David Pogue is one of my favorite technology columnists. I subscribe to his weekly newsletter, which is basically a post from his blog, and I often learn about cool and fun technology from him. And I also learn what technology to avoid, too, which is just as important.
This week, in “Camcorder Brings Zen to the Shoot,” he wrote about a nifty little video camera called the Flip that embodies simplicity.
Now, understanding the appeal of this machine will require you not just to open your mind, but to practically empty it. Because on paper, the Flip looks like a cheesy toy that no self-respecting geek would fool with, let alone a technology columnist.
See, Pogue is fun to read. He frequently pokes fun at himself, too. Here’s what he finds to criticize about the Flip:
There are no menus, no settings, no video light, no optical viewfinder, no special effects, no headphone jack, no high definition, no lens cap, no memory card. And there’s no optical zoom — only a 2X digital zoom that blows up and degrades the picture. Ouch.
But here’s what he likes:
Instead, the Flip has been reduced to the purest essence of video capture. You turn it on, and it’s ready to start filming in two seconds. You press the red button once to record (press hard — it’s a little balky) and once to stop. You press Play to review the video, and the Trash button to delete a clip.
But that’s not the main point he makes:
But come on — 13 percent of the camcorder market? This limited little thing? What’s going on here? Having finally lived with the Flip, I finally know the answer: it’s a blast. It’s always ready, always with you, always trustworthy. Instead of crippling this “camcorder,” the simplicity elevates it. Comparisons with a real camcorder are nonsensical, because the Flip is something else altogether: it’s the video equivalent of a Kodak point-and-shoot camera. It’s the very definition of “less is more.”
I just bought a low-end DV camcorder because I wanted to start making my own videos. I like the one I got, but in the rain forest in Costa Rica the humidity knocked it out of action after a couple of days, and when it rained I couldn’t take it out and use it, either. Plus, it’s pretty heavy and I need to carry it in a camera case . . . you get the idea. Taking the Flip on that trip might have been a much better idea. As Pogue points out, the Flip’s a camcorder you won’t leave behind:
In the Flip’s case, the size, shape, ruggedness, low price and one-button simplicity take it places where no real camcorder would go. Purses, coat pockets, beach bags. Skiing, playgrounds, house walk-throughs, museums, casual interviews, YouTube stunts, classrooms, airplanes — and, with the $50 acrylic sealed case, even underwater. (Just about everywhere but live performances and sports; the zoom just isn’t good enough.)
Definitely need to check this thing out . . .
