The news marks the end of an era for Kodak, which was founded back in 1889 – the camera pictured above is one of the first to be sold by the company. Unfortunately for the business, it reacted too slowly to the rise of digital imaging, finding its products outclassed by cheap digital models from rivals and subsequently cannibalized by photo-capable smartphones.

Today, three-fourths of Kodak’s total revenues come from its digital businesses, though those include Digital and Functional Printing, Enterprise Services and Solutions, and Graphics, Entertainment and Commercial Films units. The company expects to incur a $30m one-off cost in shuttering its digital camera arm, though that should be more than offset by the predicted $100m yearly operating cost savings.

Kodak says it has more than 100,000 kiosks and order stations for digital prints worldwide, as well as integration with social networks and online galleries. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in mid-January, after selling off assets including its digital camera sensor business simply to stay afloat.

[Image credit: National Museum of American History]

The Kodak Theatre has been the stage not just for the Oscars but for so many Hollywood spectacles. For the nerds out there, it has also been the setting for many of Nintendo’s E3 press conferences. The theater sits at the majestic Hollywood & Highland outdoor mall and is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the area. It has become a staple in the city, rivaling other staples like Staples Center (had to throw that in there). But clearly $75 million is a lot for a company that can’t even afford to pay its own employees.

The story of Kodak, which has itself won a multitude of Academy Awards for innovation in film and theatrical technology, is one that will go down in the annals of the changing tide in America. It will also be a lesson in business textbooks of the future, proving no company is too big, too iconic, too legendary to fail, and everyone needs to not only stay on top of the changing trends, but be the trendmakers themselves.

[via WSJ]

“At the same time as we have created our digital business, we have also already effectively exited certain traditional operations, closing 13 manufacturing plants and 130 processing labs, and reducing our workforce by 47,000 since 2003. Now we must complete the transformation by further addressing our cost structure and effectively monetizing non-core IP assets. We look forward to working with our stakeholders to emerge a lean, world-class, digital imaging and materials science company” Antonio M. Perez, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kodak

In the meantime, Kodak has managed to organize $950m of debtor-in-possession credit, with Citigroup stepping in with an 18-month deal. The company will use that money to settle its old debts and restructure moving forward.

In the meantime, Kodak will continue to sell its existing range, honor warranties and refunds, and work with suppliers.

Kodak has set up a specific site discussing the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Kodak Transforms, to explain what customers, investors and partners might need to know about the process. Yesterday, the company began what now appears to have been the first step in clawing back cash: suing Samsung over digital imaging patents.

The five patents named in the lawsuit include US Patent No. 6,292,218, US Patent No. 7,210,161, US Patent No. 7,742,084, US Patent No. 7453,605, and US Patent No. 7,936,391. All of which involve the capturing of digital images and transferring of the images over a cellular or wireless network. It’s not clear, however, which Samsung devices are specifically being singled out.

The iconic photography brand is rumored to be on the verge of bankruptcy. It has been attempting to sell off its patent trove to raise enough cash to stay afloat and to transition into a printer company. It’s recent lawsuits appear to be part of its patent marketing efforts to show that it still has some useful IP in its portfolio.

[via Forbes]

The lawsuit claims that Apple’s iPhone, iPad, and iPod as well as HTC’s smartphones and tablets use image transmission technology that infringe on Kodak’s patents, which it has already licensed to over 30 companies, including Samsung, LG, Motorola, and Nokia. It claims to have had numerous discussions with Apple and HTC on the matter but was unable to reach a satisfactory agreement.

The company is requesting the ITC to ban the importation of the infringing Apple and HTC devices, but says that its primary interest is not in disrupting the product flow but to obtain fair compensation. With rumors that Kodak is heading into bankruptcy and attempting to sell its patent trove to stay afloat, this could be a last-ditch effort to market its intellectual property.

[via Cult of Mac]

Kodak is said to be currently in talks with potential lenders for $1 billion of debtor-in possession financing to keep afloat during the bankruptcy filing period. Once under Chapter 11 protection, Kodak will attempt to sell its 1,100 patents via a court-supervised bankruptcy auction and remain in normal operation. The company is still attempting to sell its digital patents in hopes to avoid the bankruptcy filing.

The New York Stock Exchange has already warned Kodak that if it could not turn things around within the next six months that it would be delisted. Its shares have been closing under $1 for 30 consecutive trading days. Once an iconic photography company, Kodak is now attempting to transition into selling commercial and consumer printers.

[via WSJ]

Citing sources familiar with the matter, the WSJ says that Kodak has approached photo-sharing websites, competitors, retailers, and private equity firms about purchasing its Kodak Gallery unit. According to the source, Kodak is seeking “hundreds of millions of dollars” for the unit, but its declining user base isn’t justifying the asking price.

Kodak is aiming to sell about $200 million in non-central assets to help raise $1.3 to $1.4 billion in cash by the end of the year. The money is needed as part of its planned turnaround to transition into selling printers. The company has warned that it could go out of business by next year if it doesn’t gather up enough cash for the next 12 months.

The price of the sale was not disclosed, but Kodak confirmed today that the deal had closed. The company also assured that it was only selling the assets that would not impact its ability to turn itself around into a profitable and sustainable digital company. It would continue to have access to the image sensor technology that was sold as part of the deal.

The technology is used in manufacturing a wide range of high performance solid state image sensor devices and applications, including precision manufacturing inspection, digital radiography, earth imaging satellites, traffic monitoring, DNA sequencing, and studio photography.

Kodak is aiming to gather up $1.3 to $1.4 billion in cash by the end of the year, assuming that it would sell about $200 million in assets that are not central to its operations.

[via WSJ]

For Kodak, it means some much-needed cash to the tune of $10 million, plus undetermined royalty payments for at least ten years. That’s an important chunk of change for a company whose stock has lost three fourths of its value in the last year – shares were up an eyebrow-raising five percent on the news. The licensing deal is part of a $250-350 million plan for the company to pay off its considerable debt.

On IMAX’s part, the new technology will allow it to replace older digital and analog projectors in more of its theaters. IMAX’s equipment is specialized and extremely expensive, so when they upgrade, they intend for it to last. In addition to generally high-quality digital projections, IMAX films using the new patented process will be considerably brighter than their older counterparts. The new projection system is also much more cost-effective, and even for a company that isn’t on the verge of bankruptcy, every penny counts.

This raises an interesting proposition for Kodak, the vanguard of film photography and videography: will the company, now entering its thirteenth decade, become a firm principally composed of its ideas and techniques? With digital competitors like Canon, Nikon, Sony and the rest outpacing them in just about every market except budget point-and-shoots, it might not be bad way for them to continue.

The memory card slot holds up to 32GB cards and you can get the camera with a SD card or without. The camera has a small LCD on the rear and controls for settings, playing video, deleting files and changing from still photo to camcorder mode and vice versa. Power comes for an internal lithium polymer battery.

The camera has 18MB of internal storage in addition to that SD card slot. The camera is also dust and drop proof. The battery is charged and the camera content can be transferred via an integrated USB connector to your computer. Still shots are only 1MP and it will record 720p HD at up to 30 fps. The rear LCD is 2-inches wide and it has 2x digital zoom. The camera with a 4GB SDHC card is $119.95 or $99.95 for the camera alone and it will launch this fall.

Like the original, the new EasyShare Touch M5370 features a 3-inch capacitive touchscreen LCD and 5X wide-angle Schneider-Kreuznach optics. It also offers special shooting modes such as Kodak Film effects, photobooth, and more than 20 scene modes. The large touchscreen lets you easily tap the screen to add effects like background blur or spot color.

A face recognition and tagging feature recognizes up to five faces at a time and lets you add names to the pictures. There’s a one-touch share button that marks the photo for sharing by email or through social networks such as Facebook, Flickr, and Twitter. The photos are shared automatically when the camera docks.

The Kodak EasyShare Touch M5370 comes in four colors, including silver, blue, pink, and red. It should be available later this fall and is priced at $179.95.

[via Kodak]

With consumers and small businesses becoming more connected and mobile, Kodak has produced the Hero printers to meet the demands of this new lifestyle. The Hero printers work with Google Cloud Print as well as Kodak Email Print, allowing users to send documents or photos to the printers from any internet-connected device, including laptops, smartphones, and tablets.

“Google Cloud Print feature lets users print from an app, on any device, to any printer without the need for drivers or a PC connection,” said Google Product Management Director Mike Jazayeri. “The service works with existing printers as well as with a new generation of Google Cloud Print Ready printers, so we’re very excited that Kodak’s new HERO All-in-One Printers support the service.”

There are five models in the series with the top of line being the Kodak Hero 9.1, followed by 7.1, Office Hero 6.1, 5.1, and 3.1. The differences between the models include number of paper trays, paper capacities, size of the color display, and whether the display is touchscreen or requires a separate control panel. Prices start from $99.99 and go up to $249.99.

[via Kodak]

The Burton edition of the camera will have all the award-winning features of the original PLAYSPORT. It’s waterproof and shockproof making it perfect for extreme conditions in the snow. The interface is easy to read and the buttons are large enough to operate with gloves on. The camera is capable of full 1080p HD video capture as well as 5-megapixel stills for 16:9 widescreen HD images.

Videos can even be captured at 60fps for fast action that’s also perfect for slow motion playback. The Burton edition bundle comes with an HDMI cable, remote control, 4GB SDHC memory card, a tripod and carrying case. Priced at $199.95, the camera will be available this fall on Kodak.com and all major retailers.

The Kodak ESP Office 2170 will be able to directly print from your Blackberry device, as well as your iPhone, iPad, iPad 2, and iPod Touch. The printer is also cost efficient since the largest amount of money spent during a printer’s life is on the ink. The Office 2170 can churn out 670 black text pages on a single black ink 30XL cartridge and 550 color pages on a single color 30XL cartridge.

The printer can print stills directly from video files such as mov, .avi and .mp4 file types. But perhaps its most unique feature may be the 3D photo feature, one of the first among consumer inkjet printers. You’ll also be able to edit images to adjust color tone, red eye, blemishes, and skin tones from the 1.5-inch display. The Kodak ESP Office 2170 goes on sale in the U.S. in June for $149.99 MSRP.

[via Kodak]

The patents in question deal with low resolution image previews. Kodak has already received close to $1 billion in a settlement from Korean tech companies LG and Samsung related to the same patent. The judge that ruled in the LG and Samsung case was a different ITC judge than the one from the Apple and RIM case. The ITC can’t enforce monetary damages, but it can block imports that infringe on U.S. patents. That is more than enough reason to compel companies to settle.

Kodak initially sued Apple back in January 2010 over the patents and alleging that Apple’s iPhone infringed on their patents. Apple came back with their own countersuit about several digital imaging patents they alleged Kodak of violating. An ITC judge ruled in favor of Apple and RIM in January of this year and said that the patent in question was invalid because it was an “obvious variation of an earlier invention.”

Kodak CEO Antonio Perez told Bloomberg that his company “deserves to win,” but we’ll just have to wait and see how the ITC rules. Kodak has been struggling mightily with the rapid decline of the camera film market. In the past year Kodak has lost almost half of its market value and revenues fell to $7.2 billion, nearly half the amount it made in 2005. The company is making income mostly from its patent portfolio nowadays. It licenses its digital imaging technology to around 30 companies, which include Motorola, LG, Sony Ericsson, and Nokia.

[via Daily Tech]

The analyst forecast for 2010 had been $2.11 billion. In total, digital revenue is down 25%, while the consumer digital imaging group’s revenue is down 40% to 731 million. While the company PR wizards did their best to put a positive spin on the press release, you can’t fool the market.

Eastman-Kodak‘s shares are down 17.04% as of 12:20 PM. That’s an adjusted loss of 37 cents per share, well under the 5 cents expected profit analysts predicted. This makes two straight quarters of losses for Kodak, and a stock decline of 30% year-to-date.

Kodak’s failed suit against Apple and RIM certainly isn’t helping the outlook.

[Via Kodak Press Release]

The device will be highly focused on sharing, allowing the user to upload to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Email, and Kodak Gallery with easy image and video formatting. Capturing video in full 1080 and 5MP HD images, the PlaySport will not only be durable, but powerful as well.

The PlaySport 2 will be shipping this spring for about $179.99.

The Easyshare mini is a $99.95 camera that is about the size of a credit card with 10MP resolution, 3x optical zoom, and a mirrored front for self-shots. The rear LCD is a 2.5-inch unit and it has video recording and more. The Easyshare Sport will sell for $79.95 and is waterproof to ten feet and dustproof as well. It has a 12MP resolution and a 2.4-inch LCD.

The Playful Video Camera will sell for $149.99 and can record in 1080p resolution and shoot 5MP still shots. The camera is aimed at sharing video online and has an easy to use Share button for uploading. The Playsport Video Camera will sell for $179.95 and is waterproof to ten feet and shockproof as well with 1080p video and 5MP stills.

The digital photo frame is the Pulse and is has a 7-inch screen version for $129.95 and a 10-inch version for $199.95 and will turn itself off when it sense no one is in the room. It also has an email address so friends can send pics to the frame. Kodak has also announced that it is launching 3D photo prints from Kodak AIO printers with software and printing solutions.

From the name of the service you really get no idea what Kodak has unveiled. You go to the store with your photos on media of some sort. You pick a frame style that you want hanging on the wall or sitting on the table and scan the bar code for the frame at the Pynk kiosk.

Then you select the images that you want in the photo frame via whatever method you chose to upload them and the kiosk takes those photos, sizes them, crops them, and then prints a single sheet with the photos on it perfectly arranged and sized for the frame you choose. Before you had to spend time cutting, printing, and sometimes taping photos together in one of these collage fames to compete the same thing. Kodak isn’t talking price on these things and if it costs too much it will fail. However, for the right price, this could be a very cool service.

Kodak are pretty proud of the EasyShare M590, what with it being the thinnest point-and-shoot with an all-internal 5x optical zoom, though at 0.6-inches it’s certainly not the slickest digital camera around.  Still, the zoom gets you nice and close, and there’s a 14.5-megapixel sensor inside too.  Style-wise it’s a little on the bland side, but the straightforward button layout does at least mean there’s little in the way of user confusion.  It’s priced at $199.95.

As for the PLAYTOUCH, it’s more expensive – at $229.95 – which could hurt in a market where cheaper point-and-shoot camcorders are already under attack from 720p-capable cameraphones.  Still, the capacitive touchscreen is responsive and bright, and the build quality is good; Kodak’s simple UI should make for a relatively straightforward experience with non-techy users, as well.

Finally, the Kodak 10-inch PULSE, a WiFi-enabled digital photo frame.  The company was showing the new model next to the original 7-inch version, and while the difference might not sound much on paper, in practice you get far more viewing pleasure.  At $199.95 it’s reasonably competitively priced, and Kodak’s wireless sharing feature is easy to use.

More hands-on shots in the gallery below.

The new Kodak ESP 9250 AIO printer carries on the low price ink tradition for Kodak with some new features. The printer promises to produce printed images that are as good as those printed at a photo lab and the ink pigments will last a lifetime according to Kodak. The printer can produce a borderless 4 x 6 print in 29 seconds. The print resolution is 9600 dpi optimized in color and prints can be made directly from the iPhone or iPad with a special Kodak app.

The printer can copy at up to 27 pages per minute and the scanner has a 2400 dpi resolution. The fax modem uses a 33.6 kbps modem to send data wherever you want. The printer uses a 2.4-inch color LCD and has integrated USB and memory card reader. An optional Bluetooth adapter for the printer is available. The 9250 is available right now for $249.99.

There’s also a 2.7-inch LCD display, face recognition, image stabilization, HD video capture and a microSD card slot for storage.  The Kodak EasyShare M590 will go on sale this fall, priced at $199.95 in silver, red, purple or blue.

As for the 10-inch Kodak PULSE digital frame, like its 7-inch sibling it has WiFi and its own email address: you can send images directly to the frame and, as long as it’s within network range, it’ll automatically start showing them.  Facebook and Kodak Gallery content can also be pulled down automatically.  It’ll also arrive this fall, priced at $199.95.

Press Release:

Kodak Introduces Latest Digital Camera for the Socially Savvy

KODAK EASYSHARE M590 is World’s Thinnest* 5X Optical Zoom Digital Camera; Company Will Also Offer Larger KODAK PULSE Digital Frame

Rochester, NY, Aug 23 — Eastman Kodak Company today introduced the new KODAK EASYSHARE M590 Digital Camera, the ultimate social networking accessory for people who love to share their pictures. With Kodak’s exclusive Share Button, consumers can tag pictures and videos directly on the camera for effortless uploading to popular social networking sites including FACEBOOK, KODAK Gallery, FLICKR, ORKUT, and YOUTUBE. Pictures can also be tagged to email and to send to any KODAK PULSE Digital Frame.

The new KODAK EASYSHARE M590 Digital Camera is the world’s thinnest* 5X optical zoom digital camera. On top of its sleek, modern and stylish design, the camera also boasts advanced features including Kodak’s Face Recognition feature that makes it simple for consumers to find and share the pictures they want, and Kodak’s Smart Capture feature that helps them take better pictures automatically.

“We are thrilled to see how people have embraced Kodak’s Share Button as an easier way to share life’s moments with family and friends, in three simple steps,” said Phil Scott, Vice President of Marketing, Digital Capture and Devices, Kodak. “With the new KODAK EASYSHARE M590 Digital Camera, we are continuing our commitment to bring to market innovative, intuitive and stylish products that make it fun and easy for today’s socially savvy crowd to share all their favorite moments.”

KODAK M590 Digital Camera Features:

Share Button for easy upload to KODAK Gallery, FACEBOOK, FLICKR, ORKUT, and YOUTUBE sites, as well as email
World’s thinnest* 5X optical zoom digital camera (uses SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH VARIOGON lens)
Built-in image stabilization
Kodak’s Face Recognition feature
Kodak’s Smart Capture feature
2.7-inch bright LCD with KODAK Color Science technology
Li-Ion rechargeable batteries and in-camera charging
HD picture and video capture
Uses MICROSD/MICROSDHC Card
The KODAK EASYSHARE M590 Digital Camera will be available this fall for US $199.95 MSRP in silver, red, purple and blue at major retailers and Kodak.com.

New 10-inch KODAK PULSE Digital Frame

Kodak is also introducing a larger size for its popular and award-wining KODAK PULSE Digital Frame. The new 10-inch PULSE Digital Frame will be available this fall for US $199.95 MSRP at major retailers and Kodak.com. With all the features of Kodak’s current 7-inch PULSE Digital Frame, including Wi-Fi connectivity and a customizable email address, the 10-inch PULSE Frame is the perfect gift for the holiday season. The KODAK PULSE Digital Frame makes it easy for consumers to keep their frames fresh with new pictures and share with family and friends. Pictures can be emailed directly to the PULSE Frame from mobile phones, computers and any device with email capability. It also connects to FACEBOOK and KODAK Gallery photo albums, offers easy set-up with no software to install, and has an intuitive touchscreen interface.

With the KODAK PULSE Digital Frame, there is always something new to look forward to.

KODAK Digital Camera Accessories

A range of accessories are available for the KODAK M590 Digital Camera including:

New KODAK Gripping Tripods available this fall in a variety of colors
KODAK Cases, Bags and Neck Straps
KODAK MICROSDHC Memory Card
KODAK Li-Ion Rechargeable Digital Camera Battery KLIC-7000
Battery charger options including KODAK Li-Ion Universal Battery Charger K7700-C
* World’s thinnest 5X optical zoom digital camera as of July, 2010

** Colors and availability may vary by region

It’ll also shoot 5-megapixel stills, has an SD/SDHC card slot which – with a 32GB card in place – allows up to 10hrs of footage to be stored, and a pop-out USB arm for cable-free connections.  Digital image stabilization and four preloaded special effects round out the main functionality, though there’s also a Kodak Share button for designating particular shots and clips for uploading to Facebook, YouTube or other social networking sites when you next plug the PLAYTOUCH in.

The Kodak PLAYTOUCH will hit the US this fall, priced at $229.95.  It’ll be available, like all good bras, in black, magenta, orange and teal.

Press Release:

KODAK PLAYTOUCH Video Camera Lets You See and Be Seen with Intuitive 3-Inch Touchscreen and Optimized HD Playback

Rochester, NY, Aug 23 — Eastman Kodak Company today introduced the new KODAK PLAYTOUCH Video Camera, a sleek and stylish addition to its award-winning digital video camera portfolio. The pocket-size KODAK PLAYTOUCH Video Camera features a 3-inch capacitive touchscreen so consumers can easily glide through their HD videos with the swipe of a fingertip. With new on-camera editing and Kodak’s exclusive Share Button, the PLAYTOUCH Video Camera makes it easy for consumers to share their favorite moments with friends and family in full 1080p HD.

Complementing its unique design, the KODAK PLAYTOUCH Video Camera boasts an array of features to help consumers capture their memories with clarity and precision, including built-in image stabilization, LCD glare shield, and an external microphone jack. To make sharing videos simpler, the PLAYTOUCH Video Camera has a built-in USB arm and Kodak’s Share Button lets consumers tag videos and pictures directly on the camera for automatic upload to popular social networking sites once they connect the camera to the computer.

“Kodak has firmly established itself as a leader in the digital pocket video camera space since introducing its line in 2008, and continues to be one of the most highly rated and recommended in this category,” said Phil Scott, Vice President of Marketing, Digital Capture and Devices, Kodak. “We’re committed to providing our consumers with innovative and intuitive products that satisfy their needs. Whether it’s a night out on the town with friends or your child’s school play, the KODAK PLAYTOUCH Video Camera makes capturing and sharing your favorite moments simple and fun.”

KODAK PLAYTOUCH Video Camera Features:

Share Button for easy video upload to YOUTUBE and FACEBOOK sites, and email
3-inch capacitive touchscreen LCD optimized for reviewing in landscape mode for the ultimate 1080p HD video sharing experience
On-camera editing features to trim and extract still pictures from video
5 MP HD still pictures
Sharper videos and less blur with built-in digital image stabilization
Built-in USB arm for easy sharing, charging, and transferring
Smart face tracking technology
LCD glare shield feature
External stereo microphone jack to add high-quality sound to videos or to plug in headphones for discreet playback*
4 capture effects, including B&W, sepia, high saturation, and ‘70s film look
HDMI output (HDMI cable included)
Up to 10 hours of HD video** with expandable SD/SDHC card slot (up to 32 GB)
Li-Ion rechargeable battery with in-camera charging
PC and MAC iLIFE product compatibility
The KODAK PLAYTOUCH Video Camera will be available in Smoke Gaze (Black), Chrome, Wine Country (Magenta), Cabana (Orange) and Spa Blue (Teal) for US $229.95 MSRP this fall at major retailers and Kodak.com.***

KODAK Digital Video Camera Portfolio

Whether you have an appetite for adventure or want to be the paparazzi of your social circle, Kodak has a pocket video camera for everyone. In addition to the KODAK PLAYTOUCH Video Camera, Kodak’s robust line of digital video cameras also includes the award-winning KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera – a rugged, waterproof HD pocket video camera designed for adventure seekers. The perfect travel companion, the KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera captures full 1080p HD video – even underwater up to 10 feet – with the touch of a button. Kodak is also now offering the KODAK Mini Video Camera, an ultra-thin and lightweight camera about the size of a credit card, available at leading retailers and Kodak.com.

Product Accessories

A range of accessories are available for Kodak’s pocket video camera portfolio including:

New KODAK Floating Wrist Strap for the KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera
New KODAK Gripping Tripods available this fall
KODAK SDHC Memory Cards, available in 4, 8 and 16 GB customized for optimal video capture
KODAK Adventure Mount for helmet, handlebars and more
KODAK Cases, Bags and Neck Straps
Remote control
KODAK Li-Ion Rechargeable Digital Camera Battery KLIC-7004
Battery charger options including KODAK Li-Ion Universal Battery Charger K7700-C, KODAK Solar Charger KS100-C+2, KODAK Portable Charger KP100-C+2
* Microphone and headphones not included

** Record approximately 20 minutes per 1 GB at HD 720 at 30 fps.

*** Colors and availability may vary by region

About Kodak

As the world’s foremost imaging innovator, Kodak helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of pictures and printing to enrich their lives.

To learn more, visit http://www.kodak.com and follow our blogs and more at http://www.kodak.com/go/followus.

More than 75 million people worldwide manage, share and create photo gifts online at KODAK Gallery – join today at www.kodakgallery.com.

© Kodak, 2010. KODAK, PLAYTOUCH and PLAYSPORT are trademarks of Kodak.

Meanwhile another document [PDF link] Kodak submitted to the FCC confirms that the new Pulse W1030 won’t be able to transfer files directly with a PC.  The frame’s USB port will only work as a USB Host, for connecting directly to a camera; it’s unclear if that means direct WiFi connections won’t be supported, though that seems unlikely to be the case.

That would suggest that the only way to load images to the Pulse W1030′s internal memory (capacity unspecified) is to use a memory card or set up a wireless network; many frames will allow for direct connection to a computer, with the display showing up as an external drive.  No word on when Kodak may release the Pulse W1030, but they requested 45 days confidentiality on the rest of the testing documentation and user guide, so that suggests a holiday launch.

[via Zatz Not Funny]

Treo – I first used a preproduction Treo at the end of the 2001 and wrote my first review in the January of 2002. It wasn’t the first device to merge a Palm OS handheld with a phone but it was arguably the first device that did it well enough to be used on a regular basis. Treo bucked the trend at the time by eschewing multimedia features; there was neither movie-clip playback nor MP3 audio support. Rather, it targeted business users, merging voice and data with personal information management functions and it did it well. Other devices of the era tried to integrate these functions, but they failed because they tried to add either telephony features to PDAs or organizer features to phones and neither approach worked well. Treo was the first device that successfully merged features in harmony, producing a sum that was greater than its parts.

Things that we take advantage today were part of the Treo experience. Flip it open and your speed-dial list was ready to be used. Tap a few keys and you could instantly find the contact you wished to call. All the familiar Palm applications including an e-mail client, Handspring’s Blazer Web browser and an SMS application were present. Take a look at the iPhone’s dialer and you’ll see the direct descendent of the work Handspring did a decade ago. Treo no longer defines state of the art but most devices that are state of the art today would not be here without Handspring’s efforts and the smartphone you might dread to leave behind is the direct heir to the original Treo.

TiVo – It quietly changed television – and how many of us watch TV today? – but it took a lot to get the mass market to understand the value. We called it the TiVo paradox. It was how you explained something that so many users appreciated and were excited about, but that still sold in relatively few numbers. So what’s the reason for the TiVo paradox? TiVo’s by themselves were not “killer applications”. In fact, there’s a multitude of features in TiVo that are totally contextual, that at a given moment in time BECOME the killer app. Want to pause TV when the phone rings? That was the killer app at that moment. Recording a show using an EPG to simply search for it? That was the killer app at that moment. Skipping commercials when you watch recorded content? That was the killer app at that moment.

Contextual functionality ONLY comes together when you get to see the whole, not a piece or part. When you see only pieces, you just get a very expensive VCR not a DVR. And that’s the moniker TiVo was stuck with for many years, an expensive VCR. The reality is that TiVo and later DVRs totally changed the way many of use consume TV and it’s quickly become on the of those indispensable phenomena.

GPS – Whether it was integrated into your vehicle at the turn of the century at a cost of thousands of dollars or an external unit that might have cost only a few hundred, the GPS totally changed the way many of us drive. Whether we took to the streets with a gas station map, or later Mapquest directions, the GPS forever changed how we got from point a to point b. Today, a full functioned GPS might be well under a $100 purchase and if you’re using a phone from Nokia or Google, that feature has now trended down to free. Like watching a TV with no DVR, I find it hard to drive a car with no navigation system but I discover that GPS has come indeed at a price. Once upon a time, if I drove to a new place (with directions) I found that I could easily get back there anytime in the future. The route was now part of my repertoire. With the GPS assisted driving, not so much anymore. I find that I’m paying more attention only to where the next turn is and not the route as a whole. I may be getting to where I’m going better than ever before but I feel less smarter about it overall.

Kodak DC120 digital camera – It wasn’t the first digital camera. Both Apple, Casio and others had models in the market well before Kodak. But the DC120 was a very special camera in 1997. It was the first consumer 1MP digital camera priced below $1,000. It was no paragon of style with a binocular look and a 3X zoom lens, but also had an optical viewfinder and a color LCD. Crossing the magic 1MP threshold at that price meant for the first time consumers could begin to take photographs and print them out with near film-like quality at sizes up to 5×7. The DC120 wouldn’t hold itself well to the most of the cameras integrated into today’s phones but it helped start a revolution for consumers that ultimately paved the way from analog to digital.

iPod –The first MP3 players I used changed the way I listened to music under certain circumstances. Going to the gym, for example, with a Creative RIO was a fantastic experience that let you take a solid workout’s worth of music in a device a fraction of the size of a cassette player. It was the iPod, though, that helped me rediscover music. When the iPod came out, I felt intuitively that there was more to this product than met the eye. Among the first research projects I did in 2002 at Jupiter Research was to understand what about the iPod was special.

It turned out the iPod balanced three critical features for users: battery life/form factor/sync and capacity. It didn’t have the “best” of those features but it had the best balance of them. Mapping into what was the average size of a consumer’s digital music collection of the era, fitting easily into a pocket and able to sync 1,000 songs in minutes not hours (or days) separated the iPod from the pack. There’s of course much more to this story but the bottom line is iPod brought digital music to the masses and personally helped me rediscover music I’d already owned and neglected.

Those are the five archetypical gadgets that make up the digital world that I value most. While none of them would likely be good enough to use by today’s standards, they each set the tone for a revolution in their space. What are the five gadgets that matter most to you, whose modern equivalents you’d be loath to give up?

Kodak is still saying that they’ve got the cheapest total ink replacement in the market, and that’s all well and good for them. The 6150 AiO Printer features 4-in-1 flexibility, offering up print, scan, fax, and copy all in the same unit. It has the latest technology when it comes to WiFi, and Kodak is positive that you’ll be happy with how easy it is to set up. It has an “intuitive control panel,” which means you’ll be able to do all your paper needs from both a touchscreen display, as well as a more physical, button-filled fashion.

But, as we mentioned above, the single best feature is the fact that you can choose to print what you want from your smartphone. As of right now, Kodak has support for BlackBerry devices, and thanks to a brand new application that you can find in Apple’s App Store, called Kodak Pic Flick App, you can print from your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch, while on the go. You can order your very own 6150 AiO printer from Kodak’s website for $229.99 right now if it’s caught your attention.

[Update] Bad news for BlackBerry owners. Unfortunately, we just got word that the BlackBerry application that will work with the Kodak 6150 AiO Printer isn’t quite ready yet, and therefore not available to the public. No word on an ETA, either, but hopefully it’s not too far off. We wouldn’t want all those iPhone users out there to get all the printing love, now would we?

[via Kodak; thanks Bryony!]

Kodak’s quick to point out that the Playsport Video Camera is waterproof. You can submerge it up to 10 feet (3 meters) of water, and still keep snapping your favorite photos, or grabbing some HD video. That’s right, the Playsport can capture full 1080p HD video at a full 30 frames per seconds (FPS). It also features things like electronic image stabilization, a brilliant 2-inch color LCD display with an integrated LCD glare shield, and the ability to capture 5MP HD stills, at a 16:9 ratio.

You can also expect to find face recognition, and the ability to expand the integrated memory with either SD or SDHC memory cards, all the way up to 32GB. That’ll give you about 10 hours of HD video, give or take. It has the ability to upload images directly to social networking sites like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, using the software on the camera, or the USB cable that comes with it. Finally, you can pick up the Playsport Video Camera in three different colors: Abyss (black), Wave Crash (blue), and Adrenaline Rush (purple). It’ll set you back $149.99, but with all those features, you can’t pass it up, right?

[via Kodak; thanks Bryony!]

Video demo after the cut

The reason for the massive bulk – aside from the huge sensor, which is apparently 1.7x the size of a regular DSLR CCD – is that the 645D can use film lenses.  That opens up plenty of interesting possibilities for still-life photographers.

As for the 645D itself, Pentax have used roughly the same control layout as the K-7, together with that DSLR’s integrated HDR creation functions, and there’s a 3-inch LCD preview display with 170-degree viewing angles.  Storage is via twin SDHC card slots, and there’s a new dust removal system.  Expect it to arrive – and be expensive – by the end of 2010.

[via Engadget]

As well as 2GB of onboard storage there’s a microSDHC card slot, though you’ll have to make do with USB 2.0 as there’s no HDMI or A/V connectivity.  There’s both face and scene detection, and an automatic “Smart Shoot” mode which will pair those features with ISO and dynamic range balance for better shots.  ISO settings from 64 to 3200 are possible.

Finally you get a “Share” button which allows you to preselect which photos you want to upload to various different social networks – including Facebook, Flickr and YouTube – and have them automatically sent when you next plug the Slice into your computer.  The Kodak Slice is available now, priced at $349.95.

The camera has a 3-inch LCD on the rear and uses a 14MP sensor. Optical zoom is 8x and the camera has shake reduction. HD video recording at 720p resolution is supported at 30 fps. The lens us a 28mm wide angle unit using Schneider-Kreuznach optics.

The camera has a hoard of automatic features designed to give you great pictures no matter the setting. The camera has face recognition and can be set up to recognize up to 20 faces automatically. The feature automatically tags faces for search and the tags carry over to editing software. The M580 has 64MB of internal memory and stores to SD/SDHC cards. The camera can be pre-ordered now for $199.99 and is expected to ship on April 23.

Video demo after the cut

Apparently Digita was quite a popular platform for hacking at one point, and there are various ports of different apps for it including a MAME emulator.  Having settled on Doom, however, the camera’s button layout didn’t suit, so JJ crafted a custom enclosure with buttons salvaged from a vintage soft-feel PC keyboard and laid out in as close to the usual pattern as space allowed.

A bigger speaker, LED indicator for CF card activity and room for a future internal battery round out the hardware changes.  It’s not pretty, no, but we still want one.

[via OhGizmo!]

Gerwin’s intent is a little different to the Golden-i, which prioritizes remote data access rather than predominantly capture.  The headset has a 10.1-megapixel camera and an integrated pico-projector, which both hook up wirelessly to a mobile hotspot which uploads content directly to a remote cloud server.  When you want to share content, you do so publicly via the projector, and the whole thing is built into a pair of headphones.

So, more of a life-blogging tool than the Golden-i claims to be, but as a model of how to make wearable computing more aesthetically acceptable it’s a little more successful than the Kopin’s plastic-heavy style.  Unfortunately it’s all just a concept right now.

[via About Projectors]

Kodak alleges that both RIM and Apple are infringing on patents it holds on digital imaging. Kodak has filed the suit with the ITC with the specific claim that camera-enabled devices from Apple and RIM infringe on a patent Kodak holds having to do with previewing images.

Kodak also filed another suit against Apple alleging that it is also infringing on patents Kodak holds for certain computer processes. Kodak claims that it has been working with RIM and Apple for years to resolve the issues unsuccessfully and is resorting to a suit for resolution. Kodak is seeking a limited exclusion on the importation of the infringing devices that include digital cameras along with unspecified damages.

Kodak has been making its own OLED screens for use in its electronic products for a while now. Back in March Kodak and LG teamed up and Kodak announced that its OLED screens would be used in LG products. Kodak announced recently that it would be selling its OLED screen business and all associated assets to LG

The specifics of the deal are not known at this time. Kodak reports that the move will allow it to tighten its investment focus and strengthen its financial position. Kodak will continue to have access to the OLED technology for its own products. The deal is subject to customary closing processes and is expected to close by the end of the year.

The camcorder will follow on from Kodak’s Zi8 point-and-shoot, and given the sales success of the budget video niche we’re not surprised that a successor is in the works.  As for the “new type of camera”, it’s unclear whether that means a new type for Kodak or, less likely perhaps, a new type altogether.  If the former, it could mean a DSLR or similar; if the latter, considering we’ve seen 3D cameras and point-and-shoots with pico-projectors built-in from Kodak’s rivals, the sky really is the limit.

The G150 promises enough storage for over 100 images and has built-in software that allows for plug-and-play use. The integrated software means that no third-party software is needed to resize images for loading onto the keychain. The pictures can be displayed in a slide show or one at a time.

Software for Mac and Windows PCs is included on the keychain. The G150 will be offered in black, red, blue, and silver colors in late September for $29.99 and runs on a lithium-ion battery good for two hours of photo viewing and charging is via USB.

Kodak has announced two new AIO printers that it has added to its line. Kodak added the ESP 3250 and the ESP 5250 printers and claims that the two devices will save users about $110 per year on ink. Both printers use Kodak’s latest print technology with inks that are water and stain resistant. Both printers offer print speeds of up to 30 pages per minute in black and 29 pages per minute in color.

The ESP 3250 has a 1.5-inch color LCD, memory card readers and can print, scan and copy. The printer can produce 4 x 6 borderless prints in 29 seconds and sells for $129.99. The ESP 5250 adds integrated Wi-Fi and a 2.4-inch LCD to the mix and sells for $169.99.

It includes what Kodak call a “point and play” remote, a motion-sensitive controller that gives the control of a mouse but without demanding a flat surface.  As well as showing your own videos – loaded via SD/MMC/xD/MS/CF card or via USB – the Kodak Theatre HD Player can play YouTube videos together with other on-demand streams.

There’s also a “collage view” function that calls up images from a networked PC sorted by date; it automatically shows images related to the current date or up to two weeks forward.  The Kodak Theatre HD Player is available now, with an MRSP of $199.99.

The onboard software – loaded by plugging in the Zi8′s flick-out USB connector - includes YouTube and Facebook uploads, together with basic editing functionality.  Footage is recorded to SD/SDHC card, with up to 32GB cards supported for up to 10 hours of video.  The preview display is 2.5-inches, and there’s an external microphone jack and HDMI connection.

As well as video, the Kodak Zi8 captures 5-megapixel 16:9 stills, and the company are claiming improved low-light performance too.  It will land – in aqua, raspberry and black – from September 2009, priced at $179.95.

Press Release:

KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera brings sleek style and high-performance to pocket video

Easily shoot and share high-quality 1080p HD video

Rochester, NY, July 29, 2009 – Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) today announced an exciting new addition to its popular line of Digital Video Cameras – the KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera, featuring a sleek design, high-quality full 1080p High Definition video capture, and built-in electronic image stabilisation.

“Images and video have tremendous power to help us stay connected to family and friends,” says Phil Scott, Worldwide Director of Marketing, Digital Capture and Devices and Vice President, Consumer Digital Group. “The KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera makes it easy to spontaneously capture HD video – of heartwarming moments, of ‘can you believe that?’ moments, and of just plain laugh-out-loud moments – and then quickly and easily share them.”

The slim and stylish KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera is designed to meet these needs at the touch of a button — no lens cap, dials to turn or settings to adjust. The new camera’s range of advanced features includes:
• Full HD 1080p video capture wherever you go;
• Built-in electronic image stabilisation for sharper videos and reduced blurring;
• Vivid 2.5″ colour LCD;
• Flexible swing-out USB arm for fast uploading, sharing, and charging;
• 5 MP 16:9 widescreen HD still pictures;
• Easy upload to Facebook and YouTube;
• Compatible with PC and Mac operating systems;
• Record up to 10 hours of HD video* with the expandable SD/SDHC card slot that can hold up to 32 GB;
• Capture family and friends in their best light with smart face tracking technology;
• See more details and accurate colours in low light;
• External microphone jack;
• In-box HDMI cable;
• Record from a distance or playback on your TV conveniently with optional KODAK Pocket Video remote control;
• Grab attention and define your style with the ultra compact design, stunning looks, and a range of colours.

Uploading to Facebook and YouTube
The KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera provides one-button upload to Facebook, the premiere social networking and sharing website. Content can also be quickly and easily uploaded to YouTube, the world’s most popular online video community. The built-in software on the camera allows seamless upload of your video and pictures from the same desktop interface used for video editing and movie creation.

Accessories
A range of accessories are available for the KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera, including:
• KODAK SDHC Memory Cards, available in 4, 8, and 16GB capacities customised for optimal video capture;
• KODAK Pocket Video Remote control;
• KODAK KLIC-7004 Lithium Ion batteries;
• KODAK Flexi-tripod;
• KODAK Adventure Mount for helmet, handlebars and more;
• KODAK cases, camera bags and neck straps.

Pricing and Availability
The KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera will be available in aqua, raspberry and black** from September, 2009, and retail for US$179.95 MSRP.

*Record approximately 20 minutes per 1GB at HD 30fps.
** colour availability may vary.

[via Gizmodo Australia]

Notably, this picture frame lacks Wi-Fi, but you don’t have to plug it in to use it, thanks to a rechargeable battery. You can get about an hour of life out of this thing. Measuring in at 7-inches, this frame has a Picture Finder feature, that lets you categorize your images.

There’s also a slideshow and collage mode as well as a calendar and a clock. There’s 1GB of memory and you can attach a USB drive for added space. It will play music and videos as well. You can get the Kodak EasyShare S730 in Europe now for about $207 and it’ll be available in the U.S. in September for $139.