BUSINESS NEWS
Selfies are getting an upgrade. Meet ‘slofies’
Dalvin Brown
USA TODAY
Published 9:19 AM EDT Sep 11, 2019
Prepare to see more slo-mo videos on your Instagram and Facebook timelines in the coming months.
Apple kicked off what it hopes will become a new photo-taking trend Tuesday when it launched the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, and the internet has opinions about it.
Apple showed a video aimed at convincing young people that slow-motion selfies are the next big thing during its glitzy iPhone event at its headquarters in Cupertino, California, on Tuesday.
Dubbed “slofie” or “slowfie,” the image is created using Apple’s slow-motion setting that will be available on the new phones’ front-facing selfie cam.
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“Everything looks cooler at 120 (frames per second), even if you’re just saying ‘cheese’, waving hello or tossing your hair in the breeze,” Apple said on the website, referring to its latest software. “And now you can add more of everything to your selfies thanks to the new 12‑megapixel TrueDepth camera. Just turn your iPhone to landscape and the camera automatically zooms out to fit more in.”
Some people on Twitter said they “can’t wait” to throw on a wig and toss their hair using the new iPhone11, which goes on preorder later this week. Others found DIY ways to create slofies using Apple’s older smartphones.
“I’m so here for it!” writes twitter user @Elresanell. “#slowfie is the new #socialmedia challenge of 2019,” writes @EgyptianWisdom. “I don’t know what a #slowfie is but I think I need one. Apple says so,” writes @Wrexhameste.
Twitter users Benny Lewis posted a video of himself aiming a hairdryer at his face with his mouth agape. As his cheeks filled with air, he shook his head from side to side while filming the video in slow motion.
“I made this using advanced technology, known as the “regular slow-motion back camera while looking at a mirror,” Lewis captioned the video. “But, owners of the newest #iPhone11 can now do this #Slofie / #Slowfie anywhere. Yes, *anywhere*.”
Some people weren’t too thrilled about Apple’s latest iPhone feature.
“If we cannot even agree on a term (#slofie v #slowfie) then the term should probably not be a thing,” tweeted @nfidel_. “Stop trying to make #slowfie happen,” tweeted @RemyLeBeau.
Apple also announced a new 7th-gen iPad, a new Apple Watch and details about its Netflix competitor.
The new $329 iPad will come with a bigger 10.2-inch screen with Pro features. The smartwatch is upgraded with minimal new details including an “Always On” feature so the watch face remains visible throughout the day.
A full year of freee Apple TV+ will be bundled with new purchases of an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac or Apple TV. The $4.99-per-month video steaming service is launching Nov. 1.
Follow Dalvin Brown on Twitter: @Dalvin_Brown
