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Sarah Tew/CNET
Bluetooth shutter releases for smartphone cameras are nothing new and can be found in different shapes and sizes and prices.
They’re generally great for getting your arm out of your selfies among other things. For it to work, though, you have to have it with you and remember to use it. The Selfy case from iLuv solves that by storing the remote in the back of a smartphone case.
Available for the Apple iPhone 5/5S and Samsung Galaxy S5 in black and pink versions, the durable, shock-absorbing case has a slot on the back, and in that slot is a one-button Bluetooth remote.
Press and hold the button for a few seconds and the remote kicks on (it’s powered by a small, replaceable battery). Open your device’s Bluetooth settings and select the remote and you’re done.
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Open the native camera app, select the front or back camera, and start shooting by pressing the button. Basically, the remote works by wirelessly triggering the device’s volume button, so there’s no need for any other app for it to work. Consequently, if you don’t have the camera app open, it will instead jack up your volume.
After a minute of inactivity the remote goes in standby and after 5 minutes it shuts off. Once it’s off, you just need to turn the remote back on and it’ll reconnect to your phone.
Overall, it works as promised. It’s on the thick side, though its rounded body slides into a pocket easily enough. Also, it sells for $49.99, which is kind of pricey even if you do take a ton of self-portraits.
To that end, iLuv has made several mounts that work with the slot on the back making the Selfy more useful beyond its main feature. Options include tripod, car, adhesive and vented helmet mounts, and handlebar mounts, and a GoPro connector.
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