Everyone loves the story of Dorian Gray, and most well-balanced people have tried putting a picture of themselves in the attic in the vague hope that it will become aged and grotesque while they remain young and beautiful.
But pictures don't change. They just lie there in the box for years doing nothing until the time comes for your children or estranged spouse to use them for the purposes of blackmail.
Until now, friends! A new device called a Ceiva looks just like a normal black picture frame, but has a wire that leads to your phone. Every night, it logs onto the Ceiva website and downloads any pictures that your friends or family have placed there. The next day, you get a slide show or up to 10 photos.
The makers say you need zero technical knowledge to get the Ceiva to work, nor a computer, nor an Internet account, nor an extra telephone line. For the moment, though, you do have to live in the United States.
The Ceiva, $250 (€280) plus a $36 annual subscription, can be seen at www.amazon.com/ceiva.
Gizmo suggestions welcome: smaccarthaigh@irish-times.ie
