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

What’s better than a USB connected foam missile launcher? How about a USB connected foam missile launcher with an attached webcam? Yup.. now view your victims from afar before setting off your foam based missiles. Ahh.. the wonders of technology at work in the office.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: USB Missile Launcher with Webcam

Logitech and YouTube fans will be happy to hear that Logitech has added a new one-touch uploading feature to YouTube with their latest Logitech QuickCam software version 11.5. The latest version of the QuickCam software adds a YouTube button at the bottom of the Logitech QuickCapture interface. When you’re ready to upload a video captured using the Webcam, simply select the video that you want to upload and then press the YouTube button. You’ll be asked to fill out information about the video clip (such as a title, description, categories, and tags). You’ll of course need a YouTube account and Internet access to make this all work but we’re assuming you already do! Once the information is entered, the QuickCam software uploads the video directly to YouTube and you’ll receive a web link to the clip.

You can download the new software at http://www.logitech.com/downloads/

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Logitech, QuickCam, YouTube, webcams

Leadtek has entered the webcam business by introducing two new webcams- the WinFast iCAM100 M and the WinFast iCAM200 MA.

Features of the WinFast iCAM100 M include the following:

• Smooth full motion 30fps video streamds
• USB 2.0 support
• Dynamic 2.0 megapixel resolution
• Highly sensitive microphone
• Built-in 6 LEDs for low light conditions
• Capture video at 640 x 480 at 30fps
• Comes with iPod and PSP video converter software and 3D album

Features of the WinFast iCAM200 MA include the following:

• 1.3 megapixel resolution
• Auto-focus
• Capture video at 640 x 480 at 30fps
• Built-in microphone
• Snapshot button
• USB 2.0 support
• Comes with iPod and PSP video converter software and 3D album

Technorati Tags: Leadtek, WinFast iCAM100 M, WinFast iCAM200 MA

It looks like the PlayStation EYE camera will finally make its debut this fall thanks to some information found via Amazon.com. The game “Eye of Judgement” is being bundled with the PlayStation EYE camera and Amazon.com is now selling pre-orders at $59.99. According to the website, the game will be available starting on October 23rd.. so at the latest, the new PlayStation EYE will be available then as well.

[Check it out via technabob]

Technorati Tags: PlayStation EYE, Eye of Judgement, PS3

Seriously now - aren’t webcams a tad bit boring these days? How many webcams do you see in electronics stores that basically all look alike? They have this big orb of a head and they’re attached to a body that looks like a mini tripod of sorts (or some variant of that). They’re all designed to simply attach to monitors or flat surfaces.. and they’re all just .. BORING. The folks at Clique Communications are looking to change all of that with their new Clique Hue HD Webcam. First off - the Hue HD has a flexible neck allowing you to position the webcam any which way you want to. Straighten it up, curve it downwards, angle it 90 degrees.. it’s entirely up to you!

Secondly, not happy with the base that the Hue sits on? Disconnect the webcam from the base and connect it directly to your computers’ USB port. Pretty sweet eh? It’s perfect for notebooks with side USB ports. Thirdly, the Clique Hue HD comes in a variety of colors - not just the boring silver or black color that typifies most webcams out there.

Ok.. onto the all important specs:

• 1.3 megapixel sensor
• built-in microphone and noise-reduction technology
• One-touch snapshot button
• Supports RGB24, I420, and YUV2 formats
• Supports up to 1280 x 1024 video resolution at 10fps or 1024 x 768 at 30 fps
• Up to 5 MP still images with software interpolation
• Video and audio recording
• 4x digital zoom
• Face tracking
• 16 types of special effects and 10 types of photo frames

The Clique Hue HD Webcam has an MSRP of $99.99 but you can get it now for $79.99.

[Check it out via GearLog]

Technorati Tags: Clique Communications, Clique Hue HD Webcam