Skip to main content

Aura and artist Jonathan Adler partner to make smart frames

1230075 autosave v1 aura and jonathan adler
New technology, meet classic design. Thanks to a new partnership between Aura and New York-based artist Jonathan Adler, you’ll be able to marry 21st century innovation with time-tested home decor. Aura, the smart frame company, has just named Jonathan Adler as its Creative Director in Residence. As a result of this new collaboration, we’ll soon see two limited-edition smart frames.

With Aura’s smart frames, you can easily gather all your favorite photos from friends and family members and display them in chic picture frames. Simply take photos at will, and the frame will automatically display the best picture in either your home or a family member’s home. And now, with the help of Jonathan Adler, these frames will be more deserving of their content than ever. The first such frame to be released will hit the market in October, and will be made available in cobalt blue with gold trim, and an iconic pattern on its backside.

“I’ve always loved Jonathan Adler’s designs. His work is beautiful, irreverent, and makes a statement,” Aura co-founder and CEO Abdur Chowdhury wrote in a blog post.

The elegant frame will still feature all of Aura’s technology. Thanks to a companion app, your smart frame will boast facial and pet recognition, unlimited photo storage, and the ability to invite as many family member as you want to contribute photos to your frame. The frame can also be pre-loaded with various images, which makes it an ideal gift. Aura’s Smart Select feature uses machine learning to determine the faces of your favorite subjects, but can also filter photos with poor resolution, poor cropping, or those featuring sensitive information (like an ID or passport).

“Homes are getting more and more packed with technology, but that doesn’t mean you should skimp on good design,” Adler said. “I am thrilled to work with Aura to design frames combining my favorite colors and patterns with their mind-blowing technology.”

Jonathan Adler’s first Aura frame will be available for purchase for $399 online and at select Jonathan Adler stores across the country. We’ll be sure to let you know when Adler’s second frame hits stores, too.

Editors' Recommendations

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Fingerbot Plus has more pressing power to make dumb appliances smart
fingerbot plus remotely turns devices on

There are a lot of ways to turn a "dumb" appliance into a smart one through things like smart plugs, smart switches, and more, but when it comes to pressing buttons, there just aren't a ton of options -- until now, anyway. The Fingerbot Plus is a small, $25 device that can press buttons for you. It can turn on nearly anything, from a light switch on the wall to your coffee machine or printer. You could say it's the Chromecast of smart switches.

The Fingerbot Plus is battery powered. We covered the original model of the Fingerbot back in 2019, but the Fingerbot Plus is distinguishable for its stronger pressing power, extended range, and integrated touchpad for manual control. You can get roughly eight months of use off a single charge, and it attaches easily to devices thanks to 3M tape. You can control the Fingerbot Plus through the app, or you can touch the button on the side of the device to manually trigger it.

Read more
The best digital photo frames
Aura Carver Smart Frame

Since the advent of digital cameras, computers, USB, and cloud-stored files are the new way of taking and storing pictures. But how do we display these much-loved vacation moments for friends and family to see? That's where the digital photo frame comes in. Looking, feeling, and operating much like a standard photo frame, a digital photo frame allows you to upload your favorite pics by USB, SD card, or through the web. Other features like slideshows, timers, and various smart assistant functions come standard with many models, too.

There are several noteworthy digital photo frame makers out there, so we've put together this roundup of the best digital photo frames to help you hand-pick a frame that's best for you and your home. Let's get things started with our favorite frame of all (that just so happens to be a smart display).
Google Nest Hub

Read more
5 ways to make your smart home display more useful while working from home
Nest Hub Max, using the touchscreen.

A smart display is more than just a way to check the weather, read up on the news, or control your smart home. It can provide you with quick information about specific subjects and streamline your day. Given how people are continuing to work from home, smart displays present themselves as the perfect deskside companion. Here are a few tips and tricks that can help your smart display be more than a simple tool -- it can be the centerpiece of your work-from-home experience.
Keep tabs on your schedule on the go

Many people think working from home is a more laid-back schedule, but it often involves juggling more tasks than you're used to. As a result, it can be tough to stay on top of your schedule, especially on particularly busy days. Your smart display can show your schedule at a glance and even alert you to upcoming meetings.

Read more