Eye on Imaging Volume 4, No. 4 • July 2007
Welcome to the I3A “Eye on Imaging” newsletter, which is issued every other month. We will keep you informed and up-to-date on key I3A and industry activities and breaking news, as well as highlight the accomplishments of the individuals whose efforts keep our organization humming. If you have comments or questions, please send a message to Editor@I3A.org.

The President’s Focus

Happy New Year in July
Alright, maybe it's not the traditional New Year. But July is the start of I3A's fiscal year; a good time to look back at what we've accomplished, and look forward to the future opportunities for all of us.
Lisa Walker, President, I3A
Lisa Walker
We “increase
the size of the pie” and accelerate market growth through
leadership and a vision of the future
New Members Affirm Value and Influence
Eight new members have joined the organization over the last few months, demonstrating I3A's international appeal and broad expertise in all segments of the imaging industry. These newest members range from cutting-edge R&D companies and commercial component suppliers to consumer products and services, confirming the value I3A membership offers across the spectrum of traditional and mobile imaging markets.

Many of the new member companies plan to participate in I3A's Camera Phone Image Quality Initiative, which is working to develop a complete set of image quality testing metrics and methodologies in order to enable a consumer-oriented image quality rating system. Their contributions will enhance CPIQ and our other industry-leading Initiatives and other programs.
New members include:
Participating level:
Associate level:
Leadership and Vision Drive Market Growth
Looking forward, I3A's primary goal is to drive market growth. We aim to “increase the size of the pie” and accelerate market growth by taking actions that will bring market opportunities forward in time. We will accomplish this objective in two ways.
First, we create opportunity through leadership and a vision of the future. With a clear vision of the future of imaging and mobile imaging, I3A and its members are recognized as the industry opinion leaders. This vision solidifies I3A as the leading consumer imaging industry organization, and the place to go for driving growth for the mobile imaging market. Leadership attracts more industry participants, which feeds our momentum and enables I3A and its members to turn vision into profit.
Second, as we head down the pathways leading to the vision, obstacles are revealed along the way. Our widening member base gives us the intelligence and expertise to identify obstacles and barriers and remove them through solutions based on targeted standards, initiatives and other programs. These new standards and initiatives will, in turn, move the industry towards fulfillment of the vision, reduce complexity, improve ease of use and bring to fruition the future seamless imaging ecosystem envisioned by I3A members.
Imaging Today and Tomorrow: CPIQ and “Smart Imaging” Initiatives

In the coming year, new members will join to participate in Phase 2 of the Camera Phone Image Quality initiative and other new initiatives. In order to continue to provide value to members who joined to participate in CPIQ, the Initiative Group will need to deliver expected results, and will attract additional carriers.
Beyond CPIQ, the Management Committee is looking at new consumer imaging technologies now coming into play, and considering potential Initiatives to help develop those markets. New Initiative ideas may include concepts around “Smart Imaging,” the implementation of advanced technology that enables expanded uses for the imaging consumer experience, especially for new mobile applications. Some examples of advanced imaging technologies include:

  • Image identification – identification of the content and ownership of an image, identification of who or what is in the image through technology such as facial recognition.
  • Image driven ecommerce – mobile transactions, bar code, watermarks
  • GPS – the capture of GPS coordinates with image data, enabling a “Google
    Earth” virtual trip to that location and links to information and other images related to that location
  • Image based search – take a picture and immediately do a web search to identify the object in the picture
  • Easy, 'smart' search using image metadata
  • Automated recognition and capture of a meaningful subject
  • Automated, distributed image sharing
  • Advanced image uses which then drives more printing
Expanding Worldwide
The focus of the I3A standards department is the development of International standards, sustaining a quality standards services program, and generating new memberships in I3A and in the standards committees. By fostering and maintaining strategic alliances with other organizations, I3A will extend its reach and technology leadership position in the industry.
I3A will increase its activities outside of the U.S. We will do so through focusing on international activities, holding sessions at industry conferences, developing a speaker bureau, cultivating speaking opportunities and by holding working meetings in various regions around the world, leveraging the support of local member companies and resources.
Thanks to You
At the center of I3A's future are our members. We appreciate each and every company and individual who chooses to be a part of the future we can create together. I look forward to taking the next steps with all of you. If you're not part of an I3A Initiative, committee or other project, get involved today! The future is what we make it.

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Annual Conference Draws Over 100 Industry Leaders

Inspiring, Imaging Innovation Offered Attendees an In-Depth Look at Emerging Imaging Technologies

Over One Hundred Attendees
Over 100 industry leaders were in attendance in Denver to learn first-hand the technology and industry issues affecting the imaging eco-system. Attendees again praised the speakers, sessions and overall conference organization.  Comments included:

  • "…Very useful and worthwhile.  Much more so than many week-long conferences I've attended."

  • "Relaxed atmosphere, great discussions, a lot to take home."

  • "This is always one of the best events of the year for developing
    relationships."
I3A Annual Conference 2007 I3A Annual Conference 2007
Over 100 attendees discussed leading edge technology and schmoozed

Cutting Edge Presentations
Presentations and panel discussions covered diverse and timely topics, including:

  • The Future of Innovation
  • Fluidic Lenses…A Vision of the Future
  • Compressive Imaging
  • Online Photo Services: Dead or Alive?
  • Image Stabilization
  • Camera Phone Image Quality Panel: Subjective Evaluation
  • Metadata: The Elusive Grail of Imaging
  • Megapixels: Truth and Consequence
Attendees also enjoyed a dazzling presentation by underwater photographer David Doubilet, witnessed the presentation of the 2007 I3A Achievement and Safety Awards and engaged in many productive business discussions.
Companies represented at the Annual Conference included:
  • AMD
  • Artificial Muscle, Inc.
  • ASMP
  • Aurora Optical
  • Avago Technologies
  • CDM Optics, Inc.
  • CNET Networks Inc.
  • CogniSign
  • Costco Wholesale
  • Creative Memories
  • Digimarc
  • DigitalBenchmarks
  • DxO Labs
  • Eastman Kodak Company
  • f/22 consulting, inc
  • Felix Schoeller
  • Flextronics
  • Flir Systems AB
  • FotoNation
  • Foveon
  • Freescale Semiconductor
  • FUJIFILM Processing, Inc.
  • FUJIFILM Canada Inc.
  • FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc.
  • H&H Color Lab
  • HP Snapfish
  • HP
  • Image Integration, Inc.
  • Imatest LLC
  • Impress PR
  • Insilica
  • InvenSense
  • Konica Minolta Headquarters North America, Inc.
  • Konica Minolta Manufacturing
  • LG Electronics
  • LifePics
  • Lyra Research
  • MagnaChip Semiconductor
  • Marvell Semiconductor
  • Micron Technology, Inc.
  • Moblico
  • Motorola, Inc
  • Nethra Imaging
  • Nokia
  • NVIDIA
  • OmniVision
  • Palm, Inc.
  • Philips Lumileds
  • Photo Imaging News
  • PMA
  • PS Productions
  • Rice University
  • Scalado AB
  • Sinnott & Turner
  • Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications
  • Sony Electronics
  • Sprint
  • Telcordia Technologies
  • Tessera
  • Texas Instruments
  • The PLUS Coalition
  • Varioptic
  • Verizon Wireless
  • Vista Point Technologies
Thanks to the Annual Conference sponsors for helping to make the 61st Annual Conference a huge success!
                
Sponsors
HPFotoNationNethraKodakFelix SchoellerFujiFilm
 
View the presentations, on
site newsletter and photos!
See You in 2008
And start making your plans for 2008. The 62nd I3A Annual Conference will be held June 4-6, 2008 at the Marriott Vancouver Pinnacle Downtown in Vancouver, Canada. Details will be posted as they become available at www.i3aannualconference.org.  In the meantime, we look forward to seeing you at one of our technical forums, at an industry event or conference.

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CPIQ Kicks Off Phase 2

Phase 2 of the Camera Phone Image Quality Initiative (CPIQ) had its kick-off meeting at the I3A Annual Conference in Denver. With over 50 people in attendance at the meeting, it's clear that the industry is serious about success on this ambitious phase of the project.
CPIQ initiative
Industry is serious about CPIQ Phase 2 success; over 50 people attended the kick-off meeting
The Phase 1 White Paper (publication in preparation) identified the issues and the existing methods for measuring  image quality for camera phones. In Phase 2 we will drill down into the metrics associated with image quality – both subjective and objective – and develop repeatable, robust test methods for evaluating these metrics.
CPIQ Phase 2 launch meeting
CPIQ Phase 2 will define engineering data to measure, compare and improve image quality
Camera phones are now multifunctional: they are phones, music players, e-mail clients as well as cameras. This multifunctional aspect means that the footprint of the camera module is relatively small and that in-device processing must share resources. This poses unique challenges when defining test methods to evaluate quality metrics.

The quality metrics pose unique challenges. For every objective metric, such as resolution, there is a complementary subjective metric, in this case sharpness. The Initiative Group will fully define those metrics that directly affect image quality.
The CPIQ members agreed:
  • Metrics and test methods must be repeatable
  • Objective metrics must be correlated to subjective (perceptual) measures
  • Metrics must be correlated to the engineering effort to improve image quality
  • Test duration (in general, the practicality of test methods) needs also to be considered and practical in a high-volume manufacturing environment
CPIQ is in the process of developing a detailed Work Plan that will provide the blueprint for the Phase 2 deliverables in a realistic timeline. The IG will define multiple metrics and associated test methods to be developed in parallel — focusing at first on areas of general agreement while also addressing areas that will require further study.

CPIQ Phase 2 launch meeting
CPIQ is actively recruiting carriers, handset manufacturers and component suppliers from around the globe

I3A is actively recruiting carriers, handset manufacturers and component suppliers from around the globe. Companies interested in participating in CPIQ must first join I3A. Participation is open to members.

CPIQ Chair Ming Gao stated, "We will focus on areas of agreement and move with speed. It is important that we make constant progress so that the mobile industry benefits from this Initiative quickly."

To get involved, contact the I3A Standards Department or Noel Mareno, +1(214) 244-1927.
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George Lynch Receives I3A Achievement Award

Former I3A Chair's Contributions Recognized

Former I3A Chairman George Lynch of HP was presented the Fourth Annual I3A Achievement Award at the I3A Annual Conference. This award honors an individual who has been nominated by the I3A community and selected by a committee of judges.
George Lynch receives I3A 2007 Achievement Award
I3A Chairman Harald Siegers presents the 2007 I3A Achievement Award to former I3A Chairman George Lynch
During his tenure at I3A, he helped deliver on many important milestones: the launch of CPXe, the rollout of Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) and the Camera Phone Image Quality Initiative (CPIQ). He also created the I3A Idea Process to stimulate thinking about needs and barriers to product and service interoperability and market growth.

In her prepared Annual Conference opening remarks, I3A president Lisa Walker related the story of I3A’s creation, in which Lynch played a pivotal role:
"It was about seven years ago that
George and I were discussing the future of the Digital Imaging
Group, one of the predecessor organizations to I3A. I was president
of DIG, and George was Chairman. Through George’s insight and
drive to action, we decided that merging with
the Photographic Imaging Manufacturer’s
Association (PIMA) would be an excellent path forward for us.
The executive director and Chairman of PIMA agreed to meet with
us. I still refer to it as the Miracle Meeting: it was a snowy
Friday in the middle of December, the four of us all made it
to the meeting at Chicago O'Hare from different corners of the
U.S., and we all made it home that night. Six months later we
were a single organization called I3A."

Lynch joined HP in 1973 and has held a number of positions in R&D and Marketing, including the development and launch of HP’s first color inkjet printer and ink cartridge, a milestone innovation for HP and the imaging industry.

“George and I have worked together for a number of years, and I can tell you from personal experience he is a most worthy recipient of this award,” said I3A Chairman Harald Siegers, who presented Lynch with the 2007 award. “If it weren’t for George’s vision and leadership, we might not even be here today.”

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2007 I3A Safety Excellence Award Winners

2007 Safety Excellence Award

The Safety Excellence Awards program was established to recognize occupational and health activities among the Association’s member companies. The major purpose of the awards is to assist member companies in bringing about sustainable improvement in all areas of health and safety in the workplace.
This year's winners are:

  • Agfa Corporation
  • Eastman Kodak Company
  • Foveon, Inc.
  • FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc.
  • FUJIFILM e-Systems, Inc.
  • FUJIFILM IMAGING COLORANTS, INC.
  • Fujicolor Processing, Inc.
  • FUJIFILM Recording Media Manufacturing USA, Inc.
  • Sony Electronics Inc.
  • Texas Instruments Incorporated
I3A 2007 Safety Award Winners
Several 2007 Safety award winners display their trophies.
From left, Dr. Martin Izzard, Texas Instruments; Brenda Harrison, Texas Instruments; Daryl Hunt, Eastman Kodak Company; Bob Jamieson, Fujicolor Processing; Mike Matsumoto, Konica Minolta Holdings U.S.A.

Best In Class Awards
The “Best in Class” award recognizes the company with the safest work place, as determined by injury and illness case rates for 2006.

I3A 2007 Safety Best in Class Winner TI
The Texas Instrument delegation accepted awards for both Safety and “Best in Class for Manufacturing"
This year's "Best of Class" winners are:

  • Best in Class for Warehousing: Agfa Corporation
  • Best in Class for R&D/Administrative: Eastman Kodak Company
  • Best in Class for Sales & Service: Konica Minolta Business Solutions
  • Best in Class for Manufacturing: Texas Instruments Incorporated
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I3A MarketPlace
The MarketPlace is a service for I3A members. There you will find I3A's publications including white papers, Initiative specifications and standards, most available free to members. You will also find special offers on products and services available only to I3A members. Access the MarketPlace at:

http://members.i3a.org/Resource.phx/plaza/marketplace.htx.

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Industry Briefs

Computers Left on at Night Cost U.S. Businesses $1.7 Billion, Says Study
Nearly half of all corporate PCs in the US are not regularly switched off at night, costing US businesses $1.72 billion in energy and causing emissions of 14.4 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, according to recently released PC Energy Awareness report. The data show that American businesses are wasting energy while we sleep. A mid-sized company, which includes about 10,000 PCs, wastes more than $165,000 a year in electricity costs for computers left on overnight. In addition, by turning these computers off, an employer can keep more than 1,381 tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere.

The Global E-Sustainability Initiative
A joint partnership among IT service providers, hardware and software manufacturers,
the U.N.'s Environment Programme and the International Telecommunication Union, GESI aims to foster sustainable development and improve environmental sustainability in the industry. The group's mission is to share knowledge and experience to manage operations sustainably, raise awareness of how IT can contribute to society, and engage in research and benchmarking to help improve overall performance. Among the many partners in GESI are Alcatel-Lucent, Bell Canada, BT, Cisco Systems, Ericsson, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Microsoft, Sun Microsystems and Verizon.
Agfa-Gevaert to split into three independent, publicly traded companies
Agfa-Gevaert announced that its Board of Directors has completed the strategic review of the company and decided that it is in the best interest of the Group, the customers, the shareholders and the employees to split into three independent, listed companies - representing the activities of Agfa Graphics, Agfa HealthCare and Agfa Materials - by the end of 2007.

Is New Chip AMD's Last Stand?
With a new, forward-looking architecture (Barcelona) and desktop processor (a line of chips recently branded Phenom) set to launch in the latter half of the year, AMD may not be done yet. The company plans to release both dual– and quad-core versions of Phenom, with the quad-core processor built on a single die, unlike Intel's current quad-core offerings. In addition, an AMD enthusiast platform called FASN8 would employ a new AMD chip set, a motherboard that includes sockets for one or two Phenom chips, and a pair of the latest graphics boards from AMD's ATI Radeon HD 2000 series.

An Inside Look at Canon's Corporate Culture
Canon Inc.'s corporate outlook, which is based on creating ground-breaking technology and achieving a global platform for such innovation, was touted by Chairman Fujio Mitarai during a press conference in the company's Shimomaruko headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. The press conference was held during the Canon U.S./Canadian Media & Industry Analyst Tour, which also afforded us a glimpse into the company's Toride factory.
Future Image Inc. teams with Webshots to create Citizens Climate Network
Future Image Inc., San Mateo, Calif., a digital image consultancy and operators of the 6Sight Future of Imaging Conference, is teaming with Webshots, a photo and video sharing site and a property of CNET Networks, to launch a website that will allow people worldwide to upload still and video images from their digital cameras and cameraphones that highlight local effects of global warming and environmental problems.
Harman Technology has Been Successfully Paving its Route to the Stars
Now into its second year of trading, Harman Technology Limited can look back
over a period of unprecedented growth and success. Following the acquisition in February 2005 of the Ilford black-and-white photographic business, premises and name from the receivers of the old Ilford Imaging group, Harman, named after the founder of the Ilford business, Alfred Harman, has grown exponentially to its present position among the major companies of the global photographic and imaging arena.
HP Computers the First to Receive EPEAT Gold-Level Certification
The Green Electronics Council has awarded Dell's Latitude D630 laptop and Hewlett-Packard's rp5700 desktop the Gold-level certification under the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) program, the first globally available computer products to receive that recognition.

HP Honors 60 Years of Documentary Photography
HP will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of Magnum Photo by sponsoring 12 exhibits of Magnum photographers during the 2007 Magnum Festival. The Magnum Festival is a series of photography, film and journalism exhibitions in New York City celebrating the art of documentary. The exhibits continue through July 2007.

Sprint drops Nextel for "Sprint Ahead" branding
Sprint has launched a new advertising campaign that showcases the futuristic feel of multimedia phones and high-speed mobile data services. The campaign replaces Sprint's "Power Up" campaign and is called "Sprint Ahead." Sprint has previously been a frontrunner when it comes to selling new services like full-length music and movie downloads, but other carriers, especially Verizon Wireless and AT&T, have since entered those areas of mobile content.

Digital Photography Trends
InfoTrends Study Indicates Continued Growth in Photo Imaging Services
According to a new report from InfoTrends, consumers continue to be interested
in digital photo capturing and printing aand iin robust "manage and share" solutions. The InfoTrends study assesses the level of consumer interest in the ability to view, receive, manage, and share images between devices at any time, regardless of where the images are stored. The study affirms that sharing is still the top reason why people take photos. E-mail remains the most prevalent method of sharing, as 3 billion images were shared via e-mail in the US in 2006. Factoring in sharing conducted via Web sites, social networks, and MMS, InfoTrends reports that well over 8 billion images were shared during the last calendar year, and a healthy compound annual growth rate of over 8% is expected through 2011.
New Gear For 2007: PMA Report; New Lenses For Digital And 35mm SLRs
Although most of the new products shown at PMA 2007 were digital, at least some of the new lenses are just as useful for anyone still shooting with a 35mm SLR system. While some of the new zooms were designed exclusively for use with D-SLRs with the APS-size sensor, the multi-platform lenses work perfectly with both analog and digital cameras.
Fotothing Survey Reveals Americans Photograph More Than Europeans
The international photo blogging site's poll revealed that Americans take nearly one-half of all photographs posted on the site, followed by the British (17%) and Dutch (14%). The top five is completed by Poles (11%) and Italians (8%).

HP Introduces Nine New Digital Cameras
HP is introducing several imaging and printing products – including nine digital cameras, two single-function Photosmart printers and an all-in-one Photosmart printer.

Kodak Says Camera Sensor May Eliminate Flash
Eastman Kodak Co. said it has developed digital camera technology that nearly eliminates the need for flash photography, part of the company's effort to make money from its deep patent portfolio. The world's biggest maker of photographic film says its proprietary sensor technology significantly increases sensitivity to light. Image sensors act as a digital camera's eyes by converting light into an electric charge to begin the capture process. Kodak intends to lean on its wealth of intellectual property to boost its bottom line, expecting up to $250 million this year alone in royalties and related revenues.

Mobile and Camera Phone Trends
No tax refunds for 3G licenses in U.K.
Europe's highest court, the European Court of Justice, ruled that mobile carriers did not pay value added tax when they bought 3G licenses in the U.K. in 2000, which means firms like Vodafone and Orange are not entitled to tax refunds totaling €4.9 billion. The ruling is final and allows for no appeals, according to the BBC. The group of carriers, which also included T-Mobile and O2, argued they were entitled to recover taxes since their customers were the ultimate beneficiaries of the deal. The court, however, found that "the award of licenses did not constitute economic activity on which tax was paid," according to the BBC.
Camera Phones Will Top 1 Billion This Year
The number of mobile camera phones in use will top 1 billion this year, reflecting their tremendous growth rate since they hit the market around seven years ago, according to a new market evaluation. Sales shot up from about 3 million camera
phones in 2001 to 500 million last year, according to figures released Friday from Strategy Analytics Ltd. The growth will likely start to level off now, however, said Neil Mawton, an associate director at the market research company.

Camera Phone Reviews
Reviews of Nokia N76, Samsung SGH-X830, LG Muziq, Samsung SGH-A717, Motorola RAZR Maxx Ve, Apple iPhone, Samsung U600, Sprint Mogul (HTC), Verizon Wireless G'zOne Type-S, Pantech IM-S230 and Sanyo Katana II.
China Mobile Inks $1B Deal With Ericsson
China Mobile signed a $1 billion network contract with the world's biggest mobile network equipment provider, LM Ericsson, equipping itself to fight back against a challenge from China Netcom, which will soon receive a profitable GSM network as part of state-directed telecom reforms. Under the agreement, Ericssonwill supply core and network equipment, along with related technical support and services, to expand China Mobile's GSM coverage in 19 regions in China.

InfoSpace Extends Relationship with Verizon Wireless to Power Core Mobile Infrastructure
InfoSpace, Inc., a leading developer of mobile platform services, and Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, today announced an extended relationship in which InfoSpace will power core pieces of Verizon Wireless' mobile infrastructure, including its enhanced Mobile Web 2.0(SM) service, which allows customers to more easily access the latest news, tools and information. The combined offerings will provide mobile customers with faster, easier access to their favorite content and information, while increasing revenue opportunities for the leading wireless service provider.
Italian Historical Photography Museum Offers Art On Mobile Phones
Fratelli Alinari and Museum On The Go team up to offer high–quality Italian photography from the last century for download to mobile phones. Museum On The Go, the worldwide first portal for download of digital museum objects to mobile devices, has dedicated a new section to the famous collection of the Alinari National Museum of Photography.

The iPhone Matches Most of Its Hype
Even in version 1.0, the iPhone is still the most sophisticated, outlook-changing piece of electronics to come along in years. It does so many things so well, and so pleasurably, that you tend to forgive its foibles.
AT&T and Apple Announce Service Plans for iPhone
AT&T Inc. and Apple announced three service plans for iPhone which start at just $59.99 per month. All three plans include unlimited data, Visual Voicemail, 200 SMS text messages, roll-over minutes and unlimited mobile-to-mobile
calling. With everything else already included, iPhone customers can easily choose the plan that's right for them based on the amount of voice minutes they plan to use each month. In addition, iPhone customers can choose from any of AT&T's standard service plans.

Motorola promotes "Crystal Talk" technology
Motorola's new "Crystal Talk" technology offers users improved sound quality while making calls, according to the company. The technology enables Motorola to take a different marketing path, rather than just focusing on screen size and camera quality, one analyst said.

Motorola Joins GSMA "Pay-Buy-Mobile" Initiative
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) announced its intention to participate in the GSMA
Pay-Buy-Mobile Initiative. The Company will potentially participate in all trials facilitated by the GSMA that will drive forward developments on mobile payments. Motorola will also provide feedback to GSMA Near Field Communications Technical
Guidelines white papers, and work with standardisation bodies such as ETSI and the NFC Forum to further provide input to the development process. "Participating in the GSMA Pay-Buy-Mobile Initiative further advances Motorola's goal of
bringing the promise of mobile payments and financial services to customers around the globe," said Alan Wright, senior director, Strategic Business Development, Mobile Devices, EMEA and India.
Porsche Design Group unveiled its first mobile phone
Designed by Porsche, but engineered and manufactured by France-based Sagem, the $1,600 handset will debut in Britain, Dubai, and other overseas markets later this year. The phone is expected to reach the U.S. in early 2008, possibly through Porsche auto dealerships and the five U.S. Porsche Design stores.

Sony Ericcson debuts 8GB phone
Sony Ericsson showed off six new handsets and a slew of accessories. The devices and accessories are set to ship in third and fourth quarter. Not surprising, the phone generating the most buzz is the W960 music device that features 8 GB on-board memory a 2.6-inch display and a 3.2 megapixel camera. The phone has a media player and will include a keyboard.
Sony Ericsson launches 2 Walkman, 2 camera phones
Sony Ericsson launched two new music phones in its popular Walkman range and two new camera phones.
Sprint may spin off WiMAX unit
Pressure from investors is causing Sprint executives to rethink its ambitious WiMAX broadband network. According to the Wall Street Journal, the company may form a partnership or joint venture with Craig McCaw (who founded wireless Internet firm Clearwire in 2003) and seek cash from cable providers. Sprint has said it will spend $3 billion on WiMAX through the next year.

Visa, Wells Fargo to Test Mobile Payment
Visa USA is teaming up with Wells Fargo & Co. in an experiment aimed at transforming mobile telephones into electronic wallets. As part of a pilot program, up to 50 Wells Fargo employees soon will begin paying for some products and services with specially equipped phones instead of credit and debit cards. If those tests are successful, Wells Fargo then plans to ask 300 to 500 of its current customers to sample the mobile payment platform, which San Francisco-based Visa began building at the beginning of this year.
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Know Your Directors — Dr. George John
Dr. George John works in the Mobile Devices Technology Office, Motorola. His main responsibilities include the image signal processor and image enhancement algorithms appropriate for the mobile imaging space. Prior to mobile imaging, he worked in a variety of fields including virtual reality simulations, digital holography and optical properties of semiconductors.
Dr. George John of Motorola
Dr. John has been a serious amateur photographer for the last twenty years. He holds a B.S. and a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.
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Member Spotlight — InvenSense

InvenSense is pioneering innovations in MEMS motion sensors and fabrication processes resulting in many “world's firsts”, including the world's first integrated dual-axis gyroscope that meets the demanding size, cost and performance requirements of mobile consumer electronics. The company is in mass production selling to many leading consumer electronics makers and can be found in products ranging from digital cameras to GPS portable navigation devices supporting applications like image stabilization and dead reckoning respectively. Founded in 2003, the company's novel sensor designs and fabrication technologies are reflected in more than 20 patents.
Micron
InvenSense's innovations extend beyond selling sensors. The company provides complete solutions to solve problems such as improving image quality in digital cameras and camera phones by eliminating picture blur due to user handshake using its patented BlurFree technology. DSC makers today reduce blur using software techniques that include a high ISO and motion vector calculations. The drawbacks of such methods are increased system memory and significant processing requirements. In addition ISO reduces the exposure time resulting in undesirable artifacts such as pixel noise affecting overall image quality. These drawbacks result in software solutions providing limited performance. Mechanical stabilization, also called optical image stabilization, uses gyroscope data to accurately track the hand jitter and compensate in real time by moving either the lens or the image sensor using proprietary actuation systems. While providing great performance, this type of solution is expensive and requires significant optics expertise.
InvenSense's BlurFree technology provides superior image quality for cameras and video systems by using a gyroscope to accurately track the movement of the camera caused by the natural hand shake of the user. The results are sharper
pictures that are typical of more expensive mechanical image stabilization systems. The BlurFree technology running on the image processor converts in real time the hand shake information from the gyro into a digital format known as Point Spread Function (PSF). Image data is then processed in real time and the best picture with the least amount of blur is selected.

InvenSense is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA. It was founded in 2003 by president and CEO Steve Nasiri.
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I3A Meetings and Events
To arrange to attend any of these meetings, please register on the members’ Web site or contact the Standards Department at i3astds@i3a.org.
July 2007
Mon 23 SaveMyMemories Web site Meeting
August 2007
Thu 9 CPIQ Conference Call
Thu 9 Management Committee
Tue 28 SaveMyMemories Web site Meeting
September 2007
Thu 6 Management Committee
Wed
12-Thu 13 		CPIQ — San Diego, CA
Fri 21 TC42/WG5 Task Group 2 — Anchorage, Alaska
Fri
21-Sat 22 		TC42/WG5 Task Group 3 — Anchorage, Alaska
Tue 25 I3A/IT9 — Anchorage, Alaska
Tue 25 TC42/WG5 — Anchorage, Alaska
October 2007
Thu 4 Management Committee
Thu
11 		CPIQ Conference Call
Mon 15 Standards Management Board — Itasca, IL
Tue 16 USA Technical Advisory Board for ISO/TC42 — Itasca, IL
Wed 24 Board of Directors' Meeting — Dresden, Germany
November 2007
Thu 1 Management Committee
Wed 14–Thu 15 CPIQ — Paris, France
January 2008
Wed 23–Thu 24 TC42/WG18, JWG20/22/23 — San Jose, CA

Industry Events
As a service to its members, I3A provides a listing of events affecting the imaging industry.
July 17-18, 2007
2007 Wireless & Mobile Expo and Conference
Toronto, Ontario
August 1-6, 2007
Media Expositions & Events

Media Expo-Delhi
August 7-10, 2007 Alcantara Machado

Photo Image Brazil
August 9-11, 2007 NBM Shows

Sign Business & Digital Graphics
August 27-29, 2007 MobiMedia 2007

3rd Intl Mobile Multimedia Communications
Conf, Nafpaktos, Greece
September 19-20, 2007
InfoTrends/CAPV

Digital Imaging '07
September 23-25, 2007 PMA

PMA Canada Exposition 2007
October 2-4, 2007 target="_blank">Mobile Payments Asia

Bangkok, Thailand
October 2-6, 2007 CEATEK Japan

The Frontline of Digital Convergence
Chiba, Japan
October 10-12, 2007 WiMAX World Conference & Exposition

Boston, MA
October 16–17, 2007 Smart Phone Show

London
October 18–20, 2007 PhotoPlus Expo

New York City
October 23-25, 2007 CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment

San Francisco, CA
October 24-27, 2007 SGIA Expo 2007

Orlando, FL
November 2-4, 2007 PMA

Imaging Expo Singapore
November 8-9, 2007 6Sight Conference

Monterey, CA
November 12-14, 2007
GSM World Asia

Macau
November 13-15,
2007
Mobile Internet World

Boston
December 4-6, 2007
Nokia World 2007

Amsterdam
December 4-6, 2007
Mobility World Exhibition and Congress

Hong Kong
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