DA recently surveyed our advisory panel, as we do periodically, to ask for their input about products and technology they are using in their districts. One of the many products mentioned was the Flip video camera from Pure Digital. The company is an unlikely success story, in a flooded market dominated by huge manufacturers, they are a small American startup that set out in 2007 to make "the world's first line of simple, pocket-sized camcorders." Not to mention, really inexpensive: find them on Amazon for $129. And our readers love them: so simple, small and inexpensive, Flip cameras can be handed out to students for projects, field trips, reports, even to make simple films. Teachers and administrators can use them in any number of ways, carry one around in your pocket and use your imagination.
And that's what seems to be happening: over a million sold, a total of 13% of the camcorder market, they now have several models to choose from, and have been raved about in BusinessWeek ("How the Flip grew from a simple idea to be a contender among giants"), The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times, where David Pogue called it "one of the most significant electronics products of the year" back in March.
Which brings us to today, as Pure Digital continues releasing new and improved Flip cameras at a blistering pace. Today they released the Flip MinoHD: "The world’s smallest high definition camcorder at just over three ounces. Priced at $229.99 (MSRP), it records up to 60 minutes of 720p HD, 16:9 video and features Flip Video’s new FlipShare™ software, also announced today. This advanced on-board software platform allows consumers to plug the camcorder’s signature flip-out USB arm into any computer for easy drag-and-drop video organizing, editing and sharing on YouTube, MySpace, AOL Video or via email." So all those video projects can look better than ever, and on the cheap. Pretty cool.
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