As widescreen displays become more and more prevalent everywhere, it only makes sense that webcams would eventually make the switch to widescreen aspect ratios. That’s exactly what Microsoft has done with the introduction last week of the new LifeCam Cinema webcam – the first consumer webcam for the PC capable of capturing widescreen video with a native 720p sensor.

Features of the new Microsoft LifeCam Cinema include:

• Ability to maintain a high frame rate even under poor lighting conditions
• 720p HD video capture at 16:9 aspect ratio
• Auto focus
• Microsoft ClearFrame Technology which offers faster image processing technology to help deliver smooth video at any resolution and improved noise reduction technology to reduce image graininess and help keep videos sharp
• 74 degree angle of capture
• High precision glass element lens
• Digital microphone
• Aluminum body

In addition to the new widescreen-enabled LifeCam Cinema camera, Microsoft also announced the new LifeChat LX-1000 headset which provides high quality audio and a noise-cancelling microphone.

The LifeCam Cinema and LifeChat LX-1000 will be available starting in September with the LifeCam Cinema priced at $79.95 and the LifeChat LX-1000 priced at $24.95. Pre-sales on Amazon.com will begin today.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Microsoft LifeCam Cinema, Microsoft LifeChat LX-1000

This funky looking sphere is the newly announced WowWee Spyball spy-cam – a remote-controlled, Wi-Fi enabled, transforming robotic ball capable of capturing videos and still images. Think of the Spyball as a Transformer – able to transform from ball to camera and back again. Capable of rolling on wheels and performing 360 degree turns, the Spyball can move from place to place with ease and stealth – allowing you to spy on your friends, family, and pets.

The Spyball can also connect to ad-hoc wireless networks created by Wi-Fi enabled devices such as PCs, laptops, video game consoles, and even cell phones. The Spyball also includes a USB cable which you’ll use to setup the home network. Once setup, you can control the Spyball remotely over the Internet.

Technorati Tags: WowWee, Spyball, webcam, CES 2009

Looking for a webcam for that basketball fan in your life?  Check out the Basketball PC Webcam (aptly named isn’t it?) being sold over at Free-Shipping.com for a mere $12.99. Yes, it’s somewhat cheesy and yes the technical specs are pretty weak.. but come on now – it’s a webcam shaped in the form of a basketball! You’ll get a CMOS sensor with a resolution of 100K pixels capable of producing an image resolution of 352 x 288. Frame rates are a mere 12 fps but then again the cam supports only USB 1.1. Ah.. but it’s in the shape of a basketball I tell ya!

[Check it out via Chip Chick]

No Tags

Two new Microsoft webcams have hit the market – the LifeCam Show and the LifeCam VX-5500.

The LifeCam Show features the following:

• Ultrathin design
• 2.0 megapixel sensor
• Three attachment options – laptop clip, desktop stand, and an attachment disc
• Always focused – focus depth of friend from 21” to 60”
• Video effects built into LifeCam dashboard
• Noise canceling microphone
• MSRP of $99.95

The LifeCam VX-5500 features the following:

• VGA sensor with improved low light performance
• Comes with three interchangeable faceplates – blue, white, and red
• Unique design that folds flat
• Fits on all monitors, or sits directly on the desk
• Noise canceling microphone
• MSRP of $59.95

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, LifeCam Show, LifeCam VX-5500

Blue Microphones introduced two new consumer products today – Eyeball and Mikey (gotta love those names). Mikey is a recording device designed for the iPod great for recording lectures, voice notes, live music, interviews, you name it.  Eyeball is a webcam ideal for instant messaging and video conferencing.

Features of Mikey include the following:

• Blue’s stereo condenser capsules
• Three position user selectable gain settings
• Built in speaker for playback
• Unique user positionable head
• Works with iPod 4G, 5G, 6G, iPod nano 2G, 3G, and iPod classic

Meanwhile features of Eyeball include:

• Blue’s condenser capsule
• Premium lens with Super HD video
• Camera-off privacy position with innovative lens pop in and out feature to prevent accidental broadcasts
• Plug and Play ease of use– no driver needed
• Uses the same integrated stand and case design as Blue’s Snowflake USB microphone

Both products will be available starting in December with the Mikey going for $79.99 and Eyeball going for $99.99. Stay tuned for pictures.

Technorati Tags: Blue Microphones, Eyeball, Mikey,

WowWee’s website for their new Rovio Mobile Webcam device is now up and running. If you’re not familiar with the Rovio (like myself), it’s best described as a Wi-Fi enabled webcam on wheels. As the website declares, the Rovio “lets you see, speak, and hear from anywhere in the world… as if you were right there in the room.”

The premise is certainly exciting – heck I’d consider getting this roving webcam simply to watch and monitor my dog while I’m at work!  The specs are as follows:

• Rechargeable NiMH battery pack
• Charging dock with built-in TrueTrack beacon
• 3x wheel motors
• 3x omnidirectional wheels
• 1 camera motor
• 1 VGA CMOS sensor
• LED illumination
• 1 speaker
• 1 built-in microphone
• USB connectivity
• Wi-Fi connectivity

Now according to SlashGear, the initial Rovio stock is sold out so if you’re thinking about getting this device for the holiday season, you better get your order in now. You can purchase the Rovio in North America at the following retailers:

• WowWee Store
• Hammacher Schlemmer
• Radio Shack
• Walmart
• Target
• Sears
• Edmund Scientific
• Ecost
• PC Mall
• Amazon
• Buy
• QVC

[Check it out via SlashGear]

Technorati Tags: Rovio Mobile Webcam, WowWee

Looking for a new webcam for your notebook or desktop system? Check out LaptopMag’s review of the Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 webcam on their website. The VX-5000 features:

• VGA Optics
• 1.3 megapixel sensor
• Built-in microphone
• Video effects
• Superior low-light performance
• Flexible base
• Available in three colors – Fire Red, Cool Blue or Lucky Green
• Optimized for Windows Live
• Windows Live Call Button
• LifeCam dashboard
• One-touch blogging
• 3 year warranty

Here’s what LaptopMag thought of the cam:

Microsoft’s $49.95 LifeCam VX-5000 is the most attractive webcam we’ve seen in awhile, and it delivers smooth video quality and decent 1.3-MP photos, to boot.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 Webcam

No .. this isn’t a normal ball.. it’s not even a billiard ball.. it’s called the DVR CamBall and as the name implies, it’s a small ball (about the size of a ping pong) with an embedded video camera. With the DVR CamBall, you can record video clips at resolutions of either 320 x 240 or 640 x 480. There’s even an SD card slot allowing you to up the storage capacity to 8GB. There’s also a navigational pad that allows you change settings on the cam. I’d love to be able to tell you more but I can’t machine translate the product page since the Korean text is actually a part of the web graphics.

So the real question is – what the heck would you do with such a device? Of course the first thing that comes to mind is a nanny cam.. but hey.. I’m sure many of you can figure out other good uses for this cam.

The DVR CamBall is going for $185.

[Check it out via Crave]

Technorati Tags: DVR CamBall

Logitech is introducing their first Mac compatible webcam today called the Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro webcam for Mac. The webcam features Logitech’s autofocus technology which utilizes a voice coil motor for fast and fluid focusing. Other features and specs include Carl Zeiss optics, a 2 megapixel image sensor, Logitech RightLight technology, VGA recording at 30 fps, and new black and silver profile with built-in silver microphone. The Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro webcam will be available in the beginning of next month for $129.99.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro for Mac

Microsoft Hardware announced three new products today – two webcams and one full-size headset – the LifeCam VX-5000, LifeCam VX-500, and LifeChat LX-2000. Headlining the new products is the new LifeCam VX-5000 which comes with a unique bendable attachment base that molds to virtually any surface. This means you can use the VX-5000 for either a desktop PC or a notebook system – leave it at home or take it on the road. Other features of the VX-5000 include:

• Colored ring around the front of the webcam in the colors Cool Blue, Lucky Green, and Fire Red
• Features MSN Photo Swap – users can share digital photos in midvideo conversations
• Windows LiveCall Button located on top of the camera
• LifeCam Dashboard incorporates full LifeCam navigational controls (pan, tilt, zoom, face tracking and Video Effects) within the Windows Live Messenger interface
• VGA sensor and 1.3 megapixel still photography
• Built-in unidirectional microphone with acoustic noise cancellation technology
• Pan, tilt, and 3X digital zoom
• Available in June for $49.95

Key features of the LifeCam VX-500 include the following:

• Affordable webcam
• VGA video
• Compact design
• Works with both notebooks and PCs
• Available in May for $16.95

Key features of the LifeChat LX-2000 include the following:

• Portable full size headset
• Great for music, gaming, online chatting etc
• Collapsible design
• Available in May for $29.95

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: LifeCam VX-5000, LifeCam VX-500, LifeChat LX-2000, Microsoft