Zoom technology grows in cell phones; Johnson Electric introduces NanoZoom

Camera phones have quietly become a "killer technology". Many people purchased camera phones because the picture-taking capability was included with the phone. Once they realized the convenience of always having a phone with them at all times, they began to demand more from the camera portion.Now Johnson Electric is making available to manufacturers the NanoZoom, it promises continual focus along the range of its 3x zoom. It is intended for cell-phones and similar mobile devices. The application will tend toward the high-end market , currently seeing double-digit growth. The zoom technology is paired with the company's 3megapixel CMOS and NanoLens that provides autofocus. Obviously, the NanoZoom takes the autofocus feature one step further.Along with these components, Johnson Electric has made available an integration kit that lets camera phone makers quickly combine the NanoZoom and NanoLens into a usable package. The kit also comes with an ASIC driver to work with the phone's software.While the autofocus 3x zoom is only available to manufacturers at the moment, with the pace of technological advance these days, it would not be wishful thinking to expect an autofocus zoom phone by Christmas this year.

Micron unveils new chip for cell phones

Micron Technology Inc. unveiled a new memory chip today designed to help cell phone manufacturers produce smaller phones without losing power or storage space, company officials said."It helps put more functionality into cell phones because consumers can now constantly store their pictures, they can store their video, and they don't have to charge the phone as often," said Achim Hill, senior director of marketing for Micron's Mobile Memory Group.The chip — known as the multichip package because it stacks a NAND flash chip and Mobile DRAM chip in one package — is also an example of Micron's diversification, Hill said.
"We are not just DRAM manufacturers anymore," he said.Micron, Idaho's largest private employer, has stabilized its earnings in recent quarters by diversifying its product line so the company's profits do not fluctuate with the ups and downs of the DRAM market. It also has brought Micron into the fast-growing cell phone and iPod markets.

Motorola, Kodak to collaborate on camera phones

Motorola Inc., the world‘s No. 2 phone maker, and Kodak said on Thursday that they have agreed to work together for the next ten years to make camera phones better and easier to use.
Kodak has agreed to supply Motorola with camera hardware and software for its phones and the companies plan to share their intellectual property as part of the agreement.
They will also work together on devices that allow users to swap, store or print a picture from a camera phone by pressing one button, with the first devices arriving on the market in time for the holiday season this year.
They will also work together to bring out more devices next year with a view to making it easier to swap and print pictures.
"Think about visual IM," said Ron Garriques, head of Motorola‘s mobile phone division, suggesting that swapping pictures with somebody on the other side of the world could be as quick and easy as sending an instant message (IM) over the Internet.
Garriques said that the agreement was not exclusive but that both companies expect to work more closely with each other than with rival photography or handset companies.

Malaysian hospitals to ban camera cellphones

Malaysia may ban visitors from carrying cellphones in hospital wards in an attempt to stop people from taking indecent pictures of patients, a top official said on Sunday."We are looking at the problem. (Banning) is one of the possibilities," Ismail Merican, director-general of the health ministry, told AFP.The New Sunday Times said patients answering the call of nature or undergoing medical procedures that require removal of clothing have been photographed."We have to protect the rights of patients," Ismail was quoted as saying by the newspaper.The plan comes a week after the government dumped a plan to allow cellphones in schools after the move sparked an outcry from both teachers and parents.