Kodak to offer iPhoto-like service to AsiaIn the digital age, even old-time imaging giant Kodak is relenting. Realizing that consumers are getting more tech-savvy with their digital cameras, the US company made changes to its services when the digital revolution started a few years ago. Paul Johns, marketing director for the Consumer Digital Group in Kodak Asia Pacific, announced to press that the "transition is complete" and it is ready now to meet the digital needs of shutterbugs.
Being a dry lab system, the APEX is also kind to the environment since no wet chemicals are used in the process of printing. It requires 70 to 90 percent less electricity, which helps the shops to save on electricity bills and reduce carbon emission. The APEX was unveiled at PMA earlier this year, and it also won the prestigious DIMA Innovative Digital Product Award. On the consumer end, Johns added that Kodak is rolling out a slew of new services in conjunction with APEX. It predicts that by 2012, 24 percent of households in Asia will have a 3-megapixel camera-phone. If Kodak is are correct, the number of people who want to make prints will definitely increase. Hence, the new services, introduced to ready the company to meet that demand. Soon, you can head down to the Kodak photolabs and print photobooks, calendars, postcards, even make a slideshow on a DVD. We find this service suspiciously similar to what Apple is offering with iPhoto which allows you to design a photobook or other products at home; iPhoto will even print and mail it straight to your doorstep. So how is Kodak viewing its new service against that of the Cupertino company's? Johns' answer (with regard to the Asian context) is that the PC penetration rate in Asia's household is low, and not everyone has access to the Internet. So people who want to print pictures will still have to head to a physical store. For those who don't own an Apple machine, we think the new service is a good alternative, considering it is competitively priced against iPhoto's. If you need a DVD slideshow done quickly, the kiosk can provide that service as well. Kelvin Tan, business development manager of Retail System Solutions in Kodak for India and Asean, demonstrated to us how easy it was to create a Picture Movie DVD. After plugging in your flash media, you can select up to 60 pictures and an original music track (provided by Kodak) to accompany it. About 10 minutes later, the disc was ready for viewing on a DVD player. Also seen at the press event was the Kodak Express Picture Kiosk Card. For now if you use the kiosk, you will have to make the payment at the counter before getting your prints. But with the card, users can just tap it and money will be deducted from the stored value. The next step would simply be to collect the prints. The card's monetary value can be topped up from the shops that offer the service. For the photobooks, premiums and slideshow DVD, these will be available at kiosks and photolabs that have upgraded to the APEX system. It is gradually introduced throughout Asia, so if you are interested, pop by your local Kodak retail store. The Picture Kiosk Card will be available in Singapore from July, though Kodak was unable to confirm when the rest of Asia will be getting it.
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ferdiei says...
kodak has proven that it could ride the tide of changes & still leads the way to show how products should appeal to the regular consumers. APEX with its multitude of capability that rival even Apple, plus a greener approach by requiring less electric power to use, is a win-win alternative to digital printing for both businesses & general public.
May 01, 2008 11:43
kodak has proven that it could ride the tide of changes & still leads the way to show how products should appeal to the regular consumers. APEX with its multitude of capability that rival even Apple, plus a greener approach by requiring less electric power to use, is a win-win alternative to digital printing for both businesses & general public.
May 01, 2008 11:43
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