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Polaroid to Open 'Fotobar' Store to Print Digital Images

Company wants to capitalize on smartphone photos

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 2, 2013 2:00 PM CST

(Newser) – Polaroid thinks there's money to be made in all those photos stored on people's smartphones. It plans to open its first bricks-and-mortar "Fotobar" store next month in Florida—a place where people can transfer images to a work-station, tweak them to their heart's desire, print them out on a fancy material (bamboo, for one), then pick a frame, reports the Next Web. The company plans to have 10 such stores in place around the country this year.

"The idea is to make the digital and often forgettable images stored on your smartphone feel like works of art again," writes Nick Summers. "Something which you would want to share with friends or hang in your house or office." The rise of apps such as Instagram and the "analogue aesthetic" is helping bring Polaroid back into vogue again, he adds. "But with online competitors and a fairly niche product, it's a somewhat risky endeavor," writes Adi Robertson at the Verge.

Polaroid sees a market in all those photos stored on smartphones.
Polaroid sees a market in all those photos stored on smartphones.   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
elderban
Jan 2, 2013 4:18 PM CST
The modern day version of Fotomat. :)
fractal
Jan 2, 2013 4:15 PM CST
Old farts like me will use this all the time---IF they keep it simple...
BYOBooth
Jan 2, 2013 3:20 PM CST
For a DIY version of this concept, check out BYO Booth http://www.byobooth.com. It gives Photo Booth Operators and Event Photographers the ability to let their guests print mobile photos instantly at weddings and trade shows using Instagram and Twitter.
 

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