they have entered into a merger agreement which will become effective on March 31, 2008. “We continue to devote our efforts to make even more outstanding the PENTAX brand even after the merger.” said the brief statement. The merger agreement effectively negates the news back in June that Hoya had bought Pentax outright.

Photo Expo West 2007 is Southern California’s most successful photography event, with free seminars from the world’s best photographers including Douglas Kirkland. This popular public event, formerly the San Diego Photo Expo, is being held this year at a larger, improved venue at the Del Mar fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday, November 10th and 11th. Admission to Photo Expo West 2007 is free, including 19 daily seminars from professional photographers.

Microsoft and Phase One have announced a strategic alliance to explore ways to improve digital imaging solutions for professional photographers and enthusiasts. The two companies will work together to develop digital photography solutions for the Microsoft Windows platform. “Microsoft and Phase One are joining forces to develop solutions for the Windows platform that meet the sophisticated needs of professional and ‘prosumer’ photographers,” said Kostas Mallios, general manager of the Rich Media Group at Microsoft. “Today’s announcement is another example of Microsoft’s commitment to our customers and the digital imaging industry.” There are no details about what exactly Microsoft and Phase One are working on.

SanDisk has filed three patent infringement actions against 25 companies that manufacture, sell and import removable flash storage products. SanDisk allege that the defendants have infringed various SanDisk system-level patents. “These actions demonstrate SanDisk’s long-term commitment to enforcing its patents, both to protect our investment in research and development by obtaining a fair return on that investment, and out of fairness to third-parties that participate in our patent licensing program,” said E. Earle Thompson, Chief Intellectual Property Counsel at SanDisk.

The Nikon Solutions Expo, Nikon’s professional photography show, is back for a third year at London’s Olympia on 27 - 28th November. The show demonstrates all aspects of photography to the professional photographer, as well as Nikon’s complete photographic range, including the recently announced D3 and D300 DSLRs. New this year is ‘Expo on the Road’, a series of road shows in Manchester and Bristol.

Harman Technology has bought Kentmere Photographic Limited, best known for its extensive range of black and white papers. Following the buy-out, HARMAN is keen to stress that the Kentmere brand will remain relatively unchanged.  “HARMAN has an acquisitive growth policy and is keen to be seen as the natural home for high-quality imaging products. We have bought Kentmere recognising it is a strong brand with a massive amount of potential and knowing we can add what’s required to help bring that potential to fruition.” commented Chairman and Managing Director, Phil Harris.

Inside Digital Photo has been named as the official broadcast partner for the PhotoPlus Conference and Expo, held from October 18th-20th in New York. “This is the hottest photography event of the year and we’re delighted that our partnership with Inside Digital Photo will allow people all over the world to get in on all the excitement.” stated Jeff McQuilkin, Show Director, PDN PhotoPlus Expo. Online versions of the radio and video programs will be made available after the broadcasts.