Archive for March, 2007
The Internet is not a safe place to spend time these days – and I don’t mean that in the MySpace/To Catch a Predator sense. I mean that it’s full of hackers, crackers, spammers, virus writers, and phishers looking to do the average user no good at all.
Most people know they need antivirus software, and might know they need antispyware apps, too. Some know about phishing, but don’t always know how to distinguish it from legitimate customer service emails. The reason? It’s complicated and people don’t have time (or the technological expertise) to understand it all, especially in a fast-changing security environment. As a result, we have legions of compromised PCs, botnets, and DDoS attacks.
Any device connected to the Internet therefore needs to take security seriously and wireless digital picture frames are no exception.
That said, though, could serious security problems arise with wireless photo frames?
The most obvious security threat is a hacker taking over a frame and showing whatever they want on it. The effects of this range from the relatively minor – annoying or offensive photos put on display – to the destructive –making frames unusable in the future.
Hackers could also compromise a user’s wireless frame account through the frame’s web management interface. This could lead to the problem noted above, to purchases made without a user’s authorization. This could also lead to a compromise of other personal data, but all of this is more an issue of web server security than a frame security.
It’s possible that frames could be attacked by viruses and spam. While spam would certainly be annoying, viruses might be less likely, since there will be less available information about the embedded systems running frames than there is about computer operating systems.
Since most frames are controlled by web interfaces, it’s less likely that a frame could be used as an entryway into taking over a PC. It’s possible, of course, but would likely require a series of less-likely cascading security vulnerabilities in the frame, the browser, and the PC.
The larger fear, of course, is the attacks that have not yet been invented. There are bound to be some of these and frame makers and customers don’t want a repeat of the (perhaps apocryphally) mobile phone virus that places long distance calls to the financial benefit of the virus writer.
While the security exposure of wireless frames is, for now, relatively small, wireless frame companies should take an aggressive stance on security to make sure that the problems that bedevil PCs are minimized on frames.
Ceiva’s re-designed 8-inch diagonal wireless digital photo frame has an attractive, modern look, 640×480 resolution, slots for most memory card types, as well as USB connectivity for thumbdrives, and interchangeable faceplates. Optional accessories allow you to connect your frame to Ceiva’s convenient web-based PicturePlan service via a corded Ethernet connection (Ceiva Broadband Adapter) or a wireless network (Ceiva Wireless adapter.)
This is an ideal frame for a tech-challenged friend or family member, such as a grandmother; there doesn’t even have to be a computer in the house for the pictures to change. You can program it, put it on your mother’s end table, plug it in, and go home. You’re done, until you decide that it’s time to put more pictures in it. All Mom or Grandma has to do is press the ‘on’ button. With a wireless connection, you can update the frame from anywhere.
This frame has a changeable faceplate, and the base of the frame acts as a stand, which means less adjusting for Mom, and more sturdiness for the frame. There won’t be any glare issues, so once the frame is adjusted, Grandma won’t need to move it.
This frame has enough memory to store around 50 photos internally; of course, with the wireless connection, there will be no limit. Even with a flashdrive or memory card, you can put together a slideshow of 500 pictures. You can even sign Mom up for a daily horoscope and a weather report, among other things.
Besides, the new look of this frame is downright cool. Check it out. Vintage.
The MAGPIX Pocket Photo Album is ready to go with you everywhere, any time. It’s tiny and lightweight; ultra-portable, super bright, compact, and only 2.2 ounces. It’s oh-so-easy to use, too.
Never leave a memory behind; this tiny digital photo album, so small it fits in the palm of your hand, will also fit nicely in a shirt pocket or a purse. When others are showing off pictures by flipping through a wallet, you can show off dozens more by holding the MAGPIX Pocket Photo Album in your hand and letting people watch the slideshow! The super-bright TFT LCD screen makes the pictures easy to see.
You can even connect it to your television. EVERYBODY will be able to see your pictures, then! You can zoom in and out, pan around your pictures, and never miss a detail.
Built-in internal memory and an available SD memory card slot, allow you to add as much memory as you want or need.
It’s easy to use. Just install the Pocket Photo Album’s MAGPIX PhotoManager software and connect the Pocket PHoto Album to your computer’s USB port. You’re ready to go. The MAGPIX software lets you easily find digital photos on your computer, organize and trasnsfer one photo or your entire collection to the Pocket Photo Album.
And this tiny little device does more than just show pictures, too. It also has the capability to capture ANY information displayed on your computer’s screen, such as driving directions, presentations, and web pages.
It’s tiny and it’s amazing. It’s also really attractive, in Titanium Silver or Pink Thistle.
The Seal 7-inch LCD digital picture frame lets you view your digital pictures directly form your camera’s memory cards or your memory stick. You can create a slideshow of your favorite memories; they won’t have to stay concealed in your computer’s hard drive any longer; you can get them out there for people to see!
This picture frame can be used anywhere in the world; it comes with a 100-240VAC power adapter. To use the frame outside the United States, simply use a plug adapter to plug the USA plug into your power main.
This Seal frame is easy to use. Just take the memory card out of your digital camera and stick it into the frame’s port. Your photos can be viewed instantly, as thumbnails or a slide show, with various transition effects between images. You can even use the audio and video out-feature and the included S-Video cable to view all of your family photos on your TV – the frame works with both NTSC (for the U.S. and Canada) and PAL (everywhere else in the world.)
To make your picture display even cooler, or more dramatic, the Seal frame is also an Mp3 player. Control it all with the wireless remote.
This full-featured digital picture frame will even play your MPEG video files.
The frame comes in black or white, with 7-inch Active Matrix LCD. You don’t even need a computer to use it! You can even upload pictures and music with your cell phone!
And now for the most welcome and wished-for piece of information anyone could ever hear, upon giving or receiving an electronic gift:
“Batteries included.”
