The digital photo frame space, widgetized or otherwise, is usually Mari‘s territory. But I’m up early and distinctly recall months of her eStarling-related rants when their previous foray into this space failed to live up to expectations (or even connect). And she wasn’t alone. Gizmodo also suggested that “you’d be making a big mistake to buy this eStarling picture frame.”
So it’s with appropriately low expectations that I introduce eStarling’s latest $250 Internet-connected display, featuring 802.11n and a 10.2″ touch-sensitive screen. In addition to displaying photos, some resident apps include Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, video sharing, and the requisite weather forecast – with promises of more to come.
On paper, it all sounds pretty good. Exceptional, even. As did the version Mari blew $250 on. So before investing you hard earned cash on anything eStarling, I suggest waiting for the reviews (from elsewhere) to roll in… given my sneaking suspicion that Mari will not be an early adopter this time around. And HP’s similarly sized, equipped, and priced DreamScreen looks like the horse to beat.
This one does look nice, but I have to agree that the HP that Mari reviewed looks better. Except that the prices on these things really have to go down more. I’m still a DIY DPF kind-of-guy though I know eventually some Android-based DPF will come out doing everything we want it to and run off the competition including my DIY-made DPF’s.
By the way, I have a little, souped-up Sony clock radio that can act as a DPF on its way. Looking forward to reviewing that one.
I’m tempted to dare them to send me a review unit. ;)