This review is not about the product. We have two first generation Ceiva frames that still work. The technical model of managing pictures in a frame at a location that has power and telephone but no Internet connection is unique and works well.

This review is about Ceiva, the company.

We purchased these frames as charter subscribers from Ceiva when they were a fledgling company. As a promotion, we paid 3 times the annual rate for lifetime subscriptions. This was a good deal for us and good word of mouth advertising for Ceiva. The promotion was only offered for a few months, limiting Ceiva's financial liability.

In the intervening years, Ceiva posted a policy on their site defining "lifetime" as the life of the device or seven years. This limitation was not disclosed in the original offer and the only email I have received from them has been monthly newsletters: a marketing brochure.

When I noticed our lifetime subscriptions soon expire, I contacted their customer support. After working my way up to the manager of customer service, he denied my request to honor the original deal. He did offer me a discount on buying new, current product. In other words, he tried to turn a significant customer service incident into a sales opportunity.

The product provides a unique solution but considering the subscription cost, it is very expensive. Since it would have cost Ceiva so little to honor the few lifetime subscribers they have, I can only infer that their business model is not working and they are desperate for new revenue. Since the product relies on the services Ceiva provides later, my recommendation is to steer away from this company.

Instead, buy another product; spend a dollar a month and mail grandma an SD card. She can learn to change it.

I purchased the Ceiva frame about ten years ago when my daughter went off to college. I remember paying $300 for a lifetime subscription. After several years of non-use we were surprised that our subscription had lapsed. We investigated and were directed to a statement that lifetime meant the shorter of "frame lifetime" or seven years.

Shame on you Ceiva. Even TIVO grandfathered in the early adopters they mislead with their lifetime subscriptions.

We have 5 ceiva's for the close family and what a disapointment Ceiva is. For an outragious price you will put up with poor web design and the WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER! I have been trying for 4 weeks to get Ceiva to correct an accounting problem. I gave my mother a gift subscription and a ceiva frame for christmas, and this has been the worst gift I have ever given. Ceiva will cheat you out of money by letting you purchase a 12 month plan, but only give you 6 months. If you don't catch it then they keep the cash. My mother's account has not been changed yet, after 4 weeks of phone calls and emails. When you call you will spend 15-30 minutes on hold with no resolution, and emails will tell you to call. Don't give this to anyone who cant use the computer or navigate the web well. I have spent over 10 hours trying to get my mother's Ceiva to work and then I still am dealing with Ceiva correcting my gift subscription. THIS IS THE WORST PRODUCT OUT THERE, DON'T BUY CEIVA!!!!

Our family is spread throughout the U.S., with a few stationed temporarily overseas. When Ceiva first introduced this product several years ago, my parents purchased receivers for all of our family members, including the grandparents. Although helpful, one does not need a computer to receive & view photos. This is of course, especially appreciated by the older folks who aren't comfortable with computers.

At the time of their original purchase, my parents purchased a "Lifetime Membership" which as I recall, cost approximately $300.00. I don't believe that option is available any more. Annual membership at the time was around $70.00, but has since increased to around $100.00. I agree with some of the other reviewers that $100.00 is rather spendy for such a simple service. Then again, the photos are so enjoyed by long-distance relatives that to us, it's worth the $8.33 per month (put in perspective, it's the same price as two cups of coffee from Starbucks).

For those not familiar with the Ceiva product, one can upload several photos online and send those to their own receiver and/or to any other receivers out there, as long as you know their receiver "name". One can also add captions to the photos, with varous size, color, & font options.

Additionally, Ceiva offers other viewing options which can be personalized for your own receiver. These include forecasts from The Weather Channel, various news headlines (ie: World or U.S.), calendars, cartoons, Disney cells, etc. When setting up your receiver, you can change the length of time a photo is displayed, the number of photos displayed, the timing of the slideshow, etc.

As for problems, I've had three instances over the years of my receiver "dying", which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. When I called Ceiva to complain, they immediately sent me new AC power adapters, which resolved the problem two times. The last time, I was directed to send my receiver to Ceiva where they would fix it & return it. Even though I have no warranty on the product, I was never charged for the repair, the shipping, or for either power adapter. Furthermore, they "paused" my service for the 2 1/2 weeks it took to repair the receiver, so I wasn't charged for the time I couldn't use it.

It's not for everyone, but it's a great gift idea for scattered relatives!

The frame was nice and the concept is good, but it never worked. I bought a couple frames, one for a friend and one for my parents. My parents have a phone system in their house with an intercom and everything. The picture frame never worked because it can only upload pictures that are downloaded through a phone line in your house. You have to pay $100/yr for the Ceiva service the frame doesn't support a memory card.
The frame that I gave to my friend worked. He said he liked it. I would not buy this frame unless you wanted to pay for a service or if you had a phone system in your house.