Photo printing your digital images is set to become easier, quicker and more fun with Kodak’s award-winning Picture Kiosks, launched in the UAE today (Sunday).
At a special media preview event held at the Kodak Regional HQ in Dubai, Kodak unveiled its new range of Kiosks and demonstrated how easy and fun it was to print real Kodak Quality photos instantly.
The self-service, standalone units allow customers to view, edit, personalize and print real Kodak quality photographs in a matter of seconds. Designed to read images from CDs, computer memory sticks, camera memory cards or mobile phones via Bluetooth technology, Photo Kiosks are the latest development in Kodak’s ongoing digital services expansion program for the ME region.
Arif Khan, Area Business Manager for Kodak in MENAFT, said: “Kodak remains the world’s leading digital imaging solution provider and with the launch of the Kodak Picture Kiosks in the region, we aim to provide another printing option that caters to the needs of the new age digital consumer who demands speed, quality, convenience and value for money.”
Kodak Picture Kiosks are expected to be installed at more and more locations in the coming years, including Kodak Express stores, hypermarkets, shopping malls, mobile phone retail stores etc. “We have already tested some Kiosk units in the GCC and the response has been very encouraging. There is an underlying desire today to save and cherish the many images we click today with our mobile phones and digital cameras but have limited options to print them, the Kodak Picture Kiosks will change this”, added Mr. Khan.
With a total of 80,000 Kodak Picture kiosks currently installed worldwide, Kodak is not new to the photo Kiosk business. The 50% WW share makes Kodak Picture Kiosks the world leader by far. Kodak research shows that world wide half of all photo printing is done in photo lab stores, 32 per cent is carried out at home, and 18 per cent is done online.
Mr. Khan added, “Digital photography has dramatically changed the way that images are printed today. With digital photography, consumers have become more selective about what they actually print. Kodak’s endeavour is to empower the consumer to print Kodak quality photos anywhere, anytime whether it be at the Kodak Express store on the street or in the comfort of your home with the Kodak Home Photo Printers that are already available”.
“Our new Photo Kiosks make the digital printing process a fun experience. The Kiosks allow the consumer to get interactive with their images, add festive borders, insert text, enhance images and even print beautiful photo calendars.”
Backed up with a comprehensive marketing support program to promote the Kodak Kiosks at the retail, consumers can expect to see new Kodak Picture Kiosk branded POS at participating retailers and exclusive Kiosk based promotions like free trials, occasion based offers, cross promotions for printing from mobile cameras etc. on a regular basis.
Kodak Photo Kiosks will be available in two models: the G4, which prints in 8 seconds, and the value model GS, which takes 11 seconds. Both use Kodak Perfect Touch technology – an advanced software photo-editing system – and print on high-quality, waterproof, XTRALIFE paper. Customers will pay an average of 1.5 dirham per print, and the option to print in various sizes is also available.
About Eastman Kodak Company
Kodak is the world’s foremost imaging innovator, providing leading products and services to the photographic, graphic communications and healthcare markets. With sales of $14.3 billion in 2005, the company is committed to a digitally oriented growth strategy focused on helping people better use meaningful images and information in their life and work. Consumers use Kodak’s system of digital and traditional image capture products and services to take, print and share their pictures anytime, anywhere; Businesses effectively communicate with customers worldwide using Kodak solutions for prepress, conventional and digital printing and document imaging; Creative Professionals rely on Kodak technology to uniquely tell their story through moving or still images; and leading Healthcare organizations rely on Kodak’s innovative products, services and customized workflow solutions to help improve patient care and maximize efficiency and information sharing within and across their enterprise. More information about Kodak (NYSE: EK) is available at www.kodak.com.
