XIAS Launches Wireless Frames

Two new wireless digital picture frames have just been launched by XIAS.

The XIAS PF-821WF 8 Inch digital picture frame and the XIAS PF-1021WF 10 Inch digital picture frame both feature a resolution of 800 by 600 pixels. Playback modes supported include single image, slide show or 12 images at a time (thumbnail mode).

Support will apparently be offered for most digital camera memory card formats.

It seems wireless digital picture frames are the way of the future. This is the second manufacturer to announce built-in WiFi support recently. I think the nature of the digital photo frame lends itself to wireless technology. And with other makers integrating their services with online photo sharing platforms, this will become the norm for sharing your photo collection with friends and family.

Smartparts Optimplex SP8PRT

Smartparts has just released what it claims is the first digital picture frame with built-in color photo printer - the Optiplex SP8PRT. Integrated into the body of this lcd digital picture frame is a color printer capable of producing 4x6 inch glossy photo prints.

The idea is that by integrating the printer into the frame, you can eliminate one of the reasons for needing a PC. Just take the memory card straight from you digital camera, plug it into the Optiplex SP8PRT and you can produce quality prints of your favorite photos.

The printer uses an ink and paper cartridge which is loaded into the rear of the frame. The cartridge is capable of producing 36 prints. Replacement cartridges can be purchased but I haven't been able to get any idea of pricing yet.

The Optiplex SP8PRT is an 8 inch digital picture frame with a screen resolution of 800 by 600 pixels. The frame support most popular memory card formats. It has built-in speakers and is capable of playing video and audio.

At $279, the Optiplex SP8PRT is not the cheapest digital picture frame reviewed here, but the in-built printing capability does make it one of the best digital picture frames I've seen so far.

Read more digital picture frame reviews.

RealEase Shogo Touch Screen, WiFi

RealEase have recently announced their new Shogo digital picture frame. The new digital picture frame comes with built-in WiFi and Touch Screen technology. Shogo should be available sometime during spring of 2008.

The touch screen technology will make it easier for people to use this digital frame. I haven't comes across this technology yet in any of digital picture frame reviews. On screen display along with touch screen technology should be a winner.

Also in the works is myshogo.com. This service is an internet portal that will facilitate the sharing of your digital photos by allowing you to publish them to your friend's and family's digital picture frames. Apparently myshogo also integrates with photo sharing sites like Flickr and others.

Apart from the touch screen and WiFi capability, Shogo will have the capacity to store thousands of photos in the internal memory. And to make Shogo truly wireless it also containsd an integrated battery.

I think Shogo coupled with the myshogo service is where the digital picture frames are headed in the future. Enabling content sharing for those that don't have access to a PC is great. It will of course by limited by the availability of WiFi access.

I look forward to writing a more complete digital picture frame review of Shogo once it's been released.