Crave

(Credit: Polaroid SX-70 image by Adriano Antonini, royalty free)

After an incredible response to the passing of Polaroid instant film, the new licensee of the Polaroid brand has decided to relaunch some of the most popular instant cameras.

Endeavors like The Impossible Project, a scheme to reinvent Polaroid instant film after the company ceased its manufacture, has proved that there's still interest and demand for the film.

The Summit Global Group, which licensed the Polaroid brand, has enlisted The Impossible Project to produce limited-edition Polaroid-branded instant films for the new cameras, to be released in mid-2010.

Read more of "Polaroid relaunches instant cameras" on CNET Australia.

Polaroids for the masses!

(Credit: Flickr User: * luna *)

Today's episode of The 404 Podcast starts with a big change in the show title format. That's right, we're now announcing the date with the episode number and name. Can you feel the excitement! Well, if that didn't do the trick, check out this funny headline from the first story of the day: "Woman fired for eating boss' meatball." I don't even think that requires any further explanation, but you can read the whole story here

Now that you can invite friends to Google Voice, maybe Wilson will be generous and spread the love. Google Voice is great for users that want to consolidate several phone numbers into one. The service also transcribes voice mails, assign personalized greetings by caller, forward voice mails, and many more convenient features that help you screen your communication with the outside world. Do you have a Google Voice number already? Let us know what you think of the service, and share the wealth, will you!?

Models, high schoolers, and crime scene investigators will love this next story: Polaroids are making their triumphant comeback in 2010! A group called The Impossible Project is taking the reigns and collaborating with Polaroid to reproduce a limited edition of the Instant Film in mid 2010. If you can't wait that long, they've also partnered with Urban Outfitters and have the classic film and a special edition Polaroid camera kit available in stores now.

Finally, we definitely want to show our support to Drew Olanoff and Drew Carey for actually making philanthropic use of Twitter! Drew Carey will give away $1,000,000 to the LiveStrong foundation if his Twitter account receives a million followers by midnight on December 31, 2009. In the small chance that he doesn't get the million followers by that time, the amount will be prorated according to how many he ends up with. In other words, if he finishes with 600,000 followers, the LiveStrong foundation will receive $600,000. Right now he's at 92,017 followers--with The 404's help, we can get him closer to that million!

Oh yeah, do yourself a favor and go check out Loaded today to see Natali talking about the Love Vibes iPhone app that rates your lovemaking skill...or lack thereof.

(Credit: Fujifilm)

With Polaroid killing off its instant-film business in favor of its Zink printing technology, Fujifilm saw a hole it could fill with its instant-film cameras. The first Instax camera arrived in November 2008, and Wednesday the company announced the arrival of the Instax Mini 7S.

The 7S features:

• Automatic built-in flash for low-light shooting
• 1/60-second electronic shutter
• LED exposure indicator
• Silken white finish
• Measures 5 inches by 5 inches by 2.5 inches (HWD)

The camera uses Fujifilm's Mini Instax 2-inch by 3-inch film with a printed area of 1.8 inches by 2.4 inches. It's an ISO 800 speed with a glossy finish and, at that size, hopefully very little visible graininess. A 10 pack runs $19.99, though, which is kind of prohibitive for regular shooting.

I'm pretty sure it's the same camera that was being sold at Urban Outfitters earlier this year, but regardless, this one will be available at more than one retail location in September for $95.99 (which again seems like a steep price for a niche market).

(Credit: Twine)

Polaroid Instant Film may be defunct (though a group of enthusiasts is aiming to resurrect it), but the influence of this medium can be clearly seen. Previously, we reported on the Polaroid candle, but it's a pity to light that thing up. If you want a more lasting remembrance of the iconic camera, the Ceramic Polaroid might be a better choice.

For $62, you can get the Ceramic Polaroid from Twine. This handmade representation is crafted from glazed earthenware, and its heft makes it suitable for a paperweight. However, we're sure Polaroid fans would never do that.

(Source: Crave Asia)

(Credit: Velocity Art and Design)

For $39.50, you can buy a candle shaped like a Polaroid camera. Why would anyone do that, you ask? Well, the instant Polaroid cameras and film as we know them have been discontinued, so it feels right that this product will eventually burn out after 40 hours of use.

That said, we suspect camera enthusiasts won't ever light it up, which is fine, too. We imagine it would make an awesome conversation piece sitting prettily beside your family photos.

(Source: Crave Asia via book of joe)

(Credit: Dell)

Sure, Polaroid might be 6 feet under (or is it?), but casual photo enthusiasts can still enjoy instant gratification with Dell's Dell Wasabi PZ310 Mobile Printer, just announced today.

The Wasabi uses Zero-Ink (ZINK) technology that replaces cumbersome print cartridges with dye crystals embedded right into the proprietary ZINK paper. The crystals are heated as the paper passes through the printer, rendering clear, sharp images in less than a minute for each 2-inch by 3-inch photo.

ZINK also licenses its technology to other companies for their own unique products. For example, look for cameras and ZINK printers to converge in the Polaroid Pogo, to be released in the spring.

The printer uses Bluetooth to connect wirelessly to a variety of devices, and there's also a PictBridge port on the side for wired printing. The Wasabi comes in three iridescent colors, available now for $99. Each printer ships with stick-back photo paper, perfect for displaying your pictures on any hard surface.

Dell Wasabi adds spice to portable printing

(Credit: Polaroid)

People are still lamenting the passing of Polaroid Instant Film into history, but thanks to technology featured in its tiny portable PoGo printer launched in 2008, the company is offering a new shoot-and-print option: the Polaroid PoGo Instant Digital Camera. And despite its parent company's woes, Polaroid has no intention of curtailing product plans in 2009.

Plans for a 21st century Polaroid camera were announced in August 2008, but the product itself was announced at CES 2009.

The camera, which has a certain retro boxiness to it, is pretty big in comparison to most point-and-shoots with its camera specs. The 7-megapixel camera/printer measures 4.7 inches wide by 3 inches high by 1.3 inches deep and weighs 10 ounces--without paper, battery, or SD card. Keep in mind though: the original instant-print cameras didn't fit in a coat pocket, but this one does.

There's a 3-inch LCD on back and controls are simple. The only disappointment is the lack of an optical zoom, likely due to space constraints (there's a 4X digital zoom, though).

The camera uses Polaroid's Zink (zero ink) 2-by-3-inch paper. The LCD simply pops up, you insert a deck of 10 sheets, and you're ready to go. Shoot something you want to print? Hit the Print button on back, pick the photo, and press OK. In less than a minute you have a print.

I have had a chance to play around with the camera and I've got to say that it's a lot of fun, but definitely not for everyone. The print quality is just OK, which for a photo that small is fine (though I hope Polaroid can figure out how to do larger print sizes). Also, the camera itself is comparable with any other inexpensive 7-megapixel camera.

No pricing was announced, but I would guess it to be around $200 when it ships in spring 2009.

Out with the old, in with the new.

(Credit: Urban Outfitters)

The next generation of instant film has made its way into the U.S. market to delight those of us who never had the chance to say goodbye to the classic Polaroid camera.

Fuji's Instax Mini camera creates credit card-size photos in a funky camera that comes in pink, blue, and white.

Last February, Polaroid announced that it's shutting down factories of its instant-film cameras. Websites like SavePolaroid, which actively contact Polaroid in a bid to save the classic camera, have sprouted in response to the sad departure.

Though Fuji's Instax Mini is no Polaroid, it is a great alternative for photographers who like instant gratification. The 5-inch by 5-inch by 2.5-inch camera sells for $130 at Urban Outfitters, and film is about $1 a photo. Compared with what avid Polaroid fans are currently paying for film, this may actually be a cheap and practical solution.

Update at 5:45 p.m. Friday: Contrary to what was stated in the original post, Instax uses Fujifilm's instant photography and film technology, and Fujifilm is in no way limited by Polaroid.

EPISODE 116

CNET’s own gift guide

PoGo

Sheruken Magnets (thanks Shalin!!)

Bellysonic speaker pouch will soothe you and your pregnant belly

New baby storage concept: Wall mounting (thanks Shalin!)

Snore Pro to help frazzled wives

Remote, sound-emitting anti-barking devices

23 and Me

Hug Me Pillow (Thanks Tim!)

ThinkGeek stocking stuffers

For the romantically inclined: Thermal leak detector