![]() ![]() The Aura Carver sitting on my side table looks like a picture frame. It looks like a piece of smart home tech. But it's bulky, with a fabric-coasted base, a thick bezel around the screen, and a camera lens on top. I can, of course, also set it up to cycle through my Google Photos albums, or show pictures from photographers around the world. I have a Google Nest Hub Max display in my kitchen, and it's great for walking me through recipes or listening to music while I cook. But there are good reasons to get a dedicated frame, the biggest being aesthetics and privacy. Smart displays from Google and Amazon sell for around $100. The two models I tried from Aura are $200, and Nixplay frames cost the same or more. It's true, these frames are more expensive than most smart displays. Now you might be thinking: "Why would I spend money on a digital picture frame when I could buy something cooler like a smart display that has more features?" Some of my colleagues asked the same question. We especially need that right now, a time when our lives have been turned upside down, holidays were put on hold, and we don't know when we'll be able to see each other again. (Hi, Mom.) But if you and your loved one each have a digital frame, the gadgets can keep you directly connected in a way that feels extra special. ![]() Thanks to Facebook and Instagram, you won't forget a birthday, your aunts and uncles can stay on top of your post-college moves, and your parents can share all your articles. With the proliferation of smartphones and social media, there's no shortage of ways to stay connected to those who don't live close by. (I've found that a new photo every two to five minutes is the sweet spot.) You can also invite others to submit photos from afar no matter where they live, their pictures will show up on your frame. The photos play like a slideshow, with images refreshing at whatever speed you choose. It's truly a standout gadget.ĭigital picture frames connect to your home Wi-Fi network and display the photos you've added to their companion smartphone apps. I want one for me and everyone else I know. The Aura digital picture frame, however, I did not want to send back. Otherwise, the clutter would become unmanageable. Personally, I'm usually happy to see these things go back to the manufacturers, even if they're great. Once we're done testing a device, we send it back to the company that lent it to us. Features like the intelligent photo curation and more allow photos to be added without you even needing to do anything, which means that it's always up to date with the best images that come out of your phone's great camera.We test a lot of tech here at WIRED. It is definitely on the pricier side of the spectrum, but the overall product definitely justifies the cost. You can add photos to it from anywhere, and share the account with loved ones so they can add pictures as well. It comes loaded with tons of features, a high-quality display, and it's insanely easy to use. If you are looking for a digital photo frame for yourself or a loved one, I would absolutely recommend the Aura option. Aura Digital Photo Frame Should you buy one? I know most people won't use it this way, but there's nothing more annoying than having to grab the whole charging cable when you want to move it to show it off to others. The Aura frame is powered by is own charger, which isn't the end of the world, but it would be really nice if it just used micro-USB or even USB-C so that you could move the frame around a bit more. I tend to prefer gadgets that use the same chargers as others because it's just simply more convenient for everyone. ![]()
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