News Bits - iPOD Photo Gets Price Cut, Sony Cyber-shot S80, Kodak Launches ImageLink Site

Apple has cut the price on the 60GB iPOD Photo and added a 30GB model

The iPOD photo 60GB model has been slashed from $599 to $449 (MSRP). Apple also announced a new 30GB model for $349, replacing the 40GB version. In March Apple will debut a cable for $29 that will allow the transfer of pictures straight from a digital camera to an iPOD photo. The new cable will require a software update that will be free of charge.

Europe will get the Sony Cyber-shot S80

Sony has announced the Cyber-shot S80, which will be sold in Europe along with the S40 and S90. It has the same 4.1 megapixel resolution, 3x optical zoom lens and 2.0-inch LCD as the Cyber-shot S60, which isn't available in Europe. Sony is also marketing these new models as 'stamina' cameras as the user can take around 440 shots from one charge of the supplied rechargable batteries. The S80 will be available in April priced between 180- 200 (approx 215 - 238).

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0502/05022201sony_dscs80.asp

Kodak has launched a new site to help consumers simplify at-home printing

A consumer website dedicated to the IMAGELINK print system, the new, multi-manufacturer specification designed to simplify at-home picture printing, will go live this March. The site www.imagelinkprintsystem.com includes links to compatible digital camera and printer information, an animated presentation to help people visualise the camera-printer connection, frequently asked questions, and news related to the specification.

Consumer digital cameras from Eastman Kodak Company, Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc., Nikon Corporation, Olympus Corporation, Pentax Corporation, Ricoh Co., Ltd. and Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. will provide effortless, one-touch picture printing from snapshot printers that incorporate the IMAGELINK print system.

With the IMAGELINK print system, people are able to place their digital cameras directly on printer docks, and then press a single button to make snapshot-sized (4x6-inch or 3.5 x 5-inch) pictures in as little as 90 seconds. The first cameras and printer docks supporting the IMAGELINK specification are now available, with others expected to follow throughout the coming months.