Customer Reviews

TAO 1.5-Inch Digital Keychain Frame (Silver)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(40)

 

 

I looked all over the web for these specs (including the TAO site), so I am adding them here:
- Display is 128x128 pixels in 24 bit color
- USB interface is NOT a standard block file device (e.g. does not show up as a disk drive), but uses a proprietary interface, so you MUST use the included software, which is not available for Linux.

Also, if you think you should be able to fit a lot more than 30 128x128 pixel JPG images into 8MB, you would be right, but the software limits you to a fixed 30 pictures, which you can (re-)extract from the device as a entire batch (for re-use later) into a (seemingly proprietary) ".itc" file (which is actually 66 bytes of header followed by the images in 49,152-byte blocks (128 x 128 x 3byte color) in simple RGB bitmap format. Even if the device stores the images in the uncompressed bitmap format (which it probably does), it is using no more than 1.5MB of the "8MB internal memory" to store your pictures.

The casing is clearly not bulletproof, and the buttons to stick out from the edge (which would explain why they are "falling off"), and the software is poorly written (bluescreened on second use -- "Handy with a soldering iron, but a menace to society behind a keyboard") but includes a built-in rechargeable battery, charger, USB cable, and a surprisingly high-quality jewelery-type box, for which I paid <$40. I think if expectations keep in line with this nearly disposable price-point, I think this product will meet them.

I have not had any problems with the device itself (in the first 3 days), and it seems ok with a few keys on it, but can see where the design may have trouble in a high-stress environment embedded in a wad of keys, and a menagerie of other key fobs. I found the display to be adequately bright (I'm sure these are mass-produced cell-phone and digital camera displays, so you can use them for a rough idea)

Bought for my wife to show off pics of new grand daughter. Loading pics easy-great display of pics. The problem I had was very short viewing times between battery charging. On two occasions after a full charge for 30 min. and maybe total viewing time of 3-4 minutes over 5 days the unit had to be recharged. Returned unit to amazon with full refund without a problem.

I bought this for my mom as a Mother's Day gift and loaded pictures onto it. I was extremely surprised at the quality of the pictures/screen. I'm glad I ordered this newer model. The older Tao held more pictures, but from reading the reviews on it, I am guessing the quality of the pictures on this newer model is much better. The software is extremely simple to use and makes it very easy to crop photos for close up shots. I expected the keychain to be a bit bulky, but it's not too bad at all. I am very happy with this purchase, as I'm sure my mom will be, also.

We bought this keychain for my mom (a new grandma) for mother's day and she loved it! The picture is very clear, the software easy to use, and loading was super simple.

A few days after she'd been using it one of the buttons broke-off. She called the company who shipped out a new one right away - and somebody even answered the phone when she called!

I would definitely recommend this as a fairly inexpensive gift for anyone who loves to show-off and hang-on to their photos.

I got this as a birthday present (would have never bought it myself) - the pictures are surprisingly clear. It only holds 30 pix - i think the ad online said 50. it is a fun toy to have - you can show off your lastest vacation or kids whatever... It is v. easy to install the software and add the photos...took maybe 15 minutes from start to finish (assuming you have photos on your computer) We have really enjoyed it.

I was skeptic at first, as many of the keychains that I have seen in stores, are made of plastic and the screens are small and very dim. I am cery impressed with the quality of this keygen. The metal housing is rugged and practical for a keychain. The only drawback, to all of these plastic screens, is that they can scratch very easly. I purchased a plastic stick on screen saver, used for ipods and PSP and cut it to size and my screen is as clear today as when I purchased it. The software is very eay to use, but I wish I could put more pictures than 30. The charger is handy and easy to use. I have yet to see a 2 hour on time, as the battery seems to drain within about 15 minutes of use. I like the fact that the pictures transition, but it would be nice if there were different transition types. I would reccomend this to anyone and it is a very nice gift. A gift that I know, I will be purchasing soon. Happy Viewing,
Gennaro
Niagara Falls, Canada

I was hesitant to buy this product after reading the reviews, however I decided to give it a try and was very pleased! Everyone in my family wants one now!

The screen is OLED which is known for being very bright and colorful, and is used on many newer cell phones and devices out of Japan.

I tried many different pictures just to test out the quality. Pictures of a full person, head to toe, were a little fuzzy due to the screen being so small, however using the included software I easily cropped the photos and they looked great. You have to remember that if you crop a low or mid resolution picture it is going to look fuzzy, no matter how good the device is, so make sure that the pictures you are using are high resolution (mine were all at least 1600 x 1200). Also remember that the smaller you crop the picture from its original size, the higher resolution the original picture needs to be. I had no problem getting any pictures (out of about 50 that I tried) to show up clearly. Pictures that were already portraits showed up beautifully, however those that were cropped were very clear as well. I showed the pictures to friends and family, and there was no doubt as to who was in the pictures or what they were of, they were all very clear and bright.

I would definately buy this again, and am planning to buy a few more around Christmas...

I was so excited to get the digital keychain. The software loaded easily and was very simple to load my pictures into it (30!), change them, etc... However, within days, the buttons fell off (they turn it on\off and forward the pictures). Before the first week was up, while viewing the pictures the screen went blank - I assumed it needed recharging - after a full charge - it has never come back on. Before I could take it off the keychain and return it (day or 2 more)the picture part broke off the keychain. It was REALLY cool for about 3-4 days! Very poorly made, I guess. Disappointing:(

Even though the screen is quite small the pictures are quite clear. This device is not made to view large group photos but works well with individual or average family size groups. Battery life is not as good as I would like it to be but it charges quickly. Very neat little gadget for the person that seems to have everything. Well worth the purchase price.

I was so excited to give this to my husband for Father's Day and he loved it. However, after only one day, the keychain part of it broke (the part that hooks). If that weren't bad enough, just a few short days later, you can't even turn it on anymore. It's been charged but still will not turn on. My husband has not dropped it or banged it around. He's only used it to drive back and forth to work on his car keychain (after rigging something up to make it stay on his keychain when that broke). Turned out to be a complete dud. Horrible, horrible quality. I'm in the process of trying to exchange or get money back from Amazon .... very disappointing.