Update: Pigeon’s creators have recently launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, and expect to start shipping to backers as early as September — assuming the project meets its $50K funding goal before time runs out.
Digital picture frames aren’t particularly complicated for most of us, but to elderly folks who aren’t technologically savvy, using them can often be a daunting task. It’s not necessarily the frame itself that’s difficult — it’s usually the part where you’ve got to use a computer to download pictures, put image files onto a flash drive, and get them to display correctly in the frame.
That’s where Pigeon comes in. Designed to save your elders from hours of confusion (and save you from frustrating hour-long phone calls trying to explain), the Pigeon Frame basically removes all the complicated steps from digitally displaying photos. Instead of forcing Grandma to load up the frame with new pictures, Pigeon puts that power in the hands of you and your family.
All Grandma needs to do is connect the frame to her Wi-Fi network. Or you can just do it for her, because it only needs to be done once. Once that’s done, the frame can be synced to your smartphone, allowing you to wirelessly update the pictures that show up on her display, no matter where you are in the world. Better yet, Pigeon can be linked to multiple mobile devices, so the whole family can join in to keep Grandma updated with new pics.
It does more than just photos too. Pigeon also supports video playback, and even boasts a set of small speakers that allow Granny to hear what’s going on as well.
Unfortunately the frame only exists in prototype form at this point, so you won’t be able to give one to your grandparents for Christmas this year, but Pigeon’s creators do plan to launch a Kickstarter campaign in the coming weeks. We’ll keep you posted on availability.
Updated on 2.18.2015 to include availability on Kickstarter. Originally published December 23, 2014.
