Brand: MacNews

Canon today introduced the PowerShot S330 and S200 Digital ELPH cameras, which improve on the functionality of their S300 and S110 predecessors. The ultra-compact cameras feature a 2-megapixel CCD, compatibility with Canon’s new direct-connect photo printers, video capture mode, and a shutter speed range of 15 seconds to 1/1500 second.

Saying that Apple’s new iMac “lives up to its billing as the ultimate digital hub,” The Montreal Gazette is the latest publication to lavish praise on the system, as noted by reader Joe Vaitekunas.

Apple Europe has introduced to some countries the Portable Digital Media Hub (UK page), a bundle that packs a 500MHz Combo Drive iBook, Canon MV400i DV camcorder, and Canon Ixus V digital camera into an attractive, padded carrying case. All three devices can be charged from a single power cord, and the case features a “liftomatics” system that raises the iBook so that cables can be attached without actually removing the iBook from its case.

PC analyst IDC has raised its 2002 growth forecast for PC shipments from 1.8 percent to 3 percent. The firm cites stronger than expected retail sales and growing demand in Western Europe as reasons for the revision. Shipments are expected to decline in the first quarter from the year-ago period, but grow upwards of 10 percent in the third and fourth quarters. In 2001, worldwide shipments of PCs declined 5.1 percent for the first time since 1985, according to IDC.

Lotus recently released a pre-release version of the Mac OS X Notes/Domino 6 client. The final version of Notes/Domino 6 is expected to be ready in the third quarter of 2002.