Altek announces GPS digital camera

(digitimes) -- Altek, a Taiwan-based ODM/OEM maker of digital cameras, unveiled a digital camera with built-in GPS function with shipments expected to begin as early as the second quarter of 2008.

With an 8-megapixel resolution and a 3-inch touch screen, the camera features built-in GPS functionality which can automatically record the longitude and latitude of where a picture is taken, noted Altek. The information can then be displayed on services like Google Earth, Google Map or Flickr, according to Altek, adding that after downloading a photo containing coordinate data, the camera is capable of providing directions to where its was taken.

The camera is expected to meet a large demand due to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, and Altek is negotiating orders with potential clients in the US and Europe, Altek president Alex Hsia noted.

Altek recorded a gross margin of 10.8%, pre-tax profits of NT$307 million, net profits of NT$255 million and net earnings per share of NT$0.84 for the first quarter of 2008, Hsia indicated. This year, 8-10 megapixels will be the mainstream resolution for Altek's shipments of digital cameras, Hsia pointed out.