Photography

SoloCam is the big boys' selfie stick

SoloCam is the big boys' selfie stick
The SoloCam combines a selfie stick, handheld mic and an app that includes a teleprompter function
The SoloCam combines a selfie stick, handheld mic and an app that includes a teleprompter function
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The SoloCam's mic is built into a 180-degree swiveling ring-shaped handle that also contains a joystick-style controller
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The SoloCam's mic is built into a 180-degree swiveling ring-shaped handle that also contains a joystick-style controller
The SoloCam combines a selfie stick, handheld mic and an app that includes a teleprompter function
2/2
The SoloCam combines a selfie stick, handheld mic and an app that includes a teleprompter function

Ah, the selfie stick ... perhaps one of the most made-fun-of inventions of the past few years. The SoloCam takes the basic idea and adds to it, however, creating a tool that could actually be useful to video bloggers or even serious journalists whose camera operators have been laid off.

The SoloCam consists of a telescoping pole with a smartphone/compact video camera mount at one end, and a Bluetooth omnidirectional handheld microphone at the other. This allows users to do stand-ups (news term for when the reporter talks to the camera), with better-quality audio than would be possible using the phone's mic.

The SoloCam's mic is built into a 180-degree swiveling ring-shaped handle that also contains a joystick-style controller
The SoloCam's mic is built into a 180-degree swiveling ring-shaped handle that also contains a joystick-style controller

The SoloCam's mic is built into a 180-degree swiveling ring-shaped handle that also contains a joystick-style controller. That joystick allows them to wirelessly control an iOS/Android app that in turn offers features such as a teleprompter, record start/stop, and the ability to switch between the phone's front and rear cameras – this means that they could switch from a shot of themselves to a shot of what's in front of them.

If you're interested, the SoloCam's Israel-based designers are currently raising production funds on Indiegogo. A pledge of US$49 will get you a device, if all goes according to plans. The estimated retail price is $99.

Source: Indiegogo

6 comments
6 comments
The Hoff
Serious journalists? It would be so shaky it would be comical to watch.
martinkopplow
The quality of serious journalism is not defined by the shakyness of the image.
Tom Lee Mullins
I wonder if one could attach it to a uni-pod to help with the stability?
I think it would be great for pod casts and bloggers who work alone.
The Hoff
Shaky video is a distraction, that's why everybody always avoids it Martin. And that's why there is no video to go with this story. It's a silly idea.
Dave82
Martinkopplow. Dont you mean...The shakyness of the journalism is not defined by the seroiusness of the image.
willemco
'Big Boy's Selfie Stick'? You must be kidding! Since when are big boys interested in selfies - let alone walk around with a silly selfie STICK?