Micron Technology Press Release

Micron challenges college students to a Camera phone Photography and Video contest.

BOISE, Idaho, October 25, 2006 – Micron Technology, Inc., is challenging college students to discover the photography potential of today’s camera phones. Micron is sponsoring a competition, dubbed the Micron Mobile Theater Contest, where participating students will capture the extraordinary, inspirational, and intriguing in single-frame shots and continuous video, using mobile phones designed with Micron memory and image sensors. “We are encouraging these students to use their imagination and creativity to maximize the mobile imaging innovations designed into today’s camera phones,” said Bob Gove, vice president of Micron’s imaging group. “As the camera phone imaging leader, we are advancing the picture quality of today’s camera-equipped mobile phones. While the contest is designed to demonstrate the photographic and video capabilities of today’s mobile phones, it also provides a unique perspective to how our technology impacts camera phone imaging.”

CameraLabs have published their review of the new Panasonic DMC-L1 DSLR camera.

“Panasonic’s Lumix L1 is arguably the most unique digital SLR on sale today. It may share many aspects with the Olympus E330 which provide the Live View, anti-dust system, and allow a flat upper surface, but Panasonic’s gone several steps further by adding a superb lens with optical stabilisation and equipping the L1 with a set of analogue controls which go beyond retro nostalgia to deliver genuine enhancements in usability. The L1 certainly succeeds in making the statement that Panasonic’s arrived in the DSLR market.”

Website: CameraLabs - Panasonic DMC-L1 Review

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TrustedReviews have reviewed the Sony T10, a 7 slim megapixel digital camera with a 3x zoom lens, 2.5 inch LCD screen, optical image stabilization and a fastest ISO speed of 1000.

“Image quality is a bit of a mixed bag. As already mentioned, you’ll be noise free up to 200 ISO and the Super Steady Shot functionality should mean that you won’t have to dial things up much higher than that too often. The macro setting can also produce impressive results for a camera this compact. However, I did notice that the colours sometimes took on a garish look, no matter what colour setting I employed. Also, the flash had a habit of washing out detail on some shots, while being perfectly balanced on others. And because you’re constantly at the mercy of the T10’s automatic exposure settings, you have no real way of telling exactly what you’ll get.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Sony DSC-T10 Review

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ThinkCamera have reviewed the new Pentax Optio W20, a compact digital camera featuring waterproof performance with a slim, flat body design.

“The W20 has a waterproof casing but this doesn’t mean you can take the camera to the depths of the ocean because there are limitations due to pressure. The camera is only waterproof to JIS Class 8 which is 30 minutes at a depth of 1.5m. While this doesn’t immediately sound too impressive remember your typical compact can’t even touch water. This ability is more than OK for using on holiday while you are splashing about in the sea looking at fish or for a little snorkelling - and it is fine for the rain too.”

Website: ThinkCamera - Pentax Optio W20 Review

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Wacom Press Release

Special edition white Graphire4 Classic pen tablet launched

Wacom, the leading manufacturer of pen tablets and interactive pen displays, today announces a special edition of its pen tablet range aimed at design-oriented users, the Graphire4 Classic White Edition. Matching many white laptops and computers in the marketplace today particularly from Apple, the new pen tablet provides the advanced features, precision and pressure sensitivity of the rest of the Graphire4 family and is ideal for image editing and optimising digital photographs. The special edition comes in either A6 or A5 size and will be available in November 2006 in time for Christmas.

FotoNation Press Release

Advanced Software Identifies and Locks onto Faces for Automatic Cropping, Focus & Exposure

October 24, 2006, Monterey, CA,— FotoNation, (www.fotonation.com), a world-leading imaging and connectivity solutions company for the digital photography industry, announced today at the 6Sight Mobile Imaging Summit, FotoNation “Face Tracker™,” the world’s first face detection and tracking technology for camera phones.  FotoNation Face Tracker represents a major breakthrough in advanced digital image capture technology.  It detects the presence and position of a subject’s face at up to 30 frames per second during image capture enabling the optimal setting of exposure, focus and color balance.

Avanquest UK Press Release

Avanquest UK, a leading developer and publisher of business and consumer software for the global PC market worldwide, has launched Photoshow HQ; a one-stop solution for photos and photo slideshows. With digital camera sales estimated at 89 million units worldwide this year, and the ever increasing number of camera phones on the market, we are taking more digital photos than ever – but what do we do with all of those images we take of loved ones and holiday memories?  Leave them to fade in a computers’ memory as we once did with our 35mm film? With PhotoshowHQ you can turn your images into impressive 3D photo slideshows to play back on your TV or computer, complete with music, transitions, narration, text and amazing effects – all in a few easy steps!

Microtek Press Release

Microtek ArtixScan M1 follows the Microtek ScanMaker(r) i900 as the next-generation film/flatbed scanner featuring E.D.I.T. for scanning film.

Carson, CA (October 24, 2006)—Microtek, a world-leading manufacturer of digital imaging products, announced today that it is developing the ArtixScan M1, a combined flatbed and film scanner for 35mm, 6cm, and 4x5-inch film formats that also offers additional functionality to scan reflective art or prints as large as 8.5 by 14 inches. Microtek will preview the ArtixScan M1 at the PHOTO PLUS EXPO at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York on November 2, 3 & 4. Equipped with Microtek’s patented Emulsion Direct Imaging Technology(TM) (E.D.I.T.), 4800-dpi optical resolution, 16-bit digital output per channel, auto focus, and new film holders with tension technology, the Microtek ArtixScan M1 offers extraordinary value to photographers, photo enthusiasts, and graphic designers in need of high-quality scans.

Colour Confidence Press Release

Birmingham, UK, 24th October 2006 - Colour Confidence, the leading independent colour management specialists, have today announced the availability of two exclusive solutions for designers and photographers. Based around the LaCie 300 series monitors, the Designer Edition and Photo Edition include a selection of products designed to improve the end user’s overall workflow and provide excellent value, at the same price as the monitor on its own. The two new products are available immediately from www.colourconfidence.com

Tow.com Press Release

Annoture 1.0
This update brings compatibility with Aperture 1.5 and iView MediaPro 3.1.2, along with speed improvements, Aperture selection support, German localization, and more. Annoture is a metadata bridging solution for Aperture and iView MediaPro! With Annoture, you’re just a click away from sharing metadata between these two popular image management and cataloguing applications. Spend more time working with your decisive moments than worrying about double-entry and incomplete metadata!
http://www.tow.com/software/annoture/

Timeature 1.0.1
Timeature lets the user adjust the Image Date field of images imported in Aperture. The correct Image Date ensures that your photos are sorted properly within Aperture. This field is sadly not currently user-editable, hence the need for Timeature.
http://www.tow.com/software/timeature/

Corel Press Release

Corel Will Deliver New Products and Optimize Current Offerings for New Windows Platform

Maidenhead, UK - 25 October 2006 - Corel Corporation (NASDAQ:CREL; TSX:CRE), the maker of Corel® WordPerfect® Office, CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite, Corel Paint Shop Pro® Photo, Corel Snapfire*, Corel Painter* and WinZip®, today announced that it will release Windows Vista versions of each of its major products. “Corel is pleased to announce our commitment to Windows Vista by offering a full array of products for this new operating system. Each of these products will deliver the trademark ease of use, powerful feature performance and outstanding value for which Corel products are known,” said Shawn Cadeau, vice president of global marketing for Corel.“This commitment to deliver outstanding applications for Windows Vista makes Corel software the ideal choice for customers and partners who are planning the move to this new operating system.”

Rocky Nook Press Release

Santa Barbara, CA, October 25, 2006—Until recently, turning digital images into high quality fine art prints was only a dream, but this has now become a reality. Today’s digital cameras produce image data files making large-format output possible at high resolution. As printing technology moves forward at an equally fast pace, the new inkjet printers are now capable of printing with great precision at a very fine resolution, providing an amazing tonal range and significantly superior image permanence. Moreover, these printers are now affordable to the serious photographer. In the hands of knowledgeable and experienced photographers, they can help create prints comparable to the highest quality darkroom prints on photographic paper. “Fine Art Printing for Photographers” (Rocky Nook, US $44.95) by Uwe Steinmueller and Juergen Gulbins provides the necessary foundation for fine art printing: the understanding of color management, profiling, paper, and inks. It demonstrates how to set up the printing workflow as it guides the reader step-by-step through the process of converting an image file to an outstanding fine art print.

TrustedReviews have reviewed the the Fujifilm FinePix S6500fd (also known as the S6000fd), a 6 megapixel digital camera with a 10.7x zoom lens equivalent to 28-300mm.

“Image quality is superb compared to most other 6MP cameras, thanks mainly to the quality of the lens. Despite its huge zoom range it manages to produce virtually no distortion at the wide angle end and is pin-sharp right across the frame. The 1/1.7in SuperCCD HR sensor appears to be that same one found in the FinePix F30, and has the same slight problem with purple fringes on high-contrast edges, but it is very minor and under normal conditions hardly shows up at all. Colour rendition, contrast and dynamic range are all excellent.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Fujifilm FinePix S6500fd Review

Website: Read our Fujifilm Finepix S6500fd Review

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CNET have reviewed the the Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd (also known as the S6500fd), a 6 megapixel digital camera with a 10.7x zoom lens equivalent to 28-300mm.

“We saw virtually no noise with the S6000fd set to ISO 100, and while we saw a minute amount of noise at ISO 200 when viewing on our monitors, the noise didn’t show up in prints. Though we saw slightly more noise on our monitors at ISO 400, it still wasn’t very noticeable in prints. By ISO 800, Fuji’s noise suppression obviously kicked in, so while noise was kept largely under control, significant amounts of finer detail was lost.”

Website: CNET - Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd Review

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CNET have the first online review of the 7 megapixel Casio EX-Z70.

“Quirks can make or break a relationship. He or she may be attractive, smart, funny and have plenty of good qualities, but unsightly habits such as tooth-clicking or nail-biting may be enough to push you over the edge. Technology is the same way; a camera may be attractive and fast, but those irritating flaws can be enough to drive you crazy. Casio’s 7-megapixel Exilim EX-Z70 is one such quirky camera.”

Website: CNET - Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z70 Review

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CameraTown have reviewed a couple of Crumpler camera bags, the Bundle and 2 Million Dollar Home (pictured) models.

“The “2 Million Dollar Home” as Crumpler calls it is the right size to fit most large point & shoot, ultra zoom, and compact digital SLR camera models.  The case features a large front pocket for accessories and a smaller mesh-lined pocket inside the top flap. Both pockets are hidden from view when the cover of the case is down.  This Crumpler camera bag looks like a scaled down version of their messenger bags. It is stylish and affordable but is it the right case for you?  Read our review to find out.”

Website: CameraTown - Crumpler “The Bundle (L)” Camera Bag Review
Website: CameraTown - Crumpler “2 Million Dollar Home” Camera Bag Review

AKVIS Press Release

October, 2006 - AKVIS LLC announces the release of AKVIS Enhancer plug-in v.5.0 for Windows and Macintosh. The version introduces the long-awaited batch mode that allows you to improve a series of pictures in a row.  Besides, the installation procedure for Macintosh was simplified. AKVIS Enhancer is an image enhancement software for revealing details on a picture. Enhancer allows detecting details from underexposed, overexposed and mid tone areas of a photo. The tool is useful in cases when a photo lacks detail. For example, when a picture has been taken with the background overexposed and consequently the foreground is hardly discernible, which is especially annoying when you take a picture of a person; or when a photo lacks dramatic effect due to vagueness of the scene.

ATP Press Release

Sunnyvale, CA (October 23, 2006) – ATP Electronics® Inc., the industry leading manufacturer of flash media storage products, announced the release of a Class 6 ProMax® SD High Capacity (SDHCTM) 4GB memory card.  This SDHC card, strictly following SD Association (SDA) v2.00 specifications, has passed rigorous testings for Class 6 certification at a recent SDA interoperability session performed by major camera manufacturers, such as Panasonic, Canon, Nikon and Casio.  The Class 6 ProMax SDHC 4GB card maximizes the performances of newest models of high megapixel digital cameras such as Canon IXY 1000, PowerShot G7, A630/640,  Panasonic DMC/SDR/DMR series, Nikon CoolPix S5, S6, D80 and Casio Exilim Z and S series digital cameras.

CEA / Yahoo! Press Release

Arlington, Virginia 10/23/2006 - Seventy-seven percent of consumer electronics (CE) purchases were influenced by Internet research according to the joint Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®) and Yahoo! study Understanding How Consumers Use the Internet to Research and Shop for CE Products. The study, conducted by Hall and Partners, explored the path to purchase for five CE products: cell phones, computers, digital cameras, digital music players and televisions, and found that online research time directly correlated to product price. As the price of a product increased so did the amount of time a consumer spent researching that product. The least amount of time spent researching was on cell phones at nine hours and the most times spent researching was 15 hours on televisions. For those who purchased, the average amount of time spent researching online was 12 hours.

Canon have released a new firmware version, 1.0.5, for their 8 megapixel Canon EOS 30D digital SLR. This firmware update incorporates the following additional functions and corrections:

  1.  When making camera-direct prints, a semi-gloss paper can be newly selected in the camera settings.
  2. Corrected the phenomenon wherein the displayed number of continuous shots that can be taken increases when images that have been taken are deleted.

Website: Canon EOS 30D v1.0.5 Firmware

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