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Kodak has introduced its new Kodak Photo Printer Dock to give mobile device users a fast and easy way to produce color prints of the many images they capture.
The $139 Kodak Photo Printer Dock, announced June 14, is compatible with Android and iOS devices. It also works with digital cameras and USB memory sticks to print .jpg or .png image files, according to the company. The device can also recharge up to two mobile devices while they are attached to the top of the dock for image printing. Users can also connect to the photo printer dock using WiFi.
Once the Android or iOS device is connected to the printer, users can click to make prints using a Kodak Printer Dock app they install on their devices. Users can also edit their images and add special effects through the app.
They can also capture photos from social media or images from videos to make prints. The app also features a collage maker function, card templates, stickers and other creative capabilities.
The fast-drying prints are generated using “photo packs” which include integrated paper and maintenance-free ink packs that use dye diffusion transfer inks. Photo packs are available for $20 for 40 prints, $35 for 80 prints or $47 for 120 prints. Once printed, the images are fingerprint- and water-resistant, according to the company.
The printer comes with a power adapter, owner’s manual and a 10-photo cartridge and paper pack. The device includes a built-in five-pin Android micro USB connector and an adapter for iOS devices so it will work with multiple devices, Aaron Schwartz, a spokesman for C+P Global, which distributes the printers, told eWEEK.
The printer, which measures 6.5 inches wide, 4-inches deep, 2.6 inches tall and weighs 26.8 ounces, is available immediately through Amazon.com or D&H Photo, with more retailers expected in the future, said Schwartz.
In October, Kodak introduced its first-ever Ektra smartphone, which sports a retro camera-like design and a 21-megapixel fast-focus main rear camera that the company hopes will up the ante with photo enthusiasts on the go. The phone was introduced in Europe but Kodak hasn’t announced specific plans to sell the camera in the U.S. market.
The 4G LTE-enabled Ektra phone, which sells for about $550 in Europe, features a Helio X20 2.3GHz deca-core (10-core) processor, 3GB of memory, 32GB of onboard storage, a microSD card slot for additional storage, a 3,000mAh rechargeable battery with USB-C fast charging and the Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system.
The phone features durable Corning Gorilla Glass on its display screen and on its camera lenses, as well as WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity.
But the key features in Kodak’s offering are its cameras, including the 21-megapixel main rear camera that features an f2.0 lens, Phase Detection Auto Focus (PDAF), dual LED flash, 4K video capabilities and Optical Image Stabilization, and a 13-megapixel front-facing camera with an f2.2 PDAF lens.
Setting the handset apart from similar smartphones from competitors, the Kodak Ektra includes a top-mounted physical shutter button, like those found on traditional cameras both analog and digital.
