Motorola shows off femtocell-in-a-digiframe concept

After personally trying out Sprint's AIRAVE, we're confident that femtocells have a place in this world. Thankfully, Motorola's already trying to make them less of an eyesore by integrating a CDMA femtocell into something we wouldn't mind showing off in the den: an inconspicuous digital photo frame. The "3-in-1" concept also includes a VoIP soft phone that would theoretically enable calls to be made right from the frame. Of course, Moto's not handing out any sort of release time frame, but let us be the first to say that this thing needs to hit store shelves on the double -- just make sure it's not carrier specific, and toss in a GSM version while you're at it, okay Moto? Check out the demonstration vid after the break.

[Thanks, Dave]

[letstakeawalk @ Sep 24th 2008 7:57PM]

This is one of the best ideas to incorporate into a digital frame. It could also be applied to those refrigerators with LCDs...

[Trev @ Sep 24th 2008 8:13PM]

old mobiles used there :/ good idea but just a toy nothing dramatically useful. if it did it without the need for a mobile that would be cool

[Silvio @ Sep 24th 2008 8:15PM]

That looks like Counterpath's X-Lite SIP soft phone.
http://www.counterpath.com/x-lite.html

[linuxamp @ Sep 24th 2008 11:57PM]

Yes it does. That's too bad because X-Lite UI sucks.

[Fanfoot @ Sep 24th 2008 8:16PM]

Ummm... excuse me. This is a good idea? What are you smoking?

If I want a femtocell, I'll buy one. Photoframes are mostly stupid, and expensive, and I don't want my femtocell buried in one so I can get some crap I don't need and pay more for what I do.

Plus the obvious fact that this will never see the light of day.

[GETYOID @ Sep 24th 2008 10:28PM]

Someone with SENSE! Thank God!

[phanbouy @ Sep 24th 2008 8:53PM]

goodbye moto

[SOOPERGOOMAN @ Sep 24th 2008 9:55PM]

Why because this has potential to sell millions. Granny & Pappy gets a frame for Christmas and they have skype-esque video chat Christmas day. Why the heck not? I'd say Moto push these babies out faster than a 17 year old momma!

[raul @ Sep 24th 2008 9:03PM]

If this thing puts my old cellphones calling through skype around the house I'm in (until say... $300.... -_- yeah, I'm cheap, but so is 80% of the potential market in the world).................... can any modder do this with the eee? ;)

[Justin @ Sep 24th 2008 9:28PM]

Uh... does that thing have Vista on it, because the windows sure look like it.

[SOOPERGOOMAN @ Sep 24th 2008 9:50PM]

Let's all call that Motophrame tonight on the hour every hour and remind him not to put it on YouTube for the world to see. Muhahahahahaaa

[SOOPERGOOMAN @ Sep 24th 2008 9:51PM]

The telephone number that is...



oops.

[Levi @ Sep 24th 2008 10:32PM]

that's actually a good idea

You should totally try it

[Juan Cuen @ Sep 24th 2008 10:59PM]

Erm. That Looks Like A VZW PTT Phone They Used At The End????????????

[Peter O @ Sep 25th 2008 9:23AM]

I believe that they have to be carrier specific to some degree because they use licensed spectrum and therefore have to be "operated" by a carrier who owns spectrum. There may be some way to register the femtocell once you bring it home but I am guessing after that it would be fairly locked in.