SilverPac's SilverFrame hands-on at Computex

SilverPac's SilverFrame is certainly doing its best to break the boring mold of typical digital photo frames, and while we were understandably skeptical about the idea on paper, we're beginning to warm to it after a little face time at Computex. Said frame is more like a widget console than anything else, and it definitely reminds us of that Samsung / Chumby prototype digiframe that we peeked back at CES. Don't take our word for it, though -- hit the read link to soak it in yourself.

[superhobo @ Jun 3rd 2009 3:58PM]

Oh, yes...sweet device stage integration hopefully.

[Junemas @ Jun 3rd 2009 4:01PM]

Can this be used as an extra display? Does have display link technology in it? I've been interested in a nice small usb external monitor for mail, IM and a few gadgets or widgets in Windows 7 RC.

[William Martin @ Jun 3rd 2009 4:04PM]

Recession antidote maybe?

[regionto @ Jun 3rd 2009 4:06PM]

This is the first time I've ever really wanted a digiframe. I feel dirty.

[markyb @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:04PM]

Is that a G***D*** sideshow icon?

[markyb @ Jun 3rd 2009 5:04PM]

lol at G***

[ceivajoe @ Jun 4th 2009 7:34AM]

Are they "breaking the mold" or snuffing out the digital frame's true purpose?

Are the engineers that designed this thinking that just because it has a video screen it needs to be stuffed full of a lot of gadgetry?

At what point do a manufacture stuff a frame so full that it no longer becomes a digital frame and becomes something else?

I can not help but think of 2 famous principals of GOOD design.

"LESS IS MORE"
"FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION"

I am not sure this "gadget" adheres to these basic design principals... especially if they really want to call this a digital picture frame.

CeivaJoe
www.viewpointframed.com

[JZ @ Jun 4th 2009 3:02AM]

While I do agree on that the function is ment to be for pictures so all other gadgets add little value there is a market for people who want more then just a picture frame. Most likely price-wise this frame can´t compete anyways with just the ussual frame as these extra gimmicks will cost additional money. I for one are kind of interested in this if it could combine a picture frame together with an agenda/weather/security viewer. Don´t get me wrong, sure pictures are fun but I spend more time a day looking at what I´m supposed todo.

[ceivajoe @ Jun 4th 2009 7:36AM]

JZ... so again, is this really a picture frame or something else that happens to show pictures now and then?

Picture frames (even "traditional" frames for old fashioned paper pictures) are such they sit in the background in our homes and offices gently presenting to us and sharing with us images of past moments that mean so much to us.

Do people want to fiddle, futz and get greasy fingerprints on another gadget with functions that a computer, or better yet, a cell phone can do?

If picture showing is to be the primary function of the form (remember "form follows function") then I believe these over designed forms are not true digital picture frames. But what are they?

Be it perceived as "simplistic," at CEIVA, picture display is the primary function we honor in our forms.

CeivaJoe
www.viewpointframed.com