Or better yet, do what I do: Forget this thing and take out one of those archaic dead tree cookbooks, turn a few pages, and read the mysterious “ink” that resides on them.

No? Still craving the frame? OK, then some details… The $US271 8-inch digital frame plays 48 instructional videos featuring chef Brian Turner. The action can be controlled by the included remote control, which we hope is waterproof or otherwise protected from flying food in some way.

When not in use, say the day after Christmas when this goes into the closet forever, the frame doubles as a calendar and photo frame. Bon appétit, chumps! [Appliancist via Engadget]

Sure, a smartphone doesn’t have an 8-inch screen. But most smartphones will let you connect to a TV to share images and video on a big screen, even if it means picking up a special cable. The AVLabs AVL994 is a one trick pony, working as a photo display device and not much else. Hell, if you’re after a bigger screen than a smartphone, why not opt for a netbook for an extra $100?

The AVL994 does have a direct print that lets you print your pics, and it comes with a “stylish leather protective case”, so I guess that’s something. But ultimately, there’s not even enough storage in this to act as a mobile backup system like the Canon M80. So if there are other devices that do the same (or similiar) thing, but have a heap of other functions as well, we have to ask: Why?

AVLABS RELEASES THE FIRST TRULY PORTABLE DIGITAL PHOTO GALLERY – THE AVL994

June 2009
Melbourne, Australia

STARTS
Enjoy your digital photographs anywhere, anytime with AVLabs newly released Portable Photo Album and Presenter – the AVL994. With a cutting-edge 8 inch postcard size display that presents images in uncompromised quality, and stores up to 40,000 of your favorite photographs.

The Album’s ultra thin design allows for convenient portability, without compromising on space. The 4GB internal memory offers ample storage for images, and the flexibility to download images directly from digital cameras, memory cards, flash drives, other Portable Photo Album’s or through a computer. Coupled with the direct print function, you can easily print out your photos at the touch of a button.

AVLabs have set a new standard for viewing and sharing your digital photographs, allowing you to play your images as a slideshow, and the vertical/horizontal display auto switch function, will automatically rotate your photos into their correct orientation, either portrait or landscape. Add to this the stylish leather protective case, which doubles as a support stand for hands-free viewing, and you have an impressive presentation product.

The simple three-button navigation, and the easy to use file/folder management interface allows users to copy, delete and edit their photos all without the use of a PC, making the Portable Photo Album easy to use directly from the box.

Providing three hours of continuous viewing on a single battery charge, the AVL994 Portable Photo Album and Presenter is a trusted presentation product, perfect for budding photographers, as well as everyday users. Distributed exclusively by Audion Innovision, the AVL994 Portable Digital Photo Gallery is available now from selected retailers, with a RRP of $399.95.
ENDS

[Audion]

[D-Link]

The Digi-Mug is packed with 1MB of memory (not a typo) that allows you to store 50 or so images for playback on its 1.5-inch display. With a lithium ion rechargeable battery, you can view your loved ones (or just a simple clock) to your heart’s content.

I know you think that your Valentine would like jewellery, but trust us on this one—load this baby up with 50 photos of yourself (clothed) and she’ll associate the experience of getting her caffeine fix to seeing your face. At best, she’ll unconsciously associate you with a coke dealer. At worst, you’ll put off a Starbucks employee vibe. Either way, you will make her totally dependent on you when she’s at her most ornery. You’re welcome. [Urban Trend via Nerd Approved]

PICTURE PERFECT IMAGE QUALITY

WITH NEW SONY DIGITAL PHOTO FRAMES

LAS VEGAS (CES Booth #14200), Jan. 7, 2009 – Sony put the spotlight on its new 10-inch digital photo frame today at the Consumer Electronics Show. It is the company’s first to offer a super clear LCD and TruBlack technology, which minimizes the reflection on the display and adds more contrast.

The contrast is 15 times sharper and is 13 percent brighter than the company’s previous photo frames. Additionally, Sony announced three more digital photo frames that are designed to display crystal clear images.

“Our digital photo frames make the best centerpiece for your bedside table or home office,” says Koba Kobayashi, director of digital imaging accessories at Sony Electronics. “Their modern, super slim design and intelligent features make them the perfect addition for almost any décor.”

Feature-Packed Frames

In addition to the top-end DPF-X1000 model, Sony introduced another 10-inch frame (model DPF-V1000). Both frames offer new alarm clock, auto dimmer and a variety of slide-show features. The auto dimmer feature automatically adjusts the display’s brightness based on the lighting.

Using the multiple auto power setting, you can set times that the digital photo frames will automatically turn on and off, which conserves power.

The new frames offer a convenient auto orientation sensor, automatically detects whether they have been positioned horizontally or vertically, and then adjusts the display of the pictures accordingly. When the frames are horizontal, the Sony logo will light up. When the frames are vertical, the logo turns off and blends into the piano black finish. You can also turn the Sony logo on or off from the menu.

The calendar or clock can be viewed in different slide show modes. Choose from four scrapboking templates in slideshow mode and 18 templates in creative edit mode to view pictures against a personalised background.

Additionally, the digital photo frames automatically correct the white balance in digital photos to provide best picture quality.

It is easy to store thousands of digital images on the frames’ internal memories. Search by date, folder, marked photos or photo orientation (vertical and horizontal) to easily find and orangize photos.

The DPF-X1000 frame has 2GB of storage and comes in black with wood trim. The DPF-V1000 model can store thousands of photos on its 1GB internal memory and comes in black with silver trim.

Both frames also connect to Sony BRAVIA® HDTVs and other compatible HDTV sets to display your photos in high definition via an HDMI™ cable (sold separately).

Rise and Shine

With a built in alarm clock, the 9-inch DPF-D92 and 8-inch DPF-D82 digital photo frames have a VGA LCD display with a 15:9 aspect ratio and 1GB of internal memory that stores thousands of photos. These wall-mountable frames offer the same clock, calendar and search functionality as the top-end models. The DPF-D92 frame comes in black and brown, and the DPF-D82 model comes in black.

The four new photo frames all are Bluetooth® ready. Using a Bluetooth adaptor (sold separately) the frames can import images wirelessly from a Bluetooth-device such as a mobile phone.

Digital images can be loaded onto the internal memory of the digital photo frames from several types of flash memory cards, including Memory Stick PRO™, Memory Stick PRO Duo™, SD Memory Card, MMC, SDHC, Microdrive®, xD-Picture Card and Compact Flash Card.

Photos can be transferred from the frame to a printer or transferred to the frames via a USB cable (not included) from a PC or digital still camera. These new S-Frame models support JPEG, BMP, TIFF and RAW (SRF, SR2, ARW) image file formats.

Pricing and Availability

The DPF-X1000 and DPF-V1000 digital photo frames will be available in March for about $300 and $250, respectively, direct at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style® retail stores around the country, and at authorised dealers nationwide. Pricing and availability for the D92 and D82 models will announced later this year.

Like Giz reader Brian, who had this sweet post-xmas story to tell us about his dad:

I went back to MI to my parent’s place this year for Christmas. My dad’s gift this year was a new 10 mega pixel digital camera with all the bells and whistles.

While helping him figure out his new gadget I thought it would be fun to put pictures on the nice Kodak digital photo frame that I gave them for Christmas last year. So I ask my dad, “where is your digital frame”? Imagine my confusion when he points the frame out to me. See attached files.

God bless them. Reminds me of my beloved mother-in-law, who refers to her MacBook as “the television”.

Do you have any funny stories with your parents or grandparents you would like to share? Send them our way. [Thanks Brian]

Promising a 30,000:1 contrast ratio with automatic brightness adjustments through an ambient light sensor, this 800×400 Kodak frame also includes 2GB of storage along with Wi-Fi access to online photos and videos.

Needless to say, an OLED frame will destroy whatever generic LCD alternative you’ve already picked out for grandma. Of course she won’t appreciate that the device costs as much as a decent computer, but why are you giving her a gift in the first place? For the fame? The glory?

Seriously though, don’t buy this, even if you have the money. Just donate $US900 to the charity of your choice and wait a few years for the price to drop. [Amazon via Slashgear]