Built-In Scanner

The concept of digital photo frame has become quite widespread and popular over the past couple of years, since most people have already replaced their old film cameras with digital ones. However, what is there to do with all those old photos taken over time? Simply forget them in some dusty old scrapbook or photo album? Well, it seems that somebody (in this case, Lite-On IT), has taken this idea into consideration and, as a result, launched the Skyla Memoir digital photo frame, which is actually capable of instantly digitizing all of the user's old photos, since it features its own, built-in scanner unit.

The device features an 8-inch LCD TFT screen, which can be used to view photos at 800x600 pixel resolutions and 4:3 aspect ratio. Getting the photos into the 1 GB flash memory of the digital frame (enough for around 2000 pictures) can be done in several ways, namely either via the USB 2.0 interface, the built-in 5-in-1 memory card reader (SD/ MMC/ MS Pro/ xD/ CF) or that scanning unit we've mentioned right from the start.

Hence, the Skyla Memoir is capable of scanning 4 x 6 inches, 3 x 5 inches and 1.5 x 2 inches photos, at resolutions of up to 300 dpi (1200 x 1800 pixels) and with a 16.77-million color depth. The scanner photos are later on saved in JPEG format, in a separate folder.

The device also sports a very user-friendly and intuitive control system, which consists of a smart touch pad that allows users to edit, file, and browse through digital photos, as well as a remote control. Plus, the digital frame has even been equipped with an ambient light sensor, which automatically adjusts backlighting controls to the room’s lighting control.

As expected, the Skyla Memoir also delivers a host of other rather common features as far as digital photo frames are concerned, as for example a built-in media player (compatible with MP3, Motion JPEG, MPEG1, MP4 files) and a clock, calendar, & alarm clock combo.

The Skyla Memoir is expected to hit the shelves at some point in December and will sell for an estimate 220 US dollars, which is a pretty nifty price point, given just how complex and versatile this device seems to be.