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DigitaOS

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Digita Operating Environment
DeveloperFlashpoint Technology, Inc
Written inC
Working stateDiscontinued
Source modelClosed-source
Initial releaseMay 20, 1998; 26 years ago (1998-05-20)
Final release1.5 / November 18, 1999; 25 years ago (1999-11-18)[1]
Marketing targetDigital cameras
Official websitedigitadev.com at the Wayback Machine (archived 2001-08-14)

DigitaOS was a short lived digital camera operating system created by Flashpoint Technology and used on various Kodak, Pentax, and HP cameras in the late 1990s.[2][3][4]

History

[edit]

DigitaOS debuted with the Kodak DC220 and DC260 on 20 May 1998;[5] both cameras were equipped with PowerPC 800 processors and USB interfaces.[6] In total, it was released on 11 camera models[7] before it was abandoned in 2001.[8] DigitaOS was notable for its ability to run third-party software,[9] a concept that was not again realized until the release of various Android based digital cameras in the early 2010s.[10][11]

DigitaOS applications were programmed either as JIT compiled scripts using "Digita Script",[12][13] which ran on the cameras,[14] or AOT compiled programs written in C[15] using an official SDK.[16] The operating system abstracted away most camera functionality and hardware platform differences, allowing software to be compatible with most DigitaOS cameras.[17] Additionally, DigitaOS handled the GUI presented to the user and basic camera functionality.[17]

DigitaOS was intended to extend the features of the camera. Examples of functions provided by scripts included in-camera image database and document generation, in-camera image editing, and custom logo / watermark and/or date imprinting. Printers with DigitaOS could resize photographs without connecting to a computer.[14] Digita File allowed the user to rename and copy image and system files on the camera, while Digita Presents was able to output a slideshow with audio and transition effects.[18]

Because of its ability to run third-party software, several games were ported to it. The most notable of these being DOOM[19] and MAME.[20]

Cameras using DigitaOS

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DigitaOS cameras, clockwise from top right: Minolta Dimâge EX, Kodak DC290, Kodak DC265
  • Kodak DC220
  • Kodak DC260
  • Kodak DC265
  • Kodak DC290
  • Minolta Dimâge EX 1500
  • Minolta Dimâge 3D 1500
  • HP C500 Photosmart
  • HP C618 Photosmart
  • HP C912 Photosmart
  • PENTAX EI-200
  • PENTAX EI-2000[7][21][4]

References

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  1. ^ "DigitaOS memorial page". lisas.de. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  2. ^ "digitacamera.com: home". 2001-02-02. Archived from the original on 2001-02-02. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  3. ^ "DIGITA OS". mesh.brown.edu. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  4. ^ a b "Pentax to release a range of digital cameras?". DPReview. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  5. ^ "Kodak DC220: Digital Photography Review". www.dpreview.com. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  6. ^ Brown, Bruce (October 6, 1998). "First Looks: An OS to Smile For". PC Mag. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  7. ^ a b "MAMED! - Camera Info". 2007-12-15. Archived from the original on 2007-12-15. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  8. ^ OUT!, Froyo Tam 💽 Ferrite Core DX (2019-07-06). "DigitaOS was abandoned after 2001, with digicams reaching their end of life after just 1 year. The promise of upgradeable digicams quickly burst. The millennium vision of smart devices came to pass, but it wasn't until a decade later the vision was fully realized with Android". @FroyoTam. Archived from the original on 2020-05-18. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  9. ^ "Global smartphones reaching peak sales point". The Dead Pixels Society. 2019-06-07. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  10. ^ "Did you know: Android was originally designed for digital cameras not phones". Android Authority. 2020-05-02. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  11. ^ "Samsung announces EK-GC100 Galaxy Camera with Android Jelly Bean, massive 4.8-inch display, 21x zoom, WiFi and 4G connectivity (hands-on)". Engadget. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  12. ^ Flashpoint Technology (1999-11-08). "Script Guide Digita™ Operating Environment" (PDF). DigitaOS memorial page. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2003-06-26. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  13. ^ Flashpoint Technology (1999-12-07). "Script Reference Digita™ Operating Environment" (PDF). DigitaOS memorial page. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2003-06-26. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  14. ^ a b Kay, Russell (April 17, 2000). "Apps Provide Lure For New Digicams". ComputerWorld. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  15. ^ "Dr. Dobb's | Good stuff for serious developers: Programming Tools, Code, C++, Java, HTML5, Cloud, Mobile, Testing". Dr. Dobb's. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  16. ^ "DigitaDev.com for Digita application developers". 2001-08-14. Archived from the original on 2001-08-14. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  17. ^ a b Vidales, Carlos E.; Farrelly, Eugene M. "The Digita OS: An Extensible Imaging Platform". Dr. Dobb's. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  18. ^ Brown, Bruce; Brown, Marge (May 23, 2000). "Do More with a Digital Camera". PC Magazine. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  19. ^ DOOM on a Digital Camera from 1998!, retrieved 2020-05-13
  20. ^ "MAMED!". 2009-02-19. Archived from the original on 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  21. ^ "HP and Pentax announce two new Digital Cameras". DPReview. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
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