Business Services Industry

Planetweb Announces Digital Photo Applications for HP Digital Imaging Solutions

Business Wire, Sept 6, 2001

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 6, 2001

Planetweb(R), a global leader in application software solutions for the consumer electronics market, announced its collaboration with Hewlett-Packard Company to offer consumers new ways to view, share and print digital images. The initiative will enable Planetweb's interactive Digital Photo Manager(TM) and HP's imaging and printing products to further extend digital imaging into the living room.

Planetweb's Digital Photo Manager, one of the company's cost-effective solutions for adding enhanced functionality to consumer electronic devices, allows users to view digital images as well as size, e-mail, print and create slide shows with their photos. Consumers simply attach any memory card, HP Photosmart digital camera or HP e-scanner to a Planetweb-enabled interactive DVD player, gaming console or other platform to arrange family photo albums, create memory books or scan images for online displays. Additionally, users can utilize the embedded HP print drivers for quality printing to HP printers.

The imaging market is poised for explosive growth as consumers move toward adoption of digital photos. According to InfoTrends Research Group, 6.1 million digital cameras were sold last year -- 17 times as many as in 1996. InfoTrends expects sales will reach 20 million units in 2005.

"Planetweb has emerged as a leader in application software by providing solutions such as the Planetweb Digital Photo Manager for the rapidly expanding consumer electronics market," said Ken Soohoo, president and CEO of Planetweb, Inc. "We're excited to provide these new applications with HP products."

"This relationship with Planetweb provides HP an opportunity to further expand the use of its array of digital imaging solutions," said Sarah Gutz, business development manager for HP Imaging and Printing Systems. "DVD consumers and gaming enthusiasts will be able to easily print to HP printers as well as utilize HP Photosmart digital cameras and e-scanners, making the solutions even more robust."

The companies will also be working together with relevant industry standards bodies to help drive an open standards approach to bring digital imaging to the living room.

About Planetweb, Inc.

Planetweb(R) is the leading provider of applications and services for consumer electronic devices such as DVD players, ITV and game consoles. The company delivers a quick to market and cost effective end-to-end solution to consumer electronic silicon providers and manufacturers that make their products more attractive to consumers. Based on open-standards, a modular architecture and designed specifically for the consumer electronics market, Planetweb's software solution can quickly be customized and ported to any hardware, even those without an Operating System. Planetweb works with ISP, content, application and commerce partners to deliver embedded Instant-On services to its customers. Planetweb(R), a privately held company, is headquartered in Redwood Shores, and has offices in Tokyo, Japan and London, England. Planetweb is available on the Internet at http://www.planetweb.com/.>