Polaroid To Introduce Intel-Enabled Digital Camera Optimized For PC And Internet Use

Polaroid PC Camera Expected in Second Half of 1998

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., and CHANDLER, Ariz., Feb. 5, 1998 -- Polaroid Corporation and Intel Corporation announced today that Polaroid plans to offer consumers easy-to-use, affordable and innovative digital cameras which will capture still images anywhere, anytime -- and can also be used for video while connected to the PC, based on Intel's 971 PC Camera Kit. Polaroid expects to offer digital cameras ideal for those individuals who principally require easy capture, display and exchange of still images and video on the PC, rather than hard copy prints.

The Polaroid portable PC camera will be assembled by a third party on contract and is expected to be available through retail channels in the second half of the year. The camera will join Polaroid's current award-winning line of digital imaging products, including the PDC-2000 and 3000 cameras, PhotoMAX Image Maker Software and the Sprintscan line of film scanners.

Dr. Len Polizzotto, vice president of New Ventures for Polaroid, said, "Digital imaging is creating an entirely new breed of users for images. These home and business PC users primarily want a camera to incorporate images into their e-mail, web pages and other electronic documents. Utilizing Intel digital imaging technology, Polaroid expects to provide an affordable, easy-to-use PC Camera tailored for home and business user needs."

"Polaroid is taking its leadership role in instant photography to the world of PC Imaging, enabling PC users to quickly capture, organize, enhance and share images in a way that's easy, fun and affordable," said Don Whiteside, general manager of Intel's Digital Imaging and Video Division (DIVD).

The Polaroid camera will include Intel PC camera silicon, software and PC Imaging building-block technologies, such as the Intel Flash Miniature Card, Universal Serial Bus (USB), and support of the industry's FlashPix* file format. The Polaroid camera will also feature Polaroid's optics and Image Quality Assurance (IQA) software.

Other expected features of the Polaroid camera based upon Intel Digital Imaging technology include:

• Dual-mode operation in "portable" mode for still digital images and digital video "connected" mode (via USB)
• Video capture support at 10-15 frames per second (CIF) and 20-25 frames per second (QCIF)
• 768x576 maximum pixel resolution CMOS image sensor
• Camera support of 16.7 million 24-bit true colors
• "Plug and play" performance via USB
• Easy-to-use image acquisition software
• Image storage on removable Flash Miniature Cards (up to 64 MB capacity)

Polaroid Corporation, with sales of more than $2 billion, is the worldwide leader in instant imaging. Polaroid supplies instant photographic cameras and films; digital imaging hardware, software and media; medical diagnostic imaging media; secure identification systems; graphics imaging systems; sunglasses; polarizers; and holographic films to markets worldwide. To learn more, visit Polaroid at www.polaroid.com.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.