Originally published December 27 2005
HP VP announces photo service software
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Two updated HP software tools have come out to organize, edit and simplify printing pictures. Ready-made templates for creating cards and collages are among the features. Both tools are designed to work through Snapfish.
Digital cameras are pretty much ubiquitous these days.
But consumer habits regarding printed photos are still being formed.
Vyomesh Joshi, Hewlett-Packard's vice president of imaging and printing group, is taking no chances.
He's got HP's Image and Printing Group developing high-quality home photo printers and pushing for a significant presence in the Internet-based photo album market with online photo service, Snapfish.
On Monday, Joshi announced two newly updated HP (nyse: HPQ - news - people) software tools designed to make both home printing and on-line photo sharing even easier.
The improved HP Photosmart Essential 1.9--formerly called HP Image Zone Express--organizes and edits digital pictures.
It will simplify the printing process, provide ready-made templates for creating cards and collages, establish a keyword search process and send photos in an e-mail rather than as an attachment.
The HP Image Zone 5.0 is a stronger version of the Photosmart Essential software that adds like back-up and enhanced search and editing functions that can restore color to faded pictures, adjust lighting and crop and print video stills.
The Image Zone software is bundled in some high-end HP digital photography products or available for about $49 as a stand-alone package.
Both tools are designed to work on PCs or through Snapfish, the online service acquired by HP in March of 2005.
Since the introduction of Snapfish, HP has expanded its reach into potential digital photo prints revenue by making deals with popular retail locations like Walgreen (nyse: WAG - news - people) that offer mini-lab or self-service kiosk photo prints.
Joshi, who has risen through the ranks of HP's imaging and printing group since 1984, helped guide the company through the digital printing and photography transition that has hobbled some of its competitors like Eastman Kodak (nyse: EK - news - people).
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