RitzBitz

·    DIMAcast presents an interview with former Sprint Picture Mail executive Pierre Barbeau, who is now CEO and co-founder of mobile technology company   Moblico, Kansas City, Kan. At DIMA 2008, Barbeau presented his take on the future of mobile imaging at a session called the “New Camera Phone Paradigm.” In the most recent DIMAcast, he expands on that topic, discussing new and coming mobile technologies, and how they may impact the imaging industry.
·    The Photo Imaging Education Association, a PMA member association, is looking for an editor for its PIEA Journal for Photography Education. The position consists of a 3-year term with an annual review by the PIEA Board of Directors. The editor is responsible for working in with the PIEA Journal editorial team, in consultation with the PIEA Journal Editorial Board, the PIEA president and president-elect, and the PMA/PIEA consultant in the production of the new online PIEA Journal for Photographic Education. The deadline to apply is May 1, with the date of appointment beginning on June 1. For a complete position description, visit www.pieapma.org/news/journal-ed-pos.htm.
·    Goosie LLC, Ridgewood, N.J., will be participating in the celebration of Autism Awareness Month throughout the month of April with a series of press releases and media coverage supporting families of autistic children with special discounts. Goosie is the market leader for custom flash cards, called Goosie Cards. Goosie Cards are created online at www.goosiecards.com by uploading personal photos and adding text to customize flash cards. Since Goosie Cards can be customized with personal photos and text to fit the needs of each specific child, they have become powerful teaching tools for autistic children. Goosie supports the New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community, autism walks, parents, schools, and institutions, and it continually develops the Goosie Gallery, which holds additional stock photos, to help parents customize their cards at no additional cost. For more about Goosie, look back to the article “Go Goosie” in the September 2007 issue of PMA magazine.

·    U.K.-based HARMAN technology Ltd. announces a major overhaul of its Canadian distribution arrangements. The manufacturer has supplied its Ilford Photo brand of monochrome products, which include films, papers, and chemistry, as well as its HARMAN Photo range of professional inkjet papers to customers in Canada via U.S.-based Wynit. In order to offer users in Canada increased responsiveness and shorter delivery times, HARMAN technology has appointed Amplis Foto Inc. to take over its Canadian distribution from April 1. Amplis Foto, Ontario, Canada, is a family owned marketing and distribution company with more than 20 years’ experience of serving photographers, videographers, and the motion picture and television industry.

·    Nina Plastics Inc., Orlando, Fla., added a new division, formally Clear File Inc., which is now owned and operated by Nina Plastics under the direction of Satish Sharma, CEO and owner. Established more than 25 years ago, Nina Plastics specializes in quality packaging materials. With the re-birth of the Clear File brand, shipping delays and back orders will be eliminated. Transformation of its corporate identity will take the company forward, along with Nina Plastics’ existing capabilities and technologies. Redevelopment of the Clear File brand website is underway at www.clearfile.com. Clear File offers archival sleeves and pages for photo prints and CDs, as well as albums and portfolios. 
·    Create Magazine , Orlando, Fla., is accepting entries for its 2008 Create Awards. The Create Awards is a competition for working creative professionals across the nation and is open to all creative professionals and students working in photography, advertising, film and video, motion graphics, graphic communication, printing, interactive media, and copywriting. Interested parties can enter the contest online or download an entry form. After judging is completed, winners will be notified via e-mail by Sept. 4.
·    Microsoft Corp. , Redmond, Wash.,  and HP Co., Palo Alto, Calif., announced plans for a new technology center in Taiwan, reports Reuters. Microsoft said the center would be focused on investing in advanced software, hardware and improving technical support to its Taiwan partners. The two companies said they expect the new center will be able to generate a return of Taiwan New Dollars $2.5 billion (US$83 million) worth of sales in the next 5 years. There are now 16 Microsoft technology centers in the world, including in Dubai, France, Germany, Britain, Bangalore and the United States, says the article.
·    PicScout, San Francisco, Calif., announces PicApp, a new service that gives bloggers and other online publishers free access to copyrighted news and images to use alongside their editorial content, is now available in public beta at www.picapp.com. PicApp enables bloggers to choose from millions of copyrighted images licensed from Getty Images, Corbis, and other image agencies. Each image is accompanied by an ad to drive royalties to the related content partners, instead of the traditional license fees. Interested bloggers can go to www.picapp.com to start getting images for their sites right away.
·    Wynit Inc., North Syracuse, N.Y., announced that its dealers now have access to the latest in-camera protection and accessories from Made Products. Made Products carries two products lines: Camera Armor and Always-On. Camera Armor is a protective body that fits around several different cameras, protecting from scratches, dirt and drops, while leaving the user in full control of the photography process. There are 35 styles made to custom fit cameras by Canon, Fujifilm, Pentax, Nikon, and Sony. Always-On includes Wrap-Up Camera Cases, The Millipod Micro-Tripod and the Combo.
·    Corel Corp., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, announced the launch of the Painter Essentials Café, a new online community open to all Corel Painter Essentials users. This global community site is the newest in a series that Corel is launching to support its user communities. Scrapbookers, aspiring photographers, and crafts enthusiasts are urged to gather in the Painter Essentials Café to share ideas, exchange tips and benefit from the resources, tutorials and added content available on the site. The site provides members with the opportunity to showcase their work in the “Show Your Creations” area, as well as discussion, blog, and galleries sections. The site blog features insight from the creators of Painter Essentials, while the discussion section covers various user topics.
·    HP Co., Palo Alto, Calif., plans to vacate more of its buildings in both Palo Alto and Cupertino, Calif., as part of previously announced long-range strategy to move out of under used properties and consolidate its work force, reports the San Jose Business Journal. HP has yet to decide what it will do with the nine buildings, but no job losses are associated with the transitions, according to company spokesman Ryan J. Donovan. The consolidation will occur over the next several years.