Audiovox reveals Digital Message Centers: perfect for refrigerators

Yeah, it's true -- we've got a soft spot for quirky refrigerator magnets, so we're inclined to take favor with Audiovox's Digital Message Centers. As you can see above, the fridge-mountable units enable users to display photos for family to see, and folks can even record audio or video messages (on the DPF711K only) for others via the integrated camera / microphone. As if that wasn't snazzy enough, you can even tag messages to a calender for playback on specific dates, and we'd imagine the content would look fairly decent on the 7-inch 480 x 234 display. Think your kitchen's ready for it? You can grab the video-capable DPF711K for $199.99 or the audio-only DPF710K for $40 less.

[Keisha Kornbread @ Jan 7th 2008 4:30PM]

I would love one of these!!

[The Pepto Pimp @ Jan 7th 2008 4:33PM]

Yeah yeah, this is actually cool. Dorky fun for me an my girl. The date specific message function is cool too. Upgradable storage capacity might be useful, especially after you host that party and everyone records a weird message for you...

[PM @ Jan 7th 2008 4:51PM]

But everyone wants a stainless steel refrigerator these days and they're not magnetic...

[Andrew @ Jan 7th 2008 5:09PM]

The sides of them are, you get used to putting things on the side after a while.

[computer.dude.28 @ Jan 7th 2008 5:16PM]

It's dumb how the camera is at the bottom of the thing. You have to put the screen half a foot above your head just so your face will make the camera shot?

[Wwhat @ Jan 7th 2008 5:18PM]

I like it, and yet I would not actually use it, who wants to sit through video messages really? a note is still easier/quicker and more easy to have an overview of.
It's still neat though.

[xpress1127 @ Jan 7th 2008 8:00PM]

I actually think this concept might be a "killer app" of the future, but not before companies understand what its use will probably be.

About 5-6 years ago, 3Com released this thing called "Audrey" that was like a "family pda" with internet surfing etc. I was perfectly ready to buy one to sync up the palm pilots in my family at that time. I thought it would be cool to have a common e-calendar that would be up to date with all the appointments for the kids, wife, and me. Alas, it couldn't do that.

I'd love to have an electronic "family manager" that synced calendars, developed a weekly grocery shopping list by joining the stuff I put into my smartphone with what my wife has put into hers, and developing a two-way, asynchronous message board that hangs on the fridge. That would be a great app.