Microsoft Corp. and AOL Time Warner are staking out digital photography as
the newest skirmish area in the ongoing clash of the titans for consumer
attention.
Microsoft Tuesday hosted a Windows XP event gathering
more than 20 digital photography hardware and software solutions vendors to
demonstrate their wares on the Windows XP platform, which supports picture
transfer protocol (PTP), an industry standard that allows communication
between digital cameras and computers and printers.
“This is a great opportunity for Microsoft and leading companies in the
industry to work together to deliver end-to-end digital photography
experiences for consumers,” said Chris Jones, vice president of the Windows
Division at Microsoft. “By linking the power of the PC with the best
solutions in the digital photo arena, Windows XP lets consumers share their
pictures with friends and family as easily as they can take them.”
Participants included ArcSoft Inc., Canon USA Inc., Compaq Computer Corp.,
Corel Corp., Dell Computer Corp., Eastman Kodak Co., Epson America Inc.,
Fuji Photo Film USA Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co., Intel Corp., Lexmark
International Inc., NEC-Mitsubishi Electric Visual Systems, Olympus America
Inc., Picture It! on MSN Photo, SanDisk Corp., Sony, Shutterfly, The
Learning Company, Ulead Systems Inc. and Umax Technologies Inc.
But while Microsoft and friends were touting XP’s imaging features as
consumer-friendly and easy-to-use, one of those companies — namely Kodak —
was also helping Microsoft rival America Online launch the new version of
its “You’ve Got Pictures” service.
To celebrate the event, the two companies announced a national photo contest
called MY TOWN, with the winner’s hometown receiving a free concert with the
Bangles and Dream.
To generate more interest in the contest, the two companies have invited a
number of celebrities — including Edward Burns, Melanie Griffith and Peter
Fonda — to participate by sharing never-before-seen photographs of a day in
their lives. The pictures will also be put up for sale in a special auction
event on eBay, with the proceeds going to the celebrities favored charities.
The “You’ve Got Pictures” service now features unlimited online photo
storage for active members who visit the service at least once every six
months, one-stop picture sharing and storing, and simplified design and
navigation intended to make picture viewing faster and sharing easier.
It also features a new pricing plan in which consumers can drop off film at
participating Kodak retailers and get both prints and online pictures via
the service for one price, likely $8.99 if retailers follow the suggested
price.
“AOL has become the world’s leading online service by listening to consumers
and delivering the ease and convenience they want,” said Katherine
Borsecnik, president of AOL Brand Programming and Product Operations.
“According to a recent AOL/Roper Starch Cyberstudy, 92 percent of online
consumers are interested in sharing photos online with friends and family.
With improved features and simplified pricing, the enhanced “You’ve Got
Pictures” service makes getting your photos online and sharing them with
friends and relatives even more fun and convenient.”
