The thing has a 9-inch display, SD slot, 4GB of internal memory and USB connectivity. It’ll be $US300, which is expensive enough that you might want to get a photo frame, iPod dock and speakers separately. Those components will probably perform better than this all-in-one anyway. [Pr Newswire via Engadget]

So in that sense, you are getting more out of your phone while it charges — you can set up a slideshow or set a mood with the two apps suggested by the manufacturer: “Art” and the “Ambient Channel“. Plus it’s only $US20, which is significantly cheaper than buying a dedicated digital photo-frame. Yeah, maybe it’s not such a bad idea after all — that is until someone calls you while the phone is in the frame. [Appstand via Gadget Lab]

For added authenticity, the frame also features a backing that simulates a transparent background. For even more crossover amusement, give one to Grandma so she has something to put her wedding photos in. This is one program even a computer novice can handle. [ThinkGeek via RGS]

Both the DreamScreen 100 (10.2-inch screen) and 130 (13.3-inch) have 2GB of built-in storage, though they also have a combo flash card reader and USB connectivity for more room. You can load content onto them either through the storage or by a drag-and-drop software interface on a PC. Though it can stream audio and photos (with a really pretty interface, nice big album art), it can’t stream video.

It has a handful of other features besides media playback, like Facebook, Pandora and Snapfish photos support, and all of these are controlled by either a remote or by buttons on the device itself—the DreamScreen isn’t a touchscreen. The DreamScreen 100 is available today for $US250, while the DreamScreen 130 is expected to be available sometime this fall for $US300. Full press release below. [HP]

HP Announces New Line of Wireless Connected Screens with HP DreamScreen

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 17, 2009 – People now can stay current with Facebook friends and photos, listen to Pandora Internet radio, share Snapfish personal photos and enjoy their music and pictures from home networked PCs(1) with a new category of connected screens from HP.

The HP DreamScreen, a companion to the PC, connects easily to a wireless or wired network to bring photos, music and video into any area of the home. The screen also transforms social media and web information into consumable, bite-sized pieces.

“Constant, always-on access to friends, information and entertainment is a common expectation today,” said Satjiv S. Chahil, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, Personal Systems Group, HP. “With HP DreamScreen, social media, web services and digital entertainment can be enjoyed in more areas of the home.”

The HP DreamScreen features a piano-black design with a vibrant, flush glass widescreen display. The DreamScreen 100 (measuring 10.2 inches) was designed to fit perfectly on a nightstand or dresser. The HP DreamScreen 130 (measuring 13.3 inches) is ideal for kitchen counters and coffee tables.

A product demonstration is available at www.hp.com/go/dreamscreen.

Enjoying digital entertainment

The HP DreamScreen comes with 2 gigabytes of built-in memory for storing photos, music and home movies directly on the device. Digital content can be loaded and played using a USB drive or most types of flash memory cards. Photos and music can be streamed wirelessly or moved to the HP DreamScreen by a simple “drag and drop” motion from a networked PC with included software.

Finding and playing songs is easy – searchable by artist, album or genre – and is enhanced with album cover art. High-fidelity speakers are built in and include connections to accommodate headphones and external speakers.

For music enthusiasts, the HP DreamScreen allows users to stream music directly from the Internet using Pandora. The custom-designed experience makes accessing Pandora accounts easy. Album cover art is displayed and users can personalise their stations by thumbing-up favourite songs or artists to refine their stations.

“Pandora’s listeners want to have access to their personalised stations on a variety of devices,” said Jessica Steel, senior vice president, Business Development, Pandora. “The HP DreamScreen makes it fun and easy for listeners to enjoy Pandora throughout their homes.”

In addition, the HP DreamScreen gives users access to HP SmartRadio, a new service that aggregates streams of live Internet broadcasts from more than 10,000 radio stations around the world. Users can now listen to their favourite radio stations on the Internet by location or genre in any part of their home.

With the HP DreamScreen’s capabilities, it becomes the “fourth screen” in people’s lives, extending the enjoyment of digital content beyond a computer, TV and mobile phone.

Staying connected

The HP DreamScreen includes 802.11 b or g wireless capabilities to access real-time information from the web. By selecting the Facebook icon, for example, users can stay up to date with their social networks while away from their computers. Friends’ status updates, photos and upcoming events can all be viewed in real time.

In addition to viewing images from a PC, flash memory card or Facebook, customers also can access their own or their friends’ Snapfish photos and albums. Photos from any of these locations can be enjoyed in slideshow mode simultaneously with music stored on the device or streamed from the user’s PC in the background.

Checking time, day and weather

The HP DreamScreen also helps people prepare for and organize their day with access to five-day weather forecasts for cities around the world and a view of their calendar. The HP DreamScreen’s built-in clock feature can show time in digital or analogue format with dual time-zones and lets users choose tones or music for alarms.

Setting up is easy

The HP DreamScreen was designed to be fun, simple and intuitive. A remote control that nests almost invisibly on the top of the product is easy to use, and touch controls that are visible only when the border of the screen is touched provide another way to select activities or preferences. Both models come with a stand and are ready for wall mounting right out of the box.

Pricing(2) and availability: Perfect for holiday gift-giving

The HP DreamScreen 100 is available today in the United States for $US249(2) from online distributors including BestBuy.com, Amazon.com and HPDirect.com. U.S. channel partners include the full range of more than 900 Best Buy retail outlets, which will be selling the HP DreamScreen 100 starting Oct. 11.

The HP DreamScreen 130 is expected to be broadly available this fall in the United States for $US299.(2)

About HP

HP, the world’s largest technology company, simplifies the technology experience for consumers and businesses with a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com/.

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]