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Parrot intros Specchio WiFi photo frame with NFC
We were hoping WiFi photo frames would be a bit more ubiquitous by now, but Parrot's not waiting around on one lonely wireless standard -- it's introducing the Specchio frame with WiFi and Bluetooth NFC for getting photos to the screen. We've seen NFC in a few mass-transit trials here and there, but only Parrot seems to be really pushing the data aspects of the tech, so it'll be interesting to see how it holds up -- the idea is that you'll take pictures on your phone and simply hold it against the frame to transfer them. Nifty -- just like the frame display itself, which looks like a metallic mirror when switched off. Hm, this might be the first digital photo frame we're actually interested in -- too bad it'll cost $500 when it goes on sale next month. P.S.- Parrot, have some dignity with these press images, will you? The iPhone has an ass-useless Bluetooth stack and you know it. [Via Digital Picture Frame Review]
First Look: An app that gives your iPhone something to do 24/7
You're probably keeping your iPhone busy most of the time making calls, surfing the Web, exchanging emails, playing games, and snapping photos. But what are you doing about making your iPhone work during those hours it is sitting in the dock soaking up a charge?Chilli X has just the answer for you: PhotoFrame. The US$0.99 app displays six pictures from your photo library as a slideshow while your iPhone or iPod touch is docked, with a nice clock / calendar displayed at the bottom of each photo. Controls allow users to select a 12 or 24 hour time display, and the app overrides your auto-lock setting so that it can show off your photos as long as you want. If you're impatient and want to see the next photo immediately, you can tap the picture or shake the iPhone or iPod touch.If you're not using PhotoFrame (click opens iTunes) to keep your device occupied during those times you're sleeping or otherwise engaged, what is your favorite "downtime app?" Leave a comment below to keep the rest of us informed.Thanks to Aidan for the tip!
T-Mobile's CAMEO frame shows holiday snaps while you're still taking them
It's been nearly a year since Parrot announced its DF7700 GPRS-endowed picture frame, said to possess the mystical ability to pull photographs straight out of the ether. Now T-Mobile has pledged to bring Parrot's magic frame to the US as the CAMEO, a $100 device that, when coupled with a $10/month service fee, can be the recipient of picture-bearing messages. When you get bored with that feature (or that fee), there's a mini-USB port plus slots for SD/MMC cards that will enable it to accept pics in a more traditional manner. Its 7-inch screen has a 720 x 480 resolution and is surrounded by an interchangeable leather border guaranteed to look cheap in any decor -- not just those with golden mirrors astride marble mantelpieces.[Thanks, Mark]
HP trots out 10.4-inch df1000 / 3.5-inch df300a1 digiframes
Don't look now, but HP just got official with two new digital photo frames that could barely be any further apart in terms of size. On the small side, we've got the 3.5-inch df300a1, which rocks a 320 x 240 resolution display (with a 400:1 contrast ratio) and has room for up to 45 pictures on the internal memory. If that's not enough, users can load up additional images by way of an SD / SDHC / MMC slot, and while the AC / USB power options are dandy, the 2-hour battery life on the rechargeable cell within is super-fine. Sitting tight on the other extreme is the 10.4-inch df1000, with 512MB of inbuilt storage (and its own USB port), a 800 x 600 resolution panel, two interchangeable frame mats, dual stereo speakers and support for video playback. You'll be looking at $59 for the little guy, $219 for the big one. %Gallery-31958%
Sony calls in Ericsson to launch 7-inch IDP-100 digiframe
Look Sony, we were there in person to confirm that your digiframe building skills are world-class. Did you really need to phone up your lagging half (give or take a few dozen percent) for its help here? Whatever the case, the Q4-bound Sony Ericsson IDP-100 frame isn't too different from its fiercest rivals; we've got a 7-inch WVGA screen, built-in Bluetooth, a M2 Memory Stick slot (with support for SD, microSD and MS Duo), USB port, enough internal storage for 500 snaps, an active touch control on the frame itself and a world clock for good measure. Somehow, Sony SE spins the omission of a remote as a good thing, but if it was smart, it would enable cellphone control and have a real winner on its hands. Just sayin', is all.[Via Gearlog]
Cagic debuts stylish new 8.4-inch digital photo frame
Still haven't found a digital photo frame that suits your decor? Then you may find Cagic's new offering here a bit more to your taste, with it boasting a simple but stylish design and some decent enough specs to back it up. That includes an 8.4-inch 800x600 touchscreen display, a mini USB port and, perhaps most notably, two separate SD card slots: one for storage and one to load photos (a 1GB card is included). At $180, however, it's not exactly the cheapest 8-inch frame around, but it is made of solid brushed aluminum and natural hardwood, and you can get it in your choice of three finishes, so that's a trade-off we're guessing some will be more than willing to accept.
Picwing intros social digital picture frame
Internet-connected digital photo frames are hardly rarefied device they once were, but upstart Picwing looks to be aiming quite a bit higher than most with its new eponymously-named device, with it focusing as much attention on its software and photo-sharing site as on the hardware. The frame itself is essentially a Linux-based computer (exact specs are a bit light at the moment, apart from built-in WiFi and a 7-inch display), and the company is quick to admit that, in its current state, it's "the equivalent of the Apple I, not the Apple II," with each one actually assembled by the founders themselves. That also accounts for the frame's somewhat high $249 price tag, which the company promises will be cut down as they ramp up production. It's also promising to add more features as it moves to a more finalized version, with piped RSS feeds high up on its to-do list, along with email, messaging, and VoIP. Certainly one to watch, and if you're ready to take the plunge on the current version, you can get your order in by hitting up the link below right now.
Kodak's P520 digiframe touts Quick Touch Border for off-screen flicking
We can all agree that touchscreens are pretty much the best thing ever, right? Good. Can we also agree that fingerprints on said screens are patently awful? Marvelous. Apparently Kodak is right in tune with us, as its 5-inch P520 digital photo frame enables owners to flick through photos without actually greasing up the LCD. The secret is the "Quick Touch Border," a sensitive side panel that lets viewers slide their finger to move to the next photo. From what we can garner, that's about all this thing really has going for it, but if that's plenty for you, look for it next month at around $79.95.
7.6-inch OLED displays go mass production, next stop UMPCs and Kodak photo frames?
Sometime shortly after Philips introduced it first digital photo frame -- let's call it CES, January 2006 -- something happened to the industry: it went to crap. Instead of focusing on quality displays vendors started tossing in gimmicks to sell their goods. This might change now that 7.6-inch OLEDs are going mass production. Already, Kodak is rumored to have placed an order for the medium-sized panels set to roll off the lines in September at CMO's Chi Mei EL (CMEL) factory. That should mean incredibly vibrant, thin, high-contrast frames with 16.7 million colors spread across 800 x 480 pixels just in time for the holidays. While dropping these pricey displays into low-cost netbooks would be a stretch, we wouldn't be surprised to see a few of those 7-inch UMPCs make the move to OLED as well. [Via OLED-info] Read -- Kodak rumor Read -- CMEL 7.6-inch specs
Parrot offers up $450 Andre Putman-designed digiframe
Remember that Andrée Putman-designed digital photo frame that was showcased in the UK earlier this year? Even if not, Parrot would like to remind you of this apparently exquisite device, which features commonplace luxuries like a 7-inch 720 x 480 resolution display, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, an SD / MMC card slot, an undisclosed amount of internal memory and USB connectivity. Oh, and did we mention the $449.99 price? Yeah, there's that, too. Heard enough, haven't you? (Psst... it ships on July 28th in the US.)[Via Digital Picture Frame Review]
D-Link DSM-210 unboxing, hands-on, and mini-review
When we first heard D-Link was sending its new DSM-210 Internet Photo Frame our way, we'll admit we had some pretty Star Trekkian visions of what it might entail. The device -- which is a 10-inch, 800 x 480 LCD display with built-in WiFi and ethernet connectivity -- promises to upgrade the familiar static nature of its ilk with a handful of networking enhancements. The frame adds Facebook, RSS, and various photo site (Flickr, Picasa) integration, then couples it with weather reports and the standard slideshow options (using the 1GB onboard storage or SD / MMC / Memory Stick slot). What should be a killer combo -- a frame that actually provides some interactive features -- is unfortunately hampered by its clunky UI and painful navigation via its dimestore micro-remote. D-Link does provide a nice landing page to set up your various accounts, though there's a cap on how many pictures can be in each stream, and it won't let you add two of the same subscription services on the device (say, if you and your spouse have separate Flickr accounts). The weather application is a nice touch, but that fact that it displays advertisements is a bit of a detractor -- do we really need to be bombarded with Dr. Pepper ads interspersed with photos from our peace-keeping missions abroad? All in all, it's not a bad device, but for the $249.99 price tag, you may be better off buying a cheapo netbook for a little bit more cash and leaving it open on a table somewhere.%Gallery-27260%
Kodak bumps out a pair of new Flickr-friendly Wireless Digital Frames
Kodak's new W820 (8-inch) and W1020 (10-inch) are the latest in the company's charming line of Quick Touch Border digital photo frames. Quite similar to their M820 and M1020 (pictured) counterparts in most respects, the new frames add WiFi, which brings with it services like Flickr, FrameChannel and Kodak Gallery. Unfortunately, the only way to add generic RSS feeds is FrameChannel, and all FrameChannel subscriptions include a monstrous banner ad across the bottom of each frame -- at least Kodak's partnership with Flickr is separate, so those subs are clean. Each frame includes 512MB of storage in addition to memory card slots, and they should be out next month for $250 and $280, respectively.%Gallery-27291%
Transcend doles out 7-inch T.photo 720 digiframe
Last September, Transcend had the bright idea of cluttering up the digital photo frame market even further with its own ho hum offering. Apparently the idea went over okay -- or the brilliant suit who decided to go for it is to prideful to admit otherwise. Either way, today we're presented with the 7-inch T.photo 720, a much less traditional frame (in terms of design) with a 800 x 480 resolution display, 2GB of integrated memory, built-in stereo speakers / headphone jack and an obligatory multicard reader. You'll also find a USB socket, FM tuner, support for video playback and a customizable alarm clock. If you're down with the rounded corners, you can expect this one later this month (in black or white) for around $165.[Via AkihabaraNews]
NuTouch offers up finger-friendly 7-inch digital photo frame
If you're not snoozin' by the end of this one, clearly you haven't been paying attention to just how many humdrum digiframes have been pumped out over the past six months or so. Nevertheless, NuTouch's 7-inch Touch Frame does manage to stand out somewhat in the legions of mediocre alternatives, as the sleek, glossy black frame gets complemented with an array of touch-sensitive controls, built-in stereo speakers and integrated MP3 player. The panel packs a 800 x 480 resolution, and furthermore, you'll find 128MB of storage, a multicard reader, internal battery, clock / calendar functions and USB connectivity. Still, we can't help but balk at the £139 ($273) price tag -- then again, we are dealing with the declining-by-the-second greenback here.[Via GeekAlerts]
NEC brings us the heart-shaped LCD panel, for better or worse
Admit it: you love digital photo frames. You love them so much, in fact, that you would be thrilled if NEC were to come up a heart-shaped LCD panel so you could get something like the prototype pictured here. Well, that's exactly what it did with its new "complex, non-rectangular TFT LCD modules." This isn't the first non-rectangular display we've seen, but it's definitely one of the most versatile in terms of the shapes it allows. The new development is based on a more flexible TFT display that puts the display's driver circuits along the perimeter of the LCD glass, allowing for more creative data and gate arrangements. In short, this all results in the monstrosity / ball-of-cuteness -- your choice -- you see above.
Parrot shows off Andre Putman-designed digiframe in UK
Indifferent souls may have no qualms just snapping up the first digiframe they see, but that sect isn't the target market for Parrot's latest. The Andrée Putman-designed device is being shown around the UK at the moment, and aside from boasting a 7-inch display, a glossy black motif, rear-mounted buttons, auto-rotation, 10MB of built-in storage, an SD expansion slot and integrated Bluetooth (but no WiFi), you also get to hand over £250 to take it home. Right now, the piece is only available in London's Few and Far store, but the company may try to roll it out nationwide if demand necessitates. Check it out on video in the read link below.[Via CNET]
Viewsonic busts out a bevy of customizable digital photo frames
There's nothing like an impending holiday to get companies rushing to get their appropriately-themed products out the door, and Viewsonic's now following Memorex's lead with a slew of new digital photo frames aimed at Mother's Day shoppers. This latest batch includes ten frames in all, including 7-, 8-, and 10-inch varieties (both widescreen and 4:3), each of which boast interchangeable bezels to suit your decor. At the head of the pack is the 10-inch DPX1002 model (pictured above), which packs a decent 1024x600 resolution, along with 400 cd/m2 of brightness, a 400:1 contrast ratio, and the usual video and MP3 playback features. If that's a bit more than you're looking for, you can opt for one of three variations of the 8-inch DPX802 model, which packs an 800x600 resolution and drops the video playback, or one of three incarnations of the 7-inch DPX702 model, which offers up a 800x480 resolution and drops the MP3 playback as well. Rounding things out are the 7-inch widescreen DPX704WH, 8-inch 4:3 DPX804WH and 10-inch widescreen DPX1004WH, each of which boast white finishes, and include 128MB of memory, along with some basic media-playing features. According to Viewsonic, the whole lot is available now, with prices ranging from $130 to $209.
Memorex pushes out two digiframes for proactive Mother's Day shoppers
Oh sure, Mother's Day is over a month away (in the US), but don't let mama know that reading this post was the only thing that reminded you. If you're suddenly stricken with panic, take heart, as Memorex has a new duo of digital photo frames sure to make the woman most special to you smile. Purposely designed with "feminine graphics," the Special Occasions and Floral models both feature 7-inch 480 x 234 resolution panels and USB connectivity. As for the former, you'll find four interchangeable inserts and a SD / MMC expansion slot, while the latter provides a 4-in-1 reader and oodles of floral patterns. Interestingly, we've no idea if either will be seen outside of K-Mart, but both frames can be purchased at the aforesaid retailer next month for $89.99 apiece.
Kodak intros new EasyShare photo frames with Quick Touch borders
It's been a little while since we caught sight of Kodak's last batch of digital photo frames, but the company's now come back for another go 'round with a trio of new EasyShare frames, each of which pack Kodak's newfangled "Quick Touch" borders. That feature lets you scroll though photos simply by sliding your finger along the border, as well as giving you control over all the frame's other functions via the interface pictured above. Apart from that, the frames appear to be pretty standard fare, with the M820 and M1020 models boasting 8 and 10-inch screens, respectively, along with the usual audio and video support, 128MB of built-in memory, and accommodations for all the most used memory card formats. If that's more than you need, you can also opt for the 7-inch P720 model, which hangs on to the Quick Touch border but drops everything but the most basic photo frame features. Look for all three of 'em to start shipping on April 16th, with the P720, M820 and M1020 setting you back $120, $180, and $230, respectively.
Polaroid to shake Instant Digital photo frame into reality [Update: sorry, game off!]
For every terrible mockup we see, there's a few that stand out -- and it looks like that Digital Polaroid frame concept we spotted a couple weeks ago caught some eyes over at Polaroid as well, because the company has apparently contacted designer Dave Friedman and is working on making it a real product. That's a pretty fitting tribute to a classic gone by -- but we won't be appeased unless you can shake this thing to make new photos appear.Update: Looks like Stuff misconstrued a simple statement made by a Polaroid employee (that he saw and "liked" the concept), and ran the whole thing as fact. Shocking. David Friedman, the concept's originator, got in touch and let us know that "I wish [it] were the case, but unfortunately the first I heard of this was earlier today in a post on Stuff Magazine's website. ... So I think this still goes in the "rumor" category for now."
