Digital picture frames are actually old hat, but the Aura Carver shows that they can be really cool with smart technology. The device can be equipped with photos from anywhere in the world, and the associated app can scan analog images, among other things.
A few years ago, digital photo frames were a gift hit. You could transfer photos from your smartphone to them via cable or Bluetooth and were no longer dependent on printouts. That was great then, but it sounds pretty boring now, and it is. However, some manufacturers are breathing new life into the principle with new technology. They include the US company Aura, which focuses primarily on the social component. ntv.de tried its cheapest picture frame, the Carver, which costs around 160 euros.
The device has a 10.1 inch display in 16:10 format with 1280 x 800 pixels. Despite not being an OLED screen but an LCD, it has very good viewing angles and displays photos with crisp contrasts. The colors look natural without being too loud like on many smartphone or tablet displays.
The Aura Carver also adjusts the brightness automatically, turning off when it gets dark. It is neither annoying in the TV room nor does it rob users of their sleep. However, the sensors react a little too early, which means that the screen turns black even when the lighting is dimmed. You can’t change anything about it, a software update would be welcome here.
The case makes a solid impression and appears to be of higher quality thanks to a rough surface than with smooth plastic. However, this also makes it more difficult to clean, a duster is literally rubbed off by the frame.
The Aura Carver can only be placed in landscape format, with its wide base and rubber feet it also stands securely on smooth surfaces. At two meters, the power cable is long enough to reach sockets that are farther away. It cannot be replaced, because instead of USB-C, Aura uses a proprietary connection.
Setting it up is child’s play: you install the app, which immediately contacts the device via Bluetooth. You have to create an Aura account for operation, which may bother some users. However, it is necessary in order to use the special cloud functions, without which the Carver would just be any digital picture frame.
Once the connection is established, you can not only upload recordings saved on the smartphone, but also from Google Photos or Apple’s iCloud. Aura uses Amazon Web Services for its cloud, where the images are stored encrypted (AES-256). The cloud storage space is unlimited, Aura does not charge any additional fees for it. However, you should not necessarily trust that pictures will remain permanently saved there.
Access to the Aura Cloud and thus the Carver is not only available to users who have set it up. You can invite family members, friends or acquaintances, who can then also upload photos that will be displayed on the photo frame.
This does not happen in real time due to the detour via the cloud, but even added at the other end of the world, the recordings appear on the display after less than a minute. Members of an Aura group can only see, download, share, et cetera approved images.
Children and grandchildren, for example, can use the group function to keep their grandparents up to date with the latest photos. The highlight of Aura is that you can set up and give away a picture frame using a QR code in the closed packaging.
A successful app, which not only allows you to view or add photos, also contributes to the photo fun. Owners of a picture frame can, among other things, organize playback, remote control or rotate the photos. The Aura Carver automatically groups portrait formats as a duo, matching each other if possible.
With the app it is also possible to scan analog images and send them to the carver. Previously only available with iPhones, uploaded black-and-white photos can also be automatically colored in the application. But you shouldn’t expect too much from this, in the test the function actually only delivered satisfactory results with skin tones.
The device was not convincing when it came to videos. It only displays 30 seconds of a clip and playback is extremely choppy. On the other hand, the control on the picture frame via the touch surface on the top is well solved. Among other things, you can swipe through galleries or distribute hearts with a tap for photos.
All in all, the Aura Carver is a picture frame that is a lot of fun, especially when used in groups. Technology and functions are appealing but not complicated, the unlimited cloud storage guarantees a lot of variety. The price-performance ratio is also right.
