One of the most important announcement during Google latest release event has mainly passed under the radar or simply dismissed as a gadget. The Pixel Clip camera is a small device that can be attached anywhere and, using a simple A.I.,  continuously takes photos when it recognizes familiar faces. Perfect for busy parents who like to record everything but do not want to break the moment by picking up their phones to take a picture. But, beyond the convenience, Google just might have open the door to a new type of photography, one that is powered by smart IoT’s and is completely ubiquitous.

Beyond face recognition, the Pixel Clip also delivers  A.I. powered content editing, selecting for the users only the “good” images, eliminating one of the biggest roadblock of past lifelogging devices. Not more spending hours sifting through massive volume of images.   With most of the tasks taken over by A.I., selecting the right subject (only people you care about) and selecting the right images ( eyes not closed), the Clip frees users of 90% of their decisions.  And by being always on – no more need to remember to take a picture – it also frees them from having to step out of a moment to pick up a camera. In other words, it almost liberates them entirely of every task involved in the photographic process.  Photography will no longer be something you have to think about, it will just happen. Welcome to the new world of photography.

If successfully adopted by the marketplace, the Clip will lead the way to having all of our home devices functioning the same way. From the front door to the fridge, without forgetting the TV,  lamps, lawn mower,  pretty much any electronic IoT in your house could also start taking pictures, using the same process. Your home ( and garden) life will continuously be recorded for posterity without having to ever push a button.  No moment will be missed, from birthdays to parties, as well as those cute pet photos. Some, even, could be automatically shared to your social media, after carefully selecting an authorization filter.

Your fridge might end up being your best camera
Your fridge might end up being your best camera

Obviously,  privacy concerns will be an issue. Maybe most of us would prefer not to have all our private moment photographed, even if most would be automatically deleted by the editing A.I. and the rest held secure in private storage. But the decision here will be emotional, rather than rational. Once convinced that those lost moments finally captured hold more value than our privacy, there will be no holding back.

Ubiquitous photography is here to stay, only because it greatly simplifies the photographic process.  As a society addicted to taking ( and sharing) pictures of just about everything, it perfectly fits ours needs. As machines take over the task of documenting our lives, we just might find ourselves more involved in enjoying it, rather than continuously trying to capturing it.

Photo by Lomo-Cam

Author: Paul Melcher

Paul Melcher is a highly influential and visionary leader in visual tech, with 20+ years of experience in licensing, tech innovation, and entrepreneurship. He is the Managing Director of MelcherSystem and has held executive roles at Corbis, Stipple, and more. Melcher received a Digital Media Licensing Association Award and is a board member of Plus Coalition, Clippn, and Anthology, and has been named among the “100 most influential individuals in American photography”

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.