Technological breakthroughs make Gulf debut at Photo-World expo

Sony Ericsson's K800i is billed as the only fully-fledged professional camera that also doubles as a mobile phone.

With 3.2 megapixel capacity, the newcomer made its first appearance at the Cebit exhibition in Europe a few weeks ago and is now the centre of attraction at Photo-World Dubai 2006 taking place at the Trade Centre exhibition halls.

'This product is so new that this is the first time that it has been shown since the global launch at Cebit,' says Nabil Karmouta of Trax Marketing Consultancy, Sony Ericsson's merchandising agents in Dubai.

The camera has more power than any imaging-phone on the market as well as a 'bestpic' function that takes nine exposures of every shot, one at the same time the shutter is pressed, four immediately afterwards and another four immediately before clicking the key.

Users can then pick their favourites and delete the others.

The camera is also a 3G handset, offering video calling, web browsing, email and RSS internet news feeds, as well as being a music player, 3D games station, and FM radio with Bluetooth and infrared connectivity.

The K800i is one of a host of new products being shown at Photo-World Dubai 2006 where more than 70 companies from 15 countries are presenting the latest technology from the booming digital-imaging industry.

Like Sony Ericsson, many are exhibiting products that have not been seen before in the Middle East, and report intense interest from trade and individual buyers.

'This is more a showcase for us than a place to close sales,' says Niaz Hussain, general manager of Dubai-based Almoe FZE, that is showing a range of large-format printers and a new concept in photo-finishing.

The coin-operated compact kiosk enables customers to print and edit their own photographs from digital memory cards on a 'while-you-wait' basis.

'Photo-World is a business generator for us,' says Hussain. 'It enables us to show new technology, meet new and existing customers, and the sales will follow later.'