Is your netbook just a picture frame with a keyboard?

Well here's something you probably didn't know (I sure didn't) - your netbook screen? Yeah, it is actually the same as the screens designed for digital picture frames. As in, the screen you are using was originally designed for use as a digital picture frame. Then again, most netbook screens I've seen have appeared to be pretty good quality and they all display moving video fine so don't let this fact put you off from the whole netbook experience.

Now that netbooks are taking off in what one could only describe as a worldwide whirlwind, I anticipate that manufacturer's are developing netbook specific screens that cope with netbook related tasks even better, as well as anti-glare for outdoor use.

HP, however, is taking the concept of the picture frame-turned-netbook and flipping it on its head. It's developing a $400 10" netbook-turned-picture frame, with onboard memory, wireless capability and even an Atom processor for ultimate slideshow transition horsepower. Click here to read more... 

The picture frame is to run a custom Linux build, hopefully taking after the HP Mini 1000's Mobile Internet Experience.

One of the coolest things about the proposition of a wireless, full OS powered touchscreen is the easy integration of widgets such as live feeds from Flickr. Picture this, Uncle Jeff is out on his 30ft fishing boat in the harbour, game fishing. He is taking photos of the marlin he is catching which are being beamed to his netbook, uploaded to Flickr via 3G and streamed live to Aunty Betty's picture frame in the kitchen! Same thing goes with sports matches, or even exploring another country. You can effortless beam your visual life to your loved ones' living room wherever you may be in the world!

The first batch is to come with a remote control, but the obvious next step is a touchscreen successor. HP's product development team ain't no slouches, and they are reportedly already working on the touchscreen version. Due date: who knows.

Again this could all be hogwash as it hasn't been announuced by HP yet, but I'm erring on the side of believing. Bring on the future!

via liliputing  and notebooks.com