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Polaroid Can't Compete with Digital Cameras

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the end-of-an-era dept.

mobydobius was among several who noted that poloroid can't keep up in the era of digital cameras. They filed for chapter 11, and have a billion dollars of debt. This deal gets them a bit of cash, but none of this seems surprising considering the cost of their instant film. In just a few short years, digital cameras knocked 'em down. There's a lesson here, but I think it's something like "Don't eat the Yellow Snow".

4 of 327 comments (clear)

  1. quick! pass a law! by abe+ferlman · · Score: 5, Funny

    It looks like a company's distribution model is outmoded! Computers are making perfect digital copies of photographs easy to distribute over the internet. We need to ban these so called "digital cameras" (more like digital crowbars if you ask us) before even one more dollar of profits has to die! We must outlaw all disruptive technology!

    Love,
    Hillary Rosen and Jack Valenti

    --
    microsoftword.mp3 - it doesn't care that they're not words...
  2. From their site... by reynaert · · Score: 4, Funny
    Check out their site. The product it features:

    New i-Zone Instant Camera with Radio
    Take i-Zone sticker pictures and listen to your favorite bands.

    If they put that kind of crap on their site, they've got problems indeed...

    1. Re:From their site... by Rogerborg · · Score: 4, Funny
      • Take i-Zone sticker pictures and listen to your favorite bands

      Transforms into Giant Robot! With Real Firing Missiles!

      I know, it's sad. :-(

      --
      If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
  3. Never! by neema · · Score: 5, Funny

    Digital cameras lack something real cameras have. Take the classic blackmail example:

    Me: TAKE A LOOK AT THESE SENATOR!
    *Neema throws down photos on desk*
    Senator: *GASP*
    Me: That's right. You. Dancing with the forbidden monkey. Dancing the forbidden dance with the forbidden monkey!
    Senator: Please... if these get out, I'll never get reelected. And if I don't get reelected, I can't get the Senator's discount at Ben and Jerry's!
    Me: And don't even think of ripping these up! I have copies at home! But, I think we can work something out...
    *Senator pulls out check book*

    But now, with these god damn digital cameras:

    Me: TAKE A LOOK AT THESE SENATOR!
    *Neema gently places digital camera on desk, so it doesn't break*
    Senator: Yeah, my daughter has one of these.
    Me: No, no, no. Argh. It turned off. It does that. Turns off automatically after 3 minutes... ok... gimme that...
    *Neema turns on camera, places on desk again*
    Me: OK, TAKE A LOOK AT THESE SENATOR!
    Senator: It's a dog.
    Me: Oh yeah, that's my dog Scruffy. Argh. Yeah, press the right arrow. Get past those pictures. Yep, that's Aunt Sally. Come on, a bit faster. ARGH, JUST GIVE IT TO ME!
    *Grabs camera, scrolls to incriminating pictures*
    Me: THERE YOU ARE! YOU, DANCING THE FORBIDDEN DANCE WITH THE FORBIDDEN MONKEY!
    Senator: Please... if these get out, I'll never get reelected. And if I don't get reelected, I can't get the Senator's discount at Ben and Jerry's!
    Me: Yeah, well, I'm going to stop by staples to get glossy photo paper and I'll be printing out a bunch of these!
    *Senator pulls out check book*

    I still like the first situation better.