Few things capture the essence of nostalgia quite like an excellent photograph. Nevertheless, most of us have moved away from the film of yesterday in favor of something quicker, more convenient, and — let’s be honest — more apt for bathroom selfies. Instant gratification has been a hallmark of Polaroid since the beginning, though, and the iconic company’s latest foray into the realm of instant photography is aimed at millennials and anyone with a smartphone on hand.
Aptly dubbed the Polaroid Zip, the pocket-sized mobile printer takes a cue from the rest of the instant cameras in the company’s lineup. Weighing in at 1.86 grams and measuring a mere 2.91 x 4.72 inches, it’s roughly the size if your average smartphone, embellished with single power button and a high-gloss finish bearing the colorful Polaroid logo.
Once you pair the wireless device with your iOS or Android smartphones via Bluetooth or NFC, the accompanying photo app allows you to apply a bevy of filters, effects, and simple controls to the photo of your choosing. The integrated tools are basic but welcome, ranging from those for adjusting the contrast and saturation to applying frames.
When you’re finished with your edits, the Zip allows you to create 2 x 3-inch color photos in just under a minute with the help of Polaroid’s zero-ink technology. The printing process relies on an advanced composite material embedded with cyan, yellow, and magenta dye crystals, each of which starts off colorless until activated with heat exposure.
The mobile gadgets can print up to 25 photos on a single charge, and furthermore, the resulting photos also moonlight as stickers thanks to their adhesive backing. The ability to create business cards and prints lined with individual QR codes is also a plus.
The Polaroid Zip is set to launch this spring with a suggested retailed price of $130.
