06/06/2008, 11:50am, EDT
Friday, June 6thPolaroid intros PoGo inkless portable photo printer
Polaroid recently announced it will launch its PoGo portable photo printer later on this summer. First seen at CES 2008, the printer, whose name is short for Polaroid-on-the-go according to Polaroid, achieves its compact 4.7- by 2.8- by 0.9-inch size by not requiring any ink cartridges. Instead, it uses Zero Ink technology and ZINK Photo Paper as its medium.
The PoGo interfaces with cell phones via a Bluetooth link to print photos captured by the devices' integrated cameras, and via a FireWire-connected PictBridge interface with digital cameras. It's capable of outputting a full-color, 2- by 3-inch photo in under one minute. The ZINK 'paper' contains colorless cyan, yellow and magenta dye crystals that are activated by the heat emitted by the PoGo, making photos instantly ready. The setup evokes memories of Polaroid's original photos that took a few minutes to appear but didn't require a lengthy developing process.
The PoGo will be available for sale at Best Buy stores throughout the US starting on July 6, and at Target locations on July 20, priced at $149. Ten sheets of ZINK paper retails for nearly $4, with a 30-pack trading for $10.
Filed under: industry, digital imaging
Other story tags: Polaroid
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convenient
The essence of the original Polaroid concept was the ability to capture a moment and take it away immediately. A lot of that was supplanted by the digital camera's ability to review the image right away on the LCD screen. However, the ability to have a physical print (which can be given away) was lost.
This little device seems to offer the ultimate convenience and simplicity. You can carry it in your handbag/purse for certain occasions and deliver mementos easily. I can see situations such as parties at public spaces where everyone gets a picture to take home right away (especially kids' birthday parties).
Incidentally, that looks like USB and not FireWire (and makes more sense anyway for a PictBridge interface), but BlueTooth interface with phone sound much cooler, even with the (mostly) crappy quality of cellphone cameras.
re:convenient
Yeah, but at 2x3, even crappy quality cellphone camera pictures will likely be "good", or at least "ok".
iPhone?
Since it's Bluetooth built-in, I wonder if it is iPhone compatible... and hopefully the battery is long lasting (if it uses rechargeable battery).