Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised; Panasonic‘s latest digital photo frame has sprouted an iPhone dock, allowing you to not only display images stored on its 2GB of internal storage but any pictures on the Apple smartphone. The Panasonic MW-20 has a 9-inch LCD display on an adjustable hinge, and also works as a speaker-dock thanks to its 5.6-mm Super Slim Semi Dome Speaker and sound diffuser.
The display adjusts its backlighting according to the ambient conditions, and it’ll obviously recharge your iPhone (or, indeed, your iPod touch) while it’s docked. There’s also an SD card slot and support for Panasonic’s LUMIX Scene Mode Playback which, if you’re shooting with a compatible camera from the company, can automatically pull together photos shot in the various different camera modes (e.g. nighttime, sports, etc.).
You can also choose to show a clock, calendar or other screensavers; in fact the only thing really missing is WiFi and/or 3G, and it’s a shame you can’t tether the phone and use its connection like with the Transgear model we wrote about back in 2009. The Panasonic MW-20 will go on sale in late November 2010, priced at $249.95.
Press Release:
PANASONIC ANNOUNCES DIGITAL PHOTO FRAME – COMPLETE WITH STEREO SOUND SYSTEM FOR PLAYING PHOTOS MUSIC AND VIDEOS WITH EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY
New Panasonic MW-20 is a Versatile and Stylish Multimedia System,
Compatible with iPod Touch® and iPhone® for Convenient Playback
SECAUCUS, NJ (October 4, 2010) – Panasonic today announced the MW-20, a digital photo frame that doubles as a stereo sound system, complete with iPod Touch® and iPhone® compatibility – using the supplied cradle to display photos and play music stored on the popular mobile devices is easy and convenient. The MW-20, a slim multimedia system, also charges the iPod Touch/iPhone while it is connected to the cradle.
The Panasonic MW-20 can play back videos and photos on its large, high-resolution 9-inch screen, while incorporating advanced audio technology to provide superb sound quality.
Below the screen, there is a 5.6-mm Super Slim Semi Dome Speaker and a diffuser that optimizes the sound. In addition, the built-in DSP (Digital Signal Processor) adjusts the audio signal to suit the audio characteristics of this speaker system.
“The Panasonic MW-20 has a stylish and slim design that will complement any home décor and given its versatility to display photos, videos, play music and even charge an iPhone – we think this will be a welcomed addition this holiday season,” said David Fisher, Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “Beyond its design and versatility, the MW-20 is also a powerful gadget – with exceptional sound quality to listen to music and a large nine-inch screen to view digital photos and videos.”
The MW-20 has an Adjustable Angle Display1 system that allows the angle to be changed to suit the viewing direction. With the supplied fixture, the MW-20 can be positioned in landscape orientation or hung on a wall. The MW-20 can display photos shot with a digital still camera by inserting an SD Memory Card into its slot. The MW-20 has 2GB of built-in memory for additional storage. The MW-20 features the LUMIX Scene Mode Playback function, which enables users to play back selected groups of photos shot with a Panasonic LUMIX digital camera using the iA Intelligent Scene Selector mode (Night Scenery, Portrait, Scenery, etc.). The MW-20 features 15 different display patterns to show a calendar, clock, photo – whichever combination the user prefers.
The MW-20 features an environmentally-conscious power-saving feature, with a luminance sensor that automatically adjusts the brightness of the screen according to the room lighting. For instance, when a room is dark, the MW-20 automatically shuts off. The Panasonic MW-20 will be available in late-November 2010 with a suggested retail price of $249.95. For more information, visit www.panasonic.com.
Kodak’s recent line of digital imaging products might not make for the most inspiring of spec-sheets, but they’ve got the sort of bargain price-tags mainstream users are looking for. We caught up with the Kodak PLAYTOUCH Full HD camcorder, the Kodak EasyShare M590 camera and 10-inch PULSE wireless digital photo frame to see what your money gets you.
Kodak are pretty proud of the EasyShare M590, what with it being the thinnest point-and-shoot with an all-internal 5x optical zoom, though at 0.6-inches it’s certainly not the slickest digital camera around. Still, the zoom gets you nice and close, and there’s a 14.5-megapixel sensor inside too. Style-wise it’s a little on the bland side, but the straightforward button layout does at least mean there’s little in the way of user confusion. It’s priced at $199.95.
As for the PLAYTOUCH, it’s more expensive – at $229.95 – which could hurt in a market where cheaper point-and-shoot camcorders are already under attack from 720p-capable cameraphones. Still, the capacitive touchscreen is responsive and bright, and the build quality is good; Kodak’s simple UI should make for a relatively straightforward experience with non-techy users, as well.
Finally, the Kodak 10-inch PULSE, a WiFi-enabled digital photo frame. The company was showing the new model next to the original 7-inch version, and while the difference might not sound much on paper, in practice you get far more viewing pleasure. At $199.95 it’s reasonably competitively priced, and Kodak’s wireless sharing feature is easy to use.
Qualcomm are holding their annual IQ event in London today, and while the company has confirmed that their 1.5GHz Snapdragon chipset for smartphones and tablets is due in Q1 2011 (Update: the 1.5GHz actually won’t be until near the end of 2011; the 1.2GHz will arrive in Q1 2011) more interesting perhaps is their AR photo frame demo. Currently running as an Android app, the system allows users to take a photo on their smartphone, point the handset’s camera at a digital photo frame, and then instantly squirt the image over to it.
Update: Technical details added after the cut
Video demo after the cut
After you tap the usual “Share” option in Android, then choose Photo Frame, the camera view shows you what you’re looking at in your living room. The system users AR technology to recognise each frame, highlighting it with a purple border; tap it, and the photo is automatically loaded over whatever wireless network you’re on.
So far Qualcomm aren’t saying exactly what they’ve done to create the system – obviously each frame has some degree of internet connectivity, and we’re guessing they’re pre-registered as your “home” displays – so we’ll be chasing up more details during the demo section of IQ 2010.
Update: We’ve just spoken with Qualcomm about the hardware and software behind the AR photo frame system, and it’s clever stuff. It all centers on Qualcomm’s Augmented Reality SDK, running in this case on a Google Nexus One but compatible with any Android 2.1+ device, together with their P2P technology. The frames are actually standard LCD monitors, each hooked up to a generic ASUS Eee Box PC running a custom app Qualcomm coded for the demo (with P2P functionality), and everything is on the same wireless network (we were told a regular WiFi router was used, though it was implied that Bluetooth could also be used for direct connections).
Rather than register each display to the phone, the system uses image recognition to identify them. The AR engine knows what each picture frame is showing, and matches that to the view through the camera: when you tap on-screen to select it, the P2P engine automatically swaps the pictures over.
The downside is that all the displays being used must be showing something different, else the AR recognition system can’t differentiate between them. Qualcomm aren’t looking to produce apps or displays themselves, but are expecting vendors using their AR SDK to offer similar services.
Kodak has outed what they’re calling the world’s thinnest digital camera with a 5x optical zoom, together with the 10-inch Kodak PULSE digital photo frame spotted hopping through the FCC last week. The company is obviously so excited about the Kodak EasyShare M590′s slimness that they’ve neglected to mention that other great photography competition: how many megapixels it packs. Still, Kodak are so heavily pushing their Share button – which tags images for upload to various social networking and gallery sites once you plug in to a computer with a network connection – that they’re probably assuming the raw shots will end up cropped down and compressed for online viewing, so original resolution doesn’t really matter.
There’s also a 2.7-inch LCD display, face recognition, image stabilization, HD video capture and a microSD card slot for storage. The Kodak EasyShare M590 will go on sale this fall, priced at $199.95 in silver, red, purple or blue.
As for the 10-inch Kodak PULSE digital frame, like its 7-inch sibling it has WiFi and its own email address: you can send images directly to the frame and, as long as it’s within network range, it’ll automatically start showing them. Facebook and Kodak Gallery content can also be pulled down automatically. It’ll also arrive this fall, priced at $199.95.
Press Release:
Kodak Introduces Latest Digital Camera for the Socially Savvy
KODAK EASYSHARE M590 is World’s Thinnest* 5X Optical Zoom Digital Camera; Company Will Also Offer Larger KODAK PULSE Digital Frame
Rochester, NY, Aug 23 — Eastman Kodak Company today introduced the new KODAK EASYSHARE M590 Digital Camera, the ultimate social networking accessory for people who love to share their pictures. With Kodak’s exclusive Share Button, consumers can tag pictures and videos directly on the camera for effortless uploading to popular social networking sites including FACEBOOK, KODAK Gallery, FLICKR, ORKUT, and YOUTUBE. Pictures can also be tagged to email and to send to any KODAK PULSE Digital Frame.
The new KODAK EASYSHARE M590 Digital Camera is the world’s thinnest* 5X optical zoom digital camera. On top of its sleek, modern and stylish design, the camera also boasts advanced features including Kodak’s Face Recognition feature that makes it simple for consumers to find and share the pictures they want, and Kodak’s Smart Capture feature that helps them take better pictures automatically.
“We are thrilled to see how people have embraced Kodak’s Share Button as an easier way to share life’s moments with family and friends, in three simple steps,” said Phil Scott, Vice President of Marketing, Digital Capture and Devices, Kodak. “With the new KODAK EASYSHARE M590 Digital Camera, we are continuing our commitment to bring to market innovative, intuitive and stylish products that make it fun and easy for today’s socially savvy crowd to share all their favorite moments.”
KODAK M590 Digital Camera Features:
Share Button for easy upload to KODAK Gallery, FACEBOOK, FLICKR, ORKUT, and YOUTUBE sites, as well as email
World’s thinnest* 5X optical zoom digital camera (uses SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH VARIOGON lens)
Built-in image stabilization
Kodak’s Face Recognition feature
Kodak’s Smart Capture feature
2.7-inch bright LCD with KODAK Color Science technology
Li-Ion rechargeable batteries and in-camera charging
HD picture and video capture
Uses MICROSD/MICROSDHC Card
The KODAK EASYSHARE M590 Digital Camera will be available this fall for US $199.95 MSRP in silver, red, purple and blue at major retailers and Kodak.com.
New 10-inch KODAK PULSE Digital Frame
Kodak is also introducing a larger size for its popular and award-wining KODAK PULSE Digital Frame. The new 10-inch PULSE Digital Frame will be available this fall for US $199.95 MSRP at major retailers and Kodak.com. With all the features of Kodak’s current 7-inch PULSE Digital Frame, including Wi-Fi connectivity and a customizable email address, the 10-inch PULSE Frame is the perfect gift for the holiday season. The KODAK PULSE Digital Frame makes it easy for consumers to keep their frames fresh with new pictures and share with family and friends. Pictures can be emailed directly to the PULSE Frame from mobile phones, computers and any device with email capability. It also connects to FACEBOOK and KODAK Gallery photo albums, offers easy set-up with no software to install, and has an intuitive touchscreen interface.
With the KODAK PULSE Digital Frame, there is always something new to look forward to.
KODAK Digital Camera Accessories
A range of accessories are available for the KODAK M590 Digital Camera including:
New KODAK Gripping Tripods available this fall in a variety of colors
KODAK Cases, Bags and Neck Straps
KODAK MICROSDHC Memory Card
KODAK Li-Ion Rechargeable Digital Camera Battery KLIC-7000
Battery charger options including KODAK Li-Ion Universal Battery Charger K7700-C
* World’s thinnest 5X optical zoom digital camera as of July, 2010
A new, larger model of Kodak’s Pulse WiFi-enabled digital photo frame has been spotted crossing the FCC. The Kodak Pulse W1030 has a 10-inch LCD display, rather than the 7-inch version announced back at CES 2010, and according to the wireless testing documents supports WiFi b/g together with having a USB port, SD/SDHC/MMC/MS/XD memory card slot and MS/MS Pro Duo card slot.
Meanwhile another document [PDF link] Kodak submitted to the FCC confirms that the new Pulse W1030 won’t be able to transfer files directly with a PC. The frame’s USB port will only work as a USB Host, for connecting directly to a camera; it’s unclear if that means direct WiFi connections won’t be supported, though that seems unlikely to be the case.
That would suggest that the only way to load images to the Pulse W1030′s internal memory (capacity unspecified) is to use a memory card or set up a wireless network; many frames will allow for direct connection to a computer, with the display showing up as an external drive. No word on when Kodak may release the Pulse W1030, but they requested 45 days confidentiality on the rest of the testing documentation and user guide, so that suggests a holiday launch.
The CubeBrowser is designed to bring images from the cloud, or online, right to your hands. This isn’t just a normal picture frame. Not at all. Instead of just putting it on a desk somewhere and forgetting about it, you’re meant to hold it in your hand, turn it over, and look at the six-sided device as new images are displayed based on your actions. A great idea, for sure, especially because you’re not supposed to just leave it somewhere and show it off with a point of a finger.
The CubeBrowser is a digital display, as the image clearly shows. It’s meant to bring pictures from image hosting sites like Flickr, or Picasa, and bring them right into your hand. You’ll be able to change photos based on your actions with the cube. Shaking it will bring a whole new batch of photos to the ‘Cube, which can pull images based on a set of tags you input into the system.
Turning it vertically will change the tags you’ve preset into the device, while turning it to the side will just change the images within that tag. There’s no word on the designers hopes for the display resolution, and there doesn’t seem to be any word on how you’d input images on your own, like with an I/O device. But, then again, it may just not do that — or it could use something like Bluetooth for its connectivity purposes. Maybe if this wins some awards somewhere, we could actually see it showing up on retail shelves in the future.
Digital picture frames are fantastic devices. They make it easy to show off all of those images that you take with your digital camera and camera phone. If you use a connected from that is online like the Ceiva frames they are even more useful.
Ceiva has announced an app for Android smartphones called Ceiva Snap that allows the user to shoot a picture with their Android device and then send the photo directly to their Ceiva photo frame that is connected to the internet.
That means you can snap a picture of the kids at the beach in California and send the photo directly to mom in New York in seconds. This is perfect for people who want to give a digital frame to a family member or a friend that isn’t tech savvy for loading the thing themselves. This app would be perfect for that new Droid X and its nice camera.
Remember the Pandigital Photo Mail Digital Photo Frame? We mocked its name and wretched press shots back in January, but also lauded its integrated AT&T 3G for wirelessly receiving new images sent to a dedicated email address. Pandigital have just announced that the $179.99 will go on sale within the next couple of weeks, and they’ve also confirmed pricing for their pre-pay photo download packages.
While the sticker price for the frame comes with 300 wirelessly-delivered photos, Pandigital are selling a further 100 for $9.99, 400 for $29.99 or 700 for $49.99. Although we’d love it to be subscription-free, we guess that’s the price you have to pay for avoiding WiFi; this strikes us as the ideal DPF for a grandparent who doesn’t have broadband. There’s also a 6-in-1 media card reader and USB port for side-loading images (with no charge, obviously) to the Photo Mail frame’s 1GB of internal memory, which can then be rotated and resized, and have their brightness and colors tweaked. Finally, it’ll play back AVI videos and MP3 audio.
Pandigital Begins Shipping Photo Mail Digital Photo Frame
Connected to AT&T Nationwide Wireless Network, Photo Sharing is Timely and Convenient
DUBLIN, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Pandigital today announced it is now shipping its highly anticipated Pandigital Photo Mail® Digital Photo Frame to several national retailers.
The Pandigital Photo Mail Digital Photo Frame is a next-generation, wirelessly-connected digital photo frame that displays photos emailed directly to its dedicated email address. Customers can share that address with family and friends to allow them to send photos directly to the frame from their own email account – whether it’s from a computer, smart phone or any email-enabled device.
Incredibly easy to use, photos can be viewed on the Pandigital Photo Mail frame very quickly. The frame connects to email wirelessly through AT&T’s nationwide wireless network, so emailed photos are transmitted rapidly and reliably.
“We’re coming up on a fun and busy time of year where families are together often for special occasions like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduations and summer vacations, and the Photo Mail frame is a great way to enjoy and share photos taken at these get-togethers,” said Dean Finnegan, CEO and founder, Pandigital. “With the frame, customers have a convenient, reliable way to view their photos and then share them quickly and easily with their family and friends.”
Pandigital Photo Mail frames are shipping to popular national retailers now and will be available for purchase by customers in the next several weeks. The Pandigital Photo Mail Digital Photo Frame will have a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $179.99. The price of the frame includes the ability to receive 300 photos emailed to the frame with no service fee to the customer. Additional photo allotments may be purchased directly from Pandigital: 100 for $9.99, 400 for $29.99 and 700 for $49.99.
“Photo sharing is simple and timely with the Photo Mail frame connected to AT&T’s wireless network,” said Glenn Lurie, president, emerging devices, resale and partnerships, AT&T Mobility. “With this new era of connected frames, photos will no longer be held captive on a camera or a smart phone. Grandparents will have convenient, up to date access to a grandchild’s latest adventure and parents will have the ability to stay in touch visually with their children away at college.”
Customers are alerted by the frame when new photos are emailed to its dedicated email address by friends and family so that they may quickly accept the photos in a single step to then begin enjoying them. Because the frames can receive photos from a smart phone or other email-enabled device, photos can be sent from virtually anywhere, even on-the-go.
Traditional Digital Photo Frame Usage and Extra Features Give it Full Functionality
In addition to having the capability to receive photos via email, the Pandigital Photo Mail Digital Photo Frame can also be loaded with photos via its 6-in-1 media card reader (Compact Flash, SC, XD, MS, MSPro and MMC) or via a direct connection to a computer or digital camera. The frame can also be connected to a Wifi network via an add-on wireless adapter.
The Pandigital Photo Mail Digital Photo Frame has an 8-inch back-lit LED display that displays photos in vibrant color and a picture-enhancing 800×600 resolution. The 4:3 aspect ratio preserves the original format of the photos, ensuring that they are not stretched or cropped. Plus, with a full 1GB of internal memory and Pandigital’s memory optimization mode, consumers can enjoy up to 6400 images on the display. Also, images can be rotated and resized, and brightness and color settings can be changed. The Pandigital Photo Mail Digital Photo Frame also can play back AVI video clips and MP3 music files.
Maintaining the upscale style of the Pandigital line, the new Pandigital Photo Mail Digital Photo Frame features a traditional look with a real wood frame, photo matting and a glass screen cover, so it looks great in the home or office.
Kenwood might not be the first name you’d associate with iPod speaker docks, nor with digital photo frames, but their latest product ticks both boxes. The Kenwood AS-iP70 has a 7-inch WVGA LCD display and a pop-out iPod/iPhone dock; as well as listening to music and viewing photos and video from the Apple PMP on the display, owners can also load up photos from an SD card and view them instead.
Other connectivity includes a USB 2.0 port for accessing the SD drive, while there’s also an FM radio is none of your downloaded music appeals. The speakers are tucked away on either side of the display, though at 1.5W each the AS-iP70 isn’t going to knock your house down with its musical power.
Still, it’s a distinctive device and kills two birds with one stone, so all that remains to be seen is exactly how much it will be. Impress reckon around 25,000 yen ($277) which seems on the high side to us; we’ll find out for sure when the Kenwood AS-iP70 hits Japanese stores in April 2010.
Isabella Product’s Vizit cellular-enabled digital photo frame has finally gone up for sale, and it’s also confirmed pricing for the required AT&T data plan. The 10.4-inch 800 x 600 touchscreen – available in silver or black – is priced at $279.99, while there will be two data plan options: a “basic” plan at $5.99 per month, or a “premium” plan at $79.99 per year.
The basic plan gets you up to 100 photos per month delivered through AT&T’s data network (the Vizit uses GPRS rather than 3G), which can be sent to the frame either via email or from an MMS-capable cellphone. As for the premium plan, that gets you up to 1,450 photos per year (around 120 per month).
It’s also possible to view locally-stored images on the Vizit display, as well as access Photobucket, Flickr and other galleries. Meanwhile viewers can respond to received photos directly from the frame itself, as well as forward them on to others. Frankly, we’re not sure the price is low enough for the target audience to stomach, but we’re hoping this marks the start of a new breed of cellular-enabled displays.
Press Release:
Isabella Products’ Award Winning Vizit Photo Frame Now Available for Purchase
Wirelessly Connected Touch Screen Photo Frame Ships for Mother’s Day
Consumer electronics company Isabella Products announced the availability of Vizit™, the first two-way, fully interactive digital photo frame powered by the AT&T* wireless network.
Available now on VizitMe.com, Vizit enables friends and family to send photos of life’s most important moments in real-time, connecting loved ones regardless of location. Simply email a photo to the frame address and it arrives within minutes, connecting families with visceral images. Then, with just a touch of the screen, Vizit users can share, reply, forward, favorite and delete any image on the frame. All photos sent to Vizit are automatically archived within a user’s personal VizitMe.com account, which allows users to remotely manage, edit, delete and organize the photos on their frame.
Crowned the winner of the Best Embedded Mobile Device at Mobile World Congress in February, Vizit is sold direct from VizitMe.com and retails at $279.99, requiring a basic ($5.99/month) or premium ($79.99/year) photo plan.
Isabella Products’ CEO, Matthew I. Growney says, “An evolution of how we share photos is underway. To date, a digital frame has simply served as an end point or storage unit. With Vizit, people can now reply to pictures or forward them to others directly from the frame. It’s truly the most interactive experience.”
“Isabella Products has approached Vizit in an innovative way which will allow the digital photo frame to become a more integral part of the imaging ecosystem,” commented InfoTrends senior research analyst Carrie Sylvester, “If you don’t free the pictures from the ‘electronic shoeboxes’ (e.g. memory cards and PCs) and bring the photos into our everyday lives, there’s not much point in taking pictures.”
“With Vizit’s intuitive design and use of AT&T’s wireless network, photo sharing is going to become simpler, faster and more enjoyable,” said Glenn Lurie, president of AT&T’s emerging device organization. “It’s the ideal photo sharing companion for parents, grandparents, kids away at school and siblings who might be across town or across the country. We’re proud to be the network of choice for this innovative product.”
Through a partnership with LIFE.com, the Vizit digital photo frame will also feature photos from the largest collection of professional photography on the web today. This expansive photo collection contains millions of extraordinary images, many of which are now accessible to Vizit users through an RSS feed on the frame owner’s VizitMe.com account. Additionally, users can easily import their photos from photo sharing sites like Photobucket into their VizitMe.com account.
Vizit’s ultra-thin display is wall-mountable and available in charcoal with a black accent or silver with a white accent. Vizit measures 10.9” wide x 7.4” high x .65” deep.
To order your Vizit or learn more, please go to VizitMe.com.
