Most Read
Most E-mailed
Print Article******************
BACK TO MENU
CEA
Digital Imaging Comes into Focus
by Gary Shapiro, President and CEO, Consumer Electronics
Association (CEA)
Whether it's a snapshot from a camera the size of a credit card or
sending a vacation picture from your photo-enabled wireless phone,
digital imaging products have clicked with consumers faster than
your shutter speed in optimal sunlight. Indeed, CEA forecasts that
this year sales of digital cameras will surpass analog sales for
the first time.
Today, you can find a digital camera in nearly half of all
households. According to CEA Market Research, the digital camera is
the second most requested consumer electronics product right behind
the DVD player. In another recent CEA survey, consumers named the
digital camera as one of the top three most wanted gifts this past
holiday season.
And the industry continues to grow by leaps and bounds. In 2003,
total domestic factory sales of digital cameras are projected to
top $2.8 billion, while the average unit price is expected to fall
below the $300 threshold for the first time. The reason-smaller
cameras equipped with expanding pixel capabilities now are
available at an affordable price. Consumers can compliment their
camera investment with quality scanners and other peripheral
products at home that enable the transfer of images from camera to
computer in a snap to send via email or produce photo shop-quality
prints right from their own living room. In addition, digital
imaging is becoming a function in a number of mobile products such
as cell phones and PDAs, allowing consumers to snap a picture while
sending an email, talking to a friend or listening to an MP3
file.
As the "Digital Decade" marches on, so does the digital imaging
industry. The increased focus on wireless networking will allow
more efficient methods of digital photo transmission via technology
such as Bluetooth or infrared (IR). What seems to be a climax in
digital imaging technology may very well be the beginning of a
photographic renaissance.
You can see the latest in digital imaging at the 2004 International
CES to be held January 8-11, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
******************
BACK TO MENU
I3A
Getting Prints From Digital Images
by
Lisa Walker, Executive Director, International Imaging Industry
Association (I3A)
Convergence and competition have opened new market opportunities
for traditional photography manufacturers and digital vendors, now
increasingly partnering with each other. As the market evolves, the
industry faces a challenge to set industry-wide standards that will
enable vendors to develop products that best address end-user
needs. Common interfaces and open web services, for example, will
help ensure images and other information can be practically,
seamlessly and cost-effectively captured, exchanged and printed
using any combination of access points and products or services
desired, creating opportunities for vendors to deliver new products
and services to customers.
To this end, the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A)
in partnership with Agfa Gevaert N.V., Eastman Kodak Company,
Hewlett-Packard Company and Silverwire have launched the Picture
Services Network (PSN) Directory Service and the Common Picture
eXchange Environment (CPXe). PSN and CPXe will give life to the
imaging industry's vision for making it as convenient to get prints
and other photo services from digital pictures as it is today with
film.
Combined, the CPXe interoperability specifications and the PSN
Directory Service will simplify the process for consumers and
businesses to find, access, and use Internet-connected and retail
photo services.
These kinds of industry-wide, open industry standards are essential
to I3A's mission to drive market growth by enabling new markets and
opportunities for member companies that will ultimately benefit
consumers and end-users.
I3A is the leading global imaging industry association, driving
growth of and setting standards for the photographic and
information imaging markets. As the industry focal point, I3A
offers a framework and environment where members can quickly find
resources to solve critical issues and develop market solutions.
Members of I3A work together to find common ground for advancing
the industry and to enable better products and services for
customers everywhere.
******************
BACK TO MENU
|
