Scalado AB, a leading developer of digital imaging software, has today unveiled the latest version of its CAPS(tm) imaging software for camera-phones. CAPS(tm) v3.3 has been thoroughly reworked into a Software Development Kit (SDK) for application developers of camera and imaging applications at the camera phone manufacturers.
 
CAPS makes it possible to capture, edit, browse, and manipulate high-resolution mega pixel images efficiently on any mobile camera-phone, thus giving it all of the speed, performance and functionality that end-users would expect from a high-end, mega pixel camera. This new version of CAPS is loaded with several new features that offer enhanced performance, with processing speed increased by more than 40% in some cases, compared to the previous version.  Although previous versions of CAPS mainly provided an imaging engine, new features and development tools have been added and the API further developed, hence the upgrade of CAPS to a SDK.

"With CAPS, manufacturers can create best-in-class imaging applications and can bring all the benefits of digital photography to any mobile device equipped with a camera," says Mats Jacobson, CEO, Scalado.  "Better still, the software enables mobile phone manufacturers to significantly shorten time to market and to offer superior performance and attractive imaging features that will allow them to differentiate their products from their competitors."

CAPS has been developed and optimised for camera phones that feature the new generation multi mega pixel cameras, and offers an extremely CPU and memory efficient solution which drastically decreases both cost of image processing and processing times when performing imaging tasks. Images are decoded and encoded using Scalado's Image management technology, the main component of which is RAJPEG(tm), a Scalado patented JPEG codec technology.

RAJPEG reduces the amount of memory required by a factor of 25x, and increases speed for image manipulation by a factor of up to 10x. All operations can be performed in real-time on the phone's display until the user is satisfied and wants to save the complete image.

The high level API enables developers to write their own OS dependent applications using reference code available with the SDK, making full use of RAJPEG, filters, and other image handling features in CAPS. Also, as CAPS is modular, components can be selected to add value to other critical applications such as instant image scaling in an MMS composer.

The new CAPS v3.3 five central feature modules enable end-users to create exciting images by using smart photography techniques, such as JPEGSqueeze(tm), which allow images to be truncated into the required byte size whilst retaining optimal quality and the AutoRama(tm) automatic panorama function. The PhotoArt(tm) imaging effects module, can help with image enhancements, adding of graphic elements, warp, camera adjustments, and the editing of high resolution photos stored on the phone. The SpeedView(tm) function will allow users to instantly view, zoom, pan, photos, either in full size, or as thumbnails. Additionally ClearShot(tm) includes image quality enhancements such as auto levels and backlight fix.

Even with the addition of these enhanced features, mobile phone manufacturers can drastically reduce development and device costs and significantly shorten time to market by using CAPS. For this reason, more than 40 different mobile phone models on the market today already make use of the CAPS software engine, including devices from Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson.

About Scalado
Scalado AB is a Swedish imaging software development company that focuses on the wireless device industry. It provides mobile imaging software solutions that are powerful, scalable and modular for any camera phone. Its mission is to make imaging on mobile phones more efficient - bringing higher usability for end-users and cutting hardware costs for device manufacturers. With unique and patented software technologies, it is solving critical performance issues with less memory and CPU requirements.

Founded in 2000, Scalado has its head office in IDEON Research Park in Lund, Sweden.  The company's principal shareholders are IVS A/S, Olicom A/S, Industrifonden, Teknoseed AB and the company's founders. For more information, please visit www.scalado.com