February 16, 2007 – As consumers are continuing to use their camera phones to capture photos, users are also trying to find ways to get their pictures off their cell phones. Kodak Gallery partnered with wireless digital imaging software provider Exclaim to offer customers Kodak Mobile Link which was announced today. Based on Exclaim’s Pictavision Platform, Kodak Mobile Link allows users to upload photos and videos from their mobile phones directly to their online EasyShare Gallery albums for a subscription of $3.99 per month.
“We look forward to launching this application with Exclaim and continuing to grow our own wireless business,” said Kodak Gallery senior direction David Westendorf in an Exclaim press release today.
With existing partners including Flickr, Webshots, and Walgreens, Exclaim adds Kodak EasyShare Gallery to their list of applications for users to directly connect to. Users can download Kodak Mobile Link from their wireless provider website, including Verizon Wireless, Alltel, Cricket, and U.S. Cellular.
Once installed on their mobile phone, the Kodak Mobile Link software can automatically generate a Kodak online account for users who do not already have one. Exclaim Pictavision then converts BREW, Java, and Symbian-powered camera phones into allowing photo and video uploads, according to the release. With Kodak Mobile Link, users can add text to photos or even attach voice captions. The pictures can also be added as cell phone wallpaper or attached as caller ID photos.
The Kodak Mobile Link process eliminates the need to attach photos to emails, “turning your phone into a virtual photo album,” according to a website demo available at http://www.pictavision.com/pv_demo.html.
“This partnership combines Kodak Gallery’s stellar global reputation as the world’s number one online photo service with Exclaim’s leadership in camera phone photography application development,” said Exclaim vice president Jiren Parikh. “Adding our expertise in seamless wireless integration to the instantly recognizable Kodak Gallery name will transform how digital photographers around the world share their photos with friends and family,” said Parikh.
To date, Kodak EasyShare Gallery users have uploaded 2 billion pictures to the site. Exclaim plans to announce more GSM Java wireless carriers in 2007.
