D-Link ships DIR-685 all in one router

We’ve posted here several times about the new FrameChannel-compatible D-Link DIR -685, and now Slippery Brick informs us that this fantastic product has shipped!

The DIR-685 was first introduced way back in January at CES and now the company has began shipping them. The DIR-685 features a built-in draft N Wi-Fi module that allows it to communicate with network attached storage devices.

But that isn’t all it does. That 3.2 inch LCD screen will play streaming video or you can use it as a digital photo frame. If you like stats, it will display status information in graphs and gauges too. Like weather, but don’t have any windows to look outside? You can program the screen to display weather forecasts and other live internet content. This router does a lot.

The NAS feature supports UPnP server functions and BitTorrent downloads. Pick up the D-Link Xtreme N DIR-685 $300.

Sungale Releases New Hi-Res 8” WiFi Touch Screen Digital Picture Frame

From PRLog.org comes the news that Sungale has released a new WiFi touchscreen digital picture frame: the Sungale ID800WT!

Here’s the press release:

May 18, 2009 – Chino, CA-During the 2009 Consumer Electronics Trade Show event, Sungale released its second generation of Wi-Fi touch screen digital photo frame—the Sungale ID800WT. Not only does the Sungale ID800WT boast an internal memory of 512 MB to store and display thousands of hi-resolution images on its 8 Inch screen, it is equipped with Wi-Fi Applications such as current weather report by zip code, real-time stock quotes, an RSS feed for news updates, IP radio, Picasa image download, Gmail alerts, local traffic conditions, note pad with soft keyboard and the ability to view popular websites like YouTube the Sungale ID800WT is a definite best buy for 2009.

The unveiling of Sungale’s highly anticipated new product met positive reviews from many OEM representatives and industry leaders. “This is a highly innovative product in all aspects”, says one visitor at the Sungale booth. The touch screen interface makes scrolling through digital images and use of its many features easy and enjoyable.

Along with the many upgraded Wi-Fi features the Sungale ID800WT also retains functionality with its numerous standard features. The Sungale ID800WT has an internal memory of 512 MB allowing users to store and display thousands of hi-resolution digital memories without sacrificing image quality. Having an aspect ratio of 4:3 also helps to reduce image distortion because 99% if digital cameras use a 4:3 aspect lens. Other standard features include digital clock, alarm, calendar, WMA music player and built in speakers. Additionally Sungale offers a support website, www.sungalewifi.com, for downloadable software upgrades and the option to customize user’s channels. The Sungale ID800WT offers more feature content with a user friendly interface, at a more competitive price than any other company in this category.

With years of experience as a premier manufacturer of consumer electronics with production facilities in Shenzhen, China and as a leading OEM supplier of digital photo frames and other digital products, Sungale has continued to provide products using the latest technology. Sungale’s devotion to cutting-edge technology along with a regulated quality control system produces a superior product line with durability and applicability in mind. Recent additions to Sungale’s product line include: Digital Photo Frames, Digital Photo Albums, Wi-Fi Digital Photo Frames, E-Book Reader and IP Radio.

“At Sungale we aim to bring complete customer satisfaction with all of our products.”
For more information about Sungale and its products please visit http://www.sungale.com or contact RSPA Inc. at 909-902-6117. For inquires by mail please address to 13941 Central Avenue Chino, CA 91710.

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With years of experience as a premier manufacturer of consumer electronics with production facilities in Shenzhen, China and as a leading OEM supplier of digital photo frames and other digital products, Sungale has continued to provide products using the latest technology. Sungale’s devotion to cutting-edge technology along with a regulated quality control system produces a superior product line with durability and applicability in mind. Recent additions to Sungale’s product line include: Digital Photo Frames, Digital Photo Albums, Wi-Fi Digital Photo Frames, E-Book Reader and IP Radio.

SmartParts Ceasing Operations

SmartParts had a pretty nice wireless/digital picture frame; in fact, SmartParts was Microsoft’s frame of choice in their booth at CES this year.

Unfortunately, SmartParts has become a victim of the current economy, and has decided to cease operations.

Brian, at Digital Picture Frame Review.com, has this to say about SmartParts’ drastic move:

In a somewhat sad move, Smartparts is ceasing operations. Smartparts was definitely a second tier manufacturer of digital picture frames, but they had a lot going for them. We liked their latest wireless offering and thought their large-screen digital frames at CES looked good. But in a statement from the company, “the economy” has taken another victim.

The problem with Smartparts, the way we see it, is their product line was too confusing and they couldn’t get retail penetration. The product line issue is a big problem and could partly be blamed for lack of retail interest. It’s down right confusing for consumers to be comparing products and be presented with a company like Smartparts that offers over 25 current digital picture frames. The differentiation between them is so small in many cases that it’s simply not clear.

While we liked their 8″ wireless model, it’s difficult for something like that to stand out not only in a crowd, but in the Smartparts product lineup. It didn’t help that their website was difficult to navigate and their off product naming scheme probably did some damage too. All in all, we’re sad to see them go, but if maybe some good will come out of it. The industry has to find a way to regroup, simplify and remember how to offer innovative products.

FrameChannel Praised On Digital Media Website

Zatz Not Funny – All Your Digital Media Goodness – posted  a really good article about FrameChannel yesterday!

At CES, FrameChannel was represented in about twenty different booths, and over the holiday season, ten different companies sold digital frames with access to FrameChannel content. . . .

. . . right now, FrameChannel appears to be ahead of everyone. And FrameMedia has a plan for it to stay that way.

. . . In talking to COO and co-founder Jon Feingold last week, the key to FrameChannel’s future success is both distribution and the ability to deliver content intelligently. For example, if you’re tagged in a photo on Facebook, or there’s a live game happening with one of your favorite sports teams, FrameMedia’s goal is to have FrameChannel deliver that data when it’s important to you, i.e. in the moment, but probably not so much in a week, or two, or three. FrameMedia is also laser focused on integrating with as many photo sharing sites and social networks as possible. The company wants to make sure you can access your content no matter where it’s stored, in addition to the best of everything else on the Web. . . .

Click here to read the entire FrameChannel article.