Polaroid-on-the-Go, a Mobile Printing Alternative

Posted on January 18th, 2008 in Gadget Review

Polaroid PoGo Despite the number of printers models available in the market, most people associate them as a desktop complementary hardware rather than a peripheral associated to a mobile device. However, Polaroid has announced the new PoGo (Polaroid-on-the-Go) pocket-sized inkless digital printer that connects to any mobile device via Bluetooth techonology, or plugged-in directly to a digital camera via PictBridge. PoGo is a rectagular gadget that will be available at Best Buy stores nationwide on July 6 for ony $149. After being released in the United States, PoGo will debut in the Russian, British, French, Italian, German and Spanish markets throughout Summer and eventually reaching other countries later this year.

Polaroid PoGo is built with technology developed by ZINK Imaging Inc. and prints full color 5×7.5 centimeters (2×3-inch) photos which estimate retail price will be between 33 and 40 cents per print bearing in mind that Zinc Imaging will distribute 10-packs photo paper for $3.99 or 30 packs for $9.99.

Tom Petters, Chairman of Polaroid, said “Polaroid PoGo is an innovative and easy way to share photos instantly and pictures come to life without ink.” Too good to be true? We have seen amazing results at the Polaroid PoGo Newsroom. “ZINK Zero Ink Printing Technology elevates instant printing to a whole new level. With Polaroid PoGo, you don’t have to process pictures at your personal computer anymore the convenient pocket size means printing and sharing photos can once again be a social activity,” remarked Petters.

Polaroid PoGo was first introduced at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) early on January 2008 as a convenient way to share digital images between cell phones and digital cameras. PoGo weighs only eight ounces so it is easy carry your gadget along with your mobile device.

Another advantage of ZINK Zero Ink Printing Technology is the ability tor print borderless pictures in less than 60 seconds, matchless printing time if compared with conventional printers. “Polaroid introduced the world to instant photography more than 60 years ago, and this year we’re redefining instant photography for the digital age,” said Petters from Polaroid’s headquarters in Minneapolis.

Polaroid-on-the-Go ZINK technology does not require ribbons or ink cartridges to obtain vibrant full-color pictures, but this advantage is only available through expressly designed ZINK-enabled devices. ZINK paper is a patented and advanced composite material that is manufactured with embedded yellow, cyan and magenta dye crystals inside, and a protective polymer overcoat layer outside.

Polaroid PoGo uses ZINK technology applying heat to start the printing method and colorize pictures with the embedded dye crystals, named Amorphochromic crystals, a new class of molecules, invented and fully developed by ZINK Scientists so you will not find this technology in any other gadget if it is expressly designed with ZINK technology.

If you want to be among the first users to get a Polaroid-on-the-Go mobile printer, you can pre-order it on June 26 at www.target.com and on July 6 at www.bestbuy.com.

Polaroid PoGo is compatible with any cell phone, PDA or laptop with Bluetooth connectivity as the only compatibility pre-requisite to use this gadget.