Starting in the '90s, New Yorkers began spotting an unusual sight on the sidewalks: A lone man or woman in business attire slapping foundation on his/her face, setting up a camera on a tripod, unwinding the microphone cable, and reporting news by themselves. The then-upstart news network called NY1 had pioneered a low-cost, lean method of reporting in the field that had reporters undergo video training, tote their own cameras around and even apply their own makeup.
As the network progressed from fledgling to established, nowadays it's more common to spot NY1 reporters paired with cameramen. But the next generation of lean news networks will probably be using one of these:
That's the SoloCam, essentially just a selfie stick with a microphone attachment. There's no audio cable, as the mic connects to the smartphone via Bluetooth, making this little contraption the ultimate in lean reporting gear.
However, it's not marketed as such. Like all selfie sticks, it's aimed at silly narcissists. It's only been up on IndieGogo for a day or so, but with a relatively low target of $40,000, 44 days left to pledge and no shortage of consumers who love seeing (and now hearing) themselves, it's sure to reach funding. Intended to be retailed for $99, the campaign is selling them for just $49.
Whatever the device's intended usage, you can't deny it's a smart product design: It seems relatively simple to make, features a simple but powerful innovation and provides functionality that end users will certainly want. I hope those end users will be the members of a hungry upstart news network, but judging by the jogger I saw this morning snapping selfies while he histrionically huffed and puffed, I know better.
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So they stuck a BT mic to a selfie stick.... how is that design? The only design i see is the shape of the microphone. The could have added some real inovation to existing products by adding something like a mirror, so you can 'check' the screen display/shot.
almost the same name is the 'soloshot' ... seems this would do even better, for all reporters.
http://shop.soloshot.com/?gclid=CPiXi725q8YCFZRffgodE5QAvg#
dont get me wrong, the BT mic is kinda neat... by itself...
To answer your question of "How is that design?" I say, "It seems relatively simple to make, features a simple but powerful innovation and provides functionality that end users will certainly want."
Also, I see the point of a mirror but am not sure it would fly; it would add both cost and weight. One solution to what you're discussing might be to flip the phone around and use its secondary camera that allows you to see yourself on-screen. That will be the way to go if manufacturers eventually make the front camera as good as the back camera.
Just checked out your Soloshot link. That's a neat product, but runs $650 with the camera controller and tripod, not to mention requires buying a camera. For lean reporting, I think the $49/$99 SoloCam is probably a better bet, and reporters could use their existing smartphones. I think the Soloshot's functionality lends itself more to the athletic endeavors they're marketing towards.