Canon announces a new online image strategy

Canon Image Gateway is a consumer digital imaging web site that provides members with new and inventive ways to capture, hold and share their digital pictures and personalise their digital camera. In all it provides users with a broad range of services to maximise their digital imaging experience.

Canon Image Gateway lays the foundation for customer relationship management through a one-to-one channel with users. It also serves to establish an Internet-based platform in the critical deployment of Web solutions to support Canon hardware for the 70 percent of digital owners who also use the Internet.

Unique to the Canon Image Gateway site the "My Camera" feature allows Canon users to individualise and update the software in their digital cameras. The first cameras to support this new direction will be the new PowerShot G3, the PowerShot S45 and the IXUS V3. Additional new models to the Canon range will continue to follow this direction.

Initially the "My Camera" function will allow users to change the starting image, sound effects, such as shutter speed, and function icons on their camera whilst more advanced functions will be added in the future.

"This new approach is exclusive to Canon users and allows us to build and create an interactive relationship to enhance and extend our contact and feedback," says Hiroshi Komatsuzaki, Head of Consumer Imaging in Europe.

"Presently, we are seeing the biggest single change in imaging in 50 years impacting virtually every aspect of how people take photos, develop or print photos and share photos across the web. CIG strengthens Canon's position as a leading digital imaging expert in what is described as a digital revolution," said Komatsuzaki.

To access this service, registration is provided via bundled Canon software ImageBrowser and ZoomBrowser. This enables users to share their digital photos on line with family and friends and each member will receive 100 megabytes storage free of charge to store their prints. Online printing functions will follow the launch of My Camera, which will allow images to be delivered straight to the users home from uploaded images on the Internet.

CIG will offer a complete and ongoing support platform to Canon users and it is also predicted that it will speed up feedback to Canon's Research and Development centre.

Canon Inc has already launched CIG in Japan as a global initiative.

The European launch is being planned between December 2002 and January 2003.