Consumers may not be printing as many digital images as we’d like them to, but they are displaying their digital photos on digital picture frames in record numbers. According to InfoTrends, more than 8 million digital photo frames shipped in 2008. That number will increase at a 21% CAGR between 2009 and 2014.
When the category first emerged a few years ago, it seemed that “a frame was a frame was a frame”—there wasn’t much in the way of distinguishing features. But that has since changed. Digital picture frames are evolving into a myriad of products that offer the latest in technological advances. Sizes are slowly increasing, with most in the 8- or 10-inch size, but 12- and 14-inch frames are hitting the market, too.
Trends include Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11 b/g), the addition of built-in printers and eco-friendly Energy Star ratings. Unique new features also include built-in software and Bluetooth compatibility, as well as networks that provide the frames with their own e-mail address for receiving digital images.
Casio launched its 10.2-inch Digital Art Frame early this year. This frame offers the unique capability to transform photos into extraordinary works of art. With a touch of a button, users can create eight different art styles: water color painting, color pencil sketch, pastel painting, pointillism, air brush, oil painting, Gothic oil painting and Fauvist oil painting. Also incorporated is Casio’s dynamic photo function, which lets users create composite moving images. Other features are Wi-Fi, USB, 2GB of internal memory and video with audio. casio.com
Sony markets the DPP-F700 in its S-Frame line. The 7-inch DPP-F700 takes advantage of Sony’s history in the dye-sub printer market with the incorporation of a 4x6 printer for 300-dpi photos. Using “screen capture,” consumers can print exactly what’s displayed on the screen during a slideshow. Other features include editing capabilities, a creative print mode with 30 templates, 1GB of internal storage and multiple media support/USB port. $199.99. sony.com
Pandigital offers its DIMA award-winning 8-inch Photo Mail LED frame. A next-gen Wi-Fi frame, it connects to the Web via AT&T’s wireless network. Each frame has its own dedicated e-mail address powered by Snapfish by HP for sharing photos. The price of the frame includes the downloading of 300 images; users can purchase additional photo allotments. Other features include 1GB of memory, 6-in-1 card reader, direct connection to computer or camera, and the ability to play AVI video clips and MP3 files. $149.99. pandigital.net
Panasonic entered the digital frame market in a big way last November with the introduction of the MW-10, a combination audio system, iPod dock and digital frame. The audio system would make any audiophile envious, as it features a built-in CD player and AM/FM tuner with 45 station presets, and a universal iPod dock. The MW-10 has a USB port, an SD card slot, 4GB of internal memory and is Energy Star qualified. $299.95. panasonic.com
Kodak added the Pulse digital frame to its lineup. This 7-inch e-mail enabled frame offers Wi-Fi connectivity, 512MB of internal memory, an Energy Star qualified power adapter and low energy consumption. The display utilizes Kodak Color Science for exceptional quality. Users can download images via e-mail, Facebook or the Kodak Gallery, which allows the Pulse to display a stream of new pictures by automatically refreshing when consumers, or family and friends, add pictures to their albums. $129.99. kodak.com
HP’s 8-inch smart Wi-Fi display frame is a wireless frame that lets users receive Twitter tweets, view videos on YouTube, share photo albums on social networking sites, and listen to Internet radio and podcasts. Other features include 512MB of internal memory, USB/mini connectivity, multiple card slots and PictBridge compatibility. $159.99. hp.com
Sunpak, distributed by ToCAD America, offers a range of frames from 3.5 inches through 15 inches with styles from classic wood to clear acrylic. Features include multiple media card slots and a USB port. Some of the models can play video and audio as well as images, and most of the larger frames can be wall mounted or displayed freestanding. tocad.com
Coby Electronics offers a full line of digital albums and frames from keychain size to 14 inches. The DP5088 deluxe 5-inch wooden digital photo frame and analog clock offers multimedia playback, a USB port, multiple card slots and 1GB of memory. Integrated stereo speakers play crisp audio to add a soundtrack to slideshows. Calendar and alarm functions are included. $65.99. cobyusa.com
Samsung debuted its 700Z at CES 2010, where the ultra-slim frame earned a Consumer Electronics Show 2010 Innovation Award. The frame has a foldable “L” stand design and ultra-slim (active matrix) AMOLED self-luminescent screen that reduces power consumption. It uses Bluetooth/DLNA-licensed technology to sync with other photo and video devices to share multimedia content wirelessly. In addition to its 1,024x600 display and decorative frame functions, the 700Z can be used as a secondary monitor by connecting it to a PC via USB. $300. samsung.com
Digital Foci offers its Photo Book, an 8-inch digital photo album providing 4GB of built-in memory. With a leatherlike case, it is ideal for professional photographers to showcase portfolios. It includes RAW support, USB card slots and plays audio and video. $189. digitalfoci.com
JOBO, which recently added the ultra-slim Nano 8 and Nano Pro 10 to its line, offers the innovative ScanViewer digital picture frame, a multimedia frame that features a built-in photo scanner to bring analog prints into the digital age. It digitizes up to 4x6-inch photos and presents them on its 8-inch display. Via USB, scanned images saved to the ScanViewer’s 1GB of internal memory can be transferred to a PC or printed on a PictBridge compatible photo printer. It also plays videos and music. jobo.com
MediaStreet markets the 8-inch eMotion Social Connect, which works with the LifeGoRound sharing platform to share photos and video from a range of websites, including Picasa, Flickr, YouTube and Facebook, uploaded from computers and e-mail. It features Wi-Fi, card slots, USB and internal memory. $149.99. mediastreetgroup.com
KG ProPhoto just unveiled its Photo Frame Printer 8, which boasts an 8-inch dye-sub printer so consumers can display and print photos. They can view single photos, slideshows or thumbnails on its SVGA (800x600) 8.0-inch LCD, and an internal speaker allows music to play. Other features include: 1GB of internal memory; an all-in-one, easy-load printer cartridge; 300x300-dpi prints in 50 sec; preset ID/passport photo sizes; and a remote control. kgdigital.comd