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Twelve South Launches 'PowerPic' Wooden Picture Frame With 10W Qi Charger for $80

Bah to you naysayers, this is a great idea. Forget the price and just go with the concept. Not as easily DIY I bet because most chargers have a 3mm to 6mm distance limit to charging so you getter get rid of the frame's backing or make a cutout in it to get as close as possible to the glass. Suddenly your basic small frame isn't so sturdy any more and you have to build in more stability. Not that I'm buying one, I'm happy with the coaster style charger by my bedside. And, I might add, next to the $3 photo frame I got from Michael's :)
 
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Was excited about the product until I read comments about the screen not staying on. Didn’t think of that.
 
I think the screen matching is cute and a neat way when you first tart to use it. But after a couple days I'd probably get bored of the combo.

And, to have an everyday object like this be a charger is nice. it looks good. you walk in and place the phone there to charge some, then grab when you walk by again. It reminds me of the (mostly) DIY book-nook charger boxes that were 'neat' a while back to hide the chargers in.

The idea is you don't have a CHARGER just sitting around, you have aesthetic art on display that can then be put to use as well. similar to how companies are making Routers fancy inside of ugly antenna-ridden boxes.

Also, if using it on the nightstand at night...who cares if it blocks the photo you won't be looking at while asleep...right?
 
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Love this idea. I have a wireless charger in my living room that gets used only occasionally. I would much rather have a picture of my family there 90% of the time and the wireless charger hidden 100% of the time. Thanks for the idea, Twelve South. I'm going to DIY this one with the charger I already have.
 
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…what?

This is a baffling product.

So, first, you obscure the photo with a phone (why?). Then, you place it just right so it looks good (why even bother with wireless charging, then?). Then, you replicate the same photo on the phone, for that cute effect (this is starting to sound tedious). And then… you keep tapping so the display stays on (for that extra waste of energy, I guess)? Or are you supposed to never lock the phone at all?

I don’t get it. I don’t $20 get it, and especially not $80. This seems like an idea that looks like a cute effect in a prototype, but doesn’t make sense let alone really work in practice.
[doublepost=1541612012][/doublepost]
BJMRamage said:
Also, if using it on the nightstand at night...who cares if it blocks the photo you won't be looking at while asleep...right?
Click to expand...

At which point you could simply use any old wireless charger and lay it flat?
 
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EEzycade said:
I think i saw this on unbox therapy
Click to expand...

Yeah, Lew posted this. He however didn't realize that people often have photos on their nightstands where they place their phone at night. But he didn't bash the product though. Just saying he missed that convenience.
 
MacRumors said:



Twelve South today launched the "PowerPic," a traditional wooden picture frame that includes a hidden, 10W wireless charger. You can place any 5" x 7" photo in the PowerPic, and then to charge an iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X, XS, XS Max, or XR, you simply place the device on top of the photo.

twelve-south-powerpic-1.jpg

Twelve South says that the idea behind the PowerPic was to create a Qi charger that would not add to the clutter of a bedside table or desk, so that when your iPhone (or any compatible Qi smartphone) isn't charging, it just looks like any other framed picture in your home.

twelve-south-powerpic-3.jpg

The main visual difference comes at the back of the frame, where a small status light lets you know when the smartphone is fully charged. The light can also alert you if a foreign object in a wallet case, like a bank card with a chip, is preventing the iPhone from charging. The PowerPic includes a 1.5m USB-C to USB-A cable, so the device can be plugged into any traditional USB 3.0 port.

twelve-south-powerpic-2.jpg

The company also notes that there are potentially inventive ways for customers to use PowerPic, like taking two separate images -- one for the frame and one for your iPhone -- that when placed together are completed. Twelve South has a few ideas of its own to inspire users, offering a list of frame and iPhone wallpapers themed around New York City, Paris, the holidays, and Rockefeller Center, downloadable for free here.

Those interested can purchase the PowerPic for $79.99 in White or Black on TwelveSouth.com starting today.

Article Link: Twelve South Launches 'PowerPic' Wooden Picture Frame With 10W Qi Charger for $80
Click to expand...
Ok this is what I want. It blends in and doesn’t add anymore clutter than what is needed.
 
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rturner2 said:
Very cool
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I know right. But guess what... your eyes are shut when you’re sleeping so you can’t see the photo anyway.
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Then why pitch the product that way. So this is a nighttime-only product? Also, believe it or not, all phone batteries don’t last until bed time. LOL
 
chucker23n1 said:
…what?

This is a baffling product.

So, first, you obscure the photo with a phone (why?). Then, you place it just right so it looks good (why even bother with wireless charging, then?). Then, you replicate the same photo on the phone, for that cute effect (this is starting to sound tedious). And then… you keep tapping so the display stays on (for that extra waste of energy, I guess)? Or are you supposed to never lock the phone at all?

I don’t get it. I don’t $20 get it, and especially not $80. This seems like an idea that looks like a cute effect in a prototype, but doesn’t make sense let alone really work in practice.
[doublepost=1541612012][/doublepost]

At which point you could simply use any old wireless charger and lay it flat?
Click to expand...

Baffling?

The idea is to conceal hideously ugly chargers and cables behind something many people may already have on, say, a bedside table. Some people prefer a more minimalist living space without a bunch of tech garbage strewn everywhere.
 
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chucker23n1 said:
…what?

This is a baffling product.

So, first, you obscure the photo with a phone (why?). Then, you place it just right so it looks good (why even bother with wireless charging, then?). Then, you replicate the same photo on the phone, for that cute effect (this is starting to sound tedious). And then… you keep tapping so the display stays on (for that extra waste of energy, I guess)? Or are you supposed to never lock the phone at all?

I don’t get it. I don’t $20 get it, and especially not $80. This seems like an idea that looks like a cute effect in a prototype, but doesn’t make sense let alone really work in practice.
[doublepost=1541612012][/doublepost]

At which point you could simply use any old wireless charger and lay it flat?
Click to expand...
Yep. I don't get what the point is if the phone is just going to turn off its display. And guests will be asking why you're placing your phone on a random picture frame. I have no idea what they were going for, saving a minuscule amount of space by combining two super unrelated objects?
 
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Probably should not be used in California, or other earthquake zones...

At least please do not place on the headboard!

(I refuse to put anything on the wall behind my bed, even with plexiglass. Except for small pictures, I use plexiglass, double security hooks, and Museum Putty...)
 
riverfreak said:
Baffling?

The idea is to conceal hideously ugly chargers and cables behind something many people may already have on, say, a bedside table. Some people prefer a more minimalist living space without a bunch of tech garbage strewn everywhere.
Click to expand...

I get that part, but you end up with a photo frame that is either concealed(???) or drawing crazy amounts of power.

Just put a wireless charger next to the photo frame and place your phone on that. You'll be saving lots of money and energy, and be actually able to look at the photo, to boot.

Yes, you'll see slightly more technology (namely, your phone — it's not as though this Twelve South charger comes without a cable, so you'll be having that part no matter what), but honestly not that much. And if you don't want technology at your bedside table, why are you putting your phone in the bedroom at all in the first place?
 
chucker23n1 said:
I get that part, but you end up with a photo frame that is either concealed(???) or drawing crazy amounts of power.

Just put a wireless charger next to the photo frame and place your phone on that. You'll be saving lots of money and energy, and be actually able to look at the photo, to boot.

Yes, you'll see slightly more technology (namely, your phone — it's not as though this Twelve South charger comes without a cable, so you'll be having that part no matter what), but honestly not that much. And if you don't want technology at your bedside table, why are you putting your phone in the bedroom at all in the first place?
Click to expand...
I don't understand. How are you saving money and energy?
 
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