# Covert Button Cameras The HC-Smile is a Nosy Piece of Flair By Michael Hines | Published 2010-10-18 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hc-smile References: [technabob](http://technabob.com/blog/2010/10/15/smiley-face-spy-camera/) & [nadea](http://www.nadea.com/product/HC-SMILE/Smile-DVR.html) I will have a hard time trusting employees of T.G.I. Fridays or any other place that requires employees to wear buttons after seeing the HC-Smile. The HC-Smile looks like an innocent "piece of flair," but that innocence quietly conceals a 720 x 480 spy camera. The HC-Smile can hold up to 16GB of memory and has a two hour battery life. Making [regular objects into spy cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wyze-cam-vase) seems to be all the rage nowadays, which really makes me wonder whether I've ever been secretly filmed or photographed. One thing's for sure though, I'll never trust a smiley face button again. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.7/10 - Popularity: 71% | Activity: 62% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Button Camera Technology:** The rise and use of button cameras as devices for covert recording. - **Discreet Surveillance:** The increasing demand for discreet, covert surveillance technology. - **Employee Monitoring:** The trend of using hidden cameras to monitor employee behavior. ### Where This Applies - **Hospitality Industry:** Opportunities for the use of button camera technology in monitoring hospitality staff. - **Retail Industry:** Opportunities for the use of discreet surveillance in monitoring customer behavior. - **Security Industry:** Opportunities for the use of button camera technology in enhancing security measures. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Hidden Camera Detector Keychains](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-hidden-camera-detector.md) - [Handsfree Miniature Wearable Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dji-osmo-nano.md) - [Tiny Colorful Camera Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chamera.md) - [Mac-Based Surveillance Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spycam.md) - [Nostalgic Handheld Video Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/video-camera.md) - [Mini Camera Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/charmera.md) - [Decor-Inspired Security Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mini-home-camera.md) - [Spooky Seasonal Security Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ring-candy-cam.md) - [Adorable Mini Instant Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retro-digital-toy-camera.md)