By Greg Scoblete
LAS VEGAS - A number of new digital frames introduced at International CES will feature touch-screen interfaces as well as dual-use capability to double as message boards, alarm clocks or even a wrist watch.
Audiovox will introduce the Digital Message Board (DPF711K) which combines a 7-inch digital photo frame with a white board, memo pad, magnetic board and digital camera/microphone for leaving video messages on the frame.
The Digital Message Board will include hardware for mounting to a fridge, wall or countertop. It will feature a 480 by 234 pixel display resolution with a 16:9 aspect ratio, card slots for the popular flash memory formats and 512MB of internal memory. The frame can display a calendar and digital clock and offers a removable acrylic front cover. It will retail for a suggested $199.
Ceiva will introduce four new frames, including the 19-inch, wireless enabled Pro 190. The wall-mountable frame features an 800 by 600 display and can connect to Ceiva's subscription based online photo-sharing service and home networks. Pricing was not announced. Similar functionality will be available in the 8-inch Pro 800 model, which also includes interchangeable face lates and will retail for a suggested $229.
A Life model sports an 8-inch display, card reader and can connect to the Ceiva service through a phone line or optional broadband and wireless adapters. It will retail for a suggested $179. The Ceiva Share will lose the compatibility with optional adapters and retail for $149.
Coby will introduce a 2.4-inch portable photo album - the DP-240. The unit features internal memory, an SD card slot, rechargeable battery and a USB slot for PC connectivity. It will also be available in a 3.5-inch screen size (DP-350).
The DP-352 is a 3.5-inch model with slots for SD and Memory Stick flash memory cards. It ships with two interchangeable acrylic frames.
Digital Foci will introduce a 15-inch model of its Image Moments frame. The 1024 by 768 display offers a 700:1 contrast ratio and built-in file management features.
The frame also features built-in speakers, an A/V out, 256MB of internal memory, card slots for the popular flash memory formats as well as the ability to display images from both the internal memory and a memory card concurrently. Photos are automatically rotated for proper alignment with the frame.
In addition to JPEGs, the frame can display RAW image files from d-SLRs, playback MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG and WAV audio files and Motion JPEG and MPEG-4 video files. It will retail for a suggested $399.
The firm will also introduce a new model to its Pocket Album line of portable image displays. The PAD-280 features a 2.8-inch, 320 by 240 OLED display with 128MB of internal memory. It will retail for $99.
Kodak will add a Picture Mail feature to its Wi-Fi frames. When new photos are posted to a connected Gallery account, a message will appear on the frame's screen giving them the option to view the new images.
Genuis will introduce the 10.4-inch DPF-A02 Crystal frame ($249). It features a 4:3 aspect ratio and the ability to display up to four images on the screen at once. Additional features include a programmable on/off mode, MP3 and AVI playback, USB host/slave ports, 128MB of internal memory and an automatic resizing button for transferring files from digital memory cards onto internal memory.
Fidelity will introduce its first Wi Fi-enabled digital frames under the new Shogo brand. The high end line will consist of six models featuring 8 and 10.4-inch screen sizes with a resolution of 800 by 600 pixels. Four models in the line will offer touch-screen user interfaces.
All the new Shogo frames will feature rechargeable batteries, memory capacities up to 2GB, Wi Fi and Ethernet connectivity, automatic image rotation, interchangeable mattes, RF remotes, and built-in speakers.
The frames will be capable of viewing Internet photos, weather forecasts, and stream Internet radio through Fidelity's new MyShogo.com Web portable. The frame's software and firmware can be automatically updated, it features PictBridge for connecting to a printer and a clock/calendar function.
The SG-010, in black, sports a 10.4-inch touch screen and 2GB of internal memory for a suggested $399 (also available in white - SG-011). An 8-inch model with touch screen and 1GB of internal memory will retail for $349 and also be available in black (SG-080) and white (SG-081).
The models without touch screens will include the SG-080A (black) and 081A (white). They will feature 512MB of internal memory and retail for a suggested $299.
Media Street will launch three new eMotion photo frames at the show. The top of the line model will be a 15-inch Thomas F. McKnight Edition and will include images from the painter pre-loaded onto the frame.
The company will also introduce a "digital photo frame watch" which will display the time, personal photos and a calendar on its 1.5-inch display. It offers an 8 to 10 hour rechargeable battery.
The 3.5-inch Personal Photo Edition is a touch screen viewer with a leather cover that opens to activate the frame and serve as a stand. Pricing was not available at press time.
Mustek will ship a frame with an Apple iPod dock to dealers in the first quarter. The PF-i700 sports a 7-inch screen that can display files stored on a docked iPod or memory cards. It offers built-in speakers, a 480 by 234 resolution, 16:9 screen and will retail for suggested $129.
Philips will expand its line of frames to include 6-, 7- and 8-inch screen sizes. The frames will feature new RadiantColor technology, which the company says will extend images to the edge of the display without distorting the image. The new models will also offer programmable on/off times. More details will be released during the show.
Polaroid will hop on the Wi-Fi wagon with the new Freescape 10.2-inch digital frame. The unit can play back video and digital audio files from memory cards or home networks. The frame features an 800 by 400 resolution and a 16:9 aspect ratio. It will bundle a remote control. Pricing was not announced.
Sungale will offer an 8-inch, touch screen model - the JA8FTP - with 512MB of internal memory and an 800 by 600 display. The unit will retail for a suggested $269
The company will also launch a Wi Fi-enabled frame (AW8F-WF) with an 800 by 600 8-inch display, 512MB of internal memory and the ability to interface with Flickr and Picassa. It will carry a $249 suggested retail price.
Westinghouse Digital will up its top screen size to 15.6-inches. Units will also be available in 14.2, 10.2, 9, 8 and 7-inch sizes. All the frames will offer 256MB of built-in memory and come with a remote control. They will support AVI, MPEG-1/4 video playback and feature built-in speakers and the firm's MosaicView technology for viewing multiple images on the screen simultaneously,
The company will also launch LCD alarm clock/digital photo frame, the ACP-0730. The unit can broadcast a video or audio greeting as the alarm. The frame features a 16:9 aspect ratio, 256MB of internal memory and an 800 by 400 resolution display, 256MB of built-in memory and built-in stereo speakers. It also has a Lithium ion rechargeable battery for power backup and portable photo viewing.
The 15.6-inch DPF-1561 has a 1366 by 768 resolution, 16:9 display. It will ship in June. Pricing was not announced. The 14.1-inch DPF-1412 features a 1280 by 800, 16:10 aspect ratio display and ships in June for $299. The 10-inch DPF-1022 (April, $199) has a 1024 by 600 resolution display and 15:9 aspect ratio.
The DPF-0901 (April, $149) sports a 9-inch, 640 by 234 resolution, 16:9 display while the 8-inch DPF-0803 will be the only 4:3 aspect ratio frame with an 800 by 600 resolution. Lastly, the 7-inch DPG-0703 (April, $99) sports a 16:9 ratio display with a 480 by 234 resolution.
Xias will ship a pair of Wi Fi frames with 8 and 10-inch screen sizes. The 10-inch PF-1021WF will ship in the first quarter and feature an 800 by 400 pixel resolution screen, slots for the popular flash memory formats, MP3 audio and MPEG-4 video playback, and the ability to display 12 images on the screen simultaneously. The same feature set will also be available on the 8-inch PF-821. Retail price was not set at press time.
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