December 04, 2003

Bluetooth/IR Digital Prints

Kiosks will allow mobile camera phone users to beam their images to the kiosk using Bluetooth or Infrared (IrDA) technologies

Camera phone photo printing goes nationwide

The USA based pharmacy, CVS has announced plans to introduce mobile image printing capabilities at KODAK Picture Maker kiosks at more than 3,000 stores throughout the USA. The service, to be available in early 2004, will make CVS the first national retailer to offer customers the ability to print pictures from their image-enabled mobile phones.

Earlier this year, CVS successfully introduced "Pictures from your Digital Camera" from KODAK Picture Maker kiosks, enabling customers to produce photo-quality prints from digital media including camera cards, CDs and disks. Starting in early 2004, enhancements to the KODAK Picture Maker kiosks will allow mobile camera phone users to beam their images to the kiosk using Bluetooth or Infrared (IrDA) technologies. Customers can then edit, enhance, and print their photos in minutes.

"Our research shows that consumers have a strong desire to print their digital pictures at retail. Next year, there will be tens of millions of camera phones in use capturing billions of images. The Kodak Picture Maker kiosk is an ideal way for people to print pictures at retail from digital cameras or camera phones," said Chris Sliva, Output Business Manager, US&C, Consumer & Professional Imaging, Eastman Kodak Company. "As the overall number of digital images captured - whether through digital cameras or mobile phones -- continues to grow, we want to make it as easy as possible to have access to and print these pictures where and when they want," Sliva said.

At the kiosk, customers will use a simple touch screen to preview and select only the photos they want to print, choose sizes and quantities, and make image enhancements such as red-eye reduction. Prints will be ready for pick-up upon checkout. New 3" x 4" and 1.5" and 2" photo prints will be available from the enhanced kiosks.

CVS has approximately 4,100 stores in 32 states and the District of Columbia.

Camera phone photo printing goes nationwide

Posted by Craig at December 4, 2003 03:02 PM