Microsoft is launching a couple of new webcams, aimed at increasing the use of video features in Windows Live Messenger.
The Lifecam VX-3000 has a 1.3 megapixel camera, and costs $49.95. The VX-6000 has a 5 megapixel cam and costs $99.95. The cameras include noise cancelling microphones, and the software handles 'novelty' effects. Buttons on the cameras can instantly bring up your MSN buddy list to get you vid-chatting as soon as humanly possible.
The company is clearly taking a leaf out of Apple's book. Its iSight camera proved to be a great seller, and drove adoption of iChat, the company's own instant messaging client. With many webcams featuring limited functionality and driver support (and, we suspect, about to die come Vista-day) MS is keen to make sure that its users get the best service possible - and, of course, to encourage them to video-blog their lives on MSN's Spaces page.
Microsoft is keen to integrate instant messaging and communication between Windows, MSN and Xbox Live. It has already released a video camera for the Xbox 360.
Let us know what you think of the cams (which you can see at the Microsoft hardware page) over in the forums.
The Lifecam VX-3000 has a 1.3 megapixel camera, and costs $49.95. The VX-6000 has a 5 megapixel cam and costs $99.95. The cameras include noise cancelling microphones, and the software handles 'novelty' effects. Buttons on the cameras can instantly bring up your MSN buddy list to get you vid-chatting as soon as humanly possible.
The company is clearly taking a leaf out of Apple's book. Its iSight camera proved to be a great seller, and drove adoption of iChat, the company's own instant messaging client. With many webcams featuring limited functionality and driver support (and, we suspect, about to die come Vista-day) MS is keen to make sure that its users get the best service possible - and, of course, to encourage them to video-blog their lives on MSN's Spaces page.
Microsoft is keen to integrate instant messaging and communication between Windows, MSN and Xbox Live. It has already released a video camera for the Xbox 360.
Let us know what you think of the cams (which you can see at the Microsoft hardware page) over in the forums.
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