Father’s Day is just around the corner! While our options for celebrating the holiday are more limited now, it shouldn’t be too difficult to make the day extra special for dad. Here are some ways to make the holiday fun.
1. Prepare his favorite lunch
The saying “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” certainly applies to dad. Father’s Day is the perfect occasion to serve him a juicy ribeye, cooked to his preferred doneness, or indulge in lobster or sea bass. Serve it with a nice glass of wine (it’s a special day, after all) and his favorite sides. Don’t forget dessert!
2. Watch his favorite movie with him
Since it’s not yet advisable to go to the theaters, bring the movies to dad instead! Set up a cozy movie nook, complete with dim lighting, comfortable seating, and lots of snacks, and stream dad’s favorite flicks. Some of our recommendations: The Godfather trilogy a classic pick, while the Indiana Jones and the Star Wars series are fail-safe options for the father who’s young at heart.
3. Have the young ones create greeting cards for him
Most fathers have a sentimental side, especially when it comes to their children and grandchildren. Tap into this by getting the kids in the family to create colorful greeting cards for him–the more colorful and expressive, the better. Trust us, dad will be treasuring these mementos forever.
If they live far from dad, have the kids take pictures of their creations and show them on a Nixplay Smart Photo Frame. They can also record a short but sweet Father’s Day video greeting, which can be displayed alongside the photographs of the cards. If Dad doesn’t have a Nixplay Frame yet, now’s the perfect time to get him one!
4. Be genuinely interested in his hobbies
Fathers usually feel a sense of pride when their kids or grandkids show interest in their passions–there’s no better feeling than knowing that the young ones take after him! So if your father is into woodworking, Father’s Day is the best time to help him out with his latest project. Does dad have a green thumb? Get him some seeds or a new plant and join him for an afternoon in the garden. You might even learn something new from this!
5. Plan a board game night
If your father is the brainy, competitive type, an evening spent playing board games should be right up his alley. You can go for classics such as Monopoly, Clue, and Scrabble, or opt for newer games like Pandemic (a very timely pick) and Spontuneous. Hours of fun, guaranteed–as long as nobody cheats!
Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.
Although we live in a world where we’re further apart than ever before, there are still ways to stay close. With more of us traveling to different places every year, working away from our hometowns, or moving further afield for college, it’s easy to become distant from the people we love. But what if we told you that there is a new, unique way to make and maintain family connections? Check out our guide on how to connect with family and how to stay in touch with long-distance family all over the globe.
How to Connect with Family
The go-to solution when we want to connect with family is to pick up the phone or send a quick text message. But sometimes even this simple action can slip through the net, making it difficult to touch base with everyone we care about regularly. It can be hard to check-in if you have a busy life or if you live on the other side of the country away from your family, especially if you have to factor in time differences and work commitments. It might be that you only have a five or ten-minute window each day to catch up with your mom or reach out to a friend. So, what can you do to let your loved ones know you’re always thinking of them?
A digital photo frame is the fresh new way to create family connections, and gives you the opportunity to make someone’s day, every day.
How to stay in touch with long-distance family
Building a family social network sounds great, but how does it work?
Meet the Bakers. After using Nixplay to create family connections, they can share special moments that go far beyond a phone call.
With Nixplay, you can send, receive, share and display photos and videos from anyone, no matter where they are in the world. You can link your frame up with Alexa, create personalized playlists with your favorite music and even connect your frame to Spotify, Instagram, Facebook and many more social channels. So, what does this mean for you? Put simply, you’ll be able to build your very own family social network, meaning you can wake up to a video message from gramps, or send a funny photo of your puppy to your mom. The perks of this? They can show off these priceless moments in their home, on a personal picture frame with a twist.
Gifts for Long Distance Family
Now you’ve discovered more about how to connect with family, why not get started on building your own family social network with Nixplay? Whether you’re looking for a gift for long-distance family, or you want to try it for yourself, a Nixplay frame can revamp your home in more ways than one. Check out our collection of Wi-Fi frames, and learn more about the smart ways a digital photo frame can enhance your lifestyle.
This is the third Nixplay WiFi photo frame that I have reviewed. I believe there is a good reason why the company is the global market leader for digital photo frames: They just have the best soft- and hardware in the mid-size frame segment that they are in.
In this review, I will take a closer look at the 9.7 inches Nixplay Smart Photo Frame, which is the 2K model of the “Smart” product line. This means that you can expect the screen to be tack-sharp.
What people expect from digital photo frames
With the Coronavirus in 2020, “keeping in touch” became a predominantly virtual matter for some time. Video conference tools gained in popularity because it gave us all a much better feeling of working together than just listening to group phone calls. And yet, easy to set up video-conference software has been around for over twenty years. But only now, they became fully accepted.
I’d like to think that the same is true for digital picture frames. They have been around for ages, but the quality of the hardware and the user-friendliness of the software left a lot to be desired. But recently, they seem to pop up everywhere.
Although different customer segments will have different requirements, the average consumer first and foremost expects ease of use. And since many photo frames are given as a present to parents and grandparents to keep in touch with the family, people expect a way to service them remotely.
This is where many sins have been committed. The software was an afterthought in many companies when it should be the first step in the design.
What Nixplay consistently does right
So it was no surprise that many companies have appeared on this market and quickly left again. The mid-size segment has been especially crowded with brands slapping their logo on some white label “China” frames with no genuine passion for photo frames.
Don’t get me wrong. The best electronics manufacturers are in China and other Asian countries. But if the objective is to bring down costs to the minimum, the quality will suffer.
I currently see only one brand that is starting to become a household name in mid-range wifi photo frames and that is Nixplay.
Personally, I am not even much interested in a digital picture frame that is smaller than 24 inches, and I like to build them myself. But when friends & family ask me which brand to buy in the mid-size segment, I recommend Nixplay.
There are two reasons for my judgement.
One the one hand, they overall have the best software for digital picture frames. It is (relatively) easy to use and has all the bells and whistles that you need. Especially, it can remotely control other frames, i.e., to add pictures and change the settings. This works as long as the other frame is connected to WiFi.
On the other hand, the hardware is solid. Nixplay has come up with a very clever patented solution for the cable problem of picture frames and turned it into a stand. And no USB card can break or is hard to insert. And third, the design is available in several styles, so everyone should find something compatible with their style.
There are two things that you have to be comfortable with: You need a WiFi connection, and your photos are stored in the Cloud. If you don’t like either, you have to look at non-wifi frame models. Nixplay also has those, but they are not available on their homepage but on Amazon.
Only the 9.7 inches version has the ultra-high-resolution 2K display. I guess this is why it’s also just as expensive as the 15.6 inches model which only has a display resolution of 1920 x 1080px.
However, the screen size is only one difference. Just as important is the aspect ratio of these models.
The 2K model has a ratio of 4:3, which is typically what a photo that was taken with a mobile phone has. Since most of today’s photos are taken with a mobile, it makes a lot of sense to have the same screen proportions as otherwise too much of your image would be cropped in full-screen mode.
The 10.1 frame has a 16:10 aspect ratio, which is about what a DSLR (3:2) is at. The 13.3. and the 15.6 models both come with 16:9, which is great for videos but not so much for photos. I could talk about hours about this subject but let me just say, there are many reasons why I prefer 16:10 or 4:3 displays.
A tack-sharp display
The funny thing with high-resolution displays is that you don’t notice the difference immediately. But the more you look at a high-resolution (Apple calls them “Retina”) display, the more details you discover. And when you then go back to a low-resolution screen, you’re ready to go to the optician because you think there is something wrong with your eyes.
So, a word of warning here. Once you get used to a high-resolution display, there is no way back. Just try to take an Apple iMac 5K away from someone and give him a 1920×1080 monitor (which used to be considered HD!). Good luck!
The screen of the 2K is super sharp and you will discover many details on your photos. It is glossy but it is not prone to showing reflections.
This frame is currently the best in its class in terms of display quality. And the fact that it has an aspect ratio of 4:3 makes it ideal for family & friends photos taken with a mobile phone.
If you are a photographer and you need a small WiFi photo frame, you may be better served with the 16:10 ratio found in the slightly larger 10.1 model. But then again, in your profession, you would probably want a 40 inches 4K frame anyway.
The 2K screen comes at a premium of about $100. Is it worth it? Maybe not because the other Nixplay models also have great displays but, personally, I can’t have enough pixels!
The Nixplay software is still the industry benchmark
I have talked a lot about the Nixplay software and have even written two articles to get you started with a computer or a mobile device.
The good thing is that Nixplay hasn’t changed much in that software since I first published the articles in 2019. And why should they? It is very user-friendly and offers plenty of options the way it is.
What is especially well thought through is the initial setup process after you first unbox the frame. The only thing you need to have nearby is the password of your WiFi network. Once that is entered via the remote control, you can continue on your mobile phone.
The Nixplay software lets you manage all your Nixplay frames with one account and app. This means that you can share your playlists on all connected frames, regardless of where they are in the world. The only thing that matters is that they are connected to a WiFi signal. They do work without WiFi as the images are downloaded to the frame, but you need the signal for photo updates.
As far as the management of your photos goes, you can either access your phone’s photo app, the Nixplay Cloud Albums, or connect it to Google Photos.
The software still offers the same selection of beautiful image transitions and has many features for customisation.
If I could make a wish for one future software feature, it would be the ability to see the image that is currently being played on a remote frame. Sometimes you may want to share a particular photo with your family and with a feature like this, you could all be sure that you are looking at the same thing.
Conclusion
The Nixplay 2K Nixplay Smart Photo Frame has the potential to spoil you for all other photo frames. The super sharp display is something that you take for granted quickly.
The proven quality of Nixplay’s hard- and software remains the key recipe for the company’s market success. But before you buy, check which display aspect ratio is the right one for your needs. I would argue that this is even more important than pixel density.
Mother’s Day is coming up, and if you’re like us, you’re probably going to spend it at home, away from your loved ones. But you can still make it memorable for mom despite the distance! Here are some easy ways to do so.
Give her a call
Sometimes, it’s the simplest gestures that make the biggest difference. Pick up your phone and dial your mom to ask how she’s doing in these trying times. Tell her about your pup’s latest antics, ask for her special beef stew recipe so you can recreate it, and have the kids greet her a happy mother’s day over the phone. Think of it as a preview of your conversations when you get to see each other again in person!
Send her flowers
Flowers are a surefire way to brighten up someone’s day! A bouquet of mom’s favorite blooms should have her smiling from ear to ear in a jiffy. A houseplant would also be a good idea, while potted herbs would make a great present for the mom who enjoys cooking.
Set up an online party
Thanks to technology, you can easily celebrate with mom at the same time even if you’re miles away from each other. Simply set up a video call on a video conference program like Zoom, agree on a certain time, and dial in. You can even plan family activities, such as a cooking demo, as well as games, such as Pictionary and Charades, to make your call more fun!
Have her favorite food delivered
Yes, you can treat mom to a great dessert or meal even if you’re thousands of miles away! See if her favorite restaurant or bakery delivers and order a dish she loves in time for Mother’s Day. Don’t forget to request for food pictures! Speaking of which…
Send her photos
Delight mom with the most thoughtful gift: a trip down memory lane via a compilation of photos of her favorite moments! Gather as many photos as you can: snapshots of mom being a heartbreaker in her teens, her wedding photos, pictures with you and your siblings growing up, and images of her with her grandchildren.
Set up the photos on a Nixplay Frame so you and your family can keep adding to her album! Get up to 30 percent off on selected bestselling digital photo frames, only until May 10!
Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.
There’s no better time than the present to learn fun ways to spend quality time with your family. Keeping things fresh and exciting is the best way to bond during difficult periods and keep everyone entertained.
Here are seven great ideas for spending quality time at home with your family.
Schedule a Games Night
Set a standing date for an at-home game night. Do a weekly rotation that allows everyone to choose a game. If your options are limited, reach out to community members and do a temporary swap so that everyone gets a chance to play something new.
Instead of defaulting to the same old board games, shake things up with an RPG. Grab a D&D dice set online and start a campaign that spans over a few evenings. Alternatively, look at interactive multimedia games like JackBox, so that the whole family can play from their devices.
Have an Ultimate Movie Bucketlist
Set a timer and have everyone sit down and write their favorite movies. This is an opportunity for the parents to shine. Write down a bunch of movies from your childhood that you want to share with your children. With streaming services and online portals, it’s easier than ever to revisit your old favorites.
If you’re at a loss for what movies to include, there are plenty of lists online that outline the best family movies of all time. You can even schedule themes or marathons for extended periods of downtime.
Schedule Tech-Free Hours
Technology is both a blessing and a curse. Schedule tech-free hours in your household in which everyone leaves their phones and tablets in a common area. Use this time to come together and talk about your day or share some snacks and conversation.
Pick up a few conversation prompt cards to discover new things about the people you live with or play a rousing game of “Would You Rather?”
Get Cooking Together
Cooking is an essential life skill that children can start to learn at a young age. Empower your kids to choose a recipe each week that they’d like to make for supper. Grab the supplies and have them in the kitchen helping.
Young children can help with measuring, stirring, and collecting items. Older kids can learn how to cut food safely and cook it with supervision and help. Cooking together is a great bonding experience, and also takes the pressure off the parents for meal planning.
Schedule a Porch Project Photoshoot
The Porch Project is a family photo shoot project in which a photographer snaps a couple of pictures of your family sitting on your doorstep. The idea is that it promotes the #stayathome movement. You can create your own Porch Project photo with a smartphone.
Schedule your photo shoot as you would a regular appointment. Give everyone time to pick out a fancy outfit that they love and put themselves together. This is an excellent way to feel human, especially if you’ve been in the house for a while. Print those photos out or have them commissioned into a custom piece of art using one of these Instapainting packages.
Take an Online Course
Learn new things together by taking an online course. You can do a child-centric program like The CEO Kid or something broader that you can learn together as a family. Keep an open mind when choosing an online course and give everyone a chance to pick something that appeals to them.
Some ideas for online courses include:
learning a new language
learning how to code
taking dance lessons
personal development courses
fitness training (yoga, for example)
acting classes
Pursue your passions and learn some neat things together as a family.
Get Gardening
Gardening offers a lot of benefits to families looking to spend quality time together at home. For example:
It’s versatile. You can grow a garden in your kitchen window, on your balcony, or in your yard.
It benefits the environment.
You can grow healthy food to eat later.
You can offer seedlings as gifts.
It’s a science lesson.
It teaches responsibility.
Choose some things to grow and have your kids be responsible for various tasks. You can also create a log of your experience, with the kids adding their observations each day.
With these seven fun family activities, you have fun together while being safe at home.
Wendy Dessler is a super-connector who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, and networking. She frequently writes about the latest advancements in digital marketing and focuses her efforts on developing customized blogger outreach plans depending on the industry and competition.
