# Digital-to-Physical Photo Generators Polaroid Lab Uses Mirrors to Produce Physical Polaroids By Daniel Johnson | Published 2019-09-10 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polaroid-lab References: [techcrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/10/the-polaroid-lab-uses-the-light-from-your-phones-screen-to-turn-digital-photos-into-polaroids/) & [polaroid](https://www.polaroid.com/) The [Polaroid Lab](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/for-the-rebel-rebels) is able to use light from a person's phone screen in order to produce Polaroids form digital photos. Polaroid had tested the idea a few years ago but has since brought the Polaroid Lab back. The device is priced at $129 and will be available to consumers beginning on October 10th. The unit is a tower that can be used alongside the Polaroid app to produce physical photos. The app works with any iPhone model after the 6S, as well as current Samsung, Huawei, Google Pixel and [One Plus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/klipsch-one-plus-and-three-plus) devices. [Polaroid Labs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polaroid-i2) works by using light form a phone screen that gets reflected off of a series of mirrors to produce a photo. The system is compatible with I-Type as well as 600 series films. Image Credit: Polaroid ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.1/10 - Popularity: 34% | Activity: 82% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Digital-to-physical Photo Generation:** The Polaroid Lab offers a disruptive innovation opportunity by leveraging smartphone technology to produce physical photos. - **Integration of Mobile Apps:** The Polaroid Lab's compatibility with smartphone models creates a disruptive innovation opportunity to integrate photo generation with mobile apps. - **Revival of Analog Photography:** The Polaroid Lab's ability to transform digital photos into physical Polaroids presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the revival of analog photography. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Photography:** The Polaroid Lab's digital-to-physical photo generation technology introduces a disruptive innovation opportunity in the photography industry. - **Smartphone Accessories:** The Polaroid Lab's compatibility with various smartphone models offers a disruptive innovation opportunity in the smartphone accessories industry. - **Film Production:** The Polaroid Lab's compatibility with I-Type and 600 series films creates a disruptive innovation opportunity in the film production industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Flippable Retro-Style Instant Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polaroid-flip.md) - [Camera-Mounted Photo Digitizers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/photo-digitizer.md) - [High-End Instant Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polaroid-i2.md) - [Chunky Retro Instant Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polaroid-flip-instant-camera.md) - [Nostalgic Camera Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polaroid-now1.md) - [Recycled Plastic Instant Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polaroid-now-generation.md) - [Palm-Sized Digital Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fujifilm-instax-pal.md) - [Analog-Themed Camera Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/analog-life.md) - [Retro-Inspired Instant Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polaroid-flip1.md)