IMS Research expects WiFi will be the main driver of growth in the connected frame market, a market that is expected to generate over $1.1 billion in revenues for manufacturers in 2014. Cellular-based wireless applications are poised for significant growth in this market as well.  

Connected digital picture frames (DPFs) have been slow to penetrate, but are showing signs of gaining traction with consumers at the rate expected a few years ago. Major DPF manufacturers agree that internet-based services including Facebook, Thinking Screen Media, and photo-sharing sites will drive the market for connected DPFs. However, cellular-based short-range wireless (SRW) applications are expected to experience a resurgence in the connected frame market, with several manufacturers having revealed plans to produce wide area network-equipped (WAN-equipped) DPFs for 2010.

3G and 4G phones shipped in the second half of 2009 feature embedded cameras with 5 and 8 megapixel or higher resolutions. Sr. Analyst Mark Meza states, “Auto focus and flash features in these newer camera phones can produce images comparable in quality to mid-range digital cameras. Without sacrificing the original quality of the image, DPF users will have a more compelling reason to transfer images via SRW or WAN applications onto a frame.” Lower resolution cellular cameras produce images that look fine on the 2.5” displays of the source device, but image quality is compromised when stretched to fit 7”, 8”, or larger displays. The compromised quality of these transferred images has hurt the cellular-based DPF market in the past.

Low data rate non-time critical transfer of content is not new to the cellular industry. DPF manufacturers are moving toward 800x600 resolutions, which breathes new life into usage models for SRW and WAN applications for large files. “Instantaneously sending high resolution images over long distances through a cellular provider to a DPF without bogging down the network will be well received by cellular providers as well as the connected DPF market,” adds Meza.