Today, Sony announced the wireless VAIO CP1 Wi-Fi photo frame, designed to make sharing digital images easier, and for receiving news and stream Internet radio in real-time. The CP1 model uses a built-in Wi-Fi technology, allowing users to stream photos from a VAIO PC directly to the device. The photo frame’s brilliant 7-inch LCD is able to bring to life any photo that has been kept only on the PC until now. The device features a 800x480 resolution, as well as more than 16 million colors.

 

Streaming images from a VAIO PC is not all that the frame can do. It can also connect to Google Picasa web albums, this way enabling users to simultaneously view a number of four albums, and to upload images directly to their Picasa account at the same time. “How many times have you uploaded images to our PC - vowing to share them - never to see them again,” said Xavier Lauwaert, product manager for VAIO product marketing at Sony Electronics. “This new frame provides an easy way to retrieve and share these precious memories that otherwise would have been forgotten.”

 

Another feature that the CP1 model has is its ability to display images stored on compatible Memory Stick media, SD cards, or digital still cameras, beside being able to wirelessly access photos, thus providing users with instant access to their latest shots. Those who use a digital SLR camera can also enjoy the frame, since it is CompactFlash media card-compatible as well. The device can store up to 100 digital images, as it comes with 128MB of internal storage space.

 

Users are also able to keep their images and slideshows organized in the most convenient manner. CP1 stores content into “frames” (section groups), allowing for an easy access to photos, music or information. The frame can display images in Slideshow (a movie-like presentation), Flow (a slideshow-like presentation with special, fun effects), and Dissolve (a traditional view in which images fade into one another). News headlines and entertainment content can be grabbed from the Internet via the built-in RSS (Really Simple Syndication) reader. All text

can be displayed along with the slideshows. The RSS function operates in real-time, providing users with up-to-the-minute information.

 

Built-in stereo speakers and an Internet radio player enable the new CP1 model to add users’ favorite songs to the slideshows, thus enriching the viewing experience. In addition, the frame also features a digital/analog clock, and has the ability to save power by automatically dimming the screen when the lights are turned off. The retail price for the VAIO CP1 digital photo frames has been set at about $300. The device can be acquired from the Sony Style stores, and online from Sony starting in mid-October.