i-mate extends with Wi-Fi, Vista-friendly image frame
updated 05:15 pm EST, Tue January 30, 2007
i-mate Momento Wi-Fi Frame
Normally a cellphone producer, i-mate has just introduced the Momento digital picture frame. One of the first displays of its type built with Vista in mind, the Momento is not limited to displaying simple photos, i-mate says. The frame connects directly to a PC through Wi-Fi to act as a SideShow device and will trigger message alerts, weather updates, or other live information. MP3 and WMA music is also playable thanks to an audio output jack. Media can be loaded in a more permanent fashion on the frame through a multi-format card reader.
The frame is equally tailored to link with a new online service dubbed Momento Live, which obtains photos from the Internet regardless of its host computer; subscribers to the service will have access to photos from one or more fellow accounts and will also have the choice of subscribing to photo-based RSS feeds from third-party sites such as Flickr and Google's Picasa. i-mate intends to ship both the 10.2-inch Momento 100 ($299) and 7-inch Momento 70 ($249) February 1st but has not revealed any subscription fees for the Live function.
