Digital Frames Downsizing For Novelty Niches

By Greg Scoblete On Jun 2 2008 - 6:00am

Alongside traditional digital frames, a new category is emerging that uses smaller LCD panels to put a digital display on a wide variety of novelty items.

Coby added several frames with 2.4-inch and 3.5-inch screen sizes, including the DP-240 photo album. The 2.4-inch frame is housed in leather and features an SD slot, USB port and internal memory.

In its desktop line, the company will ship the DP-352 with a 3.5-inch LCD, SD and Memory Stick card slots, and two interchangeable frames.

Media Street will ship a carabiner-style clip-on keychain frame in its eMotion line. The clip features a 1.5-inch frame with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. It can play photos in a slideshow with eight transition effects and three playback speeds.

It features USB 2.0 connectivity and internal memory for storing up to 61 photos with included software for downsizing JPEG images. It will retail for $23.99

An executive desktop series will be available in three SKUs, each with a 3.5-inch digital frame with a 320 by 240 resolution screen. The DF-EM3EDS1 and EM3EDS3 will feature a built-in pen holder while the EM3EDS2 will offer a built-in business card holder.

Each model will be available in a choice of two versions. One will contain 32MB of internal memory, clock/calendar function and slideshow playback. A second version will sport an SD card slot and will play back MP3 music. It will also feature an integrated voice recorder and a clock/calendar function.

All models in the desktop series will carry a $75.99 retail.

All the company's new frames will be available in the fall.

Royal Consumer Electronics unveiled five new compact digital frames, putting digital photo displays on a keychain, fridge, bill clip, note pad and a cup.

The fridge frame, for $69.99, sports a 1.5-inch LCD screen with 128 by 128 resolution and a motion sensor that automatically turns the frame on when someone walks in the room. It is backed with a magnet for mounting on a refrigerator and offers a built-in kitchen timer, alarm clock and date display.

It uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and features a built-in spring clip for holding paper notes or coupons.

The company will also offer a frame keychain. The PF115 features a 1.5 inch, 128 by 128 resolution display, alarm clock, rechargeable battery and a carabiner clip.

It will be sold in black, silver, pink and turquoise for $49.99.

A $59.99 photo clip frame places the 1.5-inch display on a money clip. It can also double as a desktop stand.

The pad frame places a 2.4-inch, 320 by 240 display on a notepad and cardholder. It features an alarm clock and rechargeable battery and retails for $99.

Finally, the memory cup frame places a 1.5-inch frame on a pencil cup and desktop organizer. It will retail for $59.99.

Sakar introduced two new small frames, including the Hello Kitty Keychain photo frame. The $49.95 frame has a 1.5-inch screen and can store up to 107 photos on internal memory.

The company also added a Digital Photo Frame For Dummies to its lineup with a 2.4-inch display, AC adapter and four AAA batteries. It will retail for $49.95.