Like the marmite of the gadget world, selfie sticks have us truly divided. But love them or loathe them, it looks like they’re here to stay.
That’s because one Australian TV network has appropriated the technology into its newsgathering arsenal.
Sky News has purchased 12 selfie sticks, which will soon be waggled obnoxiously in the faces of interviewees by its team of TV reporters.
According to Mashable, several of the network’s journalists are already using their new gear out in the field.
“It means will be able to broadcast live from the thick of the action,” explained Greg Byrnes, channel manager at Sky News Live, as quoted in the report.
He continued: “
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Sky purchased its wares from a company called broadcast tech company LiveU, which manufacturers the SmartGRIP stick.
SmartGRIP supports both iOS and Android devices, and broadcasts content using a 3G or 4G wireless connection. Ah, those ever reliable networks.
It’s also got a lithium ion battery inside, which purportedly extends your phone’s battery life for a further 3 hours of continuous transmission.
However, at 340g weight, not including the smartphone, we’re guessing Aussie journalists will have pretty tired arms after a long day stick-casting.
Fortunately, footage can be recorded using both the rear- and front-facing cameras, so quality won’t always hinge on the typically poor standard of selfie shooters.
Is this a journalistic revolution, or are you counting down the days until this latest fad disappears? Let us know in the comments.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
