

On the other hand, the Aura Carver is a digital frame that feels more like a regular photo frame. The similarly-priced Brookstone PhotoShare also has a 10.1-inch option, but it includes a keyhole mount, a built-in speaker, two different mats, USB and SD storage, and the ability to rotate between portrait and landscape orientations. But, with other digital frames and smart displays offering more for less, the price is steep. That’s not to say this frame doesn’t have something to offer, as it looks nice in a home, and it’s exceptionally easy to use for those who aren’t as techie. The Aura Carver’s $199 price is just too high, especially considering its lack of a touchscreen, lack of audio, and most importantly, landscape-only orientation. The Aura Carver is compatible with Alexa and Google Home, so you can use voice commands to say things like, “Alexa, ask Aura when this photo was taken” or “Alexa, ask Aura to show a photo from Colorado.” I found this to be a neat feature, as I could ask the frame to show pictures from our vacation to guests using a voice command. The frame’s onboard menu is extremely basic, and you perform almost all of the customization in the app. Once you have the app and you’ve created an account, plug in the Aura Carver.

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To set up the frame, you’ll need to download the Aura app, which is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices running iOS 11 or later and Android devices running Android 5.0 or later. You can’t rotate the device vertically and display in portrait mode. One major flaw, however, is that the Aura Carver is landscape-only orientation. The bar is a neat feature that you won’t find in just any digital frame, and it’s inconspicuous enough that you don’t notice the slider from a distance. This touch bar is in lieu of a touchscreen. On top of the Aura Carver, there’s a touch slider bar that you use to control the onboard menu and swipe the photos from one to the next. Instead, it’ll feel more like an actual photo frame.

Even though you may get more features with a smart display, the Aura Carver won’t make your living room or entryway look so cold with technology. That’s perhaps one of the biggest benefits to choosing a digital frame like the Aura Carver over a smart display like the Echo Show 10. While this means it doesn’t require a stand, it also means you can’t mount the frame, as there’s no keyhole mount and the frame’s pyramid backing is just too thick and bulky to even attempt to place on a wall.Įven though you may get more features with a smart display, the Aura Carver won’t make your living room or entryway look so cold with technology. While many photo frames like the Brookstone PhotoShare have a flat back that allows for mounting on a wall, the Aura Carver has a pyramid-shaped backing. With that said, when I opened the beautiful box, there were some issues with the frame’s design. I’ve reviewed a lot of products, and rarely do I come across packaging that stops me in my tracks and makes me think to myself, “Wow, this is really nice.” The packaging makes the device look elegant and expensive. When I first saw the Aura Carver’s box, I was impressed. However, with more and more smart displays like the Echo Show and Nest Hub offering photo display functionality as just a part of a much more comprehensive set of smart features, is the Aura Carver still worth it? I tested it for two weeks to find out, evaluating its design, setup, display quality, and software. With a companion app for easily uploading photos from your phone or social media, digital photo frames like the Aura Carver can serve as home decor or gifts for loved ones. The best digital photo frames let you easily display your photos from a durable and intuitive device. Aura Frames provided us with a review unit for one of our writers to test.
