Album2 is the non-touchscreen photo album tablet you've always been waiting for

We're not ones to get overly sentimental about photos, but the Album2 would love to get us started. The device hinges on a stupid simple control scheme of three buttons, no touchscreen nonsense here, and can sort through photos, movies and music -- though it's clearly centered around the first of those three. There's WiFi for pulling in YouTube and Picasa media, and... well, actually, that's just about it. The screen is great, there's a leather protective cover that flips around as a stand, and the back of the device is beautifully adorned with some raised braille-style dots spelling "album." When it ships, hopefully sometime this year, Album2 will retail for $199. Check out a video of it in action after the break.

Album2 hands-on

[statelypenguin Posted Jan 8th 2010 1:01AM]

My grandpa has two of the Album 1's. Personally I don't like the UI. And what irked me more than anything else (and it seems to be on this too) is that the cover, when flipped over the screen, hangs over the edge a quarter of an inch or so. Bothers the hell out of me. And the screen scratches way too easily. I stared at a picture too long and a scratch appeared.

Though the UI looks a little sharper on this version. Maybe.

[Rex Posted Jan 8th 2010 1:17AM]

How long the battery lasts? I see youtube, but is there a web browser with flash support? If yes and it plays 720p videos without hiccups, I think it'll sell. Especially when in sale (after couple of months).

[slipdisc Posted Jan 8th 2010 1:25AM]

I don't think can provide a very good "multi-touch experience".
Just sayin'.

[Wesscoast Posted Jan 8th 2010 2:07AM]

Very slick, but I think the Battery Icon is supposed to be pointing in the other direction.

[pbinder Posted Jan 8th 2010 3:49AM]

what is the screen size and resolution? This looks to have an awesome screen and resolution.

I hate most digital photo frames as the screens are horrendous.

[niteshm Posted Jan 8th 2010 3:55AM]

I am working on it. It feels so good to see your product out of labs. :) I am so happy

[Digital Posted Jan 8th 2010 4:56AM]

That is really cool and affordable device.I like how its designed to be held like you would look at a paper picture album.This set up to the picasa page of the grandkids would make a nice gift for some high tech grandparents.Hopefully they will smooth out n pretty up the interface a lil.

[derrickONLINE Posted Jan 8th 2010 7:59AM]

Great replacement for the 5 thick photo albums sitting in my living room. This could replace them all, plus people might actually enjoy looking at the pics because they're on a cool device.

I do think a touch screen swipe gesture would have been easier to look through the album, and tap to launch the pic. I think people are becoming more and more used to using their finger touch to make things happen. I also think the price should be in the $99 range for this device. But $199 isn't bad. The video capability is a much added bonus.

Who really pulls out DVDs and says look at my daughter playing in the snow. Nobody I know. But this will actually make it easier to flip through photos and see videos on the fly when family and friends come over.