Polaroid has been down on its luck for some years, but there is a chance the company known for instant pictures long before Instagram can make a comeback. Hoping the Polaroid brand name can turn its own fortunes around, the company Socialmatic has partnered with the camera maker to roll out the first Web-enabled instant digital camera.
The Polaroid-brand digital camera will be based on Socialmatic inventor Antonio De Rosa's original concept. The company fell short of its funding attempts on Indiegogo but now it appears closer to getting the camera to consumers.
Technically, its only the Polaroid brand name that will be used - and all Socialmatic technology. Socialmatic LLC announced on its website that it is procuring the Polaroid name from C&A Licensing, LLC, an authorized Polaroid licensee
"We are so proud to work together with C & A and Polaroid, giants of digital photography," De Rosa, CEO of Socialmatic, said in a statement. "It 's been a long and difficult negotiation but we were strongly motivated to reach an agreement to create a small revolution in digital photography. This mix of hardware and software together with our brand new photo social network will fill the gap between virtuality and reality."
Instagram users will be able to get their hands on the photo-printing camera by 2014, Complex reports. Whether printouts could be made from other social media hasn't been announced.
What is known, according to Socialmatic's Indiegogo page, is that the camera will carry 16GB storage, 4.3-inch touchscreen, two lenses (one for main capture, the second for 3D filters, webcam apps and QR code), optical zoom, LED flash, InstaOs 1.0, which will combine Facebook and Intragram app features.
The camera's internal printer will print using four color ink tanks and a paper cartridge with Instagram paper sheets. The Socialmatic camera will work with both iPhone iOS and Android devices. Polaroid will also sell Socialmatic camera bags, lenses and filters.
