Lexar Media Press Release

FREMONT, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Sept. 19, 2005—Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq:LEXR), a leading manufacturer and marketer of high-performance digital media and accessories, today responded to litigation initiated by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. and Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc.

Fuji filed a lawsuit against Lexar, alleging that certain of Lexar’s flash cards infringe Fuji’s U.S. Patent No.‘s 5,303,198; 5,386,539; and 5,390,148. Fuji seeks damages and injunctive relief in this litigation, which was filed in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on September 16, 2005.

“We believe that Fuji’s litigation is a tactical move in response to the ongoing patent infringement case that Lexar brought against Fuji over three years ago, in July 2002,” said Eric Whitaker, executive vice president and general counsel, Lexar. “In that case, we intend to prove that Fuji’s sale of digital cameras and flash memory products infringe multiple Lexar patents. We expect discovery to be complete in that case in the next five months and anticipate a trial next year. It appears that Fuji recognizes its potential exposure in that litigation and is now trying to deflect attention from it by filing this new action. Based on our initial review of the patents asserted by Fuji, we do not believe that they apply to our flash cards, and this litigation will not deter us from protecting Lexar’s intellectual property from Fuji’s infringement.”

Sandisk Press Release

SanDisk to Ship Units of Its First ‘‘U3 Smart’’ Flash Drive That Creates a Portable Secure Personal Workspace; U3-Powered SanDisk Cruzer Micro USB Smart Drive Will Be Distributed to U.S. Retailers in October

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Sept. 19, 2005—SanDisk(R) Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today introduced its first USB smart drive using U3(TM) technology, a powerful new platform that enables users to store and manage their “personal workspace”—including files, programs, passwords and settings—on a tiny device the size of a pack of gum. The announcement was made at DEMOfall, where SanDisk’s first U3 production units were demonstrated. The event at the Hyatt Huntington Beach is showcasing 70 of the world’s most promising new technologies.

SanDisk Cruzer(R) Micro smart drives will offer a private, securely protected experience on any PC with Microsoft Windows XP or 2000 without leaving the user’s personal information on the host machine at the end of a session when the drive is removed. These smart drives will be able to launch a variety of U3-compatible (called “U3 smart”) software programs, including anti-virus, security, communications, audio, video, gaming and photo-editing, to name a few.

Triscape Inc. Press Release

Users Have the Full Power of FxFoto to Securely Archive, Organize, Edit and Scrapbook Photos on Any PC Using the U3 Smart Drive Computing Platform

WINDHAM, N.H., Sept. 19 /PRNewswire/—DEMOfall—Triscape Inc., makers of the popular FxFoto(R) software for digital photographers, today announced that Portable Pictures(TM) is available on the U3(TM) smart drive computing platform. FxFoto Portable Pictures, the first photo software designed specifically for traveling and on-the-go digital photo users, is a complete suite designed to run directly from U3 powered USB smart drives, occupying only a few megabytes and leaving more than enough room for digital image storage.

U3 smart drives create a private and portable workspace that simply plugs into any computer. Applications such as FxFoto can be carried on any U3 powered USB smart drive and launched on any PC running Windows XP or 2000 for a highly mobile and secure computing experience. FxFoto Portable Pictures allows users to not only take their pictures with them, but also carry a complete application to manage, edit and share them.

LaCie Press Release

LaCie Breaks Ground With Carte Orange: Credit-Card Sized 8GB USB Key

September 19, 2005

  * Ultra thin 8GB credit-card sized USB key
  * Sturdy and convenient metal design
  * Amazing price per gigabyte for mobile storage

LaCie unveils the latest in storage technology: a credit-card sized USB key called the LaCie Carte Orange that offers an unprecedented 4GB (4000MB) or 8GB (8000MB) storage capacity. LaCie Carte Orange is ideal for exchanging or backing up large amounts of office files, and storing hours of music, videos, photos and slideshows. With its sturdy metal design and plastic bumper, LaCie Carte Orange is amazingly light and thin—far thinner than most traditional 1GB or 2GB USB keys. Measuring at 6mm height and weighing less than 60g, LaCie Carte Orange’s smart and convenient design easily fits in small pockets and wallets making it the most convenient way to travel with lots of data.

Paradigm Imaging Group Press Release

Costa Mesa, CA – September 7, 2005 - Paradigm Imaging Group, a leading distributor of large format scanning and printing solutions, is pleased to announce a distribution agreement with Canon U.S.A. The agreement will allow Paradigm Imaging Group to market Canon’s complete line of large format printers including the new imagePROGRAF W6400 and W8400 pigment ink large format printers.

Paradigm President Randy Geesman says, “Our new relationship with Canon represents a significant opportunity for us to further expand our large format product offering. We plan to distribute Canon printers through our channel of authorized resellers as both a stand-alone printing solution or integrated with our Rocket Scanner controller, Graphtec and Colortrac scanners for scan-to-print applications”.

Minox Press Release

A new service now available: A MINOX laboratory (at Siegen, Germany) copies pixel by pixel onto traditional chemical film

Carsten Chadt explains: “Well maintained traditional film material is known to last for at least a century or two and reproduction is easy.” Loss of data can be caused by many different means. The storage medium ages, they may get damaged or deleted by accident or another unknown and that is today’s standards may not be read by future hardware and software. Therefore, it should be common practice to regularly copy to the latest standards, but in practice this is becoming more and more complex as the number and size of the files grow. The answer is that pixel by pixel and basic colour by basic colour the information of digital photos will be transferred by cathode rays to conventional film material by a newly developed machine. This provides the ability to produce classic photos on demand on photo paper. Also, to the best of our knowledge today, every future scanner will be able to read films or transparencies as they are optical memories.

Shutterfly Press Release

Shutterfly expands consumer reach with television debut

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — (September 19, 2005) — Shutterfly, the leading independent e-commerce company specializing in digital photo products and services, today announced a new partnership with TV and web retailing giant HSN.  Shutterfly products and services will be bundled with digital camera and scrapbook supply purchases made through HSN’s TV shopping programs and through the hsn.com website.

“HSN’s selling environment provides Shutterfly with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to demonstrate the many thoughtful and creative ways HSN’s audience can use their digital camera photographs to stay connected with family and friends,” said Doug Galen, SVP of Corporate & Business Development for Shutterfly.

The first ever Europe Photobloggers Meetup is taking place later this coming weekend (September 23rd-25th) in London. As I’ve just moved back to the English capital (which is noticeably colder than Paris), I’m planning to attend at least one of the planned events, which include a photographic meetup, photo display and of course some drinking. So if you’re not doing anything this weekend, get yourself to central London for some photography-related, ermm, frolics?!

Website: Europe Photobloggers

It’s the end of an era this week as Mike Johnston publishes his final “Sunday Morning Photographer” column.

“This week marks the last installment of “The Sunday Morning Photographer.” It has endured more than three years and well over 100 separate columns, and given its modest aims I think I am justified in calling it a success. I’d like to extend my thanks to the various web hosts and translators who have done so much to help make it a success, and to the many regular and occasional readers who seem, by and large, to have enjoyed it. Although it’s impossible to please “all of the people all of the time,” I hope I have ranged widely enough to have been of some usefulness to each of you at least occasionally.”

Website: The Sunday Morning Photographer

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.

Kopin Press Release

TAUNTON, Mass.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Sept. 19, 2005—Kopin Corporation (NASDAQ: KOPN), the largest U.S. manufacturer of microdisplays for mobile consumer and military electronics, today announced that Eastman Kodak Company is incorporating Kopin’s CyberEVF(R) 230K viewfinders into its new KODAK EASYSHARE P-Series cameras. Designed for avid photographers, these digital cameras combine high performance with simplicity of operation and sophisticated photographic controls. The EASYSHARE P880 has 8.0 megapixels and a 5.8x optical zoom wide-angle lens. The EASYSHARE P850 has 5.1 megapixels and a 12x optical zoom image-stabilized lens. Both cameras are expected to be on retailers’ shelves this month.

DIWA member Steves Digicams have published the first online review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T7, a 5 megapixel digital camera with a 2.5 inch LCD screen and a 3x optical zoom lens.

“I was pleased with the T7’s outdoor shooting results. The lens produced sharp results throughout its 38 – 114mm (35mm equivalent) optical zoom range, with a moderate amounts of barrel distortion at extreme wide-angle and pin cushioning at full telephoto. It zooms smoothly and nearly continuously throughout its 3X range; I counted 27 steps between full wide angle and full telephoto. Our outdoor test images were both well exposed and richly saturated, and had very little chromatic aberration (purple fringing) in high contrast areas.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T7 Review

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DIWA member Steves Digicams have taken a look at the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T5, an ultra-slim 5.1 megapixel digital camera with 3x optical zoom lens and a 2.5 inch LCD screen.

“The T5 is a robust performer. From sliding open the lens cover till the first shot was captured measured an impressive 1.5 seconds; you will not miss many unposed spontaneous photo opportunities. Shutter lag, the time between depressing the shutter and capturing the image, measured 1/10 second when pre-focused, and lag including autofocus was an equally impressive 3/10 second; both of these times include about 1/10 second of delay in the live image on the LCD viewfinder. In single shot mode, images could be captured at a rate of 1 every 8/10 second with Auto Review off, or 1 per second with Auto Review on. Using flash, shot-to-shot time ranged between 1.5 and 4 seconds depending on subject distance.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T5 Review

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DIWA member Steves Digicams have posted their review of the 5 megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T33.

“The CyberShot DSC-T33 is one of a trio of diminutive 5-megapixel digicams SONY has introduced in 2005, the other two being the DSC-T5 and the DSC-T7. Weighing just over 5 ounces including battery, media and wrist strap, the T33 just fails to achieve 1-megapixel per ounce. Despite its small size, it packs a 3x optical zoom lens and a large 2.5-inch LCD into its stylish metal body. Its Automatic exposure mode will appeal to beginners needing the ease of use of a point-n-shoot, while its Program and Scene modes provide features desired by intermediate photographers.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T33 Review

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DIWA member LetsGoDigital have published their review of the Kodak Easyshare V550, a 5 megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom lens and 2.5inch LCD screen.

“The main issue as far as the EasyShare system is concerned is simplicity and the Kodak EasyShare V550 fits in smoothly. It’s a piece of cake to handle and share pictures in combination with the standard delivered docking station. I do stick to the fact that this is an extremely strong point of Kodak. Not the technique takes up the main position but the joy in photographing. A concept that is followed by other brands; and the fact that other brands use the EasyShare system may be seen as a huge compliment for Kodak.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Kodak Easyshare V550 Review

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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

Czech website Digineff have a brief review of the new Kodak EasyShare One Wi-Fi digital camera.

Website: Digineff - Kodak EasyShare One Review

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CNET have posted their review of the Olympus mju DIGITAL 500 digital camera (also known as the Olympus Stylus 500), which has 5 megapixels, a 3X optical zoom lens and large 2.5” LCD display.

“The first of the weatherproof Stylus Digital line with a 2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD and an automatic lens barrier, the 5-megapixel Olympus Stylus 500 Digital nevertheless lags behind the newer Stylus 600 and Stylus 800 models, with their built-in help guides, Olympus’s Bright Capture technology, and the 800’s manual-exposure modes. Still, the Stylus 500 Digital will fill the bill for snapshot photographers who want an affordable, basic point-and-shoot camera to accompany them on outdoor adventures.”

Website: CNET - Olympus mju DIGITAL 500 Review

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The Slovenian website Slo-Foto.net have just reviewed the new Olympus mju DIGITAL 800 digicam.

Website: Slo-Foto.net - Olympus mju DIGITAL 800 Review

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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.