It’s probably been years since you’ve held a physical photograph in your hands. It’s probably been even longer since you’ve used one of those at the time revolutionary cameras that printed out photographs as soon as you took them. Well, Polaroid figures it’s about time to bring those cameras back, but with a modern twist.
At CES, Polaroid announced its new Socialmatic camera – a camera that allows users to share photographs instantly via social channels while also printing out physical photographs using a new digital printing process from Zink Imaging. It’s pretty wild.
Check it out:
“We are very excited about the partnership with Socialmatic and the pending launch of this remarkable camera,” said Scott W. Hardy, President and CEO of Polaroid. “Polaroid was the original social network: allowing people to instantly capture, print and share life’s moments in a way that had never been possible before. This relationship with Socialmatic allows Polaroid to come full circle and once again allow people to capture and share images in ways that are only possible with a Polaroid camera in their hands.”
As you might expect, the Polaroid Socialmatic is a smart camera that comes equipped with Android. This allows the camera to instantly share photos via social media channels, but it also includes a fully featured photo editor for when it comes to print a photograph.
Speaking of printing, the Socialmatic uses Zink Imaging’s new Zero Ink printing technology to instantly print a 2×3 photograph. The photos even come with a sticker backing so you can decorate your locker with all the voyeuristic shots you take of your crush.
While smart cameras aren’t exactly new anymore, you have to give props to Polaroid for trying something new with the idea. By making the camera socially connected in the digital and physical worlds, it might just have a hit on its hands. I’m certainly intrigued and others will probably be too.
The Polaroid Socialmatic camera will launch in late fall 2014. There’s no price attached to it yet, but it probably won’t be cheap.
Image via Polaroid/Business Wire