DigitaOS explained

Digita Operating Environment
Developer:Flashpoint Technology, Inc
Programmed In:C
Working State:Discontinued
Source Model:Closed-source
Latest Release Version:1.5
Latest Release Date:[1]
Marketing Target:Digital cameras

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

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, or AOT compiled programs written in C[14] using an official SDK.[15] The operating system abstracted away most camera functionality and hardware platform differences, allowing software to be compatible with most DigitaOS cameras.[16] Additionally, DigitaOS handled the GUI presented to the user and basic camera functionality.

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.[17] 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 and MAME.[19]

Cameras using DigitaOS

References

  1. Web site: DigitaOS memorial page. lisas.de. 2020-05-13.
  2. Web site: digitacamera.com: home. 2001-02-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20010202063300/http://www.digitacamera.com/. 2020-05-13. 2001-02-02.
  3. Web site: DIGITA OS. mesh.brown.edu. 2020-05-13.
  4. Web site: Pentax to release a range of digital cameras?. DPReview. 2020-05-13.
  5. Web site: Kodak DC220: Digital Photography Review. www.dpreview.com. 2020-05-13.
  6. First Looks: An OS to Smile For . Bruce . Brown . October 6, 1998 . PC Mag . 12 August 2024.
  7. Web site: MAMED! - Camera Info. 2007-12-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20071215020402/http://digita.mame.net/reviews.htm. 2020-05-13. 2007-12-15.
  8. Web site: 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.. OUT!. Froyo Tam Ferrite Core DX. 2019-07-06. @FroyoTam. en. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200518232506/https://twitter.com/FroyoTam/status/1147594168606191618 . 2020-05-18 . 2020-05-13.
  9. Web site: Global smartphones reaching peak sales point. 2019-06-07. The Dead Pixels Society. en-US. 2020-05-13.
  10. Web site: Did you know: Android was originally designed for digital cameras not phones. 2020-05-02. Android Authority. en-US. 2020-05-13.
  11. Web site: Samsung announces EK-GC100 Galaxy Camera with Android Jelly Bean, massive 4.8-inch display, 21x zoom, WiFi and 4G connectivity (hands-on). Engadget. en. 2020-05-13.
  12. Web site: Script Guide Digita™ Operating Environment. Flashpoint Technology. 1999-11-08. DigitaOS memorial page. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20030626155304/http://lisas.de:80/digita/Script%20Guide.PDF . 2003-06-26 . 2020-05-13.
  13. Web site: Script Reference Digita™ Operating Environment. Flashpoint Technology. 1999-12-07. DigitaOS memorial page. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20030626155954/http://lisas.de:80/digita/Script%20Reference.PDF . 2003-06-26 . 2020-05-13.
  14. Web site: Dr. Dobb's Good stuff for serious developers: Programming Tools, Code, C++, Java, HTML5, Cloud, Mobile, Testing. Dr. Dobb's. 2020-05-13.
  15. Web site: DigitaDev.com for Digita application developers. 2001-08-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20010814080824/http://www.digitadev.com:80/home.emm. 2020-05-13. 2001-08-14.
  16. Web site: The Digita OS: An Extensible Imaging Platform. Vidales. Carlos E.. Farrelly. Eugene M.. Dr. Dobb's. 2020-05-13.
  17. Apps Provide Lure For New Digicams . April 17, 2000 . Russell . Kay . ComputerWorld . 12 August 2024.
  18. Do More with a Digital Camera . Bruce . Brown . Marge . Brown . May 23, 2000 . PC Magazine . 12 August 2024.
  19. Web site: MAMED!. 2009-02-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20090219123954/http://digita.mame.net:80/. 2020-05-13. 2009-02-19.
  20. Web site: HP and Pentax announce two new Digital Cameras. DPReview. 2020-05-13.

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