Picwing intros social digital picture frame

Internet-connected digital photo frames are hardly rarefied device they once were, but upstart Picwing looks to be aiming quite a bit higher than most with its new eponymously-named device, with it focusing as much attention on its software and photo-sharing site as on the hardware. The frame itself is essentially a Linux-based computer (exact specs are a bit light at the moment, apart from built-in WiFi and a 7-inch display), and the company is quick to admit that, in its current state, it's "the equivalent of the Apple I, not the Apple II," with each one actually assembled by the founders themselves. That also accounts for the frame's somewhat high $249 price tag, which the company promises will be cut down as they ramp up production. It's also promising to add more features as it moves to a more finalized version, with piped RSS feeds high up on its to-do list, along with email, messaging, and VoIP. Certainly one to watch, and if you're ready to take the plunge on the current version, you can get your order in by hitting up the link below right now.

[rick @ Aug 25th 2008 1:18PM]

Wow, a use for Linux? I''m surprised this isn't a bigger deal.

[Matt @ Aug 25th 2008 1:51PM]

This isn't serious, right here, is it?

[Zorque @ Aug 25th 2008 3:20PM]

Linux is actually really useful for embedded and/or handheld devices, which is the reason I don't write it off entirely.

[klietza @ Aug 25th 2008 1:35PM]

I usually would just say these things are stupid.. And in general, they are.

But they are really on to something here. Just like internet radio, maybe a wifi picture frame where you subscribe (rss feeds) and people put together images to be displayed on your picture frame.

You want current news/sports/politics/travel whatever and it just shows high res pics. BTW.. I had these frames when people think they are smart taking 400x320 res pics that look like hell. Similar to HDTV that people just broadcast regular ass cable.

Good idea, I would totally be down with this.

[Mile @ Aug 25th 2008 7:38PM]

It's all good times until you get goatse'd when you're mom or first date are over.

[rcappo @ Aug 25th 2008 2:01PM]

It looks nice, but my eStarling frame does that already. And it is 8". But, e-mailing pictures to the photoframe either at my house or my parents house is the only way to go.

[MadMike @ Aug 25th 2008 2:09PM]

Subscribed Pictures through internet RSS feed? I'm feeling malicious attacks with inserting pornographic pictures into people's frames.

That's what happens when your watching Fight Club at 2am the night before. :-D

[nxp3 @ Aug 25th 2008 2:37PM]

That's not a bad looking digital frame considering all other frames tries so hard to make themselves look like a real frame then fails miserably by putting a glowing red led on it. For the life of me, I don't get that.

[Matt Bateman @ Aug 25th 2008 3:00PM]

You know what else has wifi, the ability to display pictures, and provide various data feeds, and more for under $200? Chumby!

If only they would create a version with a larger screen, and less silly casing, I'd buy one in a second.

[Michael Hoisie @ Aug 25th 2008 3:05PM]

This is great. When the price drops to around $100-$150, I'll definitely get one.

[ChuChu @ Aug 25th 2008 3:09PM]

So what is the difference between this and the countless other similar products already available? I checked out the website and if anything this seems to have less features than its competitors.

[john @ Aug 25th 2008 3:22PM]

This thing can be so much more powerful than your run of the mill digital photo frame. It's like bringing flickr to your living room. Now you can add images from any internet connection and it is uploaded real time to a photoframe sitting in any living room around the world. That's pretty slick. Especially for pulling pranks on the parents. Send them some pictures of llamas.

[Edward Kim @ Aug 25th 2008 4:25PM]

Hi. My name is Edward, one of the founders of Picwing.

We really feel that we've only begun to scratch the surface on what we can do with our frames. Our first and foremost focus is making the best digital photo frame out there. It may not have the most features just yet (we've new to the space), but our focus is on usability.

Like some have hinted, the possibility of our devices can span far beyond just photos and we hope to add these features quickly.

We also take privacy seriously, which is why we have lots of measures in place to prevent things like that from happening. One such measure is having a white-list of email addresses that are allowed to send pictures.

Most importantly, we are always open to feedback and want to hear what our users what! I'd love to hear from you!

[Quikboy @ Aug 25th 2008 5:02PM]

Funny how you guys mention this, and not FrameIt. FrameIt has been in beta since July 30th. I think FrameIt has more potential than just having one company for this type of RSS digital frames.

http://frameit.live.com/

[Dave @ Aug 25th 2008 5:02PM]

All of these frames are silly. The fact is, this whole sector has failed not because technology, but because the way people interact with things. People don't wanna pay money for a frame when they can get a computer for the same price.

[giuliop @ Aug 25th 2008 8:17PM]

Except this sector is alive and kicking. People (not you, nor me) can't use computers and don't want a complicated thing just to show some photos and are thus prepared to pay a premium price for a device that does less than a computer.

[Luke @ Aug 25th 2008 11:55PM]

So sweet. I've gotten to see these and play around with some of the sharable photo albums - they're fing sweet.

[Joel @ Aug 26th 2008 4:49AM]

Hopefully they'll be shipping them out in time for Christmas. Finally a gift my parents might actually use.