Fujifilm Launches An Instax Smartphone Printer

[Chris Dodkin]

Fuji have just announced a wireless printer that will allow you to make instant instax prints from your smartphone.

FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Shigehiro Nakajima) will launch a smartphone printer, instax SHARE Smartphone Printer SP-1. This printer enables easy creation of instax prints using images sent wirelessly from a smartphone.

Fujifilm's instax mini instant cameras, which output photos in the traditional analog style, are becoming popular among teenage girls and women in their early 20s in many countries.

To accommodate requests from users who wish to create such instax prints from smartphone images, we have developed instax SHARE Smartphone Printer SP-1 that enables easy and quick creation of instax prints from smartphone images.

Via the downloaded proprietary app*, it is possible to send images from a smartphone to instax SHARE Smartphone Printer SP-1 wirelessly and print them in the instax frames with a simple on-the-spot operation. The app offers various features such as image enlargement/reduction and filters like black & white/sepia. A diverse lineup of templates is also available, making photo printing more enjoyable. The Real Time Template, on which the date/time, place, weather, temperature and humidity are printed on the photo, makes a one and only print in the world. With the Limited Edition Template, each print is marked with a serial number like a limited item, making a memory with people you cherish more precious. On SNS Template, the images uploaded to social networking service (SNS)** sites are printed with the profile photo and the number of likes.

Fujifilm will keep expanding attractive features of instax cameras which offer enjoyable instant photography and printing, while communicating the intrinsic values of photography in the different aspects of “taking, preserving, decorating and giving.”

• Film Fujifilm instant Color Film “instax mini” (sold separately)
• Film size 86mm x 54mmImage size62mm x 46mm
• Supported image size 640 x 480 dots
• Printing resolution 10 dots/mm (254 dpi)
• Printing levels 256 levels per color (RGB)
• Interface Standard compliance: IEEE802.11b/g,
• Operation frequency: 2412 MHz to 2462 MHz (11ch),
• Access method: Infrastructure
• Supported image format JPEG
• Printing time Image recording — photo output (fed out): Approx. 16 sec.
• Power supply Two CR2/DL CR2 lithium batteries AC power adapter (sold separately: AC-5VX)Printing capacityApprox. 100 prints (when CR2 lithium batteries are used) (Based on our test conditions)Power consumption2.5 WOperating temperature+5°C to +40°C (no condensation)Dimensions/Weight101.6mm x 42mm x 122.5mm / 253g (without battery and film pack)

 

[Brian Moore]

Interesting, Chris. Polaroid did something similar a few years ago, I believe it was called "Zink." I'm not sure the Polaroid system supported a phone camera, but it certainly supported a digital camera.

 

[Pete Askew]

I' pretty sure Impossible do one as well don't they?

 

[Brian Moore]

I' pretty sure Impossible do one as well don't they?

Never heard of that, Pete. Maybe, though...

 

[Kev Pugh]

I'm a bit puzzled as to the logic of sharing a printed copy when surely most people who share photos that are on their mobile phone do so via bluetooth, wifi or sms.
I know fuji are eeally into retro annd I know people, well some people do still print small scale but am I misssing something?

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Yes.

 

[Kev Pugh]

What?

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Been to Boots lately, Kev? I have. A few times. And every time I have to wait in a queue at the print machines as young people attach their phones to the Kodak print machines. It's big business. My daughter does it too. Younger people, many of whom never experienced having their own prints, are loving having their phone images printed. The wheel keeps turning...

 

[Chris Dodkin]

If they have one at CES tomorrow I'll have a play and report back

 

[Kev Pugh]

Rob, nope I don't go to boots so havent seen this phenona but is a 3.5 inch x 2.25 inch picture the same as a 5 x 7 and who is going to carry one of these things in their pocket, shoulder bag? Would you? I wouldn't but then I suppose it's a little like going tonhe photo kiosk with ya mates for the daft face pulling photo. Must be getting old, cant get to grips with all this analogue stuff lol

 

[Pete Askew]

Never heard of that, Pete. Maybe, though...

https://shop.the-impossible-project.com/shop/cameras/impossible/ci_instant_lab_black

 

[Brian Moore]

Oh I've heard of that Instant Lab, Pete. I thought it was to take a picture of a picture,...all analog.

 

[Pete Askew]

Same idea as the Fuji, just bigger - it folds up.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Well I had a play at CES - works just like it says on the box

You connect your smartphone (Android or iOS) to it via BluTooth - you install the Fuji print App - you either print an existing picture on your device, or take a picture and send it to the printer.

You can customize it with filters and borders.

Pops out in about 20 secs - standard instax mini sized print - looks great

Printer should do 100 prints on one set of Lithium batteries

Film comes in the usual 10 shot cartridges

I like it - great idea - almost pocketable, or pocketable with big pockets!