Hasta La Gadget!

LG, the South Korean consumer electronics giant, has just announced that they will be showcasing their LG Pocket Photo 2.0 over at CES 2014 that is kicking off in less than a fortnight’s time. This will be the second iteration of their original Pocket Photo device, where it will offer enhanced portability thanks to its form factor, letting you customize, print and share images regardless of where you are. Just what kind of connectivity options will the latest LG Pocket Photo 2.0 come with? It features wireless connectivity such as NFC and Bluetooth, allowing you to instantly print 2” x 3” photos from majority of the tablets and smartphones that are in use today. Not only that, it will also play nice with Android and iOS devices, which should cover a fair bit of ground – although Windows Phone and BlackBerry owners would miss out on the Pocket Photo boat.

Touted to be one of the smallest mobile photo printing devices on the market, this most recent version would have shaved off 4mm from its predecessor in terms of thickness, and yet it does not affect its performance at all. On the contrary, the LG Pocket Photo 2.0 would be able to print pictures rendered at a crystal clear 313dpi, which makes them perfect for sharing or displaying. You will first need to download and install the free Pocket Photo editing app though, so that you will be able to print right off the bat after connecting your smartphone or tablet to it sans wires.

LG has also gone the extra mile to introduce enhancements to the editing features in the accompanying Pocket Photo app, paving the way for you to experiment with an expanded range of customization options. There is a new set of filter effects thrown into the mix as well, in addition to a clever frame augmentation feature. Not only that, you can also opt to embed QR codes in photos, making it a convenient method to connect a physical photograph with an online community or an Internet-based content. ZINK’s inkless paper system will deal with the photo printing process, and a single full charge of the LG Pocket Photo 2.0 delivers up to 30 photo prints.

Press Release
[ LG Pocket Photo 2.0 launched copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

LG Electronics Japan is releasing a mobile photo printer called “Pocket photo” in early June. With the “Pocket photo”, you can take a photo with your smartphone and print it out right away, anytime, anywhere.

It’s similar in size to smartphones, so it’s easy to carry around.

To get started using it, install a free dedicated application called “Pocket photo” to a bluetooth compliant smartphone. With this app installed, when you take a photo with your smartphone, you can edit or decorate it with functions on the app and then press “Print” on the smartphone display. The print job is sent wirelessly, and 45 seconds later, it is printed out.

Ink cartridges are not needed. Printing is handled through special “pocket photo paper” (“ZINK photo paper”)

Estimated price: ¥15,800
Size: 72.4(W) × 120.9(D) × 24(H) mm
Connection method: Bluetooth
Battery: 500mAh lithium polymer rechargeable battery (charging time 1.5 hour)
Compliant OS: Android 2.2 or later/ iOS 5.1 or later
Accessories: Instruction booklet, quick reference guide, USB cable, battery charger, Pocket photo paper (ZINK photo paper)

LG and CES are made for each other. The company may not make the best smartphones (with the exception of Google’s Nexus 4), or get the most attention all year round, but when they whip out the big screen TVs at their massive CES booth, it’s easy to get on the “Life’s Good” bandwagon.

Unfortunately, TechCrunch is one of the few attendees at the show that isn’t all that interested in television, which is why we were so pleased to stumble upon this cute little NFC printer, the LG Pocket Photo.

It’s incredibly small — you can probably fit the little guy in your back pocket — and it uses a new Z-ink (or Zero ink) technology to print 2×3-inch photos.

Through the magical power of NFC, users can simply tap their LG phone against the printer and in 30 seconds the picture goes from a file on a smartphone to a photo in your wallet. Users can also transfer photos through Bluetooth and USB.

Simply download the app, and from there you can add skins, text, etc. The good news is that it’ll only cost around $169, which is pretty good for it’s size, capabilities, and speed. The bad news is that it’s only expected to ship in Korea.

Hankering for an instant photo solution without the vintage Polaroid look? LG’s Pocket Photo, which measures up at approximately 2.8- x 4.7- x 0.9-inches and is touted as the world’s smallest mobile picture printer, might fit the bill. Images are slung from smartphones to the Optimus Vu-sized hardware via NFC, Bluetooth or USB with the help of an Android app, which can also be used to apply filters and overlay QR codes and messages. Unfortunately for iPhone-toting photographers, there’s no mention of an iOS companion application. Leveraging heat-activated Zink paper, the rig can churn out 2- x 3-inch prints without relying on conventional ink. Pocket Photo is making its way to shelves in Korea with a roughly $169 price tag dressed in orange, pink and silver accents, but there’s no word on a US release. Head past the break to catch a video of the gizmo in action.

Continue reading LG outs Pocket Photo mobile picture printer, says it’s the smallest of its kind

Filed under: Misc, Peripherals, Mobile

LG outs Pocket Photo mobile picture printer, says it’s the smallest of its kind originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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