Altek Works Out World's First GPS-based Digital Camera

Taipei, April 17, 2008 (CENS)--Altek Corp., a leading maker of digital cameras in Taiwan, has unveiled the world's first digital camera featuring GPS (global positioning system) functions, and received orders for the products recently, according to company sources.

Altek noted that the newly developed digital camera Ursa adopts a touch screen and can be also used as a GPS device, incorporating functions of electric map, tourist scenic spot searching and navigation systems. The new camera has been well received by customers to seize business opportunities brought by Beijing Olympic Games 2008.

Unaffected by the world's weak economy, Altek saw sales of its low- and middle-end digital cameras stay solid and hence scored combined revenue of NT$5.082 billion and net profits of NT$255 million, or NT$0.84 per share, in the first quarter of this year. The company's business operation is expected to keep growing in the second quarter when it continues to deliver new products.

According to statistics compiled by IDC (International Data Corp.), global sales of digital cameras amounted to 110 million units in 2007 and the figure is estimated to reach 130 million units in 2010. Altek indicated that with a slowdown in the global market for digital cameras, demand for new models in emerging and developed countries will serve as major growth momentum in the sector in the future.

Altek now commands a 10% share of the global market for digital cameras, and boasts strong R&D capability and production capacity, enabling the company to work out a new model in four months and then start delivery within four days. In the next 5 to 10 years, digital displays will be widely applied in mobile phones and automobiles, the company added.