Inkjet to dominate

Inkjet printing technology that dominates inexpensive desktop printers is about to enter the world of commercial print shops. If the new technology succeeds, it could spell trouble for Xerox and lead to more business for Hewlett-Packard, Eastman Kodak, Ricoh and other makers of inkjet printers, says Australian IT.

Executives from the world's printing industry gathered last Thursday at the Drupa trade show in Dusseldorf, Germany, where a host of companies are showing new inkjet presses touted as the wave of the future. The exhibition will run until 11 June.

The Kodak Stream inkjet press is expected to be available in 2010.

Hewlett-Packard has agreed to sell HP Indigo digital presses to general commercial printing company Consolidated Graphics in a multimillion-dollar deal, says CNNMoney.

Further financial details were not disclosed. HP said the purchase represents a "significant portion of the capital expenditures Consolidated Graphics has planned for its digital printing operations this year".

Last year, Consolidated Graphics spent about $25 million on digital presses and related technology. The deal is for installation of up to 36 HP Indigo digital presses at facilities in the US and the Czech Republic, the company said.

Nikon has revealed Capture NX 2, its updated digital imaging software. Previously available as a standalone product or included with most D-SLRs, the new Capture NX aims to provide a simple set of tools with a low learning curve, says PC Mag.

Starting with a redesigned interface, Capture NX 2 has been streamlined to be more intuitive. Control points have been added and can now be accessed throughout the picture.

Capture NX 2 is also compatible with almost any camera RAW file. Capture NX 2 will be available in late June and will retail for about $180 for the full version or about $110 for the upgrade.