Espoo, Finland - Pixology plc, (LSE:PIX), the specialist in software and networks for digital photography, and Nokia have today announced that Boots will become the first UK retailer to offer its customers a direct to store camera phone printing service under the Nokia/Pixology deal. The service is made possible by Pixology's PhonePrintTM technology, which has been developed in conjunction with Nokia.
This innovative new mobile imaging service will form part of the Boots Pix2Print concept launched last month in collaboration with Nokia. The aim is to move away from a focus on price plans when selling camera phones and instead place the emphasis firmly on mobile imaging. Boots customers will be able to purchase the best camera phones and photo printers on the market and obtain technical advice on getting the most from their camera phone.
The Boots Pix2Print printing service will offer a simple way for customers to print out photos taken with their camera phone. Customers can take pictures with their Nokia camera phone and immediately send them to their local Boots store over the mobile network. They then receive a text message when the photos are ready for collection at the store.
Initially a pilot scheme encompassing 10 stores, it is envisaged that the service will experience increased pick-up as the image quality provided by camera phones continues to improve. The service has been designed to be as simple and easy to use as possible for the customer.
Nicola Lewis, Category Manager, Boots Photo, said: "We have been leading the way in offering customers choice and value in the developing digital market. Pixology's PhonePrintTM is yet another demonstration of our commitment to offering innovation and great service in this area."
Commenting on the new service, Yuval Yashiv, CEO of Pixology plc, said: "We are delighted to be offering this technology to Boots customers. Working with Nokia, we are looking to develop new opportunities with retailers across Europe. Camera-phones sales are dwarfing even the buoyant digital camera market, so we aim to address this substantial consumer base by providing it with this type of innovative technology."
Mirko Aksentijevic, Imaging Business Manager, Nokia UK, said: "Camera phones offer people a unique ability to spontaneously capture moments wherever and whenever they want. The quality of advanced megapixel camera phones makes printing these images a reality and it is services such as Pixology's PhonePrintTM that will help consumers 'unlock' images from their phone and use it as they would use a digital camera."
Participating stores:
Coventry, Kingston Upon Thames, Leamington Spa, Birmingham, Brierley Hill, Brighton, Huddersfield, Derby, London - Liverpool Street Station, Leicester Fosse Park.
About Pixology
Pixology is a leading provider of innovative software for the digital photography industry. The group is focused exclusively on this market and has developed software and networks that enable equipment manufacturers and retailers of photo-finishing services to substitute the analogue film environment with the new digital infrastructure. Pixology's customers are principally blue-chip organisations in the USA, Japan and the United Kingdom, where Pixology pioneered internet-based mass-market digital printing. The company is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. For more information please visit www.pixology.com
About Nokia
Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations. www.nokia.com
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