Intel announced it is now selling the "Intel Pocket PC Camera," a
compact digital still and video camera that will allow consumers to take
Internet-ready photos and short video clips and post them on a Web site or send
them as e-mail attachments.
The battery-operated camera will retail for $149. It has 8 megabytes of flash
memory, and is capable of taking 128 pictures or two minutes of video in a 640 x
480 pixel mode. While much lower in resolution than regular digital cameras with
1,028 x 960 pixels, the images are ideal for transmission over the
bandwidth-sensitive Internet where most consumers are using 33K and 56K modems.
It weighs 8 ounces with four AAA batteries and can be shoved into most pockets
The Intel Pocket PC Camera includes software that allows for downloading
images to a computer and let users tinker with them to adjust their quality or
crop images before e-mailing them or posting them to personal Web pages.
"The great thing about this camera is it's really focused on people who
want to share their life's story over the Internet,'' said product line manager
at Intel's Connect Products Division in Hillsboro, Oregon, Dwayne Canfield.
"You can have it hooked up to your computer or you can disconnect the cord
and take it with you.''
Intel formed the Connect Products Division with the mission of producing
Intel-brand consumer products. The group’s first product was launched late
last year — a countertop device that allows access to e-mail, organizer and
the Internet.