Facebook photos make their way to the shelf

It's been noted many times that digital photo frames--among the most overproduced items in the gadget world--are perennially searching for new ways to differentiate themselves from the ever-growing pack. Some have included Webcams, combined with land lines to provide photo IDs, or have doubled as secondary computer displays.

eStarling, for its part, has taken a different tack: Rather than contantly updating its hardware, it adds new feeds to its 8-inch Wi-Fi frame. Already able to get streams from online photo services such as Flickr or Photobucket, the wireless frame has now added Facebook to its networked family.

Once hooked up to your Facebook account, it will automatically display photos uploaded to the social network, GeekAlerts says. Which means that you probably want to be careful where you place the frame when mom and dad come over.

Via CNET Crave

A vinyl turntable worth solid gold!

My first recollection of these audiophile turntables was during my early hi-fi days. And boy, were the soothing sounds a mesmerizing experience when paired with high-end tube pre-power amplifiers and loudspeakers. The UK's Avid Acutus falls right at the top of the hierarchy with a radical design and matching premium aesthetics. Available in polished chrome or gold-plated finish, it features an elaborate vibration-damping system and a beefy construction.

The US$24,000 kit is also bundled with a smart-looking external power supply. This has universal power compatibility, though we doubt anyone would be crazy enough to jet-set around the world lugging this 19kg mammoth. That said, we've one last burning question. Does the tonearm--that top-right pole thingee--come in optional gold finish, too?

Via Audio junkies | Photo credit: Avid

One more way to stay addicted to TV

In the course of everyday duty Crave has witnessed some ghastly laboratory experiments that have made for some unnaturally grafted appendages, but there are some gadgets that are deformed from the outset. This combo remote watch falls squarely into that category.

There have been other watches that double as remotes, some of them even featuring a touch screen, but this one looks like it has a goiter sticking out of it. The watch is made in China, according to Technabob, which explains its price--US$7.25. That even includes the faux jade-looking buttons, putting it on par with none other than the Buddha phone.

Via CNET Crave

Yet another Swarovski-studded TV

There used to be the Crystallized Loewe Individual and the ultra-bling Philips Diamond TV. Now it's LG's turn to try its hands on such Swarovski-powered sexy things with the latest Canvas Crystal X HDTV. A pretty clever one, too, which weds last year's Design Art-series chassis with 1,000 of the glittery stones. It would have been even better if the company had extended this special treatment to its Scarlet lineup, though we also have equal reservations on the level of "unnecessary" extravagance.

Whatever it is, this 47-incher is already out in Korea and costs a dear US$3,194 each. We doubt it will be launched outside the Korean domestic market anytime soon, but if you are bent on importing one over, just remember to hard-sell the panel's juicy full-HD resolution and ultra-high 50,000:1 dynamic contrast to your significant other. This will cost you a tidy sum for shipping, setting aside the power supply variation between countries.

Via Reghardware | Photo credit: Reghardware

Home theater disguised as art piece

Give your home theater an art gallery-quality treatment with VisionArt's canvas and framing solutions. Imagine the wow factor of winding down an exquisite masterpiece in front of your guests to unveil a flat-panel TV and mulitchannel speaker array at the touch of a button. Even better, the latter is no sub-standard component. It's manufactured by established US maker Triad.

According to Electronic House, there're also options to customize the system with additional subwoofer and surround sound speakers to reproduce full 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS sound. Same goes for the canvas dimension right down to the width to cater for any brand and make of TVs. Prices start from US$3,500 for a 42-incher, and the set is available exclusively for the US. Too bad.

Via Electronic House | Photo credit: VisionArt

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