You are here: Home / 2011 / February / Archives for 24th

Apple updates MacBook Pro, releases developer version of new OS

February 24, 2011 by
New Apple MacBook Pro series

Apple Inc., Cupertino, Calif., updated its MacBook Pro laptop line with next generation processors and graphics,

New Apple MacBook Pro series

New Apple MacBook Pro series

high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology and a new FaceTime HD camera.

“Thunderbolt is a new I/O technology that delivers an amazing 10 gigabits per second and can support every important I/O standard which is ideal for the new MacBook Pro,” says Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.

Starting at $1,199 the new 13-inch MacBook Pro features Intel Core i5 and Core i7 dual-core processors up to 2.7 GHz and Intel HD Graphics 3000. The 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro models feature quad-core Core i7 processors up to 2.3 GHz and AMD Radeon HD graphics processors with up to 1GB of video memory for high performance gaming, pro video editing and graphics intensive applications.

MacBook Pro is the first computer on the market to include the groundbreaking Thunderbolt I/O technology, the company says. Developed by Intel with collaboration from Apple, Thunderbolt features two bi-directional channels with transfer speeds up to an 10Gbps each, Thunderbolt delivers PCI Express directly to external high performance peripherals such as RAID arrays, and can support FireWire and USB consumer devices and Gigabit Ethernet networks via adapters. Thunderbolt also supports DisplayPort for high resolution displays and works with existing adapters for HDMI, DVI and VGA displays. Freely available for implementation on systems, cables and devices, Thunderbolt technology is expected to be widely adopted as a new standard for high performance I/O.

The MacBook Pro now includes a built-in FaceTime HD camera with triple the resolution of the previous generation for crisp, widescreen video calls. FaceTime is included with all new MacBook Pro models and is available for other Intel-based Macs from the Mac App Store for 99 cents. The MacBook Pro lineup continues to feature aluminum unibody enclosure, glass Multi-Touch trackpad, LED-backlit widescreen display, illuminated full-size keyboard and 7-hour battery.

Apple also released a developer preview of Mac OS X Lion, which takes some of the ideas from iPad and brings them

Mac OS Lion

back to the Mac for the eighth major release of the world’s its operating system, the company claims. The Lion preview is available to Mac Developer Program members through the Mac App Store today, and the final version of Lion will ship to customers this summer.

Filed Under: Featured, Product News

Wizard launches new mat design book

February 24, 2011 by

A new book “Innovative Mat Designs and Classic Embellishments,” by Brian Wolf, CPF, GCF, Wizard International Inc., Mukilteo, Wash., provides design ideas and explanations on how to easily create decorative mats.

The full-color book and companion CD is a project-oriented handbook for designing with the Wizard CMC. More than 300 mat designs and 160 CutArt elements are included that are ready to install and use with Wizard MatDesigner software.

“My goal is that both novice and veteran mat designers will find this book useful,” says Wolf, Director of Standards and Training with Wizard and a key instructor with Wizard University.

“This guide emphasizes the importance of creativity in mat designs instead of computer programming knowledge.”

Most of the included designs only require the user to enter the desired size to begin cutting. Wolf has tested and certified the designs to cut successfully when using the suggested parameter settings. The book includes nearly 600 full-color images illustrating key steps and mat designs.

The book lists for $395. For more information, visit www.wizardint.com or call 888-855-3335.

Filed Under: Custom Framing, PPFA, Product News

United Online launches nostalgia site MemoryLane.com

February 24, 2011 by

United Online Inc., Seattle, Wash., launched MemoryLane.com, which it calls “the largest archive of nostalgic content on the Internet.”

The website allows visitors to relive the past through 60 years of Americana with over 100 million pieces of content dating from 1940 through 1999. Visitors can search the site for a specific type of content or choose any year or decade from the 1940s through the 1990s to experience the sights, sounds and memories of that era. In connection with the launch, the name of United Online’s subsidiary Classmates Online Inc. has been changed to Memory Lane Inc.

MemoryLane.com’s growing collection includes vintage magazines, historic newsreels, classic sports highlights, movie trailers, song samples and cover art from memorable albums, timeless photos, and the most extensive catalog of digitized high school yearbooks online.

Filed Under: Business, Industry Notes Tagged With: , ,

Heidelberg and Ricoh announce global strategic cooperation

February 24, 2011 by
Shiro Kondo (left), Ricoh CEO and Bernhard Schreier (right), Heidelberg CEO.

Shiro Kondo (left), Ricoh CEO and Bernhard Schreier (right), Heidelberg CEO.

Ricoh Co. Ltd. and Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG announced a global strategic cooperation. As a first step, both companies agreed to enter into a global distribution contract for Ricoh’s Production Printing Product portfolio. This agreement enables Heidelberg to sell Ricoh’s latest color digital press, the Ricoh ProTM C901 Graphic Arts Edition — Ricoh’s high speed color digital press with Ricoh PxPTM Chemical toner, as well as appropriate future production printing offerings in Ricoh’s pipeline.

The global strategic cooperation, which includes Ricoh services and support, will start in April 2011. The first markets will be the United Kingdom and Germany with a phased rollout to follow in other areas.

Filed Under: Business Tagged With: ,

Antonio Perez appointed to the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness

February 24, 2011 by

U.S. President Barack Obama appointed Antonio Perez, chairman and CEO of Eastman Kodak Co., as a member of the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. Several other business leaders, such as A.G. Lafley CEO of Procter & Gamble, Kenneth I. Chenault, CEO of American Express Co., and Ellen Kullman CEO of DuPont, were also appointed.

In his State of the Union address, President Obama discussed the need to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build our global competitors in order to win the future.  The President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness will focus on carrying out these goals by finding new ways to promote growth through investments in American business to equip workers with the skills they need to succeed, encourage the private sector to hire and invest in American competitiveness, and attract top jobs and businesses right here in the United States.

The Council on Jobs and Competitiveness is chaired by Jeffrey Immelt, CEO and Chairman of General Electric.  In addition, Ursula Burns, Eric Lander, and James McNerney will serve as ex-officio members.  More members of the council will be announced at a later date.

Filed Under: People on the Move Tagged With: ,

Shutterfly appoints new marketing executives

February 24, 2011 by

Shutterfly Inc., Redwood City, Calif., appointed Sean Foley as vice president of marketing strategy and of Brian Osborn as vice president of brand marketing.  Foley and . Osborn will report to Shutterfly’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Peter Elarde.

Foley, vice president of marketing strategy, is responsible for marketing strategy and market research. In this role, he leverages consumer insights and develops strategies to pursue additional growth opportunities for Shutterfly. He brings more than 20 years of business and strategy development experience to Shutterfly. He has held leadership roles at Gap Inc., Marakon Associates and Andersen Consulting. Most recently, Mr. Foley was the vice president of branding, consumer insights and strategy for Art.com, where he led market research, customer analytics, corporate strategy, brand strategy and public relations.

Osborn, vice president of brand marketing, is responsible for the company’s brand strategy, consumer marketing programs, and corporate communications. In this role, he develops initiatives to maximize the company’s growth and extend the brand’s leadership position. With more than 15 years of experience in consumer marketing,  Osborn brings a strong combination of brand marketing and strategic business management to his role. Previously, he held leadership positions at consumer and technology companies including Walmart.com, PayPal, eBay and Kraft Foods. Most recently,  Osborn was the vice president of marketing at EZShield, where he was responsible for all marketing initiatives including market research, corporate strategy, brand positioning and product development.

Filed Under: People on the Move Tagged With: , ,

Updated: PMA members in Christchurch survive quake, suffer losses

February 24, 2011 by

As previously reported, Christchurch, one of the largest cities in New Zealand, was struck yesterday by a devastating earthquake that has claimed at least 65 lives, with many more people still missing. PMA is receiving reports on the welfare of members in the area.

Lawry Hanafin of Hanafins stores says:

“My wife, Jacquie, and all my staff escaped unhurt. I have heard from all the other photo retailers in the town and they are all okay. I regret that I have no photos (of the quake damage)  as my camera is still in the office which was abandoned quickly and we have not been allowed to return. Jacquie had a very lucky escape. She had decided to print some photos of recent family events to send to our daughter in London. I suggested she should email the images but no — nothing like the real thing for Jacquie. She left her office to post the photos just a couple of minutes before the quake struck. Her office is now under a pile of bricks. I am sure there are hundreds of stories like that.

What is interesting about this sort of experience is that every one else in the world knows a lot more than we do. With no power, water, phones and computers you are cut off. We now have power at home but things like laptops, diary, cameras, etc., are all in no-go zones. Even our car is in a parking building next to a high rise at risk of collapse, so no idea when we will be able to get that back.

The town is badly damaged and I am unsure whether we will be able to return to the  [store closest to the quake]. Our suburban mall stores in Riccarton and Northlands are not as badly damaged, and we hope to reopen those soon.”

Brian Kearney, national business manager of Independent Photographic Supplies NZ Ltd. in South Auckland, in consultation with Garth Burleigh and other industry members, reports:

Industry people all safe as far as we know.

  • Greg Bramwell and staff appear to be safe, (but) lots of damage to front of the mall and damage in store.
  • Keith Meyer, family and immediate staff (are) safe, but status of store is unknown.
  • Paul Farrow and family are safe – but status of store is unknown.
  • Joh Salton and wife are safe – catering for people who lost loved ones. Store closed due to minor damage
  • Ken Surrie and family are safe – Ken’s Cameras store closed, with mud bubbling up through the floor.
  • [Update 2/23/11 from Garth Burliegh]: Christchurch location of Photo Warehouse has been leveled; Photo and Video in the Merrivale Mall was badly damaged, however the staff are safe.

“Essentially at this stage it is about recovery and no comments about ongoing business would be appropriate,” Kearney says. “The city will take years to recover from this, and many people are indicating they will relocate.”

Filed Under: Events, Retail Tagged With: ,

Hasselblad releases new Phocus Family

February 24, 2011 by
Hasselblad Phocus Mobile

Hasselblad Phocus Mobile

Denmark-based Hasselblad has announced the Phocus Family of software products, three different items, each catering to a different style of working.

Phocus 2.6 is Hasselblad’s imaging software. It offers improvements that expand both the application’s capabilities and workflow speed. Brand new cross-platform features such as the Dust Removal Tool, Star Rating and Filtering, a much faster multi-shot viewer and improved quality at lower resolution, plus Windows support for TIFF and JPEG files are now part of version 2.6.

Phocus Quick offers a semi-automated solution to import and process RAW files using the core strengths of the full version of Phocus. The application imports images applying basic image adjustments and saves both – a backup RAW copy and a JPEG of each image.

Phocus Mobile is an imaging app for iPads and iPhones. The app connects wirelessly to a Mac running Phocus 2.6 and allows users to remotely browse, and rate images. With an H4D camera connected, there is full access to tethered shooting, including all the unique camera controls offered by the H4D.

While Phocus Mobile will be available as a free download in March from the Apple App store, the other two are available for download now.

Filed Under: CliQ, Featured, Industry Notes, Newsline Shorts Tagged With: , ,