Fujifilm announces ‘tablet kiosk’ and slimline DPC

Fujifilm has upgraded its kiosk offerings with a Kodak Tablet-like counter-top unit and a new slimline, ‘smartphone friendly’ version of its venerable DPC kiosk family.

The new Imagine mobile platform – developed by Fujifilm Australia’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Whitech – comprises:
Imagine Tablet Kiosk: a low cost, small footprint, mobile-friendly tablet kiosk for Android with flexible ordering options for customers;
The Imagine Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) App – a ‘virtual kiosk’ that allows users to place orders in a store directly from their smartphone or tablet. Available in Android and Apple versions.
Imagine Mobile App: Allows customers to order photographic products away from a store via their smartphone or tablet. It is available for download on Google Play and on the Apple App Store.

Once orders have been placed using one of the mobility solutions, they can be collected in-store or delivered to the customer’s home. Products available include prints, wall décor such as canvas and glass prints, posters and photo gifts.

We asked Fujifilm whether the Imagine Mobile App replaces the Fujifilm Transpix app. To whch it replied: ‘The mobile app has its own image transfer system, not dissimilar to Transpix, so it simply depends what the customers in-store systems are. As always at Fujifilm, we endeavour to cover all imaging infrastructure, network and software requirements.’

(Translation: ‘No, it’s a separate kiosk platform with separate software.’)

The new Fujifilm DPC kiosk departs from the chunky lozenge shape of previous iterations and along with the Imagine platform, Fujifilm says its more smartphone-friendly than previous Fujifilm DPC hardware/software combinations.

It is equipped with as SSHD (Solid State Hybrid Drive) which uses a combination of flash memory and conventional HDD technology.

If they are sufficiently dexterous, users ‘can accurately interact with the screen using all 10 fingers at once.’

Phil Hogson, Fujifilm Australia national marketing manager, Consumer Imaging, said this latest DPC kiosk addition meets the needs of many consumers who are accustomed to using their smartphone for retail transactions.

Customers will be able to transfer images from their smartphone or their accounts in popular social media networks such as Facebook and Instagram directly to the kiosk ‘once they have downloaded the Fujifilm TransPix App.’ (Google Play or the Apple App Store.

The new kiosk features a 19.5-inch, 1600 x 900 pixel display that is just over an inch (37.5mm) thick.

Other than that its functionality is much the same as previous DPCs. Editing functions include crop, colour correction, red-eye removal, sepia, black and white. Products available include ‘mugs, mouse mats, T-shirts, key rings, ornaments, photo books, canvas prints, collage and poster prints, personalised stationery and greeting cards’.

Fujifilm has also introduced two new gifting categories – Kids Stuff and Home – which provide a new range of designs that can be personalised with a name.

The Kids Stuff category offers products such as kid’s storybooks, lunch box labels, drink bottles, pencils, shoe dots, clothing, library bags and more.

The Home category includes inspirational canvas prints, house signs, blankets, bamboo or glass chopping boards and chess boards.

We followed up with Fujifilm Australia seeking some extra detail. This is its response:

Is the new Imagine app the same as the old Imagine app, or does it just have the same name?
– The Fujifilm Imagine mobile app has been upgraded to bring in new functionality which allows customers to print in store directly from their mobile device.
Are the Imagine Mobile App and the Imagine BYOD app two different apps – ie, you need to download both of them to cover in-store ordering and remote ordering?- Imagine Mobile & Imagine BYOD are within the same Fujifilm Imagine Mobile App but the customer can choose whether they want to either print in store or print at home. If they select print at home, this will allow the customers to complete remote ordering, whereas the print in store will cover in-store ordering.
When will the Imagine platform be available for use by photo specialists?
– The Imagine platform is currently available for use by photo specialists and can be activated upon discussion and planning with the Fujifilm Australia team.
When will the new DPCs be available for photo specialists?
– The new DPCs are now available for sale to the photo specialists.