June 29, 2005

Nextel Communications is upgrading its photo-sharing website and will also offer an application that will allow users to print their camera-phone images at participating retail stores.

Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. Inc. operates Nextel's photo-sharing Web site and developed the printing application with wireless application company Summus Inc.

Under the new features, Nextel camera-phone users will be able to upload their phone and digital camera images to www.nextel.com/photoshare.

Users also will be able to obtain prints directly from their phones in less than an hour. More than 3,100 retailers, including Ritz Camera, Sam's Club and Wolf Camera, are participating. Nextel's PhotoShare application costs $3 per month.

Fujifilm long has been working to expand into the wireless-imaging arena. The company offers a similar photo-printing service through Sprint.

Fujifilm also sells its mobile postcard application-which allows camera-phone users to remotely send postcards of their camera-phone pictures-to Cingular Wireless users with select Motorola Inc. phones. The company even sells a mobile printer intended for camera-phone users.

"We're one of the few imaging companies that's trying to make a strong statement in this market," said John Prendergast, vice president of strategic business development in the imaging group of Fuji Photo Film.

Source: RCR News