Are Polaroid threatening the existence of Polaroid effect apps in the AppStore?
Friday, May 22, 2009 at 8:55AM | Glyn Evans 
If you follow @CameraBag on Twitter, then you will be aware that Apple are delaying the approval of photo apps, which includes the latest version of CameraBag that includes or emulates Polaroid effects.
This is something I have been aware of for some time, and whilst I can not disclose the app, I was fortunate enough to be part of a group of beta testers of a very cool Polaroid effect app, with sound effects and all. Sadly though the developer had to give up on this project as he just could not get the app past the approval stage due to objections by Polaroid, and make it in to the AppStore.
Now based on what @CameraBag are tweeting, the none approval of the above beta app, and what I am hearing from other sources, it is looking like Polaroid are trying to kill off the true Polaroid effect that quite a few apps include. This attitude on Polaroid's part is a little disappointing especially considering they recently asked readers of at least one blog to help convince Apple to add Bluetooth transfer support, to enable its (Polaroid's) PoGo pocket-sized inkless printer to link to the iPhone via Bluetooth.
If Polaroid are blocking these app approvals, then it may be that they are in the process of developing their own Polaroid app, or it could be that they are just being awkward and flexing their corporate muscle. It could be that with the pending release of iPhone 3.0, and the expected changes that will allow hardware developers to tether devices via Bluetooth to the iPhone, that Polaroid are preparing to push their PoGo printer as the only way to get Polaroids from the iPhone. Either way, come on Polaroid whilst you can push your PoGo printer as the only way to get TRUE Polaroids from the iPhone, these developers are helping to keep the format alive in a digital format, which is something you should be embracing, not blocking.
Above: Could this be the new look Polaroid effect app developers will have to adopt?If anyone from Polaroid is reading this post, then I, as would the readers of this blog, would be interested to hear your comments, so please feel free to get in touch.
Polaroid apps in News
Reader Comments (2)
my friend's parents were longtime POLAROID engineers and her dad is one of the main engineers behind the PoGo. I'll ask him what's up.
corcoranm, thanks for the comment, and I would love to hear what Polaroids view on the current iPhone apps situation is. Also I would love to see a real Polaroid printer tethered to the iPhone, so if any one over at Polaroid has any news, I think I can speak for the readers of this blog and say "we'd love to hear about it".