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Hewlett Packard has just unveiled an intriguing new device: the Photosmart A826 Home Photo Center is a combination of photo viewer, memory card reader and inkjet photo printer in one package. It includes a 7-inch LCD screen that can be usd for viewing photos from memory cards, and even for writing and drawing directly onto photos.
When it is not being used as a printer, the 7-inch LCD screen can display slideshows of photos, turning the device into a digital photo frame. The printer and memory card slots are located under a fold-down panel. The large screen is touch senstive, so it can be used to select, crop and edit images. Several impage editing features are included, such as red-eye removal, slimming and image enhancement. Text can also be added to images with the on-screen keyboard, and over 200 photo frames, graphics and effects are built-in and can be added through the touch screen. A stylus is also supplied which can be used with the touch screen. Support is offered for CompactFlash, MemoryStick, SD Card and xD memory cards.
The printer can produce up to 5 by 7 inch borderless prints at the normal aspect ratio, and can go further with special 4 by 12 inch panoramic paper. The prints are output at a resolution of up to 4800 by 1200, and HP claims that it can produce a print in 39 seconds. The prints are dry to the touch as soona s they exit the printer, and a built-in paper tray holds up 100 sheets of paper. HP claims that, with a photo value pack of ink and paper, the cost per 4 by 6 print is 29 cents.
The A826 can also be connected to a PC or Mac via a USB connection, or a Bluetooth connection. The latter also allows for printing from Bluetooth equipped devices such as laptops and cell phones. The A826 is priced at $249.99, and is available now.