Core77
Once wielded by everyone from impatient partygoers to crime scene detectives to insurance inspectors, Polaroid used to be synonymous with instant image capture. With that advantage long since evaporated, the company is seeking to move into a new market—one that's already dominated by GoPro.
The newly-released Polaroid Cube is the company's answer to action-seeking shooters, specifically those looking for bargain-basement prices. At just $100 the Cube is an entry-level product, though it's capable of shooting 1080p HD video; it will either help Polaroid get their foot into the action-cam door, or serve as a stopgap measure for kids saving up for a GoPro.
The Cube was designed by Ammunition and was reportedly not an exercise in "form follows function;" instead Brunner and co. dreamt up the cubic shape, and it was up to the engineers to make the guts fit. According to Businessweek,
Cramming all the camera's guts into a package that's less than 1.5 inches around presented some challenges. When the designers handed the plans over to the development team, they were told the battery wouldn't fit. The problem temporarily threatened the designers' vision of a cube until they came up with a solution of using two rechargeable batteries, one on each side. The configuration had the added benefit of creating a balanced block. After a few nips and tucks, each side of the gadget ended up measuring 35 millimeters—a serendipitous homage to old-school film stock.
Here it is in action, along with a look at some of the accessories:
I’m a lapsed industrial designer. I was born in NYC and figured I’d die there, but a few years ago I abandoned New York to live on a farm in the countryside with my wife. We have six dogs.
Webinar
Create a Core77 Account
Already have an account? Sign In
By creating a Core77 account you confirm that you accept the Terms of Use
Please enter your email and we will send an email to reset your password.
With Its Diminutive, Ammunition-Designed Cube, Polaroid Moves into Low-Cost GoPro Territory
As far as the rest of the product goes, I think it's simplicity is its greatest selling point. I would even go as far to say it has out go-pro'd the go pro. 4 settings (720/1080p, video or stills), no wifi, no app, no tiiny screen, no light, make it even easier to use that the gopro, and about half the price.
Also, did I see a magnet on the bottom of it in the video?!
I came across this camera on Amazon the other day. I am excited to get one. Yeah, it's such a good price. I've been wanting a cheap, but good GoPro-ish camera for a while. I think it's awesome that a company that I didn't think would exist now is coming out with something cool like this. I'm happy for Polaroid. I think this will be a pretty popular item when it hits retail shelves, especially when it goes on sale. Slash $10 - $20 off this item in a retail store and they'll sell like hotcakes.
A rainbow is Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet.
This is Magenta, Orange, Yellow, Less Yellow, Green, Cyan.
James
You don't like the price point which is lower then complain that it isn't by default sold at a higher price with the waterproof case which hello you can buy for an additional price when you order this product. It STILL is cheaper than a GoPro.
This is also smaller than a go pro. It is cheaper than a go pro. It has additional accessories you can purchase to make it just as durable and a wide variety of mounts and uses.
The test videos I have seen of night time and motion look great especially for $99. Just random users testing and uploading the videos to youtube. Not even polaroid propaganda. So to me this is a legit vid cam for 99 bux.
Secondly, it helps you spot it so that you don't lose it.