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HP
announces breakthrough in ink-based printing technology
California: HP
has announced a breakthrough in the ink-based printing
platform technology. The result of a five-year, $1.4 billion
strategic investment, the company believes that the breakthrough
will take its leadership in the printer market years ahead
of its competitors.
At
a press conference, HP unveiled its first products built
on the new scalable printing technology, which is designed
specifically to deliver high-performance printing for
high-volume users. These include the world's fastest home
photo printing devices - 4 x 6-inch photos in as fast
as 14 seconds - as well as the world's fastest desktop
color business printer, which enables small and medium-size
businesses to print up to twice the speed and 30 per cent
lower cost-per-page than color laser printers.
"Today
marks a milestone in HP's 21-year printing history,"
said Vyomesh Joshi, executive vice president, Imaging
and Printing Group, HP. "This technology is the next
step in our business transformation - the master key that
unlocks new market opportunities and further growth in
our printer business. Today's announcement will create
a new perspective and experience around printing in the
home, in the office and for the entire industry needing
digital prints."
Bringing
new levels of choice to customers while meeting their
diverse printing needs and budgets, HP additionally announced
a range of digital photography products, including the
industry's first compact photo printer capable of printing
5 x 7-inch photos and storing up to a year's worth of
photos (more than 1,000 images).
HP's
new technology is a breakthrough in the architecture and
manufacturing of the inkjet printhead. The sophisticated
assembly of the new printhead enables a faster development
cycle at an estimated 50 percent lower cost.
The printhead components are fabricated as one unit via
a photolithographic process, rather than welded together
in post-production. This results in the precise alignment
of the chamber, nozzles and heating element, which then
improves the accuracy of ink drop placement. This unique
design also supports an increased density of nozzles,
with 3,900 nozzles or more on a single printhead. More
nozzles and increased dot placement accuracy translates
into faster, high-quality prints. Additionally, the new
printing system ensures that users will never run out
of ink mid-page - eliminating a source of wasted ink and
paper.
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Ford
hits Web with new hybrid
San Francisco: Ford
Motor on Monday began taking online orders for its
hybrid version of the Mercury Mariner sport utility vehicle,
an Internet-friendly approach to tapping into the craze
that led to success for its Ford Escape hybrid.
With an inventory pegged at 2,000 vehicles in 2006, the
Mercury Mariner hybrid will be available for delivery
in October for online shoppers at a sticker price starting
at $29,480.
The new gas-electric hybrid offers 33 mpg in the city
and 29 mpg on the highway, cutting fuel consumption in
half compared with the model fully powered by a gasoline
engine, Ford said.
The new Mariner, which was originally slated as a 2007
model, had its launch date moved up by a year as the public's
appetite for any and all hybrid vehicles hasn't shown
any sign of abating.
Hybrids are expected to account for 3.5% market share
in the United States by 2012, up from 0.5% in 2004, according
to a recent report from J.D. Power-LMC Automotive Forecasting
Services. The study also forecast that there will be 44
hybrid-electric models available by 2012, up from 10 in
2005. Ford currently has a total of five hybrids planned.
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