Pure Digital pulls a Flower Power with Mino

Pure Digital has pulled a Flower Power.

Longtime Mac users may recall when Apple released new iMacs notable mainly for their garish coloring. There was the infamously spotted Dalmation model along with the equally reviled Flower Power. This was a rare instance of Apple emphasizing pointless styling over substantive innovation in terms of hardware and software features.

Pure Digital, known for the affordable Flip pocket video cameras that have upended the camcorder market, announces a similar move today: Its popular Mino model is now available in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Some of these come from Pure Digital, and user-customizable options also are available for those wanting a personal touch.

I ordered a Mino test loaner emblazoned with the Pioneer Press bulldog to see how the camera would turn out. I like it! See photo below. The graphics work is done by the popular CafePress.

This is all nifty, but with a growing number of video-camera rivals nipping at Pure Digital's heels, is a CafePress move what it should be emphasizing? Where are the new and improved camera models?

Pure Digital did tell me a high-definition Flip model (to compete with HD pocket cameras now available from Kodak and others) is due later this year.

Good.