Panasonic Releases Wi-Fi Camera

(Product News, 17 Apr 2008)

Panasonic has developed a digital camera complete with Wi-Fi capabilities, standard 802.11b/g wireless LAN connectivity and access to T-Mobile HotSpot service. The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ50 enables users to upload digital photos taken with the TZ50 directly to Picasa Web Albums, a free online photo-sharing service from Google. The 9.1 megapixel TZ50 is packed with a 28mm wide-angle lens, 10x optical zoom and the ability to record HD video, making it the ideal digital camera for active users.

Panasonic uses the T-Mobile HotSpot service and Picasa Web Albums' APIs to create a new optimal online environment and community for sharing digital photos. After taking photos with the LUMIX TZ50, users will be able to wirelessly send one or multiple photos at a time, directly to Google's Picasa Web Albums. Users can connect to standard wireless home networks, but furthermore, the TZ50 can also connect to the T-Mobile HotSpot Service, which provides fast and reliable Wi-Fi Internet acess at more than 8,800 public locations throughout the United States, including Borders Books & Music stores, Hyatt Hotels and many major airports.

Users can register one email account with their TZ50, so after uploading their photos to Picasa Web Albums, they can have the URL to that album sent to the registered account. Since many cell phones and smartphones receive emails, users can register their own email address and then forward that Picasa Web Albums URL to friends and family, all while away from home and without using a computer. In addition, users can browse their albums to confirm that photos have been successfully uploaded, and choose to delete uploaded photos directly on the digital camera.

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