Engadget

Polaroid's Pro smartphone series hands-on

Mat Smith — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 07:57:00 EST

It wasn't just Polaroid's tablets getting showing at MWC. The former photographic powerhouse has been readying a selection of Android-powered handsets that it's trying not to confuse with the HD camera seen at CES. Polaroid's Pro phone range seem to be pitched at the Alcatel side of the smartphone spectrum and ironically, given its heritage, the models on show brandished slightly lower-specced camera modules than the final versions. The Pro X11B's 1.3-megapixel camera will increase to two, while the 3-megapixel Pro A12 steps up to a 5-megapixel sensor. Unfortunately, the series' flagship 4.3-inch model displayed in Polaroid's smartphone brochure missed its flight to Barcelona, while, bizarrely, the working mid-range model was running HTC Sense. However, we were told that this software build was apparently there to demonstrate the (poor) screen technology. Build quality is similarly depressing and felt plasticky and out-of-date already. We were told that final models would arrive a little skinnier, but that's only the start of a whole raft of improvements needed here. Polaroid's distribution plans and pricing are still a little blurry, but until we hear more, you can check out our gallery for some close-up details.

Gallery: Polaroid Pro Android phones hands-on

Polaroid's Pro smartphone series hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaroid Spectrum tablet family hands-on

Joseph Volpe — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 07:51:00 EST

Polaroid hasn't got much more than Lady Gaga going for it at the moment and even that partnership is questionably fruitful at best. So, when we stopped by the company's booth here at MWC to check out its Spectrum line of Android tablets, our bar was already set quite low. Turns out, there's room for it to drop even lower as that family of 7-, 8- and 9.7-inch slates seems more of a KIRF attempt than true product line from a former imaging heavyweight.

Which brings us to a very curious spec given the company's mission statement: the rear camera on what we presume is its 10-inch flagship is capable of a measly VGA resolution, despite indicating 2 megapixels. It's a baffling hardware miss and could've been the one bright spot amongst the cheap plastic build and software experience saddling these tabs. On a minor upswing, the OS across the capacitive tabs is stock ICS, with Froyo relegated to the resistive ones. Performance is sluggish and uneven at best considering the array of processors and clock speeds employed: from a 1.5GHz CPU in the auto-stereoscopic 7-incher to an 800MHz processor for the lower-end units to a 1GHz ARM11 in the 9.7-inch, TouchPad-like slab. It's a wonder the outfit even bothered with category, as the entirety of this lineup smacks of a half-hearted stab. You can check out the full array of lackluster tabs in our gallery below.

Gallery: Polaroid Spectrum family hands-on

Mat Smith contributed to this report.

Polaroid Spectrum tablet family hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 07:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaroid plans Spectrum 7-, 8- and 9-inch ICS tablets for 2012 launch

Brian Heater — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:43:00 EST

Hey, remember that Polaroid mystery tablet that sneaky tipster spotted on the showfloor? We managed to snag some more details about the slate -- and its brethren -- today. The company will be launching three tablets under the Spectrum name this year -- the Spectrum 7, 8, and 9, each with screens about as big as you suspect, given the fairly straight forward numbering system. Otherwise, the specs look pretty similar on the three tablets, including a Cortex A8 1GHz processor, front and rear-facing cameras and between 4- and 16GB of external storage, expandable via a microSD slot. The company has also promised that the tabs will be rocking Android 4.0 when they ship before year's end.

Gallery: Polaroid Spectrum tablet family

Polaroid plans Spectrum 7-, 8- and 9-inch ICS tablets for 2012 launch originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaroid cameras back from the dead (again) after deal with Vivitar-owner Sakar

Sharif Sakr — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:37:00 EST

Polaroid's heart stopped beating a long time ago, but its brand has marched on in a number of zombified licensing agreements and celebrity hook-ups. The latest of those deals, however, might just have a glimmer of soul in its bugged-out eyes: Sakar International, the long-time owner of Vivitar, has acquired the rights to develop a "line of Polaroid-branded digital still cameras and digital video products" for sale in North America and parts of Latin America. The press release after the break gives no clue as to what might make these new Polaroids different or special, but hopefully someone is about to give that some thought.

Continue reading Polaroid cameras back from the dead (again) after deal with Vivitar-owner Sakar

Polaroid cameras back from the dead (again) after deal with Vivitar-owner Sakar originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaroid SC1630 Android HD smart camera hands-on, is it a cameraphone or a phonecamera?

Michael Gorman — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:06:00 EST

The camera modules in smartphones continually improve, and these days there are phones like the iPhone 4S and the Nokia N9 who can take snapshots as good -- and sometimes better -- than point-and-shoots. Polaroid's known for making cameras, but its newest device, a rebrand of the Aigo A8 we saw at CES last year, flips the script by taking a 16 megapixel point-and-shoot and shoving an Android phone inside.

The Polaroid version's called the SC1630 Android HD Smart Camera, and it's packed with 850/1900/2100MHz WCDMA and 850/900/1800/1900 GSM radios, along with WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and an FM antenna thrown in for good measure. The SC1630 sports an 800 x 400 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen, while underneath there's 512MB of built-in storage and 512MB of RAM, along with proximity and G-sensors, micro SIM slot, Micro USB and a 2.5mm headphone jack. As we said above, the camera is a 16 megapixel unit, with aperture of F3.1 - F5.6, 3X optical zoom and 5X digital zoom, a max shutter speed of 1/1400 and ISO tops out at 3200. It's got geotagging and anti-shake support as well, and can shoot videos in 720p. Scheduled to arrive in April for $299, the device still has a few kinks to be worked out and there may be some changes to that hardware before it makes it to market. Here at CES 2012, we got a chance to lay hands on the phone and speak with Emanuel Verona, Polaroid's Executive VP and COO about the company's first Android offering, so read on past the break for our impressions and his thoughts.

Gallery: Polaroid SC1630 Android HD Smart Camera hands-on

Continue reading Polaroid SC1630 Android HD smart camera hands-on, is it a cameraphone or a phonecamera?

Polaroid SC1630 Android HD smart camera hands-on, is it a cameraphone or a phonecamera? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaroid announces Android-powered SC1630 Smart Camera, slated for release this year

Amar Toor — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:47:00 EST

Here's something we weren't expecting to see at CES today: Polaroid has just announced a new camera... powered by Android. The company's new, 16-megapixel SC1630 Smart Camera features a 3x optical zoom lens, 3.2-inch touch-based display, 36-108mm lens and WiFi capabilities, but the real story here is the Android UI integration. With this five-ounce portable, users can take shots in 18 different scene modes and instantly upload their images to social networking sites. Plus, since it's linked to the Android Market, they'll even be able to sync it up with any of the myriad photo apps already available to smartphone and tablet users, while finding comfort in that oh-so familiar Android UI. Pricing is still a mystery and Polaroid hasn't offered a release date more specific than "2012," but we'll hopefully find out more when we get our hands on it here in Las Vegas. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Polaroid announces Android-powered SC1630 Smart Camera, slated for release this year

Polaroid announces Android-powered SC1630 Smart Camera, slated for release this year originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaroid launching new tablet, color screen e-reader at CES?

Brian Heater — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:40:00 EST

What's this here, then? A sneaky tipster sent of some shots of what looks to be a new Android tab and a color screen e-reader from the photo-shaking folks at Polaroid. Not a lot to go on here, but, fittingly, the company is pushing the photo-taking capabilities of the slate, pitching it as a "tablet + camera," with what appears to be both front and rear cameras / flashes, the latter of which are prominently displayed on the rear of the device. The speaker also seems to get prominent placement, just above the screen. For the record, we whole-heartedly approve of the app selection on the device. On the reader front, we've got what certainly appears to be a color screen device, apparently suitable for reading the latest George R. R. Martin novels.

Gallery: Polaroid launching new tablet, color screen e-reader at CES?

Polaroid launching new tablet, color screen e-reader at CES? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaroid releases Z340 Instant Digital Camera, Gaga's Grey Label snapper still on the edge of glory

Christopher Trout — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:33:00 EST

It may not be as flashy as the pop icon's as-of-yet-unreleased Grey Label shooter, but the Polaroid Z340 digital camera certainly bears a striking resemblance. Looking like the GL30 before it puts its face on, the Z340 offers up 14 megapixel stills and comes with a $300 price tag. It can apparently pump out 25 3 x 4-inch prints and 75 digital images on a single charge and uses the company's ZINK Printing Technology for slinging instant memories. It'll also let you crop, pick fancy borders and decide whether to save your favorites to an on-board SD card or print 'em on the spot. The Z340 is now available from Polaroid, Amazon and other select retailers. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Polaroid releases Z340 Instant Digital Camera, Gaga's Grey Label snapper still on the edge of glory

Polaroid releases Z340 Instant Digital Camera, Gaga's Grey Label snapper still on the edge of glory originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stepping into the Polaroid Matrix at Maker Faire (video)

Brian Heater — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 20:17:00 EST

Sometimes it's the simplest questions that lead to the most important innovation -- other times it's more that they're just plain fun to answer. Take the one asked by Grand Rapids, MI-artist, Sam Blanchard: what would the Wachowski Brothers' bullet-time effect look like, were it shot on, say 20 Polaroids, instead of a room full of expensive digital devices? The answer, naturally, can be found in the Polaroid Matrix, a circle of cameras on display at Maker Faire in New York, this weekend. The Kickstarter success story arranges the cameras into a circle -- a subject can be sat in the middle, or the cameras can be oriented outward, to take a panorama of the surrounding environment. Once the rig is fired up, the cameras make that familiar Polaroid warm up hum -- times 20. The actual photographing happens almost in an instant, with 20 flashes. The photographer walks around the circle and collects 20 photos, which are bound into a photographic flipbook. Check out a video of the Polaroid Matrix in action, after the jump.

Gallery: Stepping into the Polaroid Matrix at Maker Faire (video)

Continue reading Stepping into the Polaroid Matrix at Maker Faire (video)

Stepping into the Polaroid Matrix at Maker Faire (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 20:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photographer goes digital, blows half a million dollars on a 10MP sensor

Sharif Sakr — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 21:04:00 EST

Ever spent way too much on a luxury watch or handbag? We hear ya -- the Engadget closet is bulging with Balenciaga clutches we hardly ever take out any more. But do you know who we blame for these inexplicable lapses of consumer judgment? A professional photographer by the name of Mitchell Feinberg, who happens to own the world's largest digital sensor. He uses the $500,000 custom-built 8x10-inch camera back to help capture mouthwatering advertising stills for couture clients like Bulgari and Vogue. What's really loco, though, is that the sensor is only 10MP, which isn't remotely sufficient for printable art. Instead, Feinberg puts it to work as a replacement for Polaroid; grabbing full-size test snaps during a shoot before reverting to an old-fashioned sheet of 8x10 film for the final money-shot. Whereas he previously spent $50k per year on Polaroid stock, now he spends nothing. So, unlike those silly blue-tinted Ray-Bans we bought for our vacation, this block of light-receptive love should eventually pay for itself. (Oh, and speaking of summer breaks, Feinberg says he's currently away on his, but he promises to post some sample pics on his site when he returns.)

Photographer goes digital, blows half a million dollars on a 10MP sensor originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 21:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaroid GL10 instant mobile printer now available for pre-order, Lady Gaga-approved

Christopher Trout — Thu, 26 May 2011 14:07:00 EST

So you still can't stun 'em in a pair of Haus of Gaga-designed camera glasses, but the Polaroid GL10 instant mobile printer is now officially available for pre-order -- and rumored to be making an early debut in the men's accessories section at Bloomingdale's in NYC. The first of the pop star's Grey Label devices to make it to market, the GL10 connects wirelessly via Bluetooth to smartphones (including Android, Blackberry, and Windows phones) and via USB to computers and digital cameras. The little thing weighs 15 ounces, prints 3 x 4-inch classic Polaroid-style or full bleed prints, and boasts a Li-ion battery apparently capable of spitting out 35 photos per charge. Now you can make a real gallery of all those "this is my lunch" pictures you've been forcing on your Facebook friends for the past few years -- that is, if you're willing to drop $170 for a surprisingly understated celebrity-backed photo printer.

Polaroid GL10 instant mobile printer now available for pre-order, Lady Gaga-approved originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 May 2011 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Impossible announces PX 680 Color Shade film for Polaroid 600 cameras, shows Instagram how it's really done

Joseph L. Flatley — Fri, 06 May 2011 14:34:00 EST

Fortunately for photography buffs, Impossible's mission to revive Instant Integral film hasn't proven, well, impossible. And the company's latest film stock, PX 680 Color Shade, reminds us of those Hipstamatic and Instagram shots the kids like so much these days. Except, you know -- the aforementioned apps simulate old school photographic processes and equipment, while the new film achieves the same effect by using time-honored methods that remind us of the new school smartphone apps that ape time-honored photographic processes and equipment. Just thinking about it makes our heads hurt! If you've been waiting your whole life for the perfect Polaroid 600 color film, it's available now for $22. Hit the source link for more info (and some pretty awesome sample shots).

Impossible announces PX 680 Color Shade film for Polaroid 600 cameras, shows Instagram how it's really done originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 May 2011 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Instaprint service is the Polaroid of the Instagram generation, no shaking required (video)

Jacob Schulman — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 18:49:00 EST

Sure Polaroid brought its headline product into 2011 by teaming up with Lady Gaga, but most of us are just fine with using our phones to quickly capture memorable moments. Well, Instaprint aims to recreate the photo craze of yesteryear by tying it in to Instagram -- the wildly popular (and currently iOS-only) app that lets you apply various filters to your photos for quick sharing among friends. The Instaprinter (our term, not the company's) is essentially a modified Zink photo printer with internet connectivity and tie-ins to the Instagram API, that automatically prints items tagged with any hashtag you choose. As of now, the company is planning to rent Instaprint boxes and demo the service at SXSWi, targeting it as a novel way to capture all angles of whatever event you may be hosting -- which to us seems like a fun idea. That is, until someone starts abusing the system and tags a photo of their derriere with #GrandmasBirthday. You can try it out now by tagging your shots with #Instaprint, and see it printed live in the stream embedded after the break.

Continue reading Instaprint service is the Polaroid of the Instagram generation, no shaking required (video)

Instaprint service is the Polaroid of the Instagram generation, no shaking required (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 18:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CES 2011 booth tours: the best of the rest

Sean Cooper — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 19:04:00 EST

CES: part tech fest, part carnival, and all fun. Sadly we couldn't bring you everything we saw in the booths as they're so full and have become so immense that we'd need the entire week to take it all in; we did, however, drop by a few of the showier booths and take a handful of pics of each for your ocular entertainment. So without further ado, hop past the break and see what the likes of Samsung, Microsoft, Intel, Sharp, Panasonic, and more had to offer at CES 2011.

Continue reading CES 2011 booth tours: the best of the rest

CES 2011 booth tours: the best of the rest originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lady Gaga's Polaroid digital camera, printer, and glasses hands-on

Ross Miller — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 16:50:00 EST

Bad news, folks, Polaroid's GL20 camera glasses aren't wearable yet. The Haus of Gaga-designed Grey Label product is indeed coming out, but the prototype at the company's CES booth lacked the ability for the wearer to see anything out of it -- then again, it's not clear we're ever supposed to, even after its release later this year. The GL30 digital camera was also non-functional, so all we can say right now is it's a design great for making a big, conspicuous statement. On the other hand, the GL10 printer does work, but it's a printer -- eh, nothing else we can say. Curse us for succumbing to a Lady Gaga pun in the eleventh hour and check the pictures below.

Gallery: Lady Gaga's Grey Label Polaroid camera, printer, and glasses hands-on

Lady Gaga's Polaroid digital camera, printer, and glasses hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lady Gaga and Polaroid launch Grey Label Instant Camera, Printer, and insane Camera Glasses

Paul Miller — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 21:38:00 EST

Polaroid has officially gone off the deep end, as a willing accomplice in Lady Gaga's crazy schemes. The new Grey Label line also includes a rebirth for Polaroid as an instant camera company, with a sexy new GL30 Instant Digital Camera with built-in printer, a separate GL10 Instant Mobile Printer, and Lady Gaga's bizarre triumph: the GL20 Camera Glasses (pictured), which include a built-in camera and dual LCDs which appear to cover your eyes when you're wearing the oversized shades. This CES marks a full year of Polaroid's collaboration with Lady Gaga, and while the glasses are possibly the least commercially viable device to be announced this year (in the best possible way), the classy new camera and printer might just make up for it. Both devices are using Zink technology for the instant printing, which Polaroid has been using in a much uglier way in its OneStep cameras, but the new devices have a retro sort of look that we're really digging. For the most part specs are light, including the GL30's megapixel count, but the GL10 printer will be out in May for $150, while the GL30 camera and the GL20 glasses don't have prices and will be available "later this year."

Gallery: Lady Gaga and Polaroid

Continue reading Lady Gaga and Polaroid launch Grey Label Instant Camera, Printer, and insane Camera Glasses

Lady Gaga and Polaroid launch Grey Label Instant Camera, Printer, and insane Camera Glasses originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 21:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaroid's CES 2011 teaser hints at instant photography's rebirth

Darren Murph — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 18:08:00 EST

Technically speaking, Polaroid returned to instant photography earlier this year with the introduction of the 300, but we all know that thing was forgotten as soon as it was revealed. The famed camera outfit -- despite being a shell of its former self -- just dropped a luscious teaser into our inbox to let us know about an exclusive event it'll be hosting at CES 2011 next month. The image you see above is severely distorted, but we did so to give you a better idea of what's truly to come -- unless that's an outrageously shaped projector, we're guessing it's some sort of next generation instant camera. The slot on the bottom definitely helped push us over the edge, but if you'd rather cover the whole thing in mystique and guess for yourself, the un-doctored (er, unmutilated) teaser is just after the break. Oh, and we'll be bringing you the blow-by-blow on what this thing really is on January 6th, hopefully with Outkast blaring in the background.

Continue reading Polaroid's CES 2011 teaser hints at instant photography's rebirth

Polaroid's CES 2011 teaser hints at instant photography's rebirth originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 18:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaroid and RealD team up for premium 3D eyewear, mutual back-patting

Sean Hollister — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 09:43:00 EST

Polaroid's iconic instant camera may have retreated into the annals of yuppie history, but the company's original business remains: sunglasses, whose light-spinning lens technology is indeed directly responsible for the Polaroid name and whose new RealD-certified Polaroid Premium 3D variant is the latest attempt to make the brand relevant again. Yes, only seven decades after introducing polarized theater to the world the firm's at it once more, with a line of designer 3D glasses endowed with upstart RealD's enthusiastic recommendation. The glasses should appear at theaters near you soon, though we think it's safe to say that you won't see them distributed in little plastic baggies at the counter -- there's no word on price, but Polaroid's probably calling them "premium" for a reason. PR after the break.

Continue reading Polaroid and RealD team up for premium 3D eyewear, mutual back-patting

Polaroid and RealD team up for premium 3D eyewear, mutual back-patting originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 09:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Impossible Project's color Polaroid film finally going on sale, shipping August 2nd

Laura June — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:31:00 EST

Remember back in March when the Impossible Project rolled out its Sepia Polaroid PX100 film for the SX-70 and PX-600 cameras? Well, we heard then that color film was in the pipeline and that it would hit this summer. Well, here we are, and you can definitely order the film as of quite recently, and it looks like its got a ship date of August 2nd. Now, you probably won't be surprised to hear that the film isn't cheap -- $44 for a Starter Pack of 3 packs of 8 shots each -- but if you're into the instant photo game, you'll want to scoop it up, because we have a feeling the film might be a hot item in the coming days.

Impossible Project's color Polaroid film finally going on sale, shipping August 2nd originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaroid returns to instant photography with the 300, thinks you'll pay a premium for it

Tim Stevens — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 08:09:00 EST

When Polaroid left the instant film market back in 2008, it left a gaping hole that Impossible Project has attempted to fill with its overpriced reproduction paper. We're guessing someone at Polaroid saw that and thought: "Hey, why don't we charge too much for instant film, and make an overpriced camera to use it in?" And thus the $90 Polaroid 300 was born. Yes, $90 for the sort of instant point-and-shoot that, a few decades ago, you could pick up for under $20. And the film? Ten shots for $10. Nostalgia don't come cheap, people. The camera and the film release in May, and if this is how the reborn Polaroid is hoping to stay afloat we're thinking the death of instant film is at hand -- again.

Update: As Peacock has pointed out in comments, this isn't even an original product. It's a rebranded Fujifilm Instax Mini 7 -- which costs a slightly less egregious $67 at various online retailers.

Continue reading Polaroid returns to instant photography with the 300, thinks you'll pay a premium for it

Polaroid returns to instant photography with the 300, thinks you'll pay a premium for it originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Apr 2010 08:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Impossible Project's Polaroid film gets tested, looking pretty old-timey

Laura June — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 16:49:00 EST

The Impossible Project's new Polaroid-licensed film is going on sale in the UK this week, and the folks over at 1854 just got a nice little press packet in the mail which included some of the surely sought after film. The black and white only (color's been promised for a later date) film, coupled with a Polaroid camera should obviously lead to some seriously ancient looking snapshots and... surprise, surprise -- it does! Now, there are only a very few test shots (taken with a Polaroid SX-70) included for review here, so it's hard to gauge overall quality of the output, but we have to say the snaps we're seeing look so antiquey that it's actually hard to tell what we're even looking at in the photo -- is it the ghost of John Wayne? Is that Charlotte Bronte or Lady Gaga hanging tough in the foreground? Still, we have to say we're intrigued with the whole idea of producing photos this sepia-toned and grainy, especially at our next in-house competitive rave off. Hit the source link for more test shots.

Impossible Project's Polaroid film gets tested, looking pretty old-timey originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 16:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Impossible Project's Polaroid film goes on sale this week

Donald Melanson — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:34:00 EST

The famed Polaroid name many now be in the hands of various licensees and, er, Lady Gaga, but the folks at the Impossible Project are at least keeping the Polaroid dream alive, and they've now announced that their new Polaroid film will go on sale in the UK this week. Only black-and-white film will be available initially, including the PX100 film for the SX-70 camera, and PX600 for the One series of instant cameras (including Polaroid's own new OneStep camera), both of which will run £16 (or $24) for an eight-pack -- yeah, the impossible doesn't come cheap. Look for color film to be available sometime this summer.

Impossible Project's Polaroid film goes on sale this week originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaroid PoGo instant digicam on sale next week, toilet graffiti will never be the same

Thomas Ricker — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 07:38:00 EST

We still don't have the European or US release dates for the Polaroid Pogo instant digicam but they can't be far behind the February 26th date just announced for Japan. Looks like we might see a price cut too, given the ¥10,000 (about $110) price in Japan compared to the $199 price announced at CES. Of course, you still have to shell out for the ZINK instant photo paper 10-packs scheduled to run for $4.99, or $12.99 for the 30-pack variety. As a camera, it's not much with its 5 megapixel sensor, SDHC storage, weak-sauce LCD, and 0x optical zoom as we discovered during our hands-on. What it lacks in specs, though, is made up for by its novelty. 2-inch by 3-inch photo stickers in 60 seconds? Urban ego tagging just got a brand new playbook.

Also announced is a bevy of forgettable budget shooters, including the 12 megapixel t1235, 12 megapixel i1237 with touchscreen LCD, and 9 megapixel a930. Lady GaGa must be so proud.

Polaroid PoGo instant digicam on sale next week, toilet graffiti will never be the same originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 07:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaroid announces new OneStep film and instant digital cameras, some branded LCD TVs

Joseph L. Flatley — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:11:00 EST

Knowing the drive and tenacity of Lady Gaga, we expect that any day now we'll she'll be the president of PLR IP Holdings within the week. Until that fateful day when Polaroid becomes the Haus of Gaga, it looks like the company will be keeping busy by continuing to slap its name on consumer electronics. Probably the coolest of the lot is the PIC 1000, the future-retro Polaroid OneStep film camera developed in part at the urging of The Impossible Project. Just like its namesake, this guy uses Polaroid Color 600 Instant Film. This bad boy will be available at national retailers in 2010. If digital instant shooters are more your speed, The company's newest Zink-enabled camera, the obviously named Instant Digital Camera, boasts 12 megapixels and 3 x 4-inch prints. And rounding things out, the company has a slapped its name to a handful of LCD TVs from 42 to 65 inches in size. You're psyched, right? Hit the PR after the break for all the shocking details.

Continue reading Polaroid announces new OneStep film and instant digital cameras, some branded LCD TVs

Polaroid announces new OneStep film and instant digital cameras, some branded LCD TVs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lady Gaga named Polaroid creative director, puts that liberal arts education to good use

Joseph L. Flatley — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:29:00 EST

As you know, Polaroid recently went Chapter 11 (again), relegating the once great brand to little more than intellectual property to be exploited by the likes of Hilco Consumer Capital and Gordon Brothers -- a couple outfits that know the power of branding. You know who else understands the power of branding? That's right: Lady Gaga, the newest creative director of Polaroid Imaging Products (insert your own Paparazzi joke here). Apparently the chanteuse will be working "behind the scenes" to develop "prototypes in the vein of fashion / technology / photography innovation." We just hope the Haus of Gaga has learned a thing or two after that Monster debacle a few months back. PR after the break.

Continue reading Lady Gaga named Polaroid creative director, puts that liberal arts education to good use

Lady Gaga named Polaroid creative director, puts that liberal arts education to good use originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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jWIN strikes deal to sell products under Polaroid name

Donald Melanson — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 13:38:00 EST

Well, while some folks are busily working to revive the technology that made the Polaroid name what it is, it seems that company itself (now owned by Hilco and Gorden Brothers) is wasting no time in going down the potentially perilous path of licensing the brand for other companies to use. On that front, consumer electronics maker jWIN -- responsible for the iLuv line of products -- has now announced that it's signed an exclusive agreement to produce and market a whole range of products under the Polaroid brand (which is actually just one of a number of licensing deals recently announced). While specifics are still a bit light, jWIN will apparently make an "extensive assortment" of peripherals for PCs, game consoles and cellphones, as well as other audio / video products, and even the odd laptop case and "cleaning care accessory," among what's sure to be countless other products. Full press release after the break.

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jWIN strikes deal to sell products under Polaroid name originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 13:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaroid's One Step film camera relaunching in 2010, nostalgists unite to celebrate

Darren Murph — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:10:00 EST

Call us crazy, but we never had much faith in the power of The Impossible Project to bring back the legendary Polaroid instant-print film camera. Despite our doubts (and those of the world), that very group has evidently caused quite a stir in the offices of Summit Global, which has today announced that the film-based One Step Camera is on track for a mid-2010 release. The Impossible Project will be in charge of producing a limited number of Polaroid-branded color and B&W Instant Films along the way, and just in case film isn't really your bag, Summit is planning to issue a Polaroid TWO -- described as the "digital version of the traditional camera that produces instant digital photos" -- sometime next year. It's all about bringing sexy back, y'all.

Read - Summit Global's release
Read - The Impossible Project's release

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Polaroid's One Step film camera relaunching in 2010, nostalgists unite to celebrate originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Last Polaroid cameras and film to be sold at Urban Outfitters tomorrow

Nilay Patel — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:24:00 EST

We've had a hole in our hearts ever since the original Polaroid company stopped manufacturing instant film, filed for Chapter 11, and sold off its brand name, but it looks like those crazy kids at The Impossible Project are making some small moves to turn things around after picking up the pieces last year: they'll be selling the remaining stock of cameras and film at Urban Outfitters starting tomorrow. Sadly, that's not much, as there are only 700 hand-numbered kits containing a deadstock Polaroid ONE600 Classic camera and a pack of Type 779 film available, but at least there's more film to go around if you already have a camera -- additional 779 packs will also be on sale until stock runs out. We're not sure if this plan will raise enough cash to start the factory up again -- or if anyone else even cares about Polaroid anymore -- but you know where we'll be standing in line tomorrow morning.

[Via OhGizmo!]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Last Polaroid cameras and film to be sold at Urban Outfitters tomorrow originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HDR imaging for the cheap and gifted

Vlad Savov — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:17:00 EST

People who are seriously after HDR output tend to pony up the dough for a big and chunky DSLR, knowing they'll get the highest quality possible. But if you're short on cash, here's a homebrewed mod that combines a gutted Polaroid x530 Foveon shooter with a Viliv to produce HDR-like imagery on the cheap. Essentially, the Viliv does all the processing and control work, while the el cheapo camera is used for its ability to save to raw format. You could instead pick up a compact Ricoh CX1 and save yourself a lot of trouble, but where's the fun and tinkering in that? The homemade hardware might not be pretty to look at, but make your way past the break to see if the results are worth the effort.

[Via Hack a Day]

Continue reading HDR imaging for the cheap and gifted

Filed under: Digital Cameras

HDR imaging for the cheap and gifted originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hilco / Gordon Brothers acquires Polaroid brand, assets and dignity

Darren Murph — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:41:00 EST

After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy (again) in December of last year, Polaroid may have just made its last shakeable memory. Today, the Federal Bankruptcy court for the district of Minnesota has approved a motion for "substantially all the assets of Polaroid, including the Polaroid brand, intellectual property, inventory and other assets," to be acquired by Hilco Consumer Capital and Gordon Brothers Brands. If those names sound familiar, have a cookie on us. You see, this very same joint venture picked up The Sharper Image around this time last year, and while it's still unclear what these suits plan to do with the 72 year-old name, we are told that it doesn't plan on shelving it anytime soon. In fact, it's hoping to "partner with a number of global institutions in the ongoing development of the Polaroid brand." Personally, we would've used "revival" rather than "development," but we'll refrain from bursting any bubbles here.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Hilco / Gordon Brothers acquires Polaroid brand, assets and dignity originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IMPOSSIBLE's on a mission to revive Polaroid film

Joseph L. Flatley — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:51:00 EST

Things have been pretty bleak for Polaroid fans ever since the company filed for Chapter 11. Once the producer of an iconic American gadget, the company has been reduced to a corporate shell, its good name taunting us from the face plates of a myriad of consumer electronics -- including instant digital cameras that are not nearly as cool as their forebears. That's why it does our heart good to hear about the crazy, Fitzcarraldo-esque plans of an outfit called IMPOSSIBLE. The company has already purchased all the essential gear and signed a lease on one of the buildings at the old Polaroid plant in the Netherlands, where they'll be hard at work developing new versions of the venerable Instant Integral film that can be produced using modern manufacturing methods. The company hopes to be in the swing of things by sometime in 2010. Best of luck, kids!

[Thanks, Sebastiaan ter Burg]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

IMPOSSIBLE's on a mission to revive Polaroid film originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaroid PoGo Instant Digital Camera hands-on

Darren Murph — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:16:00 EST

Polaroid's PoGo Instant Digital Camera isn't for the hardcore geeks -- it's stuck with a 5 megapixel sensor, no optical zoom whatsoever and an LCD monitor that was fanciful in 1998. What it can do, however, is churn out photo stickers in around 60 seconds after a photo is taken without the need for an external printer. Have a look at the March-bound unit below, and look, your kids will love it. Promise.

Gallery: Polaroid PoGo Instant Digital Camera hands-on

Filed under: CES, Digital Cameras

Polaroid PoGo Instant Digital Camera hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaroid PoGo Instant Digital Camera debuts at CES

Darren Murph — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:38:00 EST

We heard that Polaroid would be punching out a PoGo-infused camera in 2009, and it only took 'em eight days into the new year to do just that. Today at CES, the $199 PoGo Instant Digital Camera is making its grand entrance, utilizing the tried-and-true ZINK printing technology. Sadly (and we do mean sadly), there's not even a mention of how many megapixels this thing boasts, which is a pretty telling sign that you won't be getting SD850IS-type quality out of it. Nevertheless, it'll print out ink-free 2- x 3-inch images right from itself, so maybe the quality isn't that big of a deal after all. Or maybe we're just sympathetic.

Filed under: CES, Digital Cameras

Polaroid PoGo Instant Digital Camera debuts at CES originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaroid files for chapter 11 bankruptcy, again

Thomas Ricker — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 04:59:00 EST

Polaroid may have defeated Kodak in the instant camera business, but it can't beat a sagging economy. Polaroid (or Polaroid Corp to be precise) just filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in 7 years. Of course, the new Polaroid Corporation is really just a holding company for the Polaroid name -- a brand that has been thoroughly diluted by its application to sub-standard TVs, vile portable DVD players, and gimmicky PoGo digital cameras. Polaroid says, "We expect to continue our operations as normal during the reorganization and are planning for new product launches in 2009." That a threat?

[Thanks JideOsan, image courtesy of Jerkwithacamera]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Polaroid files for chapter 11 bankruptcy, again originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 04:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tomy's printer-equipped Xiao digital camera hits Japan

Donald Melanson — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:02:00 EST

We already caught a brief glimpse of Tomy's Zink printer-equipped Xiao digital camera earlier this month, but with the Friday release date now upon us, we finally have a few more details about the would-be Polaroid successor. That includes word of a price for both the camera (¥34,800, or just under $370), and the paper you'll need to actually print photos which, at ¥880 (or about $9) for 20 sheets, likely won't have you plastering your walls with the 2x3-inch shots, even though they do actually have adhesive backs. Interestingly, you can also use the camera to print photos from any IrDA-equipped cellphone, but unfortunately not via WiFi or Bluetooth, which would be a tad more welcome. If that's got you intrigued, you should have a slightly easier time picking one up when it launches internationally next spring, although by then it'll likely also be competing with Polaroid's own Zink-equipped camera.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Tomy's printer-equipped Xiao digital camera hits Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tomy xiao digital camera has built in Zink printer, the spirit of Polaroids

Samuel Axon — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:26:00 EST

Like just about everyone else, we miss the Polaroid film format; maybe it's just nostalgia, but we enjoyed having something we could hold on to (and shake) after taking a picture. Polaroids may be dead, but the basic concept lives on -- remember Zink, that company whose technology prints digital photos on the spot without ink? It's joined forces with toy-maker Tomy to make the xiao TIP-521, a digital camera with a printer built in. The xiao has a modest five megapixel resolution, so we might wait and see how Polaroid's own Zink camera turns out, but in either case we're stoked the tactile experience is back.

[Via Market Watch]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Tomy xiao digital camera has built in Zink printer, the spirit of Polaroids originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaroid digicam to feature integrated PoGo printer in 2009

Darren Murph — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:10:00 EST

We had this inkling that it was only a matter of time before a PoGo-infused camera came to market, and at long last, we finally know (well, sort of) how long we're talking. Sometime in 2009, the aforesaid company will be pushing out a digital camera that includes an on board printer based around the Zink technology. The device will be capable of ejecting 4- x 3-inch prints, and curiously enough, it sounds like you could actually have a say in what it looks like. No, seriously -- hit the read link and have a look.

[Via Wired]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Polaroid digicam to feature integrated PoGo printer in 2009 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaroid PoGo portable photo printer hands-on, Engadget reader style

Joshua Fruhlinger — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:26:00 EST

Hold up! Polaroid may not be dead just yet! A trusty reader was nice enough to give us some hands-on time with his new Polaroid Pogo Zink-based printer. The diminutive device is clearly meant to give us that old-school insta-print social feeling with its 2 x 3-inch photos, but results were less than a barrel o' monkeys. Engadget reader David says that while the unit is "cute," there's nothing very instant about it as prints take at least 60 seconds -- not including connection in or Bluetooth pairing time. On the plus side, prints are sturdy and don't tear easily, but David couldn't resist burning one of them just to see how the thermal paper reacted. In the end, he says this is a decent gadget for those in the know, but you're not going to put this at the center of a party like you would an old-school Instamatic. Peep the gallery for David's hands-on goodness.

[Thanks, David]

Gallery: Polaroid PoGo

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Polaroid PoGo portable photo printer hands-on, Engadget reader style originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zink-based Polaroid PoGo makes its debut

Ryan Block — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:23:00 EST

It's gone by a couple names since we first heard about it two CESs ago (Zink, Digital Instant Mobile Photo Printer, etc.) but the first Zink-based product is finally on its way to buyers as the Polaroid PoGo Instant Mobile Printer. It'll run you $150 for the unit (and $10 per pack of 30 sheets), and can print up to fifteen 2 x 3-inch photos on its rechargeable battery from any PictBridge capable camera or over Bluetooth. PC Magazine took a peek and found each print took between a minute and a half to two minutes (the latter over Bluetooth), and felt the quality was adequate at best, albeit sufficient for such small prints. Still, it's no secret that your options are extremely limited when it comes to pocketable printers, even of the dye-sub variety (which Zink-based devices like the PoGo hope to put out to pasture).

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Zink-based Polaroid PoGo makes its debut originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaroid intros 60GB Freescape 4360 WiFi-enabled PMP

Darren Murph — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:36:00 EST

If you were wondering if you'd ever hear another peep about that Freescape digital media ecosystem that Polaroid trumpeted in January, here's your answer. Quietly launched on the firm's own website, the Freescape 4360 (also known as the MPU-043315B) is a WiFi-enabled portable media player packin' a 60GB hard drive, a rechargeable Li-ion good for 16 hours of audio playback (just 4 hours with video), a 4.3-inch 480 x 272 resolution LCD, an FM tuner, TV output and support for MPEG4, WMA, WMV, MP3 and JPEG formats. Mum's the word on a price or release date, but without handling a few more formats, we can't see any Archos / Cowon / iriver lovers switching sides for this.

[Via ShinyShiny]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Polaroid intros 60GB Freescape 4360 WiFi-enabled PMP originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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