WORDCRAFT International sent an interesting fax which consists almost entirely of knocking copy against rival Delrina. Both companies are in the fax/modem and PC market, where a war is just starting over whose standard will become THE standard for the inevitable stand-alone computer-printer-copier-scanner-telcoms-fax device. Watch this space...
PSION, purveyors of fine hand-held computers to the masses, have released
an out-of-the-box solution for business people requiring a robust data
collection and processing computer. Covered in grey or yellow rubber,
splashproof and very easy to use, their Workabout system combines the
user-friendly OS of the Series 3a with the functionality of their
specialist HC range. Prices start at �240 for a 256K version. The revised
2Mbyte Series 3a is now widely available at �399.
And hey - we've got one
to test! Watch out in the next edition!
COMPUTERS UNLIMITED claim to have the ideal solution for
frustrated British owners
of slow Macs. Speed Doubler from Connectix improves Power PC performance
by 'rewriting' 68K apps on the fly to work in Native mode. Further
increases are achieved by enhancing the disk caching software.
No. We don't have it to test - not yet shipped. Pity, because we're
desperate to try this item...
MACROMEDIA have launched a package of five programs for the Macintosh and PC, under the name of Graphic Design Studio. Running on a suitable Mac or Windows PC, Graphic Design Studio features FreeHand, MacroModel, RenderMan, Fontographer and Painter and costs �750 (UK).
IN THE European Mobile Phone wars, Hutchison Telecom's Orange network is definitely leading by rather more than a nose. Offering innovative call rates and the latest digital (image and data transmission compatible) communications along with the capacity to make widespread use viable, Orange are now considered to be Vodafone's deadliest rival. The Motorola mr1 is now �99.99 in the UK from Orange.
PRINCIPAL are now shipping HSC Software�s KPT Convolver in the UK for Windows 16 and 32-bit applications. Convolver allows the same range of KPT effects from the Macintosh to be used on a PC, including vital pre-press tools like unsharp mask. KPT Convolver ships with Picture Publisher LE for �129, and requires a 386 or greater running Windows 3.1/NT 3.5 and with 3MBytes of free RAM.
AGFA have updated their popular StudioScan II to become the IIsi, with a
500% increase in speed and a major improvement in density range. It
retains the 400 x 800 resolution and 10 x 8" transparency adaptor of its
predecessors.
Also on the way are two CCD based cameras, one of which is based on the
Minolta Dynax 500si and uses three CCDs combined with one-shot three-way
mirror design to allow motor drive shooting speeds, built-in pop up flash
and a file size suitable for reproduction up to A5 size with almost full
use of the 35mm frame area. The ActionCam will be priced at
�6,000 UK and
uses PCMCIA card storage.
Their new StudioCam at �7,500 UK is a CCD camera scanning up to 3,648 x
4,500 pixels for a file size suitable for A3 reproduction.
MITSUBISHI have reduced the UK price of their S3600 A4 300dpi dye-sub printer. The new price of �3,995 is intended to fend off cheaper competition based on higher resolution inkjet and thermal wax technology.
THE VISION Corporation made the sale of the UK's first Nikon E2s digital camera to Stephen Fitton of Morning Computers. The Nikon was chosen because of its speed and quality, which made it ideal for sports photography. The Times newspaper will be using it for horse racing meetings.
PPS has launched a new LFDP (large format digital printing) system for under �10,000 UK. By combining an Epson scanner and NovaJet III or similar ENCAD wide format colour inkjet printer, the system eliminates the need for a high-end computer system by acting like a sophisticated colour photocopier. The price includes installation and training.
CORBIS Corporation are looking for images to incorporate into their CD-ROM based image library. They are looking to non-exclusively license the works of individual photographers to distribute in a digital format on a royalty scheme. For details of requirements and terms, contact Corbis on (+44) 171 278 1387.
GEORGE ELLIOTT's Praktica scanning camera system (announced at Focus) has a launch price of �1,500 UK for the mono system available now for PCs and Macs, and �3,250 UK for the colour (available August/September). Both models accept Praktica B-series bayonet fit lenses.
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