Planet 9 aims RayGun at iPhone
“We’ve overcome huge hurdles associated with the creation of global 3D models and delivering a responsive, entertaining platform that’s easy to use,” says San Francisco, Calif.-based Planet 9 Studios. The navigation and social networking software developer is now offering RayGun for the iPhone. The RayGun platform is a 3D social network allowing users to chat, [...]
Kids can learn cameras by building one
The Computer Vision Lab at Columbia University is developing a camera kit with which kids can learn photography. The BigShot will expose children to fundamental concepts in optics, mechanics, electromagnetism, electronics, image processing, and the physiology of the human eye, the researchers say, to draw them towards further learning in math and science. The camera [...]
Retail reward programs gain traction in recession
In light of the recession, consumers are leaning on loyalty programs to stretch household budgets further by earning rewards for their purchases. Research shows U.S. consumer participation in rewards programs has increased by nearly 20 percent since 2007. In fact, nearly one-third of consumers rate retail rewards programs as “more important” during the recession. Sears [...]
Take a moment to learn how you can market your business with gift certificates in today’s PMA Marketing Moment
Gift certificates are powerful marketing tools, and Mark Klostemeyer, MCPF, of Design Frames, Falls Church Va., says every independent shop should be using them. In today’s PMA Marketing Moment, he explains how and when they should be used – and offers a great tip for making presentation folders.
Fujifilm forms Fujifilm North America Corp.
Fujifilm Holdings America Corp., Valhalla, N.Y., announced, effective Jan. 1, 2010 it is creating a new organization, Fujfilm North America Corp., which will merge Fujifilm U.S.A. Inc. and Fujifilm Graphic Systems U.S.A. Inc. Also, Fujifilm Canada Inc. will become a subsidiary of the new company as of April 1, 2010. “The creation of this unified [...]
Digimarc sues Shazam for patent infringement
Digimarc Corp., Beaverton, Ore., filed a complaint for patent infringement against Shazam Entertainment Ltd., asserting Shazam identification technology infringes three of Digimarc’s patents, including two patents dating back to 1995. Digimarc’s patents relate to technology that enables devices to identify audio and visual content and immediately link the consumer to associated internet services. “We prefer [...]
Canon to acquire all ordinary shares of Océ, aims to create top presence in printing industry
Canon Inc., Tokyo, Japan, and Océ N.V., Venlo, The Netherlands, reached conditional agreement to combine their printing activities through a fully self-funded, public cash offer by Canon for all the shares of Océ. The offer price of € 8.60 per share of Océ represents a premium of 70 percent over the closing share price of [...]
Corel says “yes” to share offer
The board of directors of software company Corel Corp., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, gave its approval to a share offer made by venture capital company Vector for all outstanding shares of the company at US$4.00 per share. Vector currently owns approximately 67 percent of Corel’s outstanding shares on a fully-diluted basis.
Target reports improved third quarter
Target Corp., Minneapolis, Minn., reported third-quarter net earnings of $436 million, compared with $369 million for the same period last year. Total revenues were $15.276 billion, including credit-card revenues, compared to $15.114 billion for the same period last year. “We’re very pleased with our third quarter earnings performance, which reflects strong execution and a commitment [...]
Digital camera market in Western Europe fueled by the changing face of the DSLR buyer
Despite the down economy, DSLR cameras have continued to drive sales in Western Europe (France, Germany, and the UK), providing market vendors with an opportunity for expansion and growth. As the DSLR market matures, DSLR buyers are shifting from early adopter male hobbyists to female family memory keepers, according to the latest research from InfoTrends. [...]
