Kodak Unveils PC-Free Digital Camera

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

September 30, 2005, 3:35 PM

Kodak earlier this week unveiled a wireless digital camera, and announced a partnership with T-Mobile Hotspot that would allow the unit to e-mail pictures without the need for a computer. The camera was initially scheduled to debut earlier this summer, but engineering and marketing issues delayed its release.

The new camera has a resolution of 4.0 megapixels with a 3x optical zoom. 256 megabytes of internal memory will allow users to store up to 1,500 pictures depending on resolution. Also, a three-inch LCD touch screen enables users to navigate the camera's features.

However, the most notable feature of the camera is its ability to connect to the Internet through a Wi-Fi connection. The user will be able to access the Kodak Easyshare Gallery through either a home network for free, or the T-Mobile Hotspot network in the United States for a $4.99 per month service charge.

"The Kodak EasyShare-One camera combines the power of sharing, taking, organizing, and printing pictures into a single, highly innovative product," Greg Westbrook, vice president of Eastman Kodak Company said.

Although Kodak is not the first company to provide Wi-Fi access in a digital camera -- Nikon did so earlier this month -- the EasyShare-One is the first to not require a computer to transfer pictures.

The camera will retail for $599 USD and will be available shortly in most major electronics retailers, including Circuit City, CompUSA, and Ritz Camera in the United States.