LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PogoTec today announced strategic partnerships with leading designers and marketers of prescription and non-prescription eyewear to manufacture and distribute compatible frames for PogoCam™, the world’s smallest wearable camera attachable to eyewear.
PogoCam will be showcased for the first time at the January 5th ShowStoppers media event during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Joining PogoTec at booth D-14-16 will be representatives from FGX International, ClearVision Optical, Argus Vision and Vista Eyewear.
On display will be more than 25 frame styles with PogoTrack™, a proprietary universal platform for a wide range of future electronic wearable devices over and beyond the PogoCam camera. Additional future potential compatible wearables could be, by example only, an alertness monitor to prevent drivers from falling asleep and a UV meter to prevent sunburn by alerting users when exposed to damaging rays. The display will include:
- 12 styles of Foster Grant sunglasses by FGX International (six styles in two colors each);
- 12 styles of Ocean Pacific eyewear from ClearVision Optical in both prescription optical and sunglass categories;
- A complete line of Argus Vision sunglasses in a rugged and lightweight wrap design; and
- Designs from Vista Eyewear, an award-winning Italian designer and manufacturer known for handmade frames that combine forward-looking fashion, technology and innovative materials.
“PogoCam is truly a wearable camera for everyone,” said Ron Blum, Founder, President and CEO of PogoTec. “Our user-friendly PogoCam interface, combined with our frame partners’ innovative frame styles with many more to come in the future, makes PogoCam accessible and appealing to any lifestyle. We are experiencing a turning point that will make hand-held photography cumbersome and obsolete. PogoCam removes the user from the confines of a viewfinder, allowing people to enjoy and pay attention to the event while capturing it. The user can easily share their images or video with friends and family."
PogoCam utilizes a proprietary new electronic architecture that allows the highest level of miniaturization with lower power requirements than competitive cameras for the same level of high image resolution, memory capacity and performance. Multiple patent applications have been filed. PogoCam was designed for the mass market at large – those who require prescription eyeglasses and those who do not require prescription eyeglasses. PogoCam’s extremely small size allows it to be worn without distracting from the fashion look of eyewear.
Weighing less than two dimes and measuring only 10.9 x 12.5 x 42.8 millimeters, PogoCam attaches magnetically to eyewear having a proprietary track called PogoTrack. PogoCam allows a user to capture images and video with audio taken by a typical user during the course of a day. PogoCam allows people to “look and shoot” up to 100 photographs or two minutes of continuous HD video with audio (or 12 ten second clips). When in use, the camera displays a visible courtesy light that blinks allowing those being photographed to know. When not in use or if in an environment where photography is discouraged, it can be slid back on the track or easily removed. PogoCam’s accompanying patent pending mobile app provides auto centering, auto alignment and image rotation – eliminating the need for a camera viewfinder by automating certain post processing adjustments normally required for manual cameras. The image quality is comparable to that of one’s smartphone.
“This is the first practical, high-quality wearable camera for the mass market capable of being worn socially that allows people to experience the moment and at the same time take photos or video with audio,” added Blum. “This is all accomplished while wearing eyewear in the fashion style of their choosing. Just “look and shoot”, the camera and app do the rest of the work for you. Further, our proprietary architecture ensures that PogoCam will remain the smallest wearable camera when comparing image quality, memory, power requirements and performance.”
“Eyeglasses are arguably the world’s oldest, most successful wearable technology,” added Richard Clompus, OD, FAAO, who is VP of Communication and Consumer Interaction for PogoTec. “PogoCam upgrades this wearable platform with the ability to capture visual memories without the intrusion of holding a camera or looking through a view screen. This is the beginning of the ‘post-smartphone’ camera era. We look forward to introducing additional capabilities and enhancing the value of PogoTrack as a platform for wearable technology.”
In addition to the current offering, PogoTec is exploring options to adapt PogoCam for use in such industries as construction, public safety, industrial, security and medical applications.
About PogoCam
PogoCam was designed for the mass market and is easy to use. It comes equipped with a five megapixel sensor providing quality photos or video comparable to a smartphone. The camera is resistant to water and perspiration. PogoCam is capable of capturing in excess of what a typical user would take per day. PogoCam can capture and store 100 still photographs or up to two minutes of continuous video having 720p HD video at 30 frames/second with full audio (12 10-second clips) before having to be downloaded and charged. The camera is activated by pressing a single button and images are uploaded to a mobile device. PogoCam’s camera function is focus free with auto- white balance making it easy for the user to capture high quality images and video. A Smart Case that easily fits in one’s pocket is included with each PogoCam. Simply insert PogoCam into the Smart Case and it can recharge PogoCam up to five times in as little as 35 minutes for each recharge cycle. The Smart Case also transmits your images and video wirelessly to your smartphone using Bluetooth while it backs up your memories to its internal memory chip PogoCam is designed to attach magnetically to frames having PogoTrack technology. While attached, PogoCam can be moved along the length of the track – allowing the user to bring it forward only when in use. The camera can be attached and removed easily with one hand without removing the frames, allowing it to be stored in a pocket or purse when not recording images.
Distribution
PogoCam and PogoTrack plans to be available at thousands of consumer locations in 2017, including eye care offices, optical shops, big box and specialty stores in the U.S. PogoCam and well-known branded non-prescription sunglasses with PogoTrack will be bundled for sale on the PogoCam ecommerce site, www.PogoCam.com and www.Amazon.com. Prescription eyewear with PogoTrack will also be available in optical shops and eye care offices in 2017. Additional channel partners are being added for 2018 and beyond.
Pricing and Availability
PogoCam, including its wireless Smart Case and other accessories will have a suggested retail price of $149.00. PogoCam will be officially launched on March 30, 2017 at the International Vision Expo East Conference in NYC. When purchasing a PogoCam on PogoTec’s ecommerce site, PogoCam.com, initial customers purchasing PogoCam will receive a free pair of branded non-prescription sunglasses with PogoTrack.
About PogoTec
PogoTec™, Inc is a privately owned company incorporated in Delaware. Its core initiative is to enable electronic wearable devices with a special focus on eyewear. PogoTec’s product offerings consist of; PogoTrack: a proprietary attachment means for attaching electronic wearable devices to eyewear while maintaining the fashion look of eyewear and PogoCam: the world’s smallest look and shoot camera attachable to eyewear. PogoTec’s management team and Board of Directors have extensive experience in creating and commercializing innovation. PogoTec has been extremely diligent in protecting its intellectual property and has numerous patent applications filed around the world. For more information about PogoTec, please visit www.PogoTec.com.