Motorola's Newest Moto Mod Allows Users To Print Small Polaroid Photos

Motorola has announced a new Moto Mod for its Moto Z Android smartphones that allows users to instantly print their captured photos. Called the Polaroid Insta-Share Printer, the new Moto Mod will be available on Nov. 17 for $199.99.

“Turn your smartphone into an instant photo printer to share your moment, in the moment, with the new Polaroid Insta-Share Printer Moto Mod,” Motorola said on its blog. “Your Moto Z already captures all your favorite moments, and now you can treasure them with the latest innovation in instant printing. The Polaroid Insta-Share Printer brings your photos to life in seconds, letting you enjoy photos beyond your smartphone screen.”

To use the Insta-Share Printer, users will only have to snap it on the back of their compatible Moto Z smartphones. Moto Mods currently only work for the Moto Z2 Force Edition, Z2 Play and the Z Force Droid. Once the Insta-Share Printer is attached to the user’s smartphone, the user will have to push the physical button to launch the camera app.

After taking photos, users will be able to start printing them through the Insta-Share Printer. The new Moto Mod prints the images in a small 2 x 3-inch paper created by Polaroid that’s called ZINK (Zero-INK) Paper. Using this type of paper means that the printer doesn’t use ink so there’s no chance of any smudging in printed images and users won’t have to refill any sort of ink cartridges in the Insta-Share Printer, according to Digital Trends.

Additionally, the Insta-Share Printer lets users print photos that they have in their phone’s camera roll. Users also have the option to print photos that they’ve saved from Instagram, Facebook, Google Photos or other social media accounts. Users can also edit their photos to add different borders with other apps and start printing.

The Polaroid Insta-Share Printer Moto Mod is a convenient way for Moto Z users to have their very own portable photo printer. However, it’s $199.99 price tag is a bit steep and is even pricier than some traditional standalone cameras. The new Moto Mod is even more expensive than Polaroid’s own $99.99 OneStep 2 instant camera, as pointed out by Mashable.

Expensive pricing for Moto Mods has become a pattern with Motorola. The last major Moto Mod that the company released was the Moto Smart Speaker with Amazon Alexa. That, too, is considered to be a bit pricey since it’s being sold for $149.99 in the United States. Some of Amazon’s own Echo and Echo Dot smart speakers are way cheaper at $99 and $49, respectively.

Pricing aside, the introduction of the new Insta-Share Printer and other snap-on accessories for Moto Z smartphones shows that Motorola is committed to releasing new Moto Mods. Users who have bought any of the latest Moto Z smartphones will feel a bit more confident in their investment and won’t regret getting a modular Android smartphone.

The Polaroid Insta-Share Printer Moto Mod will first be available this Friday on Nov. 17 from Verizon stores. The new Moto Mod will also be available from Best Buy, B&H, Fry’s and NewEgg starting on Dec. 13, according to Engadget.