Archive for April 4th, 2006
Is Kodak aiming at Bluetooth-enabled camera?
By Candace Lombardi, CNET News.com
Kodak apparently plans to further embed Bluetooth technology into its products, according to documents filed with the Federal Communications Commission.
According to the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) Web site, Kodak has filed an equipment authorization application for a “Bluetooth module” and a “mobile transmitter with its own RF shielding” for use in “mobile and portable devices.”
From the documents, it’s possible to infer that Kodak plans to release a Bluetooth-enabled digital camera that would let photographers sync up with their printers, viewers, computers and cell phones.
News of the mobile transmitter license application was first reported by Sandeep Chandur, a blogger for MobileWhack.com. Photos of the internal device from the FCC Web site surfaced on the Internet over the weekend as more blogs linked to them.
While some photos of the transmitter remain on an FCC Web site (click for PDF), some of the information on the complete device was taken down from the site on Monday.
In its place a “Short Term Confidentially Request” has been put up. According to an FCC representative, companies have the option to request some form of confidentiality when filing an equipment authorization application, or Form 731.
“Kodak does not comment on unreleased products,” said Cindy Lee Douglas, worldwide public-relations assistant for Kodak.
News of integrated Bluetooth technology is not a surprise, as Kodak’s “You take the pictures. We’ll do the rest” promotional film, shown at its Consumer Electronic Show press conference earlier this year, featured syncing technology from one Kodak device to another.
Some would consider a Bluetooth-enabled digital camera a logical next step, because Kodak already offers Kodak Bluetooth-enabled printers, picture kiosks and USB adapters as well as Wi-Fi cards for its cameras.
Kodak CEO Antonio Perez also announced a plan in January to partner with Motorola for the purpose of developing higher-quality camera phones.
April 4th, 2006
Micron markets digital photo, video chips
Beaufort Gazette
The Associated Press
BOISE, Idaho (AP) – Micron Technology Inc. is now marketing to makers of surveillance and security cameras its line of digital photo and video chips used in cell phone, medical and automotive applications.
The world’s third-largest computer memory chip maker planned to unveil the surveillance image sensor campaign at the International Security Conference West trade show in Las Vegas this week.
Boise-based Micron makes digital image sensor chips using the complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Those chips, company spokeswoman Kirstin Bordner said, are being repackaged for the security camera market to challenge the traditional dominance of optical chips using the older charged coupled device, or CCD technology.
“Historically CCD has had the largest share of the security camera market, but CMOS is bringing new features – such as pan and tilt – onto one chip,” she said. “This is a new market for the technology and we hope to get in on the front end of it.”
Micron is seeking to capture more of the emerging demand for very small chips that allow high-resolution photo and video capacity in consumer and commercial devices.
In October, the company released a chip specifically designed for use in automotive digital video systems such as side- and rearview cameras that help drivers park or avoid children in their blind zone.
Two manufacturers have already adopted Micron chips for security imaging products. Agilitron, Inc., of Woburn, Mass., is expected to begin production early next year on a low-cost thermal imaging sensor that enables cameras to see through smoke and fog. Utah-based WiLife Inc. also uses Micron chips in a PC-based video surveillance system for residential and small commercial use.
April 4th, 2006
Nikon forecasts earnings surge, to slash debt
Staff and agencies/The Kindred Times, Utah
04 April, 2006
By Nathan Layne Thu Mar 30, 8:56 AM ET
TOKYO – Japan‘s Nikon Corp. (7731.T) said on Thursday it expects its operating profit to rise 70 percent over the next three years on cost-cutting and expanding sales of digital cameras and chip-making equipment.
Unveiling a three-year business plan, Nikon also said it would look to roughly halve its debt and establish an operating structure that was less vulnerable to the semiconductor cycle, which has typically battered its earnings in down years.
“Over the next three years we plan to leverage our technology and build up a company that can consistently produces profits as if it were the just the ordinary thing to do,” Nikon Chief Financial Officer Ichiro Terato told a press conference.
Following two straight years of losses in 2001/02 and 2002/03 in the wake of the semiconductor industry‘s worst downturn ever, Nikon has steadily improved its earnings, reflecting a recovery in chip spending but also its own efforts to cut costs.
Nikon expects the earnings upswing to continue, predicting that group operating profit to reach 90 billion yen ($764 million) in the business year through March 2009, up from an estimated 53 billion yen in the year ending this month.
The plan hinges on healthy sales of steppers, complex machines used to etch circuitry onto semiconductors and liquid crystal displays. Nikon‘s rivals in the chip stepper market are Netherlands-based ASML (ASML.AS) and Canon Inc. (7751.T).
It is also banking on healthy demand for its compact digital cameras and more expensive digital single lens reflex (SLR) models, which use interchangeable lenses. Nikon trails only Canon in the fast-growing market for digital SLRs.
Nikon aims to boost group sales to 900 billion yen in 2008/2009, up 27 percent from the year ending this March.
Nikon President Michio Kariya dismissed concerns that the entry of Sony Corp (NYSE:SNE – news). (6758.T) and other electronics makers into the digital SLR market would dent its position, saying it had technological strengths the newcomers could not match.
“We will leverage to the maximum the know-how accumulated during our more than 50 years in the camera business,” he said.
Kariya promised to reduce Nikon‘s heavy debt burden, a problem that has been a deterrent for some investors. Nikon had about 195 billion yen worth of interest bearing-debt as of the end of last March, equal to its shareholders‘ equity.
Nikon will aim to cut that total by more than half and lower its debt-to-equity ratio to 30 percent in 2008/09, a reduction that will be funded through increased cash flow and not by asset sales, Terato said.
It earmarked a total of 100 billion yen for capital spending through 2008/09, up 20 percent compared with the past three years. Research and development spending will rise by 60 percent to 165 billion yen, with much of that going to next-generation steppers and cameras and into the bio-science field.
Kariya said he would not hesitate to acquire companies if they could bring a complementary technology to Nikon and reiterated plans to foster new business areas such as glass materials to fuel growth.
But the driving force behind its planned expansion will be its exisitng businesses of steppers and cameras, he said.
Nikon aims to ship 10.7 million digital cameras in 2008/09, including 2.7 million digital SLRs and 8.0 million compacts, up from an estimated total of 8.4 million this business year.
It plans to sell 165 chip steppers in 2008/09, against its target for 160 units this year. It sees the overall stepper industry shrinking on a unit basis but expects revenues to grow by about 23 percent to 540 billion yen in calendar 2008 as the market shifts to more advanced and expensive machines.
Nikon forecast LCD stepper sales of 65 units in 2008/09, on par with the 65 expected in 2005/06. It also expects this market to shrink in unit terms but hold steady at about 120 billion yen as LCD panel makers purchase more expensive steppers.
Canon is the only other maker of LCD steppers.
April 4th, 2006
Fujifilm unleashes Microsoft .NET platform to ignite on-line digital printing
Canada NewsWire (press release), Canada
MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 4 /CNW/ – To further spur the enormous growth in
digital photo-finishing, Fuji Canada has transformed its online solution
towards a strategy based on Microsoft .NET.
According to the Canadian Imaging Trade Association (CITA), consumer
prints from digital cameras is primed for tremendous growth. Specifically,
2006 marks a point where the penetration of Digital Still Cameras will reach
50% installed base into Canadian Households. As the landscape of retail
printing and on-line services opens-up a stream of print and delivery options
for Consumers, CITA estimates 3-year growth of 90% in snapshot printing
(that’s over 600 Million 4″x6″ prints by 2008)
At the heart of Microsoft .NET is enhanced software portability and
scalability; which improves integration and efficiency of development and
design. This will translate directly to a site-experience that is faster,
simpler, and provides more options for photo-enthused consumers.
“This is a quantum-leap forward in our overall on-line print fulfillment
strategy” adds Chris Pollard, Product Manager Software Solutions with
Fuji Canada. “While impressive processing rates and work flow instructions
operate lightening fast behind the scenes, the consumer experience is both
engaging and dead simple”.
Fujifilm is well-positioned to take a leadership role in the on-line
photo-print marketing space under the .NET umbrella. Expect a full-slate of
development and promotional activities from Fuji, in terms of future plug-ins,
applications and strategic alliances.
Development Background
Fuji’s .NET connected software was formulated under the direction of
Agora Consulting Partners and Chiizu Pty Ltd., in collaboration with their
Canadian and Australian offices.
Microsoft’s .NET-based platform proved to be the backbone in paving the
way for this new generation of on-line activity. Greg Barber, Vice President,
Entertainment & Devices, Microsoft Canada comments, “Fuji Canada recognized
early, the scalability and full-potential of .NET, and truly embraced the
depths of its solution.” This will be an important element as technology
allows for an enriched picture-taking and sharing experience for consumers to
discover their love of photography.
About Fuji Photo Film Canada Inc.
———————————
Fuji Photo Film Canada Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Photo
Film Co. Ltd. of Tokyo, one of the world’s leading imaging and information
product developers and manufacturers. Fuji Photo Film Canada is based in
Mississauga, Ontario, with regional offices in Montreal and Vancouver.
Fuji Photo Film Canada creates new dimensions in photography and storage
media by introducing innovative technologies in the digital camera, digital
and film photofinishing, camera and data media categories. Recent advancements
such as Digital Super CCD, Image Intelligence, 4th Colour Layer Film
Technology, ATOMM and NANOCUBIC Media have helped the company establish itself
as the brand of choice by Canadian consumers.
Fuji Photo Film Canada Inc. also makes environmentally friendly practices
central to its business including its operations, its products and its
community outreach. Green is more than just its corporate colour. It is a
symbol of its commitment to improving our world – one person, one classroom,
and one species at a time. Their efforts and dedication to continual
improvement is reflected in the ISO 14001:1996 certification achieved in 2001
and ISO 9001:2001 in 2004.
April 4th, 2006