Digital Cameras: Software Connection
Consumer technology expert Steve "Mr. Gadget®" Kruschen told The Early Show that digital camera might not be for everyone and what are the alternatives to the digital camera revolution.
The Software Connection
To be sure, there are a number of commercial, pay-to-play software programs available to consumers with digital cameras. In fact, most cameras come with some kind of image organization and manipulation software. Some camera makers have their own software. Some use off-the-shelf programs. Among the most popular providers are Adobe (www.adobe.com), Ulead (www.ulead.com), Roxio (www.roxio.com), and ArcSoft (www.arcsoft.com). ArcSoft has just introduced the ArcSoft Personal Software License (PSL).
According to the company, this is "a new and unique way for consumers to purchase and upgrade digital imaging software. Under the PSL agreement, ArcSoft customers can purchase any ArcSoft photo and/or video software and all subsequent upgrades for one low annual subscription price, rather than continuously buying new versions of software. A sales model often seen in the enterprise software market, ArcSoft is the first software company to offer consumers this subscription-based pricing option."
"ArcSoft is offering two PSL options: ArcSoft PSL Photo, a suite of digital photo software, and ArcSoft PSL Video, a collection of digital video software, each for an introductory price of $79.99 USD per year. As a third alternative, consumers may opt to purchase ArcWare PSL, the complete suite of all 14 ArcSoft photo and video software titles for $99.99 USD per year, a potential savings of $440 USD. With any of the titles, users can easily manipulate any digital image or raw video footage and create a variety of fun finished products such as a colorful multimedia email or home movies. Users can then manage and store the media on their desktop, or take advantage of 50 MBs of free online photo-sharing space at PhotoIsland.com."
This is an interesting and innovative approach. However, for consumers who, like many of us, simply want to take photos and do simple things such as cropping, rotating, red-eye fixing, preparing for e-mailing and a few more things, the Kodak solution may be all that is needed, and that is why I indicated earlier that software may not be such an issue.
Apple Gets It Best
As far as general ease of use on the computer side is concerned, absolutely no one does it better than Apple and the Macintosh. Start with any new or recent vintage G3 or G4 processor equipped Macintosh, portable or desktop model, running Apple's Mac OS X (Operating System version 10) and higher. All it takes is Apple's free iPhoto (www.apple.com) software, receiving universal praise from the four corners of the earth. Plug in nearly any USB-equipped digital camera and the software automatically recognizes it, launches iPhoto and gets ready to transfer the images to the iPhoto program in the computer. Then, all those photos can be placed in a new folder that is named in plain language and can easily be seen in the iPhoto window.
From there, edit, adjust, rotate, crop and organize the photos, prepare them for uploading to make a print book ($3 per page with a choice of up to four photos per page, a cover page and introduction page capable of loads of text to explain the contents of your photo book). Select the theme, any of six, determine the order and captions, the cover color, then click on "Share" and select "Order Book." It happens before your eyes. With one click, a user can order a beautiful, linen-covered keepsake photo book that will last generations.
iPhoto users may also select to print locally to an attached color printer or click on "Order Prints" to send selected images to an Kodak photofinisher to make photographic prints that also will last generations and that will be sent directly to you in the mail. Or, prepare the images you select and click to e-mail them to anyone. There is no better, easier way to go digital than with a Mac and digital camera (and you don't even need a digital camera). Apple just gets it!
The Kodak Difference
Why so much about Kodak? Simple, they've re-invented themselves from a traditional film-only company to a major player in the digital era and done some very exciting things along the way. Taking a system approach to the digital dilemma, they offer among the easiest to use solutions. They call it EasyShare (www.kodak.com) and for the individual who just wants to be a simple "snapshooter" (isn't that most of us?) it just makes sense.
Their system approach includes the EasyShare cameras, their $47 camera dock, and their free software. The cameras connect to the computer through the attached dock and with one touch the pictures are transferred to the computer. The software helps users organize and send as e-mail, upload to a printing service or print to a local connected inkjet printer. This latter option also includes what Kodak calls "Quality Prints."
Kodak says if users choose their method using their camera, their software and their paper in the user's printer, the results would be outstanding Kodak quality. The newest version of their EasyShare software is shipping with the new CX4230 and will soon be available as a free download to everyone with Macs and PC. It can be used with nearly any digital camera, Kodak and the others. The CX4230, in any mode will also take a picture if the picture-taking-button is pushed. No hassles, no resetting if you are in playback mode and looking at photos on the LCD display, no waiting.
The bottom line on Kodak is that consumers would be wise to consider Kodak's digital solutions when shopping for a digital camera.