Digital Pictureframe Displays the Weather, Comes with Guitarist

Now this is certainly unique and different. This 2.4″ digital picture frame with a complimentary metal guitarist will certainly add a little flair to your desk. Just connect the frame to your computer via USB and it will display photos. The best part is that besides displaying pictures, you can also view information from the internet like the weather. You can keep up to date with the weather from 5 cities worldwide and integrate it with your Google calendar too. You can also use it to stream pictures from your Flickr account and it’s got a built in alarm with 2 watt speaker. So why is the metal guitarist man included? Especially since the device doesn’t seem have any musical abilities? We have no idea. The Digital Photoframe with Internet features retails for $27.50 at Chinavasion.

CEIVAShare Digital Picture Frame Lets You Share Photos with other Ceiva Owners

The CEIVAShare isn’t your ordinary picture frame, it’s a frame that is focused on sharing your special photos with friends and family. CEIVA offers a special service called PicturePlan which lets you send photos to anyone else you know that also as the CEIVAShare frame. Folks who may not even have a CEVIA frame can also send images to those who do. No computer is needed just connect by phone, ethernet, or Wi-FI. The device also automatically uploads photos put on the frame via the built in memory card reader so that you can share them within your PicturePlan network too. The service costs $6.95 a month and it also offers users unlimited photo storage, which makes it a decent value.  Additionally you can use the CEIVAShare like an ordinary photo frame. Feature wise, the frame sports an 8″ LCD with a 4:3 resolution and an 800×600 resolution and it promises “True-to-photo image technology”. The CEIVAShare retails for $129, which makes it on par with other similar photo frames but this one has special tricks up its sleeve. It also comes with a 3 month subscription to PicturePlan and comes with a remote control that can be stored inside the picture frame itself.

LG 8″ Portable DVD Player and Digital Photo Frame - View a Pic and Watch a Pic

Well LG has certainly come up with something very sexy, the 8″ Portable DVD Player & Digital Photo Frame. It’s a nice twist on the boring as turd digital picture frames. It will be able to store 250 photos with its built in memory and display them on a 8″ screen. In regards to DVD playback, it will support DVD Video/DVD±R/DVD±RW/Audio CD/CD-R/CD-RW and has Audio/Video inputs and outputs.
The 3 in 1 memory card slot and USB port makes for easy digital camera connection or expandable memory.
The LG 8″ DVD Player and Digital Frame retails for $279.95 but is currently on sale at Circuit City for $199.99. So when someone asks you “Can I see the pictures on your digital frame?” Tell them to shove off, your watching a movie.

Epson’s New P-6000 & P-7000 Multimedia Photo Viewers with Improved Displays

If you are an avid photographer or just an annoying paparazzi then you might consider getting the new Epson P-6000 or P-7000. Both devices are multimedia storage viewers that have a 4 inch LCD screen and the ability to view JPEG pictures, MPEG, MPEG-4, Motion, H.264/AVC videos files as well as suport for listening to MP3 and AAC audio files. There are two built in slots for CF and SD memory cards so that you upload your photos for a quick run through and as well as a quick way to free up more space on your camera. These might look similar to the older P-5000 model, but they’re truly new and improved with a superior display featuring Epson’s “new Photo Fine Premia technology that encompasses 94% of Adobe RGB for brilliant color and detail”. We got a chance to use these in person and the screens are very easy on the eyes now. Also, download speeds are now up to 35 percent faster than previous models. The battery lasts up to three hours and there is ofcourse a USB connection for connecting to your computer. The Epson P-6000 has 80GB of storage and will retail for $599  while the Epson P-7000 has 160GB of storage, will retail for $799, and includes a travel pack with a protective carrying case, battery charger, viewing stand, car adapter, cleaning cloth, and LCD protective film.

Coby’s Portable Digital Photo Viewer with Clip

I don’t know about you but I have no desire to carry pictures of anyone around with me, except maybe of my bunny. Apparently Coby thinks otherwise and with that said I present to you the Coby Digital Photo Viewer. It will display 60 images in JPEG, GIF, and BMP formats. The best part is that it has a big clip that can attach to any backpack or belt loop. It comes in the colors pink, blue, black and red. The perfect way to show off your vacation in Miami when returning to school. The digital photo viewer can be purchased at Kmart (yes a few are still around) for $29.99

Memorex’s Fashion Digital Photo Frame is Fashionable

Yes another digital photo frame but this one is being labeled a “fashion” photo frame. The 7″ widescreen fashion digital photo frame by Memorex has all your typical features: 4-in-1 memory card slot, slideshow transitions, and a detachable stand. The best part of it and what makes it special, is the design around the frame has a special feminine touch not just a plain black or silver design. No pricing is available yet but it will be coming soon to Kmart and Future Shop.

A-Data’s Retro Disney Digital Picture Frame

How cool is this? Not that I’m a big fan of the house that the mouse built but I’ll give props to A-Data for making something unique for a change with a digital picture frame. The A-Data Digital Disney frame has a an illustrated retro Mickey circa 1980’s adnorning the frame. The 7-inch digital frame features a TFT LCD panel, automatic photo rotation, and 1GB of embedded memory. In addition there is a touch of magic with the inclusion of touch sensor buttons! It will support Jpeg and WMV formats and will connect to your computer via a USB. We couldn’t find any pricing or availability yet but I’m sure some mouseketeers would just love to have it.

Coby’s Leather Bound Portable Digital Photo Album with MP3 Player

Like the vintage slideshows that you were tortured to sit through and view of your great aunts vacation, digital picture frames are becoming this generations version of slides. As people wait and stare at the next rotation of pictures that pop up on the frame and then the following narrative “oh and that’s little jimmy pretending to jump into Niagara falls.” So it comes as no surprise that now there is a wallet size portable 3.5″ digital photo album from Coby. It’s practically wallet size and will store 400 pictures on its 1GB flash memory. In addition it will also play MP3 and WMA files, has a SD card slot, and USB port for hi-speed transfers. You can choose from either a brown or black leather cover to carry your memories around in to torture others.. The Coby DP-350 retails for $69.99 but you can purchase it at Amazon for $54.69

Samsung’s SPF-105P 10″ Photo Frame Doubles as a Secondary PC Display

Heaven knows we are all sick of digital picture frames, but once in a while a digital picture frame comes along that piques our interest. The Samsung SPF-105P is mostly pretty ordinary. It’s got a 10.2″ wide screen LCD sporting a 1024×600 resolution with a 500:1 contrast ratio an dit’s got 1GB of built-in memory. So what is so special about the SPF-105P you ask? The SPF-105P can also work as a secondary computer display, so that you can use it for all sorts of cool things - like a place to dock your buddy list, or heck, you can even use it to display photos right off of your PC. What a novel idea that last one was.

Pandigital Digital Collage Photo Frame has 4 Frames in 1

I don’t know about you, but I am sooo bored of digital picture frames. They all do the same thing and practically all look the same, it all comes down to how many pics the frame will display or if it supports MP3’s etc…etc….bleh boring. However l give it up to Pandigital for atleast thinking outside the box with their 7″ LCD Digital Collage Photo Frame. Available in a black wood, the collage frame consists of three standard 5″ x 7″ photo frames and one 4″ x 6″ digital frame for you to upload 2,000 pictures onto its 256MB of internal memory. It also has a built in 5 in 1 card reader, supports, jpeg, MP3, and AVI playback. Other features include a clock, calendar, and remote control. Talk about old school meeting new school. The perfect frame to store your July 4th memories. It retails for $129.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond.

Heart-Shaped Digital Picture Keychain is Sorta Sweet

Sure, you’ve seen digital picture keychains before, but have you ever seen a heart shaped one? The AXN-9100 Mini Keychain Style Digital Picture Frame sports a 1.1″ display with support for JPG and BMP images, 4MB of memory for up to 56 images, a slideshow mode, a built-in rechargeable battery via USB, and a built-in clock. It’s also available in the girlilicous colors of pink or red. It retails for a somewhat reasonable $19.99. And the verdict? It’s either just really tacky or it could be a hot Valentine’s Day gift.

Westinghouse Digital Picture Frame Creates Collages Out of Your Photos

How is this digital picture frame different than other picture frames you ask? Westinghouse’s DPF-0702 7″ Widescreen Digital Photo Frame might look like your run of the mill digital picture frame but it has one unique trick up its sleeve. No its not a built-in TV tuner, no it’s not wi-fi, it’s totally not what you would expect, but it’s a welcome feature regaurdless. The DPF-0702 features MosaicView technology which lets you display multiple photos on screen at one time in a collage-like fashion. That is so much cooler than one simple photo at a time, eh? Otherwise the DPF-0702 is pretty typical, it will read memory cards, plays slideshows, and it supports AVI and MP4 files.

Digital Magnet Picture Frame for Your Fridge

Because we just can’t seem to get enough of looking at pictures of our family or other interesting pics we have taken over the years, there is now the Fridge Magnet Frame. Containing 32MB of internal memory which can store up to 66 photos and will display in 320×240 resolution, it supports JPG, BMP, and GIF formats and pics can be uploaded via USB. In addition there is a pop out stand that lets you sit it on tabletops. So when you are preparing meals after a long hard day you can take a look at the fridge and see those happy faces you would like to smash in. Fridge Magnet Photo Frame retails for £29.99

Audiovox homebase Message Center and Digital Photo Frame Review

Earlier this year at CES we had reported on the Audiovox homebase Message Center and Digital Frame. At the time we where told it would be released in time for Mother’s Day and alas it was. So would this be a new spin on the average Joe digital frame? I guess we shall see.

Design:
Before you add a gadget to your kitchen area it is very important to many that it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb and that it should be aesthetically pleasing. The homebase blends in by having an all white design except for the control keys to the left of the unit which are green. The front is made of a high gloss acrylic that allows for the unit to easily be cleaned that surrounds a 7 inch LCD color display. To the left of the unit is also the power switch, USB port, SD/MMC/MS/xD, and CF slots for pulling off media. The unit comes with 512MB of built-in memory but for some that may not be enough. So the ability to expand the memory is excellent. On the right hand side of the unit is slots for a marker and post-it pads. Overall the homebase Message Center has a neutral color tone and not an ambitious design that would fit into any type of designer or non-designer kitchen quite nicely.

Setup/Installation:
The homebase doesn’t require any software setup to get started but it does require that you think of where to put it. Included with the homebase Message Center are several choices for mounting it. The most obvious would be the refrigerator. So Audiovox thought outside of the box and included a wire management system that contains the colors White, Black, and Clear all in an effort to make the wires blend in with your fridge and kitchen as the electrical plug finds it way to the outlet around your kitchen. There is also the option to mount it on the wall with an included wall mount bracket with anchors and flat head screws included in the box. Finally if you don’t want to damage your walls or attach this to your fridge there is the angle mount bracket which will easily slip onto the backside of the homebase which will allow it to stand freely on a counter top or table like a picture frame on a pedestal. For review purposes we chose the pedestal option which worked out just fine because honestly I like to have lots of room for magnets on my fridge. I also tend to slam the door on the fridge when I run out of coffee ice cream. The angle mount bracket snapped right into place and we were ready to move on to the next step.

Interface:
So I plugged in the unit and we were off. In a few seconds of turning it on the homebase logo popped on the LCD screen and then a slideshow presentation took place introducing the homebase and some of the things it does. It could easily be a tutorial. The homebase Message Center was definitely made for those who may not be technically savvy. It has a very simple interface that I’m sure your 5 year old would scoff at. To get stared you will press the “Menu/OK” button. There is a Menu button key, Memo, Up and Down key to operate the unit. After you press the Menu button a list of options comes up: Memo, Calendar, Timer, Photo, Settings, and Exit. One major difference between this device and any other run of the mill Digital Frame is the ability to record messages for them to be played back later. When you select Memo you are given the choice to record, play/erase, exit and erase all. So we went ahead and recorded a message by selecting record and it will automatically record your message and then another set of options pops up for you to review your message, record again, keep/exit, and then cancel. You use the up/down keys as directionals for what option you want to choose. We decided to keep the message. When you do, a green light suddenly appears on the front of the unit to show that you have a message. So you can go ahead and leave a message of any type on the machine. What an interesting way of leaving a message I can hear them already; ” Hi Mom we need milk and I failed math - love you” or ” Stay away from the cake, it’s mine!” After you play back the message you can erase it and the green light will disappear. With the calendar option you can record memos for important dates and also add icons so there would be no excuse for your beloved to forget your anniversary ever again or Mary’s recital. You can also set a timer which could be a helpful cooking tool but otherwise I don’t see what else it could be used for honestly.

Then there is the photos option, where of course all the fun lies. When you click on photos you get another menu screen which gives you options to pull media from an External Device, the Internal Photo Library or edit slideshow options for images already on the unit. When selecting images from the external device you have the option to pull images from the slots and ports we mentioned earlier and then you can copy those images you want to the memory on the unit or you can run slideshows just from the external media. We decided to use a USB key to import images. We copied one image over, played it first as a slideshow and then a static image. We also ran a slideshow with the images still on the USB key. It worked flawlessly without fail. You can also choose in what order pictures play in a slideshow or how long the slideshow should last. Lastly is the setting options which you can go to to customize if you want images played in normal mode or widescreen mode, as well as a format the memory to make room for more images and set the time and date of the unit.

There maybe a lot of options to choose from if you access the main menu and all its features but the actual unit has some nice aspects that make it a functional piece of equipment in your kitchen. You can write on it with a dry erase marker, which easily wipes away just in case you don’t want to fumble through the menu to leave a digital message- write it on the front of the unit loud and proud. A marker is included and so are post-its and magnets. As I mentioned earlier the marker and post-it pads have its own designated slots on the homebase. Unlike a typical fridge were you can throw a magnet on to it anywhere and it will stick, on the homebase you can only stick them around the edges of the unit, other wise it doesn’t stick which is kind of a bummer. The trim of the homebase is kind of thin which means using magnets any bigger than a top of a bottle cap is out the question, which means BORING magnets!

Sound Quality:
The sound is typical of any voice recorder device. The closer you are to the unit the better the play back will be. Stand a little further away or whisper and it won’t play to clearly. I stood about a foot away and a had a TV playing in the background and it recorded my message along with the TV sound. So I was pretty impressed.

Conclusion:
When Audiovox created homebase they definitely had the busy mom in mind. It is creative, thoughtful, and really understands the importance of communication on refrigerators in any family’s kitchen, while making it fun and innovative. The design is simple yet pleasing to the eye and easy to use and won’t frustrate Moms or kids in a hurry to get the point across. Currently available in stores for $149.99, and in June Audiovox will be releasing the Video/Audio version of the same model for $199.99. I can only imagine what those messages will look like….

The Good: Great for busy moms and familys. Easy to use and well thought out design and functionality.

The Bad: Would have liked a wireless option with batteries to eliminate wires altogether, wire maintenance in some homes can only go so far, and would have liked a bigger magnetic area for magnets that are larger than the size of bottle caps.

Cenomax Digital Picture Frame Comes with Faceplates

Spring cleaning is here and with that, many people like to change around their home furnishings a bit. Maybe buy some new carpeting or a sofa or change some pictures and pictures frames. Have you been to Bed Bath and Beyond yet?! Well till recently if you could had a Digital Picture frame you couldn’t change the outside, only the inside photos, which is silly because regular picture frames are easily changeable so why shouldn’t digital picture frames be the same way? The Cenomax Digital Picture Frame not only has a 7″ LCD display, you can also change the frame outside of it with interchangeable faceplates. Four are included, and it comes with a remote as well. [Read more]

Floating Ideas Lamp Levitates Your Photo

Many of us are getting real tired of digital picture frames. Well what if there was a different way to display your pics. The Floating Ideas is a levitating device that looks like a desk lamp but really isn’t. There are 3 different styles for the Floating Ideas gadget: an artistic base, an original base, and a cosmic base. Place the photo frame that fits 2 pictures into the Floating Ideas “lamp” and watch your pic of Wolfy levitate. It’s fun to watch things float and it certainly will get your friends talking. Death to the digital picture frames! [Read more]

Mustek’s Photostation 5 in 1 Digital Photo Frame

We are super sick of digital picture frames, almost as much as we are tired of ipod docks, but regardless this one is a bit different than the rest. Mustek’s Photostation PF-D420 is a smaller sized digital picture frame with a 2.4″ LCD TFT display that makes it more suited for a bedside table than a coffee table. The PF-D240 can playback JPEG photos and it also has an MP3 player, an FM radio, a clock with alarm clock functions, a thermometer and a built-in speaker. Is this a gadget you’ll drool over? No, but it’s definitely a practical gadget.

CES 2008: The Only Digital Picture Frame Worth Mentioning at CES, Doubles as an iPod Dock

I have to say this year at CES 2008 there was an ABUNDANCE of digital picture frames and iPod docking stations. So why not smash them together and make atleast an interesting docking station or digital picture frame. Well Mustek did just that with the just anounced Mustek PF- i700 . A 7 inch digital photo frame with an an iPod docking station which enables images or files off of the iPod to be played. Mustek is well known for their digital pictures frames. We did get a chance to see it on display and it looked very nice in person with a sharp image. The unit also has built in speakers for sound and a headphone jack. [Read more]

CES 2008: AUDIOVOX Homebase Interactive Refridgerator Message Board

One of the most innovative and interesting things we came across at CES this year so far is the AUDIOVOX homebase unit. Truly innovative and smart, and a finally a gadget that is not an iPod case or dock to charge one! Instead this will help those moms and dads who are always on the run. Homebase will allow you to stay up to date with other family members and just day to day routine things that may come up that slip your mind. The homebase system is a new twist on the digital frame. They took a 7 inch LCD digital frame that can hold up to 125 high resolution pics and put it inside an erasable white board with a magnetic border that you can put post-it notes on or magnets. You can write on the board with erasable markers and quickly jot notes down or a message. But that’s not all, the homebase also has a built-in microphone to record messages and also an indicator light that denotes a message is waiting to be listened too. [Read more]

Digital Picture Frame with Touch Sensitive Interface Also Doubles as a Weather Station

If you’re out shopping for a digital picture display / photo viewer, than you know that choosing one is tough because there are so many out there that overlap in features. However the Sharper Image’s new Color Photo Viewer definitely has some unique traits that stand out amongst other photo viewers. First of all it’s got a neat set of blue touch interface buttons beneath its 7″ LCD. On top of that it had something very useful that most other photo viewers don’t have - it doubles as a weather station which tells you the indoor and outdoor temperatures, humidity, the forecast and moon phase. [Read more]