Kodak validated rumors and said Thursday that it would stop making what most consider its core products. It plans to shut down production of still cameras, pocket video cameras, and digital photo frames within the first half of this year. The shift would leave it to inkjet printers and other photo printing.
Apple in an objection (PDF) late this week hoped to stop Kodak from getting some loans to recover from its bankruptcy status based on patent disputes. The iPhone producer asserted that Kodak, in using its patents as collateral, was using "certain patents" for digital camera technology that were either Apple's or were still the subject of lawsuits. Kodak had "misappropriated" Apple technology and tried to patent it on its own, Apple said, prompting the 2010 countering lawsuit.
A recent prediction that Kodak was on the verge of bankruptcy has proven true with the iconic American company officially filing for bankruptcy protection. Despite a number of restructuring attempts as well as the sale of patents and a string of patent suits seeking damages, the 130-year old pioneering photographic company was forced to seek protection from creditors. It has also secured $950 million in credit from Citibank while its buys time to sell some of its 1,100 patents, and reposition itself while also maintaining the salaries of its 17,000 employees, reports Reuters.
Kodak showed the mounting extent of its troubles Wednesday by suing Samsung over camera patents. It accused the Galaxy Tab designer of violating five patents for "electronic camera" technology, such as capturing photos during previews and transferring them online. It unusually singled out tablets, not smartphones, as purportedly infringing its work.
We stopped by Kodak's booth at CES to take a look at the company's recently unveiled EasyShare M750 and the equally new Playfull Dual. The former has been documented, and can upload photos to a Kodak's gallery or Facebook or upload videos to YouTube once the Share button is pressed. It also selection of social networks or e-mailed to a preset address. Unfortunately, the Wi-Fi wasn't working and we weren't able to check this feature out.
Kodak today filed two patent lawsuits against Apple and HTC, Bloomberg reports. Shared in common between the two cases are four patents involving image transmission; one example involves a method of sharing images directly from a camera. HTC is accused of violating a fifth patent, related to image previews.
Kodak has announced the latest addition to its EasyShare line, the Kodak EasyShare M750 Wireless Camera. The M750 has built in WiFi to simplify photo sharing and syncing with home networks, wireless printers, email or social media. It shares many of the same hardware and photo effects as its predecessor, the EasyShare 5370. These include a 16-megapixel CCD sensor that is also capable of shooting 720p HD video, a 5x optical zoom lens, and a 3.0in capacitive LCD touchscreen with auto brightness control.
Wells Fargo has leaked virtually every camera designer's plans for CES and PMA next week but has provided unusually large amounts of detail for major Canon releases. The PowerShot G1X is Canon's long-awaited if indirect response to mirrorless rivals and carries a large, 1.5-inch, 14.3-megapixel CMOS sensor to let it take in more light and detail than most compacts. Although the 4X, 28-112mm equivalent lens is still non-removable, it now has a wider maximum aperture of f2.5 (better than f2.8) to improve low light and soften backgrounds.
Kodak is drafting Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings in the event it can't sell patents in the next few weeks, insiders asserted Wednesday. The proposed plan seen by the Wall Street Journal would see the camera legend possibly enter bankruptcy later this month or in early February. The reorganization would see it get $1 billion of debtor-in-possession funding and sell its entire library of 1,100 patents through a bankruptcy auction rather than a typical process.
Kodak has warned shareholders that it has received a notice from the New York Stock Exchange that its stock may be delisted. The NYSE is said to have sent a letter nothing that Kodak shares have failed to maintain a closing price of at least $1 for 30 consecutive trading days, in violation of listing standards.
Kodak saw its hopes of bouncing back fade on Friday after it filed twice with the SEC to say three board members had resigned. Adam Clammer and Herald Chen were reported as having left on Tuesday, while Laura Tyson was now known to have left as of the Friday release. Neither release gave an indication as to the reasons for leaving.
Kodak is hoping to sell its Kodak Gallery online photo service to stay afloat, according to leaks. The camera pioneer was said by the Wall Street Journal to be talking to other photo hosting services, retail stores, private equity groups, and even rival camera makers to interest them in a sale. Advisors from FTI Consulting, which led to the sale of the image sensor group, was supposedly involved in this sale as well as part of an attempt to find buyers for as many non-essential divisions as possible
Kodak late Monday sold off its Image Sensor Solutions group to merger and acquisitions giant Platinum Equity. The deal lets Kodak keep using the sensors for its cameras and high-end uses like satellites, but gives up a key factory and research plant in Kodak's home of Rochester, New York. Kodak made it clear that the selloff was to get it closer to being a strictly digital company.
Kodak has quietly warned that it may have difficulty continuing operations if it cannot fetch additional funding. In its quarterly 10-Q filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company reported a 10 percent drop in cash holdings, down from $957 million to $862 million, and slashed its cash balance forecast for the end of the year by $300 million.
Kodak saw its attempt to force Apple and RIM into settlements renewed on Friday after the ITC replaced the recently retired judge that stalled the case. Judge Thomas Pender will rule on December 30 regarding Kodak's claims that iPhone and BlackBerry technology violate imaging patents. Its ruling is preliminary and won't see a final decision until 2012, when an ITC panel decides if the verdict should be upheld.
Kodak is said to be looking for $900m in emergency funding to rescue itself from insolvency. According to the Wall Street Journal, Kodak has been in talks with several hedge funds seeking financial backing to keep the company afloat while it seeks to sell off its most valuable patents. At the same time, the company hopes to continue its restructuring plans, which it hopes will return it to profitability.
Kodak has made good on its intent to sell off patents that it holds as it seeks to stabilize its weakened financial position. While the company has thousands of patents in their portfolio, its latest official patent sale pertains to laser projection and other technology that has been purchased by the IMAX cinema group. The licensing deal is said to be worth tens of millions of dollars.
(Update: Kodak responds) Electronics maker Kodak has hired law firm Jones Day to help it with restructuring, sources familiar with the matter told the WSJ. Investors are concerned with Kodak's turnaround prospects, and it has recently borrowed $160 million from a credit line. Meanwhile, shares fell about 60 percent.
Kodak picked Friday to show a different take on its pocket camcorders. The Playfull Waterproof is a cousin to the original Playfull that trades some performance for hardening against conditions. Although it drops from 1080p down to 720p, it can survive underwater depths of up to 10 feet for two hours, or enough to fill much of the sometimes bundled 4GB SDHC card.
Kodak has just introduced a new lineup of Hero all-in-one printers with wireless Google Cloud Print and Kodak Email Print support. At the same time, the company will bring the same ability to send documents and photos to the Hero printers and previous generation all-in-one printers, becoming the first company to reach the milestone. The flagship offering of the new range is the $250 Hero 9.1.
Kodak on Tuesday mentioned that it was seeing very strong interest after raising the possible selloff of its patents. The "phone started to ring" almost immediately afterwards and had led to a significant number already having signed non-disclosure agreements for secret negotiations. While CEO Antonio Perez wouldn't name customers, he told Bloomberg that Kodak wanted a deal with cash up front as well as a pact that let it keep a license to use the primarily phone-focused camera technology that it would otherwise be giving away.
Kodak has expanded its Playsport Zx5"> pocket video camcorder range with a new Burton edition for snowboarders and snowsports. This one is simply a special edition and has identical specs to the original. This means 1080p HD video capture capability, five-megapixel stills and has large buttons than can be operated with gloves on.
Insiders disclosed late Wednesday that Kodak had started the process of courting companies to sell its camera-related patents. Bankers at Lazard have been shopping the 1,100-strong patent collection around to see if companies are interested. Buyers weren't mentioned by name, but one identified by the WSJ is a "large, strategic buyer in the wireless industry" that would snap up the patents for "defensive protection," according to a source.
Kodak's complaint at the ITC against Apple and RIM was thrown into doubt as the Administrative Law Judge in the case, Paul Luckern, made a surprise move to retire. He has quit the agency as of Wednesday even with a review of a ruling due on August 30. Other judges will have to pick up from his work, the ITC said.
Kodak is reportedly considering selling some if its intellectual property, including a key patent that had been the focus of infringement lawsuits aimed at Apple and RIM. The company has confirmed that it is considering a buyer for patents related to image capturing, organizing, sharing and storing.
The US International Trade Commission on Monday upheld an earlier ruling that said Kodak didn't violate Apple patents. Officials reached the decision sooner than the original September 19 deadline. Details of the ruling were still forthcoming but rejected the idea that Kodak's camera and imaging technology borrowed from Apple.
The ITC on Thursday decided to mostly uphold a ruling from January that Apple and RIM didn't violate Kodak patents. It said it would "reverse" some aspects but also dismissed some of Kodak's views. The commission believed the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 didn't "literally" violate a patent for taking photos while previewing moving footage and that Kodak would have to argue on a doctrine of equivalents.
The ITC on Thursday postponed its decision on Kodak's loss to Apple and RIM in a patent infringement complaint. The US agency was to have said whether a second look found Apple and RIM violating image preview patents but has instead put off that decision to June 30. No reason was given for the setback.
The International Trade Commission on Thursday ruled in favor of Kodak in Apple's trade complaint. An administrative law judge determined that Kodak hadn't infringed on Apple's patents on camera and image technology for devices like the iPhone. The ruling isn't yet binding and will be either upheld or tossed after a collective ITC decision on September 19.
Kodak has just debuted a new All-In-One inkjet printer, the ESP Office 2170 AiO. It is capable of scanning, faxing and copying documents and can print from supported mobile devices like the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and BlackBerry phones through a dedicated app. It can also print stills from video files that include mov, avi and mp4.
Kodak has released a new point-and-shoot camera in Europe without any sort of formal announcement. The 14-megapixel EasyShare C1530 is an entry-level device, sporting a 3X optical zoom along with a three-inch monitor. A significant feature is the ability to upload images to a choice of nine social service destinations at the push of a button.
RIM on Wednesday made a preventative deal with Intellectual Ventures to safeguard itself against patent lawsuits. The BlackBerry creator gets access to about 30,000 patents and can use them either as a defense or as a negotiating strategy for making licensing deals of its own. RIM hasn't given any specific plans.
Kodak on Friday night successfully obtained a review of the ITC decision for Apple and RIM. The trade agency said it would check again whether Kodak's patent for low resolution previews was being copied in the BlackBerry and iPhone. A decision would take place no later than May 23.
Kodak chief Antonio Perez in a talk late Thursday said he still hoped to reap over $1 billion in revenue on Friday from its patent complaint against Apple and RIM. An ITC verdict in the phone camera dispute is due to be delivered at 5PM Eastern on Friday that would determine whether it will rethink a dismissal of Kodak's complaints. Perez told Bloomberg he believed his company "deserved to win," though he didn't qualify the answer.
German lens maker Schneider Kreuznach on Friday announced it has become the newest member of the Micro Four Thirds System Standard Group. As such, it will build lenses that support the standard, which was pioneered by Olympus and Panasonic. Micro Four Thirds cameras are digital cameras with interchangeable lenses, but unlike larger DSLRs, they lack a moving mirror and traditional shutter.
Kodak suffered a major blow to its patent hopes on Monday after the International Trade Commission dismissed its complaints against Apple and RIM. Judge Luckern said the patent at stake, for low resolution moving previews, was too obvious a variant on an earlier patent and couldn't be used. The BlackBerry and iPhone couldn't violate the patent as a result.
Kodak has announced new versions of its Pulse digital frames. The new versions will expand on the frame's ability to receive photos from a dedicated email address by allowing users to respond from a pre-set list of comments. The updated digital frames will gain a motion sensor that will turn the frame on when someone is nearby and conserve energy when no one is in the area. A playlist feature also will be added.
Kodak has announced it will display the new ESP C310 color multifunction printer at CES2011. The printer uses Kodak's new 30 Series ink cartridges, which company claims the provides the lowest total ink replacement cost. It can connect by either USB or 802.11n WiFi, and can print directly from an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad with a free app from the Kodak website.
Kodak announced two new HD pocket video cameras, the ultraslim Playfull and the rugged Playsport. Both are autofocus cameras with digital image stabilization and smart face-tracking, and take full 1080p HD video and 5-megapixel still photos. A dedicated Share button activates built-in software for easy uploading via USB to PC or Mac to popular social media sites like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Flickr. The Share function also works with international social media sites Orkut, Yandex, and Kainxin001.
Kodak as part of its CES unveilings brought out four new point-and-shoots, each with its own standout trick. The EasyShare Max becomes its new long-zoom camera and has a 28-840mm f2.8, stabilized 30X lens. It simultaneously focuses more on image quality and is Kodak's first-ever camera with a backside-illuminated CMOS sensor to improve its low light handling.
A patent selloff by struggling Canadian tech firm Nortel Networks could see Apple, Google or RIM buy patents that tip the balance in their favor, a leak asserted on Thursday. Sales of 3G and LTE-based 4G patents are due to wrap up within weeks and could see the phone makers, along with Motorola, buy at least some of the patents to use either for products or for lawsuits. The Reuters sources couldn't get confirmation except from InterDigital, which files frequent lawsuits against phone makers.
Kodak in an unusual Friday launch brought out the ESP 9250 as its new flagship inkjet all-in-one. The printer carries 802.11n Wi-Fi for local network printer sharing, including through iOS devices, and optionally takes a Bluetooth adapter. It prints in color at 9,600DPI, with duplexing an option, and scans at a true 2,400DPI.
Kodak wrapped up its launches today by adding its highest-end pocket camcorder to date. The PlayTouch centers on a three-inch, capacitive touchscreen that moves almost all the control to the display rather than the back. Changing controls also helps for review, as the PlayTouch can orient its display to landscape with according controls for editing as well as tagging movies for later Facebook or YouTube sharing.
Kodak today rolled out a camera with a social networking component the 14-megapixel EasyShare M590. Using an on-board tagging tool, users can tag a photo for upload to Facebook, Flickr, Orkut, YouTube, and Kodak Gallery. It also allows photos to be tagged to an e-mail account and sent directly to an internet-enabled digital photo frame. Once tagged on the camera, photos are automatically distributed once connected to a computer.
Kodak is due to release a 10-inch version of its Wi-Fi-enabled Pulse digital photo frame, according to a newly found FCC filing. Technical details on the frame are unknown, but it will have integrated Wi-Fi, like its smaller seven-inch counterpart. A short, 45-day confidentiality request also suggests the product will be out on store shelves in time for the holiday shopping season.
Kodak has unveiled a new all-in-one printer, the 6150 AiO, that can print files sent to it wirelessly from a BlackBerry or iPhone, as well as the iPad and iPod touch. It communicates with these devices using its built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi and can otherwise scan, fax and copy documents.
Apple today countersued Kodak over alleged patent violations. The complaint accuses Kodak of copying technology relating to image processing as well as energy management and memory design. Many of Kodak's C, M and Z series EasyShares are supposedly infringing on the patents, as are pocket camcorders like the Zi8.
The 14-megapixel Kodak Slice digital camera introduced at CES early this year is now available in the US. Priced at $350, the shooter has a 3.5-inch touchscreen that doubles as a viewfinder, along with a 5X optical zoom and image stabilization. It can record videos at full 720p.
Following several teasers, Pentax has finally announced availability information and detailed specs for its upcoming 645D medium-format camera. The DSLR integrates a 40 megapixel sensor manufactured by Kodak, along with a SAFOX IX+ autofocus system providing 11 sensor points. Like many other Pentax cameras, the 645D features a semi-rugged body with 70 seals for resistance to dust, water and low temperatures.
The International Trade Commission today agreed to investigate Kodak's complaint against Apple and RIM. It follows an initial filing made last month and, if successful, would ban shipments of BlackBerry and iPhone models to the US as they allegedly infringe Kodak patents on previewing and scaling photos. Kodak also has a separate lawsuit against Apple in civil court over handing off tasks between apps, though this hasn't made progress since its original submission.
