Shutterbug Staff

The
new KODAK EASYSHARE V550 and V530 zoom digital cameras blend video and still photography.
The V550 and V530 cameras are equipped with 5-megapixel (MP) resolution sensors
and the packages include the KODAK EASYSHARE Photo Frame Dock 2 -- which provides
one-touch picture transfer to a connected computer while keeping the cameras'
high-capacity battery charged and ready to go. Users can play video and photo
`slideshows' on the cameras' high-resolution LCD screens. The
V Model V550 has a SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH C-VARIOGON 3X optical zoom lens and nineteen
scene modes such as beach, snow, sunset and party. The EASYSHARE V550 camera will
be available worldwide beginning this June for US$399 (MSRP). The EASYSHARE V530
camera will be available worldwide beginning in July 2005 for US$349 (MSRP).



V-series cameras include KODAK EASYSHARE software for WINDOWS and MACINTOSH systems,
providing effortless digital picture organization, editing, sharing and printing
-- and even CD and DVD burning. The exclusive One Touch to Better Pictures feature
takes advantage of proprietary color technologies developed by Kodak to help users
get prints from inkjet printers. Version 5.0 -- available as a free download from
www.kodak.com beginning this
summer -- will feature new video editing tools that allow users to quickly and
simply trim, splice, rotate and add music to videos.
...

Microsoft Corp., together with leading companies in the digital imaging industry,
today announced enhancements to the family of Windows operating systems that will
enable consumers to easily work with RAW files in current and future versions
of Windows. Working closely with digital imaging industry leaders including Adobe
Systems Inc., Canon Inc., Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd. and Nikon Corp., Microsoft
plans to deliver native support for digital camera RAW images in the next major
version of Windows, code-named "Longhorn."



In addition, Microsoft is enhancing the digital imaging experience for Windows
XP with the upcoming availability of the Microsoft RAW Image Thumbnailer and Viewer
for Windows XP, allowing consumers to view thumbnails and preview and print Canon
and Nikon RAW files from Windows Explorer in Windows XP. These features, as well
as the ability to organize and edit Canon and Nikon RAW files, will also be available
in a future version of Digital Image Suite.



Microsoft also announced it is developing a certification program for third-party
RAW image codecs that will ensure their solutions provide a consistent experience
for consumers who are using RAW image files. With this new RAW support across
the Windows platform and products, Microsoft is enabling a seamless experience
for consumers working with RAW digital images and delivering an extensible architecture
for hardware and software industry partners.



Microsoft worked with imaging leaders to develop the digital camera RAW architecture
in "Longhorn" and to provide the best digital photography experience
for Windows consumers. "Longhorn" will deliver dramatic innovation
in RAW support for independent software developers, camera manufacturers and consumers.
Hardware and software partners will benefit from the standardized architecture
for image codecs, which allows them to contribute their own codecs to be certified
and implemented in Windows.



Microsoft's platform approach provides built-in support for RAW files, enabling
Windows-based applications to use all supported image types, including RAW. This
architecture enables software applications to seamlessly support new image types
upon codec certification by Microsoft. In addition, "Longhorn" will
provide an application programming interface (API) that enables software vendors
to exercise a higher degree of control over the RAW conversion in their applications,
while enabling market opportunities for professional-level conversion tools.



In addition to announcing the imaging enhancements planned for the next version
of Windows, Microsoft is helping Windows XP consumers realize the potential of
RAW files. The Microsoft RAW Image Thumbnailer and Viewer for Windows XP will
soon be available for free download* at http://www.microsoft.com.
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Judging from the amazing images we received from readers this month the art of the wall mural is alive and well and thriving in the US and abroad. The creativity of the artists, and the unique way in which the wall murals were photographed, is a great source of inspiration. We especially liked it when readers submitted images that included the context of the mural, or some ironic...

Pelican
Products, Inc., has introduced the 1560 Case, which has more than 2,800 cubic
inches of possible storage space. Features include rubberized front and side
grips for maximum comfort, as well as ball-bearing, polyurethane wheels and
an extension handle (with an effortless release latch) for easy transport. The
case also features stainless steel reinforced padlock protectors for added defense
against cutting and theft. For extra convenience, optional accessories such
as TSA-Accepted PeliLocks, lid organizers and padded divider sets are available
so travelers now have the 1560 as a viable mid-sized case to check important
equipment in.



Additional standard features include a lid equipped with a polymer sponge o-ring
for a dust and waterproof seal, and a Gore-Tex® purge valve that stops moisture
from entering the case and automatically balances interior and exterior air
pressure. As with all Pelican Products, the 1560 is backed by a Legendary Lifetime
Guarantee of Excellence: "You break it, we replace it...forever."

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