DigitaOS

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]

Digita Operating Environment

Developer	Flashpoint Technology, Inc
Written in	C
Working state	Discontinued
Source model	Closed-source
Initial release	May 20, 1998; 26 years ago (1998-05-20)
Final release	1.5 / November 18, 1999; 25 years ago (1999-11-18)[1]
Marketing target	Digital cameras
Official website	digitadev.com at the Wayback Machine (archived 2001-08-14)

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,^[14] or AOT compiled programs written in C^[15] using an official SDK.^[16] The operating system abstracted away most camera functionality and hardware platform differences, allowing software to be compatible with most DigitaOS cameras.^[17] Additionally, DigitaOS handled the GUI presented to the user and basic camera functionality.^[17]

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.^[14] 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^[19] and MAME.^[20]

Cameras using DigitaOS

DigitaOS cameras, clockwise from top right: Minolta Dimâge EX, Kodak DC290, Kodak DC265

• Kodak DC220
• Kodak DC260
• Kodak DC265
• Kodak DC290
• Minolta Dimâge EX 1500
• Minolta Dimâge 3D 1500
• HP C500 Photosmart
• HP C618 Photosmart
• HP C912 Photosmart
• PENTAX EI-200
• PENTAX EI-2000^[7][21][4]