Demise of the Flip
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Having the ability to go mobile in the media world can give journalists an advantage when out on the field. One tool that helps them out is a camera.
In a release sent out earlier this week, Cisco announces their new restructuring system, which includes the discontinuation of the Flip video camera. Launched in 2007, the Flip camera has had hundreds of millions of customers in the U.S., and plenty more overseas.
Cameras, especially ones as convenient as the Flip version, allows journalists to shoot raw footage of whatever news is happening. Those who have these now will have to find an alternative of what seemed to be a really convenient way.
Who defeated the Flip camera?
The winner would be the smartphone. Fact is, when it comes to mobile reporting, the smartphone supercedes every ability a camera can do, tape recorder or any other tool would be. Sure, the process of uploading videos might be easier with a Flip, but the demand for them in Cisco's eyes (no thanks to the smartphone) is few and far between.
Photo Credit: Cheon Fong Liew via Creative Commons
Video Credit: Slate
