Audiovox finally ships Homebase Digital Message Center

Remember those way swank Digital Message Centers we peeked at CES this year? At long last, Audiovox has begun shipping the audio-only DPF710K ($149.99), which sticks upside your fridge and provides a 7-inch display, a dry erase board, digital clock, Post-it pad and a LED message indicator for good measure. If you haven't pieced it together, this thing seeks to simplify your family's lives by providing a base for leaving photos and messages, and we'll admit, it does have a smidgen of a Jetsons vibe to it. Those holding out for the video-capable DPF711K can lay down their $199.99 later this month. Nice hair, kiddo.

Gallery: Audiovox finally ships Homebase Digital Message Center

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[Alex Terry @ Sep 18th 2008 7:07PM]

Boy or Girl? weird.

[Ford Mustang @ Sep 18th 2008 7:49PM]

Am I the only one not excited about this product? At first it looked awesome because at first glance I thought they were writing with a stylus on a touch screen and that the post it note was "virtual". Then I realized that this thing was nothing more than a white board with a picture frame installed in it. Its almost like they want you to be fooled with the post it note thing. Think about it, why would you need a post it note when the white board is right there? Its like a teacher writing on post it notes and sticking them to a chalkboard.

BTW The video capable unit is already shipping on Amazon so this story is wrong.

[Flashpoint @ Sep 18th 2008 8:22PM]

That Kid looks so ridiculous. I feel bad for the parents.

[ybd @ Sep 18th 2008 7:12PM]

I know I'm in a gadget blog, but I can't be the only one who finds the idea of stuff like this, digital picture frames etc. replacing everyday objects uncomfortable.

[Miguel @ Sep 18th 2008 7:23PM]

You're not. Some things I'm okay with, but digital picture frames are so obviously digital--not because of picture quality, but because of lighting concerns. I fell worst when it comes to e-books and readers: I love the feel of paper in my hands, the strange smell of acid-based ink on pulpy paper. An e-reader can never mimic a book, nor can it be nearly as useful in spreading out over a desk multiple reference sources, or bookmarking on the fly. Go back to a bookmark menu instead of just grabbing the pink post-it note...

I digress. What's funny about this thing...it's kinda pointless. So I can record a video message? Whoopty-doo. What can I do in that message that I couldn't leave in a note. I already have a whiteboard and countless post-its...the point of this gadget is what exactly?

[StinkyPete @ Sep 18th 2008 7:21PM]

Just don't use that Sharpie on the white board!

Note to parents, get that kid's fro' cut.

[Valicore @ Sep 19th 2008 2:54AM]

Not really a fro, more like a bowl haircut gone bad.

[papari @ Sep 18th 2008 7:22PM]

what a retard. the kid I mean.

[tasteslikechicken @ Sep 18th 2008 7:34PM]

dammit kid, keep your frickin sharpie away from my whiteboard.

[StalematE @ Sep 18th 2008 7:40PM]

that kid would fit in with the mutants at table nine.

[Christian @ Sep 18th 2008 7:46PM]

OMG, these stuff are unneccessary yet I want one....


Wait a minute, I thought I've seen them sold at Best Buy? Maybe just the demo was on display but I do remember them very well....

[Christian @ Sep 18th 2008 7:48PM]

OMG, these stuff are unneccessary yet I want one....


Wait a minute, I thought I've seen them sold at Best Buy? Maybe just the demo was on display but I do remember them very well....

[Christian @ Sep 18th 2008 7:49PM]

Damn stylus accidentally tapping twice and pressing add comment twice.... wish I can delete my post...

[DB @ Sep 18th 2008 10:14PM]

i hate it when my stylus taps twice...

[Ford Mustang @ Sep 18th 2008 7:50PM]

If you don't know if that is a boy or girl I feel sorry for you.

[DB @ Sep 18th 2008 10:15PM]

i feel sorry for you because of your name

[da rock @ Sep 18th 2008 8:45PM]

What a cute kid. Not.

[imissstacy @ Sep 18th 2008 9:01PM]

"finally ships"????

Has anyone been waiting for this product. I don't usually bash on Engadget articles, but I don't see how anyone can be excited about this product. I love they way they list being able to stick a post-it on the surface as a feature.

[Ignatius @ Sep 18th 2008 9:03PM]

I've seen this at Circuit City already. (Yes, low-rank me, even without any proof one way or another.)

Someone already wrote something rude on it.

[Fudui2 @ Sep 18th 2008 9:39PM]

It would be cool if you could send IM's to it from your phone or email. Maybe they will make one with one 6inch screen and four 2.5 inch screens. With a link to a computer the little screens could show weather or news. It could show the face of the sender of an important E-mail. I could see you linking it with outlook and the calendar features.(Flashing Like an Alarm – 3:00 pm go get the kids) Man with three kids my wife is always changing things around. Heck I could send recipes to the thing so she could cook something I like. I could put big pictures of FOSTER's cans on all the screens so she would know to go buy more beer. Let it hook into your caller ID so when you get home you see the faces of the people who called flashing across the screens. Heck maybe you could just set it up to push a button to play or delete the messages. I hate it when my wife comes homes and says" Why didn’t you check the answering machine? - Don't you ever look at the board?(That board looks the same every time I look at it.) I emailed you the new football practice schedule. Why don't you check your Email? It's worse than my boss at work. It would be nice to have one central location to look for all those things.

[Machu @ Sep 18th 2008 9:48PM]

We've all seen them. On the playground, at the store, walking on the streets. They creep us out, and make us sick to our stomachs. I'm talking, of course, about Ginger kids.

[muldscul @ Sep 18th 2008 10:22PM]

Um actually they have been in stores for months already and this like so old cause it was reviewed here
http://www.chipchick.com/index.php?s=audiovox&x=0&y=0 back in May....

[Brian @ Sep 18th 2008 10:22PM]

"Nice hair, kiddo."

I was thinking "Nice teeth, kiddo...."

[The_Deviant @ Sep 18th 2008 10:32PM]

Does this thing not look like the love child of a leapster, my refridgerator and hal....?
but seriosuly
this is a wonderful testament to what technology is capable of......i think
i mean....what spoiled, rich, upper to middle class soccer mom wouldn't want one of these
if Palin makes the white house i think we can fully expect one of these......
.......
i think that's everything i hate.....and apple sux

[Bob B @ Sep 18th 2008 11:45PM]

Definitely been out for weeks at Sears (where I work). You got it wrong this time Engadget.

[uShak @ Sep 18th 2008 11:04PM]

Considering I worked in the Digital Imaging department at Best Buy, I can confirm that we have had these since last winter; no exaggeration.

The VIDEO one i haven't seen yet though.

I'm sure the shipping now news means they are finally sending out more (as we haven't been getting shipments in the past couple months)

I have had a lot of fun doodling on it with cryptic messages for my customers to read, mwahahaha. And smiley faces.

[Tom @ Sep 18th 2008 11:07PM]

What's wrong with those cork board things and tacs!

[Bryan @ Sep 18th 2008 11:55PM]

These were on the shelves of Circuit City about 2 weeks ago...

[mabhatter @ Sep 18th 2008 11:26PM]

I'd like to see an updated version of the 3Com Audrey. I think processors have finally caught up to make a really good one and hit a reasonable price point. What we really need is something like this for touchscreen photo frames, almost an iPod Touch level system but bigger, and connected to iTunes and wireless so you can sync to your phone, and to your computer, perhaps a POTS line to act as a "phone" for getting fax and phone messages. Add bonus points to put one outside your front door to monitor your front door.

[exNewt @ Sep 19th 2008 4:48AM]

Right about the Audrey. I had one for a while and despite its limitations it showed great potential. This seems less capable...

[ahdok @ Sep 19th 2008 5:07AM]

Having worked with a lot of dry-erase whiteboards in the past, I've never found one that doesn't horribly discolour after a few months of use. Having that on my fridge would look quite groovy until it turned into a horrible manky grey.

Oh, also, I could just use fridge magnets.

[brianspencer-ebay @ Sep 19th 2008 7:54AM]

Yikes! Don't they pick things like that up in the Ultrasound?
Post It: Buy Mexican Wrestling Mask for Johnny

[Lee @ Sep 19th 2008 8:14AM]

Unless these are newer models, Best Buy has been selling them since the beginning of the year. At least at the one I work at. So I'm with a bunch of you others, Engadget was wrong this time.

Oh and by the way, I've never sold one. Thats how popular they are.

[bricksoz @ Oct 20th 2008 10:39PM]

Can't boys just have normal haircuts anymore? It always has to be this shaggy mop atrocity.

[Rick @ Sep 19th 2008 7:57PM]

Firstly, to the like 4+ people who so cunningly pointed out this product is old, I guess MISSED the fact that this unit has a camera?!

Anyways, my only question is does the camera pivot? Because I'm a lot taller than my wife and a few feet taller than my kids. So, either we get an adjustable footstool, or I get used to bending dow to use the video message feature (you know, that new feature that wasn't on the old models?)