The Connected Imaging Revolution – Central Theme of the Inaugural 6SightTM Conference

SAN MATEO, CA – April 21, 2006 – Thanks to the combined effects of an unprecedented surge in sales of image capture devices, the Internet, and wireless telecommunications, average people are being empowered for the first time in history to communicate with each other using images as readily and easily as they do using words.

This “Connected Imaging Revolution” is the theme for Future Image’s inaugural 6Sight conference, scheduled for October 25 in Monterey (CA) and co-hosted by the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A). The annual event will bring together technologists, marketers, futurists, artists, educators, high-volume users and members of the media for a program emphasizing innovative use cases, breakthrough technologies, and creativity.

Connected Imaging is among the key trends to emerge in recent years at the intersection of technology development and social evolution, as reported in the ground-breaking book Going Visual (J. Wiley & Sons, 2005) co-authored by Future Image founder, Alexis Gerard, and AVA Mobile founder, Bob Goldstein.

“Industry conferences are typically all about features, specifications, and market statistics. Instead, 6Sight focuses primarily on impact to people's everyday lives,” said Gerard. “The term Connected Imaging communicates value to users. It’s about the myriad ways we can be enriched by imaging tools that help people connect more effectively with each other — whether for work, personal, or community purposes. It’s about being more informed, more productive and more in touch. And the 6Sight conference is also about first looks at exciting new imaging technologies that will expand our horizons.”

“The growing ubiquity of imaging is providing people with new and better ways to create, connect, and document their memories and their information,” said Kostas Mallios, Microsoft Corporation Sr. Director, Office of the CTO & RMG. “Seamless sharing is the key to unlocking the value of photographs and other user-authored media. Windows Vista will empower connected imaging and make sharing easier than ever. Once again, Future Image is contributing to making this happen by providing a unique new venue where stakeholders in connected imaging can come together to benefit from each other’s experiences and ideas.”

“Now, more than ever before, visual communications is essential to improving our work and personal lives while fostering our social networks,” said Blaine Mathieu, Corel’s General Manager, Digital Imaging business. “At the same time, we are seeing an explosion on the image capture side with the tremendous growth of camera phones and other devices. People are taking thousands of new images each year; by 2009, close to half a trillion digital images will be captured. How people and businesses use these images will change dramatically over the next few years as new developments in technology will make it easier than ever to access and share images. The 6Sight conference offers a tremendous opportunity for industry thought leaders and experts to share and exchange new ideas and insight on how we can help consumers and enterprises truly harness the power of visual communications.”

“As a supporter of the Mobile Imaging Summit conferences, HP is pleased to see the discussion expand with the introduction of 6Sight — a forum which we believe will help drive more engagement across the imaging marketplace,” said Aaron Weiss, Hewlett-Packard’s General Manager of Mobile Imaging, Digital Photography and Entertainment. “It’s crucial that we come together as an industry to drive greater consumer awareness as well as usability and connectivity across the imaging landscape. We believe 6Sight will provide a valuable platform for discussions which will help us reach these critical industry goals.”

“Nethra’s vision of providing print-quality images directly from mobile handset cameras enables and fits in perfectly with the Connected Imaging revolution that will be featured at the 6Sight conference,” said Murty Bhavana, Co-founder and Vice President of Marketing for Nethra Imaging. “We have been very impressed with the contacts we made through our participation in the Mobile Imaging Summit, and we look forward even more to the expanded focus and innovative format of 6Sight.”

“Sprint has long been a leader with its Connected Imaging communications network and we are looking forward to participating in the new 6Sight conference to spread the word about the power of using images to enhance communications,” said Pierre Barbeau, General Manager of Sprint Picture Mail. “We have long supported the Mobile Imaging Summit conferences and see the new 6Sight conference as an even greater networking opportunity.”

“As the leading standard-setting body for imaging, I3A has eagerly stepped into the new arena of Connected Imaging to identify and help create the standards that will enable this industry to grow even more broadly,” said Lisa Walker, I3A President. “Co-hosting the Mobile Imaging Summit conferences, we have seen this ecosystem grow rapidly over the past three years. We look forward to building on that success with the new 6Sight event, and expanding the boundaries of visual communication.”

The inaugural 6Sight conference will be held on October 25, 2006 in Monterey, CA in conjunction with the 6th edition of the Mobile Imaging Summit executive conference which will take place on October 24. For more information please visit www.6Sight.com.

About Future Image
San Mateo (CA) based Future Image, Inc. is the leading independent center of expertise on the convergence of imaging, technology, and business. It delivers its expertise through Executive Conferences, Continuous Information Services, Research Reports and Consulting Services. Future Image’s president and founder Alexis Gerard is co-author of the book Going Visual – Using Images to Enhance Productivity, Decision-making and Profits (John Wiley and Sons, 2005). More information is available by on the following web sites: www.FutureImage.com, www.MobileImagingSummit.com, www.6Sight.com, www.GoingVisual.com.

About the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A)
I3A is the leading global imaging industry association, driving growth of and setting standards for the photographic and information imaging markets. As the industry focal point, I3A offers a framework and environment where members can quickly find resources to solve critical issues and develop market solutions. Members of I3A work together to find common ground for advancing the industry and to enable better products and services for their customers.

I3A is an accredited Standards Developing Organization, serving as secretariat for the International Organization for Standardization Technical Committee 42 (ISO/TC42) on Photography, and as administrator for the USA Technical Advisory Group for this committee. Information about I3A can be found on the World Wide Web at www.i3a.org or by phone at 914-285-4933.

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Press Contacts: Future Image 520 South El Camino, Suite 206A San Mateo CA 94402 V: +1-650.579.0493 F: +1-650.579.0566 Joe Byrd JByrd@FutureImage.com www.FutureImage.com   www.MobileImagingSummit.com www.6Sight.com

I3A Judith Vanderkay Virtual, Inc. jvanderkay@virtualmgmt.com +1-781-876-6208 Lisa Walker +1-949-481-7645 WWW.I3A.ORG