DigitalSmartFrames.com

Several digital frame news outlets and review sites have been intrigued by what is not even a product, but only a concept for a product by Mintpass.  This site contains products that dream for "a better world", and their idea for a better digital frame includes one that integrates a digital camera.  The idea being that this skips the whole concept of taking pictures on a digital camera and having to worry about the transfer process from camera to frame.

We have to admit, this idea for a digital photo frame actually makes some sense.

The author at Mintpass describes a need for a product like this for the older generation who struggle with technology, and thus have little use for digital picture frames that have complicated photo loading processes.  Since the idea with successful consumer electronics is simplicity (as made famous by Apple), we wonder why this doesn't make sense for anyone.

The product described at Mintpass has 2 integrated cameras:  at 2.0 mega-pixel camera for shooting photos of others, and a 1.3 mega-pixel camera that faces the same direction as the frame for taking self portraits.  The camera comes with an integrated flash and can immediately show off the pictures taking on the frame and store them on the internal storage.

Besides the integrated camera, the product concept basically has typical digital photo frame features including memory ports and remote control.  We wonder why this wouldn't make sense for a larger segment of customers?  Let's face it, many digital frames end up displaying solely photos of friends and family members that are quick shot photos taken in an instant without complicated photography settings or photo editing on computers.

We've seen digital picture frames integrated with printers and speakers, so why not cameras?  Our only recommendations would be to 1) increase the mega-pixels of the camera and 2) consider a wireless capability for sending the photos to you laptop or cellphone.  Otherwise, we'll be watching closely to see when a manufacturer takes up this idea for a real product release.