Olympus Announces Two New Products for Digital Cameras

July 17, 2003 – Olympus America today launched two new products that make an enormous difference in how users of advanced digital still cameras take and process their images. The new 512MB xD-Picture Card is the latest addition to the xD family of memory media, joining the 16MB, 32MB, 64MB, 128MB, and 256MB cards. The higher capacity of the 512MB card ensures that photographers enjoy hours of shooting before downloading images to a personal computer. And when digital imaging enthusiasts download images from their xD-Picture Cards, the Olympus MAUSB-100 Mobile xD-Picture Card USB Reader/Writer lets them do so at lightning-fast speeds courtesy of USB 2.0 technology.

Innovative Memory Media & Reader/Writer
Compact and durable, the Olympus xD-Picture Card is the ultimate reusable digital media. The size of the card allows for digital manufacturers to design even smaller, more stylish and powerful digital devices today and in the future. Camera users concerned with compatibility of digital media between different brands of digital cameras will appreciate the xD-Picture Card’s versatility. With a CompactFlash Adapter, the xD-Picture Cards can be used with any CompactFlash device for even more possibilities.

With digital camera image-file sizes increasing, users need the fastest way possible to quickly and easily download larger images to a personal computer (PC or Mac). The MAUSB-100 does all of this thanks to the fast transfer time of USB 2.0 technology, and it will also work with USB 1.1 devices.

The MAUSB-100 complements the existing broad product line of Olympus connectivity options, which includes serial, parallel, and PCMCIA port image download capability and floppy disk compatibility.

Stylish Design
The Olympus MAUSB-100 Mobile xD-Picture Card USB Reader/Writer is encased in an attractive, durable and sleek see-though plastic body that has a removable cover to protect against shock, dust and static electricity. A write protect switch ensures that data will not be mistakenly erased. With an ergonomic palm-sized design (dimensions 67.2mm width x 28.3mm height x 13.8mm depth), the MAUSB-100 is a lightweight (13 grams) travel-friendly companion that can also clip onto a key ring to provide the ultimate in unimpeded mobility, speed and convenience – no matter where you are.

Intelligent
In addition to offering compatibility with most other manufacturers’ xD-compatible devices, all Olympus xD-Picture cards support the special Panorama function found on most Olympus digital cameras. Panorama digital photos expand the horizons of photographers in more ways than one.

The new Olympus MAUSB-100 Mobile xD-Picture Card USB Reader/Writer is not only an excellent and speedy digital download device, but it also serves a valuable second purpose. Because the device can write data of any kind on up to 512MB xD-Picture cards, it makes for an excellent way to move data around, whether it’s music files, written documents, presentations or images. Whenever there is the need to transfer a sizeable quantity of data across the office or across town, the Olympus USB SmartMedia Reader/Writer provides a fast and affordable solution.

Approachable
No heavy A/C adapter or batteries are ever needed to use the Olympus MAUSB-100, and it has no moving parts. The reader is hot swappable and plug and play ready, and is automatically recognized as an external storage device by most OS versions, so it's always set for instant use. It is ideal for portability and for those users that need to download image files to many different computers.

The Olympus MAUSB-100 xD Reader/Writer can plug directly into a USB port (ideal for laptops) of by using the included USB extension cable (necessary for many desktops where it is difficult to get to the USB port). With the Reader/Writer, there’s no need to connect a digital camera directly to the computer, making it easier to move data from an xD-Picture Card to its final destination. Because the MAUSB-100 eliminates the need for a digital camera to be tethered to a personal computer to download images, it also helps to conserve a camera’s battery power.

Availability
The Olympus MAUSB-100 Mobile xD-Picture Card USB Reader/Writer will be available in September 2003. It is compatible with MacOS 9.0 or Windows 98 and above (USB port must be available). The package includes the USB Reader/Writer, USB 2.0 extension cable, drivers for both computing platforms, and manual. It can be purchased from authorized Olympus dealers.

The 512MB xD-Picture Card will begin shipping at the end of July.

U.S. Pricing
MAUSB-100 Mobile xD-Picture Card USB Reader/Writer Estimated Street Price: $29.95(U.S.)
MAUSB-100 Mobile xD-Picture Card USB Reader/Writer MSRP: $39.95 (U.S.)
512MB xD-Picture Card Estimated Street Price: $279.95 (U.S.)
512MB xD-Picture Card MSRP: $359.95 (U.S.)

Web Site: http://www.olympusamerica.com .

SOURCE Olympus America