News

Kodak enhances picture kiosk technology

October 12, 2011

Eastman Kodak Company has enhanced its Picture Kiosk software to allow consumers to use images from their own, as well as from their friends' shared photo albums on social networks and imaging sites such as Facebook, Google Picasa and Kodak Galleryto create photo products at kiosks. In addition to expanding its social connectivity suite, Kodak is also introducing new Kodak Photo Book and Personal Greeting designs, the ability to conveniently and safely archive and store their growing image libraries and 38 new Picture Movie DVD song selections, according to a company press release.

Kodak initially introduced social network connectivity at the kiosk in 2010. Since that time, consumers have embraced this new connected solution, and retailers around the world are rapidly connecting their Kodak Picture Kiosks to this new medium. By the end of the year, more than 30,000 Kodak Picture Kiosks around the world will have this capability, according to the release.

"Providing easy access to the broad base of images stored on social networks through the Kodak Picture Kiosk allows consumers to do more than just share images; it lets them create something memorable and permanent in print," said Nicki Zongrone, general manager, Retail Systems Solutions, Eastman Kodak Company. "Social connectivity at the photo kiosk is Kodak innovation that meets consumers' evolving imaging needs while also delivering new experiences that inspire them to share their stories in new ways."

Improved photo book creation tools

Creating a photo book is even simpler with Kodak's Picture Kiosk software suite. For consumers who want to make photo books quickly, the kiosks now feature SmartFit Technology, which perceptively organizes and places photos in a photo book template then let's the consumer decide to print immediately or personalize the layout further, according to the release. Consumers seeking a more custom photo book can take advantage of the new designs and backgrounds, as well as customizable captions. An improved photo book project preview shows pages as they will appear in the actual Photo Book, allowing consumers to see the end product before they print.

Additionally, Kodak now offers more Express Photo Book formats: Standard Single-Sided format, which features a waterproof and stain-resistant laminated paper designed to last that provides Kodak-quality photographic detail; Standard Duplex format, which allows consumers to create double-sided Photo Books; and Premium Duplex format, which combines the first two new options.

Easy archiving

The new Kodak Archive DVD offers an easy and convenient way to safely store images and digital videos from digital cameras, USB drives and memory cards, as well as from social sharing sites such as Facebook, on a 4-gigbit DVD. Created easily at the kiosk, the Archive DVD provides a secure, highly compatible format that holds the equivalent of four picture CDs and is usable in computers, DVD players and at the kiosk, according to the press release.

The new solutions are available today at many retail locations featuring the Kodak Picture Kiosk and Kodak Adaptive Picture Exchange (APEX) systems.

Kodak offers week of free photos

Kodak is hosting Free Kodak Prints Week Oct. 17-23, allowing customers to print photos from their Facebook accounts free directly from a Kodak Picture Kiosk

"Kodak is dedicated to providing customers unique solutions to help create and share their memories," said Larry Trevarthen, vice president of worldwide marketing, Retail Systems Solutions, Eastman Kodak Company. "There are billions of photos stored on FACEBOOK and there is a strong desire to convert these photos into personalized memories. Through our Free Prints Week, we are providing customers an easy and convenient solution to free their FACEBOOK photos at no cost by visiting one of our exceptional retail partners."

To celebrate Free Prints Week, Kodak has partnered with popular Tumblr, My Parents Were Awesome (MPWA) to host a contest, as a way to encourage people to print and share recent photos and those of the past. MPWA was designed as a forum to celebrate family history through photography by inviting users to submit vintage photos of their parents from their youth.

Retail partners participating in the free prints week include CVS/pharmacy locations across North America, as well as select Bartell Drugs, Discount Drug Mart, Lewis Drugs and Ritz Camera locations. By "liking" Kodak on FACEBOOK during this time period and opting in to receive emails from Kodak in the future, Facebook users will be able to download a coupon to print up to 20 free 4x6 instant prints.

Read more about photo kiosks.