Camcorder News

October 14, 2008 - Pure Digital, manufacturer of the Flip Video series of ultra-compact camcorders, announced today a customizable design partnership with CafePress. The unique partnership allows customers the option of creating their own look for Flip Mino camcorders (read our review here), or to choose from hundreds of professional designs for the camcorder's body. The Flip Mino retails at $179.99 and the personalization feature comes at no additional cost. Products are currently available for customization and purchase at TheFlip.com and CafePress.com.

Flip Video's online store has implemented a design interface similar to what CafePress already has in place for t-shirts, hats, mugs, etc. Users have the option of creating abstract designs with a pattern generator, using an uploaded image to produce an entirely unique look, or browsing through hundreds of previously created designs to discover a desired look. As with all CafePress products, users have the option of sharing their design amongst the online marketplace—with the possibility of earning commission if other consumers purchase camcorders with their designs.

The personalization feature does nothing to change the workings of the camcorder and is an entirely stylistic feature.  Jonathan Kaplan, CEO of Pure Digital, stated, 'We see this as the new design frontier in personal electronics.' CafePress is a well known website that allows consumers to create, purchase, and sell designs for clothing, posters, cards, mugs, and other assorted apparel. This is its first foray into digital electronics design.

The Flip Mino, one of the smallest camcorders on the market, was released in June 2008. Along with the Flip Ultra and  Flip Video, Pure Digital's hugely popular camcorder series has clearly enthused consumers looking for small, cheap, and easy to use products, and spawned a host of imitators. The Flip camcorders also specialize in the ability to upload video directly to YouTube.

Currently the customizable designs are only available on white Flip Minos, although Pure Digital says it is working on giving black models design capability as well. Pure Digital still offers traditional black and white Flip Minos for the same price.