Polaroid Debuts Instant-Print Digital Camera

By Greg Scoblete -- TWICE, 1/19/2009

LAS VEGAS — Polaroid is back in the instant digital camera business with the new PoGo digital camera, introduced at International CES, here.

The 5-megapixel camera features an integrated 2-inch by 3-inch Zink photo printer. The PoGo has a 3-inch LCD, fixed focus lens, SD card slot and will ship in March for $199.

Ten-packs of Zink paper will retail for $4.99 and 30-packs will retail for $12.99.

Zink was spun-off from Polaroid after the latter was acquired by the Petters Group. While Zink has licensed its technology to other manufacturers, Polaroid has an exclusive on its use inside a digital camera, said John Pollock, digital imaging VP.

Polaroid is currently under receivership and is being sold as part of the liquidation of its scandal-plagued parent company Petters Group. "We still believe there is a lot of equity in the brand," Pollock said.

In related news, Zink said it would partner with Lite-On to produce a digital photo frame with a built-in 4- by 6-inch photo printer, among other products. Details were not available but the frame is due to ship in 2009.

Zink uses paper embedded with heat-activated dye crystals to produce photo prints without ink.