No more 'selfie elbow'? Sweden's 'one-hand' gesture app could put an end to awkward poses

Selfies go hands-free thanks to a Swedish tech start-up. Credit: Crunchfish

"Selfie elbow' could soon be a thing of the past thanks to a Swedish technology firm's app, which lets users take hand gestures to capture snaps.

Selfie fans currently face either an awkward shot as they hold their cameraphone with one hand and touch the capture button with the other, or are forced to revert to 'mirror selfies' that means they have the back of their phone in the shot.

Miley Cyrus in one of her many "selfies" dressed up for Halloween as rapper Lil' Kim. Credit: Miley Cyrus

Now Crunchfish's GoCam app offers "touchless technology" that triggers photo capture from as far back as three metres.

Users of the app pose position their smartphone for their selfie as normal, but instead of having to push a button on their phone to take the picture, they simply make a gesture with their other hand, which triggers a countdown.

The selfie-taker then has a few moments to strike a pose before the shot is taken.

Selfie fans don't need to rush to strike a pose with the new touchless app. Credit: Crunchfish

The company, based in the southern Swedish city of Malmo, says the free GoCam app will initially be available in Sweden and Australia.

As well as selfie snaps, the app's touchless technology also works for videos.

Many hands...David Cameron, Helle Thorning-Schmidt and President Obama famously took a group selfie during Nelson Mandela's memorial Credit: AFP/Getty

Crunchfish GoCam app features:

  • Touchless camera - selfies are triggered by hand commands

  • Touchless video - the first app on the market with hands-free video recording

  • Remote capture - from a distance of up to 3 metres

  • Customisation - filters and editing tools

Gallery: A look at some famous celebrity fans of the 'selfie'