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Isabella Products' Vizit: first 2-way touchscreen photo frame headed to AT&T in early 2010

We've been hearing about Isabella Products' cellular-connected Vizit photo frame since early this year. The 10.4-inch touchscreen LCD features a GSM/GPRS module that enables the digital photo frame to receive images via MMS, email, or internet sharing sites. You can even share images with friends and family via email or through Vizit-to-Vizit transfer directly from the frame. Now the company has announced a partnership with AT&T when the two-way frame begins shipping in "early 2010." Here's the problem: the price; $279.99 and it still requires an unspecified monthly or annual photo plan. With Wal-mart shoppers accustomed to spending about $140 for 10-inch digital frames... well, good luck with that pricing scheme Isabella Products, you're going to need it.

eStarling photo frame might just have more social networking skills than you do

Digital photo frames have been more than just photo frames since the earliest days of the product category, but eStarling looks to be expanding things even further than usual with its new 802.11n Touchscreen Connected Frame. In addition to that speedy WiFi connectivity, this one boasts a fairly large 10.2-inch display, 2GB of RAM, an SD card slot and, most importantly, a slew of social networking features. That includes support for photos from Facebook, Picasa or Flickr (more services are also promised), a built-in Twitter client, a video inbox feature to receive videos shot with cellphones (or any other internet-connected device, for that matter), and even its own Gmail address to let anyone easily send photos straight to the frame. Unfortunately for anyone considering this as an alternative to a kitchen computer, there's no full-fledged web browser, calendar apps, or the like, but it will at least give you weather updates, and could well be further improved by some of the promised firmware updates. Of course, all that will also cost you more than your usual photo frame -- $249.99, to be specific.

[Via Gearlog]

One quarter of "broadband households" have digital photo frames, we find one for the rest of you

One quarter of
Yeah, we know; next to pico projectors it's hard to find any bit of technology more boring than digital photo frames. These days they don't catch our eye unless they can print pictures of your pre-school beauty queen or integrate some unexpected combination of networking hardware. Still, they're selling like hotcakes, set to be in 25 percent of "broadband households" by the end of the year. Adoption in dial-up households has not been revealed but we're guessing it's... slower. For those folks we recommend the first ever analog digital frame that may not print anything or hit Flickr or even automatically cycle through those pictures in that hidden directory you forgot about, but it is at least made entirely of wood, which makes it better for the environment than CFL LCDs. And, at just $25 from ThinkGeek, it's a perfect holiday gift -- for yourself.

[Via Pocket-lint]

Read - Digital photo frames 25% penetration
Read - Analog digital photo frame

CEIVA Pro 80 digiframe accepts new images from MMS, networked PCs

Timely, no? Exactly a year to the day after the CEIVAlife and CEIVAshare went on sale, the creator of those has decided to out its first digiframe since, and we've got to say -- the Pro 80 is a refreshing change of pace in the drab digital photo frame world. Aside from accepting images via the traditional means (USB, memory cards and telepathy), this one can also take in new pixels via a cameraphone or computer... wirelessly! The built-in WiFi module enables networked PCs to pass along slideshows, while PicturePlan customers ($6.95 per month) can send photos in from their mobiles. In case that's not nearly enough to excite you, there's also free CEIVA Channels (ABC News, ESPN, etc.) to keep you occupied. She's all yours for $179.99, or $147.99 if you snag it this holiday season.

D-Link Xtreme N DIR-685 storage router now shipping


Well, what do we have here? D-Link's DIR-685 Xtreme N Storage Router -- you know, the 802.11n packing, WAP having, BitTorrent running beaut with USB storage support and 3.2-inch display we first laid eyes on in January at CES -- has finally hit store shelves. Every bit as lust-worthy as it was when we initially reviewed it, this bad boy retails for $300. Hit the read link to get in on the action.

[Via Electronista]

Mimo's iMo Foto Frame Printer does precisely what you'd expect


Mimo's made quite the name for itself with its delightful array of USB-powered secondary monitors, but now it seems the company is spreading its proverbial wings and introducing something strikingly out of character. The iMo Foto Frame Printer most certainly isn't the first (or second) of its kind, but it just might be the cutest. The digiframe / printer hybrid boasts an 8-inch panel, a memory card slot, bundled remote and an inbuilt photo printer that shoots out 4- x 6-inch images with a 300 x 300dpi print resolution. $229.99 gets you the unit itself, a few cables and a paper cartridge for 36 prints -- after that, you're on your own. Godspeed, young one.

[Via Red Ferret]

HP's new DreamScreens pack Pandora and Facebook into a wireless photo frame

Photo frames sure have come a long way -- from back when they were photo frames. The new HP DreamScreen 100 and 130 (which we spotted back in July) pack in 2GB of built-in storage, and all the assorted connectivity for pulling in photos from a camera, drive or networked PC (802.11b/g or Ethernet), but stack on top of that 10,000 internet radio stations, Facebook, Snapfish internet photos, a full-featured music player, Pandora, weather and even a fancy clock. The unit has a built-in speaker, but you'll probably want to use the sound-out jack to get any reasonable enjoyment in listening. The 10-inch DreamScreen 100 goes for $249 and is available today, while the DreamScreen 130 bumps it up to 13.3-inches and will be out this fall for $299. PR is after the break.

AgfaPhoto trots out "size zero" line of ultrathin digiframes


We'd argue that we've reached the saturation point when it comes to new digital photo frames, but AgfaPhoto would clearly beg to differ. The outfit famous for cranking out ho hum devices that are easily overshadowed has just introduced seven new ultraslim options, all of which are hoping to see a release prior to the mad rush that is the holiday shopping season. Said to be the "size zero" of digiframes, these measure just 1.3 centimeters thick while shipping in a range of sizes from 7- to 10-inches. As expected, you'll find 1GB of internal storage alongside a multicard reader, and when not flicking through a slideshow of last year's Valentine's bash at the corporate headquarters, it can also play back risque videos from the afterparty. Don't expect these to ship stateside anytime soon, but those across the pond can reportedly snap 'em up for between £49.99 ($83) to £129.99 ($216) later this year.

ASUKA's SK700 digiframe adds DVB-T in vain attempt to wow


Truth be told, ASUKA's first digital photo frame with integrated DVB-T wasn't all that invigorating, so it should come as no surprise that its second one has also failed to get our juices flowing. Of course, we may have felt entirely different if we called South Korea home, but until mobile TV takes off here in the States, we can rest soundly knowing that nothing of this sort will ever make its way into the mainstream. The SK700 that you see above quietly debuted this past week at IFA, bringing with it a 7-inch touchscreen, integrated DVB-T tuner, 800 x 480 resolution, FM reception, multimedia playback, real-time TV recording, 2GB or 4GB of built-in memory, a pair of stereo speakers and even an AV input. There's no word on a price or release date just yet, but you'll probably have to look real hard to spot this one in between the me-toos scattered about.

Sony ICF-CL75iP alarm clock / digital frame / iPod dock a surprisingly attractive assimilation

We'll be honest, it takes a whole lot to get us excited about iPhone / iPod docks or digital picture frames these days, but congratulations Sony, you've managed to pierce through our hardened hearts with the ICF-CL75iP Dream Machine. Sony Insider brings word of the actually quite handsome bedside attraction, an assimilation of those aforementioned products with an alarm clock to boot. We're looking at a 7-inch WVGA LCD screen, 1GB built-in memory, FM / AM radio, and a retractable dock -- in case you don't feel like capitalizing on the total synergistic package. Photos can be pulled directly from the Apple handheld or loaded via USB, and your wake-up options include built-in presets, a customizable 10-second voice recording, or the iPod / iPhone itself. Our only knock at this point is the minimal codec support -- MP3 and WMA for audio, and MP4, M-JPEG, and AVI for video -- but if the $149.95 price on a cached SonyStyle listing stays accurate, we can be a little forgiving. In fact, throw in Chumby widget support and we'll be downright smitten -- make it happen, Sony.

Update: Turns out it's actually up for pre-order right now through Sony Style Canada, CAN $199.99 (that's US $180) and shipping out October 1st.

[Thanks, Neil!]

Read
- Sony Insider
Read - Sony Style cached listing

Chumby widgets to appear on photo frame, other devices by year's end

Chumby announced that it'd be bringing its snuggly little widgets to other devices all the back in February, and it looks like we're finally seeing some action -- "powered by Chumby" gear should be on shelves by the end of the year. The first device out of the gate will be -- surprise, surprise -- a digital picture frame from an unnamed partner that will apparently integrate with Flickr, Facebook, and Twitter, and offer new feeds, internet radio, and weather. You know, Chumby stuff. We're more interested in seeing the fruits of Chumby's new partnership with Samsung -- Sammy's already doing widgets like crazy with TouchWiz on mobile and Yahoo's Widget Engine in the living room, so we're wondering where Chumby fits in. We're also wondering what'll happen to the Chumby hardware now that the company seems focused on becoming a software company -- maybe we'll finally place that order.

[Thanks, Craig; Photo is that sweet Chumby telephone mod]

Kodak debuts EasyShare Z950, M381 and M341 digicams


Had enough Kodak this fine morning? No? Good. Just hours after showcasing its newest 1080p pocket camcorder, the aforesaid firm is hitting us up with a few more new pieces to digest. First up is the EasyShare Z950, a modest megazoom-in-a-P&S-body that packs a 10x optical zoom, 12 megapixel sensor and a $279.99 price tag. Next, we've got the totally ho hum EasyShare M381, which also offers a dozen megapixels alongside a 3-inch rear LCD, 5x zoomer, easy upload to Facebook / YouTube, face detection, a variety of lovely hues and an MSRP of $179.99. The last cam is the M341, which steps down to a 3x optical zoom and a smaller 2.7-inch LCD for $149. Closing things out is the EasyShare D830 (£119.99; $196) and D1030 (£169.99; $279) digital photo frames, which check in at 8- and 10-inches respectively (in terms of display size) and tout interchangeable face plates, 512MB of internal memory, a Quick Touch border, memory card reader and a USB port. Everything here should ship in the US and UK by September, though those hungry for additional details are welcome to tap that read link.

[Via DigitalCameraInfo]

D-Link's Xtreme N DIR-685 storage router hands-on and impressions


Somehow or another, D-Link managed to combine a NAS, digital photo frame, secondary display and 802.11n router into a single device, and when the Xtreme N DIR-685 Storage Router was announced way back at CES this year, we were certainly interested to see how such a conglomerate would go over. At long last, the do-it-all wireless router is finally making its way out to the public at large, and with an MSRP of $299.99 (sans any internal HDD space), it's definitely one of the pricier routers out there. We've taken this strikingly unique device into our lairs for a few days of testing, and if you're interested in seeing if this bad boy is worth the price of admission, you'll need to follow us past the break.

Sungale WiFi Widget photo frame gets a hands-on


Sungale's recently unleashed a WiFi-enabled, widget-having digital photo frame -- the ID800WT -- and the fine folks over at Zatz Not Funny have taken it for a little spin. The 800 x 600 resolution touchscreen boasts 512 MB of internal storage, and widgets for weather, news, Picasa, YouTube, Gmail, and Internet radio. The reviewer didn't find the widgets to be particularly awesome, in many respects -- their implementation, for instance, made the Gmail app "nearly useless" because it displayed only a few lines at a time, and many had trouble connecting to the internet properly. It wasn't all doom and gloom, however -- they really liked the frame in theory, and thought that the company was shooting for the right idea -- they just didn't actually succeed. The frame will be available sometime in the coming month for about $165.

Kodak tries to make digiframes fun again with EasyShare S730

We can't fault 'em for trying, but at the end of the day Kodak's EasyShare S730 is just another vanilla digital photo frame. Oh sure, it sports an updated Quick Touch border, a collage mode for displaying several shots at once, video and music support, a rechargeable battery for cord-free operation and 1GB of memory, but there's no WiFi, OLED or pixie dust to speak of. We will say, however, that the included Picture Finder feature -- which enables users to select a photo that pops up in order to find more from the same era -- is fairly nifty, but it's not spectacular enough in and of itself to justify the $139 price tag. If you disagree, you can pick one up in the US and Canada this September, while Europeans can snag one this month for €149.
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