photoprinter
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Epson launches three inkjets: R260, R380, and the RX580 all-in-one
Epson unveiled three new "Ultra Hi-Definition" photo printers on Monday with the launch of the Stylus Photo R260, R380 (pictured) and RX580 all-in-one. All three share the same print engine and redesigned print heads to print 4x6 photos in just 13 seconds while spitting out B/W or colored text at up to 30 pages per minute -- both bests for Epson photo printers. They also feature Epson's unique, out-of-the-box ability to print direct to printable CD/DVDs dropped into the front-loading tray. The R260 is the base model with the R380 adding memory card slots and a large, 3.5-inch LCD right up front for viewing your shots when printing directly off memory cards; something you'll do oh, maybe once in a lifetime if you're one of the lucky few to actually own a computer at home with even the most rudimentary photo management software installed. The RX580 drops that pointless LCD down to 2.5-inches but brings a 1,200 pixel per inch optical scanner with a useful direct-to-PDF function. As you'd expect, scanned images can then be copied (aka, printed) at that same 30 pages per minute rate. And when combined with Epson's new Claria ink, your photos will last longer than even those produced by a professional lab. Hey, that's what Epson is touting in the hopes of locking you into their replacement ink cartridges for the decades it will take to prove 'em wrong. Expect the R260 to pull $130 with the R380 and RX580 both demanding $200.[Thanks, Art]
Canon announces Selphy ES1 compact photo printer
Like so many others, Canon is getting the jump on the big Photokina show and announcing some of its new products in advance, including its latest photo printer, the Selphy ES1. It'll give you prints in card size (2.1 x 3.4-inches), "L" size (3.5 x 4.7-inches), and postcard size (4 x 6-inches), all of which are handled with Canon's new integrated paper and ink cartridges; this is supposed to simplify things some, but we're guessing they also make it a fair bit more expensive (Canon sez €0.29, or about 37 cents, per print). If you dig that, the ES1 also packs a 2.5-inch LCD, wireless printing via IrDA, Bluetooth or Digital IXUS WIRELESS, and an optional battery pack for printing on the go. Look for this one to be available in September (in the U.K. to start with, it seems) for about $360.[Via Far East Gizmos]
