Microsoft has announced a line of Webcams that work with its Windows Live Messenger program for video messaging or calling.
The announcement, made Tuesday, is not a complete surprise. In March, Microsoft voiced intentions to expand its voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, and video products as part of its push for Windows Live services.
The LifeCam VX-6000, a silver Webcam tentatively priced at $99.95, is capable of 5-megapixel (interpolated) still photography and 1.3-megapixel high-definition video. A 71-degree wide-angle lens allows for more than one person in the frame.
The LifeCam VX-3000 is capable of 1.3-megapixel (interpolated) high-definition still photography and 640-by-480-pixel resolution video. It comes in black and is estimated to be $49.95.
Both Webcams, available this August, have built-in noise-canceling microphones. They also come with software that integrates with Windows Live Messenger, Microsoft's instant-messaging and PC-to-phone calling application with video capability
Windows Live Messenger was released as a public beta version in May. A company representative said the official version would be available "soon" but did not give a specific date.
The LifeCam software includes features for automatic face tracking--to keep subjects in focus--and one-touch blogging. It enables people to instantly initiate a video chat with buddies currently online via a Windows Live buddy tool. There are also visual video effects like virtual snowing.
The recommended system requirements for running a LifeCam include a 1.4GHz Pentium 4 processor, 100MB of free hard-drive space, a USB 2.0 port and high-speed Internet access.
Microsoft's Hardware Group will play a significant role in the development of Windows Live Messenger, according to a statement by Martin Taylor, corporate vice president of Windows Live and MSN at Microsoft. Microsoft also plans to announce more LifeCam products this September.
PC maker Dell said on May 31 that it would offer an audio-video package for its new XPS M1210 and XPS M2010 computers that includes a Webcam with a microphone and Skype software for video conferencing.
Clearly, Microsoft with its enormous markeshare will have more people video chatting. Can't argue that.
But that strategy isn't new, Apple longtime has recognized the significance of video chatting and has already been adding web cameras to its computers for years. Along with the popular application called Ichat its still miles ahead of Messenger.
Sadly because of Apple's minimal marketshare, Microsoft will probably take all the credit for what Apple has already recognized in this market with Ichat and Isight.
And the Microsoft innovative machine just keeps rolling...
Clearly, Microsoft with its enormous markeshare will have more people video chatting. Can't argue that.
But that strategy isn't new, Apple for a longtime has recognized the significance of video chatting and has already been adding web cameras to its computers for years. Along with the popular application called Ichat its still miles ahead of Messenger.
Sadly because of Apple's minimal marketshare, Microsoft will probably take all the credit for what Apple has already recognized in this market with Ichat and Isight.
And the Microsoft innovative machine just keeps rolling...
Out of the box, on a Mac OSX computer, for several YEARS now...
Plus you can have a 4 WAY teleconference meeting with three other iChat/AIM people as well.
The webcam is built into all iMacs & Mac notebooks running on Intel Core Duo chips for video & audio teleconferences, telecommunters, family gatherings & long distance friends.
NOT A NEW INVENTION, only new to Citizen Gates & windows... just because the tiny refrigerator bulb of a brain came on in Redmond's Jurassic Park, does NOT translate into a new invention.
I went to Bestbuy 3 years ago and saw a Sony Vaio laptop with built-in web-cam, right above the screen (just like the current macbooks). This was 2 years before Steve Jobs came out with iSight built into the computer itself. I don't remember the exact model of Sony but I found this report dated May 24th 2004: <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://products.sony.co.uk/article_12.asp" target="_newWindow">http://products.sony.co.uk/article_12.asp</a>
So it's actually Apple who 'stole' the idea from a PC company.
If you look around, you will find that you can do teleconferencing with MSN messenger and Yahoo messenger as well, and that has been there for years too.
Just because you are ignorant about these things doesn't mean they don't exist (or existed before Apple 'invented' them)... but for some, ignorance is bliss
Besides, you can't seriously compare a 5 megapixel camera which microsoft is coming out with to a VGA camera (VGA = 0.3 megapixel) that comes with Macs. It's like comparing a S class Merc to Dodge Neon
Out of the box, on a Mac OSX computer, for several YEARS now...
Plus you can have a 4 WAY teleconference meeting with three other iChat/AIM people as well.
The webcam is built into all iMacs & Mac notebooks running on Intel Core Duo chips for video & audio teleconferences, telecommunters, family gatherings & long distance friends.
NOT A NEW INVENTION, only new to Citizen Gates & windows... just because the tiny refrigerator bulb of a brain came on in Redmond's Jurassic Park, does NOT translate into a new invention.
Sony had cameras built into their laptops long before Apple. They also has 1/2 way decent software (funny if slightly racy ad, and not even for their first model)
This will be a big advance if you connect directly to the person you are talking to, not through a server. Then you can expect low latency during calls, not annoying delays. I will be happy to catch up with Apple.
That Logitech so far hasn't added some bigger resolutions to it's webcams. You still get up to 640x480 and if you do a "Full Auto Mode" the FPS goes down below 15FPS.
Logitech, Wake up! we need cams with MUCH better resolution, responsiveness and full support for USB 2.0, FORGET the USB 1.1 already!
Unless every computer maker gives one of these away with every purchase this will not change anything,webcams have been around for years (granted not in this quality) but the reason Apple (and yes Sony) built them into their products is that there is no point in having the software available if nobody has the hardware,if you want to make a video conference you are reliant on at least two people going out and buying a camera and you know how lazy people are.
Doesn't the latest iMac have the iSight built it? The cool technology is Apple getting a patent for a LCD screen to work like a cam. This LifeCam doesn't seem that bad though. <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.techknowcafe.com/content/view/528/42/" target="_newWindow">http://www.techknowcafe.com/content/view/528/42/</a>
Chinese authorities have reportedly taken iPads from a third-party retailer, a move apparently brought on by Apple's continued refusal to honor a trademark for the iPad name owned by a Chinese manufacturer.
NY professor believes that a word-based algorithm can help bring together those who believe, with one glimpse, that they have found and lost the love of their lives.
Along with green-lighting Google's buy of Motorola, the Justice Department today OKs an Apple-Microsoft-RIM partnership deal to buy Nortel patents, and Apple's plan to acquire Novell patents.
Chamtech's spray-on antenna uses a nano material to provide a low-power boost to antenna range. The wireless-in-a-can product may some day bring an end to unsightly cell towers.
This week, we pass around Sony's new PlayStation Vita for some hands-on testing, check out HP's newest Beats Audio laptop, and debate the best and worst Valentine's Day gadget gifts.
EnerG2 opens a plant to make an engineered carbon that will improve performance of energy storage devices and make storage for start-stop hybrid cars less expensive.
people video chatting. Can't argue that.
But that strategy isn't new, Apple longtime has recognized the
significance of video chatting and has already been adding web
cameras to its computers for years. Along with the popular
application called Ichat its still miles ahead of Messenger.
Sadly because of Apple's minimal marketshare, Microsoft will
probably take all the credit for what Apple has already
recognized in this market with Ichat and Isight.
And the Microsoft innovative machine just keeps rolling...
people video chatting. Can't argue that.
But that strategy isn't new, Apple for a longtime has recognized
the significance of video chatting and has already been adding
web cameras to its computers for years. Along with the popular
application called Ichat its still miles ahead of Messenger.
Sadly because of Apple's minimal marketshare, Microsoft will
probably take all the credit for what Apple has already
recognized in this market with Ichat and Isight.
And the Microsoft innovative machine just keeps rolling...
Plus you can have a 4 WAY teleconference meeting with three other iChat/AIM people as well.
The webcam is built into all iMacs & Mac notebooks
running on Intel Core Duo chips for video & audio teleconferences, telecommunters, family gatherings & long distance friends.
NOT A NEW INVENTION, only new to Citizen Gates & windows... just because the tiny refrigerator bulb of a brain came on in Redmond's Jurassic Park, does NOT translate into a new invention.
Once again Gates playing catch up to Steve Jobs.
NOT NEWS C/NOT.
been there, done that, moving onto the future...
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://products.sony.co.uk/article_12.asp" target="_newWindow">http://products.sony.co.uk/article_12.asp</a>
So it's actually Apple who 'stole' the idea from a PC company.
If you look around, you will find that you can do teleconferencing with MSN messenger and Yahoo messenger as well, and that has been there for years too.
Just because you are ignorant about these things doesn't mean they don't exist (or existed before Apple 'invented' them)... but for some, ignorance is bliss
Besides, you can't seriously compare a 5 megapixel camera which microsoft is coming out with to a VGA camera (VGA = 0.3 megapixel) that comes with Macs. It's like comparing a S class Merc to Dodge Neon
Plus you can have a 4 WAY teleconference meeting with three other iChat/AIM people as well.
The webcam is built into all iMacs & Mac notebooks
running on Intel Core Duo chips for video & audio teleconferences, telecommunters, family gatherings & long distance friends.
NOT A NEW INVENTION, only new to Citizen Gates & windows... just because the tiny refrigerator bulb of a brain came on in Redmond's Jurassic Park, does NOT translate into a new invention.
Once again Gates playing catch up to Steve Jobs.
NOT NEWS C/NOT.
been there, done that, moving onto the future...
check it out:
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.apple.com/imac/isight.html" target="_newWindow">http://www.apple.com/imac/isight.html</a>
been there, done that for YEARS, moving onto the future...
have fun & be patient, Citizen Gates is cranking the copy machines in Jurassic Park (Redmond One) as fast as he can to keep up with Apple.
(funny if slightly racy ad, and not even for their first model)
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-596357525020519671" target="_newWindow">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-596357525020519671</a>
ah well, if something isn't invented until Apple condescends to copy others, I guess your right.
Logitech, Wake up! we need cams with MUCH better resolution, responsiveness and full support for USB 2.0, FORGET the USB 1.1 already!
purchase this will not change anything,webcams have been
around for years (granted not in this quality) but the reason
Apple (and yes Sony) built them into their products is that there
is no point in having the software available if nobody has the
hardware,if you want to make a video conference you are reliant
on at least two people going out and buying a camera and you
know how lazy people are.
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.techknowcafe.com/content/view/528/42/" target="_newWindow">http://www.techknowcafe.com/content/view/528/42/</a>