HP DreamScreen

HP has launched a new platform in the digital display space. I hesitate to call the DreamScreen just a digital picture frame, although it does do that. It also has a Pandora application, plays video, streams content from a networked computer, connects to thousands of Internet radio stations, interfaces with Snapfish and Facebook and has both wired and wireless Internet connections. So it’s more than a frame; it truly is a new platform. Although it still will not replace a computer it is an advance in technology which will soon be present in many homes. Instead of having a simple picture frame or even a digital picture frame which will only show the pictures you can know have a frame which will allow you to do a series of things. As it has internet connection it is a perfect place to check for the movies while watching TV and even updating your status in face book after an intrusting fact. The only real problem is that this technology is going to arrive in Brazil with a very high price as every imported electronic device; therefore in Brazil it will still be rare. I would not buy one of these because I’m not into pictures and I have a cell phone which has basically the same features as the Dream Screen and is always with me.

HP DreamScreen Specs
• DreamScreen 100 – 10.2″ Display – 800×480 pixel resolution
• DreamScreen 130 – 13.3″ Display – 1024×800 pixel resolution
• 2GB internal memory (1.5GB available)
• Contrast 350:1
• Stereo Speakers
• Headphone out jack
• USB Host and USB mini
• Media cards supported – CF, MS, MMC, SD, xD
• Video formats – AVI, MPG, MP4
• Photo formats – BMP, JPEG, PNG
• Audio formats – MP3, PCM, WMA, AAC
• Touch screen button
• Remote control
• Ethernet – WiFi

The HP DreamScreen comes in two versions, the DreamScreen 100 (MSRP $249) and the DreamScreen 130 (MSRP $299). The 100 features a 10.2″ display with 800×480 pixel resolution. The 130 has a 1280×800 resolution and 13.3″ display. Otherwise the units are identical.