Just after being released to the world, Polaroid’s Android camera is being pulled form shelves. The mirrorless shooter, which Nikon says violates patents they hold, will no longer be offered to consumers. In an agreement between Nikon and the camera’s manufacturer Sakar, they will “no longer manufacture, import, advertise, promote, offer for sale, sell, or ship the Polaroid iM1836 digital camera in its present configuration.”
The Polaroid iM1836 was first seen at CES 2013, and quickly drew comparisons to Samsung’s Galaxy camera. While not quite as robust, it helped lead a new pack of Android cameras to a mainstream audience. It had interchangeable lenses, and kept with Polaroid’s familiar tone of low-cost devices that proved adequate for day-to-day shots.
Unfortunately, the camera paled in comparison to its counterparts in regard to image quality, and has since been found to be a ripoff of Nikon’s 1 series. Rather than fight a losing battle, Polaroid has decided to simply end the project altogether. The product page has been pulled form websites, also, leaving no grey area for confusion.
This leaves the interchangeable lens void still present for Android. There are plenty of smartphones with great cameras, and the Samsung Galaxy Camera fills a niche, but there is still no profound Android camera experience. The QX lenses from Sony are nice, but a bit expensive and slow. For now, we’re left wanting.
VIA: The Verge
Poor Polaroid – a 20th century analog company still struggling to adapt to digital age.