What About Power Cords and Batteries?
One thing you never worry about with traditional picture frames is where to plug them in. But given digital frames’ need to draw power, that issue is raised by the transition from traditional to digital frames.
Right now, digital frames plug into wall power outlets using long, thin power cords or thick extension cords. Either way, this leads to ugly, twisted lines running down walls or snaking around desks and tables, waiting to trip passersby. Neither is a great option.
It seems unlikely that this is the kind of thing that consumers will overlook. Some will, certainly, but no one wants to mount digital frames on their walls if that means they also have to string cables down the wall where everyone can see them. After all, wireless Internet is more popular than houses full of exposed Ethernet cables ever were.
How consumers will react is only one important question surrounding this issue. The other is how will manufacturers deal with this?
It will be interesting to see if they take action, or if they expect house builders/owners and other contractors to do the work. After all, mounting digital frames on the wall would be unobtrusive if there was an electrical outlet placed at the right height. But outlets are not currently common that high up on walls. Perhaps clear cords will be one solution.
Another option is to power frames using batteries. Rechargeable batteries seem the best option, with perhaps two included with each frame (one to power the frame while the other recharges in a dock or plugged into the wall). This would eliminate the cosmetic issue, though it would likely increase the cost of the frame and batteries are hardly environmentally friendly when it comes to disposal.
Readers: How much new, exposed cabling are you willing to accept in your home? Would the presence of a power cord effect your buying decision? How would you like to see manufacturers solve this issue?
