Selfies are a cornerstone of pop culture, they’ve completely revolutionised the way we take photographs of both ourselves, and our surroundings. But even more revolutionary than the selfie itself, is the technology that’s made it possible – the selfie stick.
Let’s examine the hardware and software that makes the selfie stick so special, and allow me to explain why I believe the humble selfie stick represents the future of technology, for three very simple reasons:
1. Selfie Stick Hand-Grips
The ergonomic grip of the selfie stick is one of the most under-appreciated pieces of technology available today. What makes it so great is that you don’t ever realise how important it is until you use a selfie stick that lacks one. A smartly-designed grip maximises comfort and utility, and is what differentiates the best selfie stick from a mediocre one.
The best selfie stick is one that optimises grip by maximising friction at the focal points – the parts of the grip you place your hand at when holding the selfie stick. This design ensures that even if the selfie stick were to slip due to slippery or oily hands, it will not slip completely out of the user’s hands.
The ergonomic aspects of the selfie stick grip are equally impressive. The pseudo-memory foam used to mould the grip of a selfie stick is designed to adapt to the palm of a user, so that holding a selfie stick for hours on end will not be tiring or uncomfortable. The downward-sloping design of the selfie stick grip also makes it easier to grip when it is not being used.
Selfie sticks encapsulate what is clearly the future of hardware design and technology.
2. One-Touch Shutter Release Button
It is difficult to find a piece of technology as simple as the selfie stick’s one-touch shutter release. This technology is not battery-operated; hence it can be used continually (unlike Bluetooth shutter technology) without being limited by battery life. An added feature of this button is that it can be used to take burst shots, so there is no need to reset the camera after every picture is taken.
The first such selfie stick to have such a function is the Mi Selfie Stick. However, new models similar to Xiaomi Selfie Stick have sprung up in recent years.
It is rumoured that new technology is being developed to allow users to tweak the settings of the phone camera (brightness, exposure, saturation, etc.) with the click of a button, although no such technology exists yet. Such a development could well be made available in the near future.
3. Weight and Length
It is rather easy to not notice how much effort goes into designing a good selfie stick, particularly when it comes to minimising weight and maximising length. A reliable selfie stick should be able to extend as far out as possible, with the ideal length being approximately 100cm when extended and no more than 23cm when retracted.
The best selfie sticks can weigh as little as 100g, which is the optimum weight! Such ultra-lightweight selfie sticks are becoming increasingly popular owing to their portability. When paired with a silicone phone stand, it makes snapping and viewing selfies anywhere a breeze!
In future, however, selfie sticks could possibly weigh as little as 60g and stretch as far as 250cm, although no such technology exists currently that would make such a plan viable. Improvements in stabilising technology are very fast-paced, though, so don’t be surprised to see an impressive selfie stick like this in the market within the next three years.
We take for granted these very common features of selfie sticks, but these innovations in minimising weight, maximising length and the software involved are actually very recent developments in the world of technology. We can certainly expect a lot more in the years to come.
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