CEIVA view point FRAMED

Posts Tagged ‘Gift Ideas’

Let’s face it; it’s that time of year when one can go a little crazy trying to find that ONE special gift for a special person that is just… well, just perfect. While most of us, at some point in our lives, have been on the receiving end of what we know was the perfect gift, many of us still fail to deliver on what we thought would be a perfect gift.

Why, do we often fall short when it comes to giving what we’d hope was a perfect gift? Well, to answer that question let’s look at what makes the perfect gift “perfect”. First, not only does the perfect gift need to be both useful and meaningful to the recipient; but let’s be realistic, it also has to fit into your gift giving budget. But more importantly, what truly really makes a gift perfect is the fact that it touches a recipient in a profound way. A perfect gift will take into consideration and honor the lifestyle, interests, and needs of the recipient, yet connect on a deeper level than other gifts.

So with that being said, you might be surprised to read that I believe that the typical digital picture frame is NOT the perfect gift… unless you take the time to personalize it so that it connects on a deeper level. A digital frame is just the means of delivery, not the gift. The gift is, as KODAK once said, “the moments of our lives” that are shared and displayed on the frame.

How do you personalize the gift of a digital frame? Well, that’s easy. When you first give a digital frame have it “loaded” ready to display photos that are meaningful to the recipient. However, be aware that digital frames are not like traditional frames that hold a single print. Most (not all) digital frames, usually end up showing the same pictures over and over again. Digital frames can quickly become stale energy sucking lumps of plastic, glass and metal if not updated. Over time, that gift you wanted to be personal over time just becomes annoying.

However, one type of digital frame, known as a “connected” frame, will remotely access new photos and ultimately deliver the perfect gift of fresh new photos for years to come.

Connected frames, such ones made by CEIVA, receive photos sent directly to them from any computer or standard camera phone. Plus, while CEIVA’s can directly connect to a computer via WiFi, these digital frames do NOT have to receive photos in this way. CEIVA frames also receive photos through a traditional phone land-line or Ethernet connection. (Land-line connectivity makes CEIVA frames ideal for seniors and less tech savvy people that do not have a computer or the Internet.)

Regardless of the type of connection used, these unique frames ultimately access CEIVA’s photo hosting and delivery service, known as Picture Plan. Picture Plan makes photo storing, sharing and editing an easy, safe and secure process. It also provides frame owners a way to invite family and friends in to send and share their pictures to the frame. The fact that CEIVA frames can have fresh new photos delivered right to them from loved ones keeps that personal connection alive and ultimately makes them a perfect gift.

From the makers of great educational toys for kids comes a new digital frame that encourages storytelling. Now kids can shake it, shuffle it, and share their digital pictures with V-Tech’s KidiLook Digital Photo Frame! This hand held photo gallery allows a child to store up to 100 of their favorite photos. Because it is portable they can take it on the go and share their tales,with the help of pictures, to family and friends.

The small frame features a real-time digital clock and a motion sensor which allows a child to shuffle photos across the display by giving it a quick flip of the wrist. Loading is easy from any PC with One-click download via USB connection.

Available in two colors, pink and orange, the suggested list price is $24.99.

2AAA Batteries Required Ages 3-6.

With each passing day there seems to be yet another digital picture frame being introduced to the marketplace. Typically what’s offered as “new” to the market is really another company doing what others have done before. However two new products have been released that takes digital frames to a new place… literally. One is the Hama Digital Photo Album the other is Sondata’s Shake –A-Pix portable mini album.

Hama Digital Photo Album

This digital “frame” is actually an electronic album used to store your favorite pictures to have ready to show when needed.

The Hama Digital Photo Album, with a 7” screen, it can fit in a pocket or purse. Its screen displays picture formats like JPEGS in 800×480 pixel resolutions. Operating on rechargeable batteries, its view time will last about 2 ½ hours on a full charge.

Like most digital frames, pictures can be transferred via the usual USB interface; and can store about 4GB of image files and supports the most common memory solutions like SD, SDHC and MM cards.

While pricing and release date have not yet been announced, the idea of a portable digital photo album looks like a promising idea.

Sondata Shake-A-Pix mini Digital Album

Borrowing the idea from the iPhone that uses shaking motion to engage functionality in some apps,  Sondata believes its tiny 2.4in photo frame, called Shake A Pix,  it is the world’s first portable digital photo album utilizing motion sensors. Quite simply…  shake it  to browse through your favorite photos.

This mini frame (and I do mean mini) has an internal memory of 32MB which, depending on file size ¸is just about enough memory to hold up to 170 jpeg or bitmap images. Photos are transferred into the 50g photo frame via USB connections.

The 5mm-thick photo frame measures 90×50mm has its own built in retractable stand. Its all powered by a tiny lithium-ion battery which can keep photos displayed for up to three hour on a single charge. Retail pricing for this mini album is expected to be $38.

The 4th of July reminds us of the heroic choice and sacrifices the men and women in the armed forces make to protect the freedoms and independence our country celebrates.

One of the biggest sacrifices  members of the military make  is moving their lives far from friends and family that love them. While we all know how they treasure hearing from “home,” Sargent Carlos V’s letter below reminds us how important it is that they also have a way to share what is happening in their lives BACK to “home.”

Hi, CEIVA!

My name is TSgt. (USAF) Carlos R. V. and I would like to tell you how CEIVA has been a life saver for us.

I have been in the Military for 13 years and have never had a way of getting photos to my parents as I am currently stationed in Germany. My Dad is retired Air Force and is now settled back in home in Houston Texas with my Mom. To send them pictures I would have to take the pictures, wait for them to get developed and make the long trip from Germany to Texas.

My parents were scared of computers and any new technology. So without them wanting a computer there was no way for me to e-mail pictures, until I came across CEIVA. I was kind of scared that my parents would reject the idea of connecting something to their phone line, but they seemed interested. I told my Dad to go to work and have someone show him the CEIVA website and how it was hooked (up).

Right away he purchased the frame and was ready to go. He had no complications, the instructions were super easy to follow and he told me that he was up and ready, and waiting for pictures.

With CEIVA we are able to send pictures every day. My parents are still in shock that I can take pictures of my daughter’s birthday party here in Germany and my parents are able to see the pictures the same day. It is amazing to them.

With me being in Germany I have been able to do a lot of traveling so it makes it easy for me to take a lot of pictures. But I just wanted to say this product has been perfect for our situation. My parents love it, and we are planning on getting one for my wife’s family.

Thank you CEIVA for making it easy for us to stay close, even though we are so far away.

Sincerely,
TSgt. Carlos R. V.
United States Air Force

CEIVA is proud to provide a way for our military and women to show their lives with their loved ones.

So, except for wishing you a picturesque 4th of July… that’s what CeivaJoe knows.

COMMENT

They seem simple, they seem easy, they seem innocent enough. But many digital frame owners, who have bought and/or gifted typical “card reader” type frames are finding out that, like that beast of a plant in the Little Shop of Horrors, typical digital frames can become hungry creatures with demanding and hard to manage appetites.

Digital cameras have grown to be a much bigger part of all our lives than traditional film cameras ever were. Because this is so, owning and/or giving a digital frame to display the best pictures of our lives has become quite enticing. However, not knowing what to expect or need in digital frame has resulted in consumers often buying low functioning frames. How user friendly the frame is when it comes to selecting, editing and moving your favored pictures from a camera and into a frame, is rarely considered… especially when a buyer is dazzled with a super low price.

Without a doubt cameras make it so easy and convenient to generate pictures… a digital frame’s “food.” But, until you own a digital frame that regurgitates the same batch of old pictures over and over and over again, will you understand just how “hungry” a frame can get. What makes the hunger pains worse is the fact that you know you have a camera card or hard drive full of fresh pictures waiting to be fed into your digital frame(s).

If you are responsible for feeding pictures to multiple frames then the process becomes even more horrific. All the time and effort it took to feed your first frame must now be duplicated on the second frame. If that second frame has been given as a gift, typically to less tech savvy parents or grandparents, then feeding the second frame can be even more of a nightmare… especially if the frame is located away from your home  or a computer.

So while digital camera technology makes it easy to snap up the moments of our life, and snap we do, getting pictures to the frame(s) so that we can display and share those moments takes time and effort. Having one tool that allows you to easily (1) weed out, (2) edit/personalize (3) organize and (4) move pictures onto one or multiple frames are features and services not typically bundled with digital frames of today.  Except for one… CEIVA.

CEIVA provides their frame owners with one comprehensive tool to feed and care for all their digital frame’s picture display and sharing needs. Our frames, with our award winning Picture Plan, allow you to select, upload, safely store, edit/personalize, and send your treasured pictures directly into the hungry frames you manage and also share your pictures to the hungry frames owned by friends and family… even Grandma’s.

With CEIVA frames you can tame the framed digital beast and never hear the dreaded “Feed me Some-more!”

So until the next post… that’s what CeivaJoe knows!

COMMENT

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, an important gift giving holiday. Because of its importance, Mother’s day for CEIVA has historically been a busy time for us, as our frames are popular gift items.

On the surface one might think that our photo frames’ popularity as a gift is due to the fact that they are (1) super easy to use for technically challenged people, (2) can be “networked” with other family members who have CEIVA frames, and (3) can have pictures sent directly into them. And while all these features and benefits are nice, this is not the real reason why our CEIVA’s make great gifts.

Through the years we have learned something from those of you who have given our frames as gifts. We have learned that when you give a CEIVA photo frame as the gift, the gift ends up not being the physical gadget. The gift is what happens within the gadget… and the “gift” is ongoing and different every day.

The real gift is all those special moments in life, captured in pictures, that come shining through for all to see. Only CEIVA frames allow your family photos to “automatically” show up on a kitchen counter, bedside nightstand or anywhere you choose to place the frame. Be they baby pictures, a trip last year to the beach, a wedding, any special moment captured in pictures now all can easily be shared among family members.

So when you give this special gadget get ready… the experience is beyond description. For this “gift” placed in a loved one’s home connects them to family in a simple yet profoundly touching way.

Like you, your bothers, your sisters, and other family members will all able to send photos directly into the CEIVA frame… from anywhere in the world. Lives, families, and special moments will instantly be shared.

Imagine the joy your Mother, your parents or your grandparent will get each morning as they wake up to new pictures. But know, to them these are not just pictures, they are life, they are family, they are a testament of pride and joy.

Happy Mother’s Day

CeivaJoe

PS: We have extended customer service hours this weekend, just in case you have any questions about your new CEIVA photo frame.

COMMENT

It’s just about that time of year when millions of you will again suffer from your annual spring flair up of Multi-Mother Guilt Disorder (MMGD). In fact, many of you will suffer an attack and not even know it.

What is Multi-Mother Guilt Disorder? Typically, it is the panic and the guilt associated with Mother’s Day gift giving.

How did you acquire MMGD? Well, first of all don’t worry only adults suffer from it. However, you need to know that most likely you caught it as a child. Typically the progression of the disorder goes something like this.

It starts early each year as a new crop of kids smash their open palms in to a wet disc of plaster that is to become their first Mother’s day gift. They let their special gift dry, paint it, and finish by tying a pretty ribbon to it. Then as this gift passes from their hands to their Mother’s, the seeds MMGD are sown.

Each year the gifts for our Mom got better, and those who qualified as a “Mom” expanded. Somewhere along the way, Grandma’s became Moms. For many, because of a divorce, a step-mother qualified for a gift. When you married, you may have not only gained a Mother-in-law but also your spouse’s two Grand Mothers. Then what about that favorite Aunt that never married and who was like a “second mother”? Doesn’t she deserve a gift on Mother’s day too?

I think you get the point. We all start out with one mother and end up with a multitude of special women that should be honored on Mother’s day. The guilt and panic (MMGD) sets in as you try to pick the perfect gift befitting the love, respect and admiration you have for each of them.

Good news! CEIVA cures MMGD! How? Well, first getting them all the SAME gift is the great equalizer that ends the worry over one Mom finding out what the other Mom got.

Plus a CEIVA frame is the gift that keeps on giving. Through the years you and ANY of your Multi-Mom’s loved ones will be able to send digital photos directly INTO any and all of the frames you give as gifts, including Grandmas… even if she doesn’t have a computer! You see, because you send a picture directly to the frame a computer is not needed. This is why sometimes our frames are referred to as “photo receivers” and there are NO digital frames in the world that can do this.

So if you want to cure your own case of MMGD and at the same time connect to one or many Mothers in your life … CEIVA Digital Photo Frames are for you. Plus, right now you can SAVE 20%! Click here to visit the CEIVA Store for details.

So until the next post… that’s what CeivaJoe knows!

COMMENT