Posted on Oct 31, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am
Motorola’s beautiful 10-inch wireless digital picture frame will make any room in your house a focal point!
Friends and family, as well as you, can e-amil photos directly to your Motorola frame; it has its own email address! You can also subscribe to various RSS feeds that will appear on your wireless frame, such as local and national news, weather, and sports.
You can even listen to the radio over your Motorola wireless picture frame!
With a screen resolution of 800 x 600, you know your pictures will appear bright and colorful.
An internal memory of 512 mb means you’ll be able to store up to 2300 digital pictures; that’s a lot of pictures, folks.
Your Motorola wireless digital photo frame also accepts SD, SDHC, MMC memory cards and USB flash drives. It’s compatible with Windows 2000 and higher.
Did I mention that it is also an Mp3 player, a calendar, and an alarm clock? Wow!
The holidays are fast approaching; don’t you think the people on your list ought to have a wireless digital picture frame?
Tom Spring, at PCWorld.com, has posted an article about HP’s new limited-wireless DreamScreen digital picture frames; he’s not entirely convinced, but we’ll let YOU be your own judge of it:
HP is taking the digital photo frame to new heights with its HP DreamScreen line of smart displays that do way more than just let you browse pretty pictures. The DreamScreen, announced Wednesday, is a beautiful smart display that comes in two sizes (10- and 13-inches diagonally). They link wirelessly to the Internet and can display pictures, five-day weather forecasts, Facebook friend updates, and the Pandora music service. The displays also can be linked to your desktop so you can easily put multimedia content directly on them.
Available today online, the HP DreamScreen will run you $250 for the 100 model and $300 for the 130 model. HP says DreamScreens will be in brick-and-mortar retail stores on October 11.
I checked out the HP DreamScreens last night at an industry event in New York and wouldn’t exactly call them a “dream.” The DreamScreen may look like slick tablet computers that people have been salivating for, but these are just very expensive and very smart displays that lack the key features — such as a touch screen interface and true portability — that could make them breakthrough products.
I’ll get into my beefs with DreamScreen after I break down the specs.
A Digital Photo Frame to Die For
The 130 DreamScreen model has a 13.3-inch display that offers a 16:9 ratio and a resolution of 800 by 480. The 100 unit has a 10.2-inch diagonal display. Both units sport 2GB (1.5GB usable space) of memory, have two USB ports, headphone output for external speakers, built-in stereo speakers, ethernet jack, and a 802.11 b/g wireless antenna. Both units have built-in 6-in-2 card readers that can accept CF and SD cards.
The USB port allows you to connect a thumb drive or external hard drive. The DreamScreen can also play videos (MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, H.264) and music (MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV). Software for a PC allows you to add content to the frame.
You navigate the device using a tiny remote control or via controls built into the hardware. Applications include access to HP’s SnapFish online photo service; a custom version of Facebook for viewing friends, status updates, and photos; access to Pandora music streaming service; HP’s own HP SmartRadio service; and a clock.
The DreamScreen some with wall mounts on the back or can be set on a table. It lacks a battery, so it must stay plugged in at all times.
What’s Not to Like?
My biggest beef with the DreamScreen is that you want it to be a touchscreen device — and it’s not. Last night, nearly everyone who looked at the DreamScreen tried to touch the screen to navigate it. The DreamScreens run an embedded version of Linux that lacks the ability to do much more than run pre-canned HP applications specially designed for the devices. Right now, there are only eight applications, though HP representatives say that number could be expanded soon.
I like the idea of having a limited functioning device, but some basic functions are missing. You can’t check e-mail or browse news headlines, for example. I get that HP is not just creating a touchscreen computer with this device; if I wanted one of those, I could plop down $1400 for HP’s TouchSmart IQ800t. However, I still craved an RSS display and simple messaging notification (be it e-mail, SMS text, or IM). Okay, so responding to messages would be an issue on the DreamScreen, but at least you’d know new messages were there.
Also lacking from the DreamScreen is the capability to view Web-based video content from services such as YouTube and Hulu. E-mail, video, and RSS feeds would all be possible without having to embed a full-fledge OS into the device if HP decided to give the DreamScreen a simple browser. It didn’t.
Another missing feature is the capability to stream video and auido files from your PC, which would eliminate the need to run them locally on the DreamScreen. Ideally you’d be able to navigate libraries of content on your desktop PC or NAS device and playback through the DreamScreen. Right now you can’t.
Another temptation with this device is to pick it up as if it were a sleek portable tablet. Want to take that video you’re watching into the kitchen? You can’t do it without unplugging the device. Even if you don’t mind plugging it in everywhere you go, the DreamScreen sports some bulky hardware on its backside, making it less than ideal for porting from room to room. Once you find a home for this unit, it will most likely stay there.
Now, I’m not going to be popular with HP’s Ameer Karim, director of product marketing. On Wednesday night he told me people just don’t want this type of functionality I want from the DreamScreen.
I readily admit I may be suffering from Apple tablet envy, where I think that everything that kind of looks like a tablet should be a table. But the DreamScreen, for me, is stuck in tablet purgatory. It’s not quite the tablet I want it to be and too expensive to justify as a replacement for the digital picture frame I never use.
Posted on Aug 27, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am
Give students the gift of time management this holiday season; the Intouch Wireless Internet Radio Cube delivers the Digital World in a Compact and Hip Form Factor with Internet Radio, Personalized News and Photo Sharing
Atlanta (September 1, 2009) — Just in time for the holiday season, Giant International has released the Intouch IT3500 wireless Internet radio cube. At just four inches a side, the Intouch IT3500 is perfect for the nightstand, desk, kitchen counter or anywhere access to photos, music, and news is desired. This unique alarm clock and calendar enhances today’s active digital lifestyles. It’s the perfect gift for college students.
“We are excited to add the Internet and digital media into the familiar fixture of the clock radio,” said Marjon de Groot, Business Director for Giant International. “With the Intouch IT3500 wireless Internet radio cube it’s even easier for families to integrate their favorite photos, news content and entertainment into their daily lives without sacrificing space.”
Enjoy Nightly Lullabies from Around the World
With access to over 6,500 Internet radio stations from around the world, any musical taste can be satisfied with the Intouch IT3500 wireless Internet radio cube. From hip hop, rock and adult contemporary, to the newest music coming out of the Caribbean and Netherlands, the Intouch cube makes it easy and fun to listen to long-time favorites, as well as new music from the recent family vacation to Europe. Take a snooze and wake-up in style. After being lulled to sleep by the smooth voice of their favorite country crooner, country-western music fans can select to wake up to rousing western swing tunes on the Intouch. Favorite stations can be easily saved. In addition, music content can also be added from memory cards.
Time Management Simplified with instant, Personalized News and Entertainment
With the Intouch IT3500 wireless Internet radio cube on the nightstand, sleepers awake to see chosen pictures of their loved ones and can automatically get the current weather forecast, traffic up-dates, and other relevant news to help start their day and manage their world. Over 1000 channels of content such as news,
weather, sports and financial data are available through FrameChannel, a free web-based content provider. Up-dates from social networks, news and photo-sharing sites make it convenient for users to stay in touch with family and friends, hobbies and events they care about. Without having to even get out of bed.
Touch sensor controls make it easy for any sleepy-head to access the multimedia features with just a gentle tap of any icon. When rapid action is required touch sensor controls allow for a faster response time compared to conventional input devices such as keypads. Users are able to quickly and smoothly navigate through a range of multimedia feature options.
View Digital Photo Albums in a Cool, Compact Cube
The Intouch IT3500 lets users view and share photos via their favorite photosharing sites such as Facebook®, Flickr™, Webshots® and Picasa®, so its convenient and fun to stay connected with friends and family back home. Students also have the flexibility to download photos directly into the frame from memory cards. Ideal for the dorm room, students can keep family photos handy and visible, while mom can send new pictures of siblings to keep the family close. Office workers can keep any number of photos on their desks to show-off without the space issue and clutter of multiple frames.
Intouch IT3500 Key Features:
• 3.5” (320 x 240) color digital display screen
• Wi-Fi connectivity (embedded WiFi 802.11b/g standard)
• Digital photo frame with FrameChannel partnership providing easy photo sharing and 1000 channels of dynamic content to customize frame with news, weather, sports and more
• Touch sensor control
• Live Internet radio with included vTuner service providing over 6,500 internet radio stations (no subscription fee)
• Audio/photo playback function
• Stereo speakers (1W x 2)
• Memory formats supported: Secure Digital (SD) Card, Multimedia (MMC) Card
• 128MB of internal memory
• Audio jack for headphones or external speaker connection
• Clock, calendar and alarm
Pricing and Availability
The Intouch IT3500 wireless Internet radio cube has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $119.99 and is available through Intouch’s network of retail outlets and at the company’s online store at www.in-touchproducts.com.
About Intouch
Intouch consumer electronics offer innovative technology that delivers communications, information and entertainment to sophisticated, active consumers when, where and how they desire. With its Intouch brand, Giant International is leveraging its marketing and distribution expertise in the consumer electronics market.
About Giant International
Atlanta-based Giant International Ltd. is the global marketer and distributor for Giant Wireless Technology (GWT), an international leader in the development and production of wireless telecommunications products for the consumer market. With manufacturing capabilities in China, GWT provides superior quality products that are also technology market leaders. A diversified, multi-national research and development team helps GWT bring to market products that reflect an international range of product advancements and innovations based on consumer insights. Through OEM and ODM arrangements, Giant International markets wireless communications solutions that deliver entertainment and information for active lifestyles. Currently, products are brought to market under the Intouch, Olympia and licensed Motorola brand.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Spokesperson available for interview. Product available for review or demo.
Intouch and the Intouch logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Giant International Ltd. All other registered trademarks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Giant International Ltd. 2009. All rights reserved.
Posted on Aug 26, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am
We’ve posted before about Giant In-Touch’s great digital picture frames, but now FrameChannel partner Giant In-Touch has a new wireless digital photo frame that is also an internet radio cube – the IT3500 – and it’s spectacularly cool! You’ll be able to read the actual press release right here on tomorrow’s post, but today, you get a preview of awesome things to come!
The brand-new IT3500 isn’t available quite yet (see tomorrow’s post for the press release!), but if Amazon customer reviews of Giant’s other wireless digital picture frames are any indication, the new IT3500 will be a hit, too! Check out the following statements, each from a different customer:
My parents are not that good with electronics but they seem to have no problem with the Intouch.
This frame delivers excellent picture quality with ample sharpness and good color reproduction and contrast. The frame certainly isn’t alone in that regard, but it’s a great place to start. Loads of connectivity options (most types of memory cards, USB, and WiFi) and a few other features (video, web TV, and internet radio support) round out a nice package.
. . . it’s the best frame I’ve ever used. . . .
I love the easy to navigate screens- the news feeds are a HUGE issue for me,and the net radio works like a charm, right out of the box! This would be GREAT for those in finance, or media.
. . . for (InTouch) customer service I give them 5 stars.
Internet connection was quite simple to do. It found my home network automatically and all I had to do is enter my password/keyphrase. I was able to add different applications from Frame Channel after setting up a free account. I added the local weather station, Facebook, Flickr, and Woot. There are many applications to suit anybody’s preferences.
Another great feature is being able to program the frame to turn on and off at a specific time.
Stay tuned – the IT3500 press release will be posted here tomorrow!
Motorola’s beautiful 10-inch wireless digital picture frame will make any room in your house a focal point!
HP is taking the digital photo frame to new heights with its 
Give students the gift of time management this holiday season; the Intouch Wireless Internet Radio Cube delivers the Digital World in a Compact and Hip Form Factor with Internet Radio, Personalized News and Photo Sharing
