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Today, Leica Camera introduced firmware version 1.174 for the Leica M9. This new firmware includes the following updates:

1. Bug fixes:
Leica Camera has become aware of customers experiencing […]

Looking out over Manila from my apartment window, I catch a glimpse of the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. I decide that it needs further investigation and walk over in the noon-time heat. Shorts and sandals a pale substitute for imagined empathies of heavy packs carried through unfamiliar and unrelenting jungles.

I arrive. Nothing I've seen previously prepares me for the beauty, sadness and overwhelming graceful composition of the memorial grounds.

With determination and purpose, row upon row of simple white memorials elegantly rise above the perfectly trimmed surface. Lining up at attention with the overhead sun, crosses and stars with weather-worn names from states like Oregon, Wisconsin, Nebraska and New Jersey reach out for my attention … ever hopeful that they won't be forgotten. Or at best, that their sacrifice isn't mislaid. From a distance, the memorials seem to link together solemnly arm-in-arm, warding off all ill intention.

Here there are no political parties, no scandals, no innuendo nor obfuscation. Just an awareness of time that washes over me in waves of reflective silence.

And then I feel it. An understanding. Hope, fear, pain, suffering and the glory of shared experience forever linked in eternal camaraderie. Unsure of the finality of their story, each of 17,206 individuals lays down and becomes a part of something bigger than themselves.

Rest as one boys in your decisive moments so valiantly lived … so that the lot of us can rest in peace.

Kodak announced today that it has sold its Image Sensor Solution division (ISS) to Platinum Equity for an undisclosed amount. Hopefully, under Platinum's new ownership, ISS will continue to produce its excellent sensors, which are used in both the Leica M9 and the Leica S2.

Press release:

ROCHESTER, N.Y., November 07 – Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) announced today that it has completed the sale of its Image Sensor Solutions (ISS) business to Platinum Equity in a move that will sharpen Kodak’s operational focus and strengthen its financial position.

While the financial details were not disclosed, Kodak will have continuing access to the image sensor technology involved in this transaction for use in its own products. Kodak has previously communicated that it would sell assets that are not central to its transformation to a profitable, sustainable digital company. This sale is aligned with that strategy to generate cash to complete the transformation.

Included in the sale is a 263,000 square foot facility in Eastman Business Park in Rochester, N.Y., that houses manufacturing and research facilities.

The ISS business develops, manufactures, and markets the world’s highest performance solid state image sensor devices. Over the past 30 years, Kodak’s image sensors have delivered unrivaled image quality and innovative features for use in a broad range of demanding imaging applications. From precision manufacturing inspection to digital radiography, from earth imaging satellites to traffic monitoring, from the world’s highest performing studio photography cameras to DNA sequencing systems, customers around the world rely on high-performance products from ISS in the most mission-critical applications.

Platinum Equity is a global M&A&O® firm specializing in the merger, acquisition and operation of companies that provide services and solutions to customers in a broad range of business markets.

“Image Sensor Solutions is a business that is well-positioned in the high-performance imaging markets in which it participates,” said Pradeep Jotwani, President, Consumer Digital Imaging Group, and Senior Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. “This sale maximizes shareholder value by obtaining a full and fair valuation for this business, and allows Kodak to increase its financial flexibility.”
Jotwani noted that Platinum Equity brings significant financial and operational resources to the ISS business and a comprehensive plan to ensure its continued success.

“Platinum Equity is an ideal acquirer of Kodak’s ISS business because they are committed to the success of the business for the benefit of customers and employees,” Jotwani said. “I’m very pleased that we have such a favorable outcome for all of our constituents.”

Platinum Equity focuses on acquiring businesses that can benefit from the firm’s extensive in-house capability and expertise in transition, integration and operations.

“This is a great opportunity to acquire a business with an impressive record for delivering innovative solutions to customers around the world,” said Brian Wall, the partner at Platinum Equity who led the team pursuing the acquisition. “The ISS business has a strong management team with the right vision for leading the company into the future. We share their commitment to product development and customer service and are committed to helping the business realize its full potential.”

Wall said Platinum Equity’s experience managing complex transitions from corporate parent companies will benefit employees, customers and other partners.

“Our operations group will work hand-in-hand with the management team to ensure a seamless transition while allowing the organization to stay focused on delivering world class imaging products and solutions,” said Wall. “We are proud to have forged a unique divestiture solution in partnership with Kodak that serves the best interests of everyone involved.”