LiveSide - News blog : Hardware

New LifeCam models on the way – VX5500 and LifeCam Show

Chris — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:49:00 GMT

It looks like Microsoft will soon be shipping new versions of its webcam hardware line, the LifeCam. Some electronics retailers are already showing the VX-5500 and the LifeCam Show in their product listings, for $60 and $80 respectively.

As always the Germans are on the game, and the VX-5500 is up on the Microsoft Germany website (factsheet too). With a choice of 3 colours for the front bezel, the information site also shows a nice Vista sidebar gadget allowing for direct video calling. Sweet! The specifications don't appear to be much changed from previous LifeCam versions, with 0.3mp video and 1.3mp photo

According to one retailer the ETA for the VX-5500is 1 week, but looking at the specification sheet shows a release date of 24 September 2008, which is still 6 weeks off.

Not much is known about the LifeCam Show, but first indications are that it will a renamed VX-8000 model. Microsoft has also applied for a trademark on this brand, so it'll be interesting to see what the features are like. As always, please tip us if you spot anything.

PS: Can anybody translate the Windows Live Call section of the factsheet for us? Remember that this service expired for Europeans on July 31, and for the USA its the end of this month, we're interested to see what Microsoft is saying about it now...

Microsoft drops Verizon for its Windows Live Messenger VOIP services

Chris — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 06:30:00 GMT

Verizon Web Calling has powered the VOIP integration in Windows Live Messenger since the public beta of v8 early last year, though the service is at best is described as basic. However last week users of Web Calling received an email from Verizon customer services, informing them that the joint service is to be terminated next year. Whether Microsoft partners with another telecoms company or they instead opt to provide their own voice platform hasn't been confirmed, though we've heard that it may be the latter.

So what does this change mean for Microsoft's voice and video aspirations? Well with the launch of Windows Live Messenger 8.5 this week, extending their VOIP offerings via a different platform would be a great addition to a new client version. The existing outbound-only calling is just not enough for users that prefer voice over text and so to remain competitive the new in-house service would need to provide an inbound option just for starters. Yahoo! has offered users a choice of USA or UK phone numbers for about 2 years now, which is incredibly convenient for those who travel globally and don't want to have multiple contact numbers, or those who want to speak to their international friends without paying premium rates.

Then there are the Windows Live cordless phones that Microsoft announced at CES 2006 and promoted heavily last year. Obviously without numbers its difficult to estimate the takeup of those, however it seems reasonable to believe that sales and impact on the market will have been less than desired. Comparing them to the LifeCams which are now on their 2nd generation, the last phone to be discussed was the Motorola device back in August 2006. This comes back to the poor VOIP offerings currently available and specifically the lack of features; the phone hardware devices just seem to have been pushed out too early.

Existing users of the Verizon WebCalling service are able to claim back any unused funds and will be alerted in the future once a final end date for the service has been agreed.

For reference here's the email as sent by Verizon:

Dear Verizon Web Calling Customer,

We’re writing to inform you that Verizon plans to discontinue Web Calling, a joint offering with Windows Live Messenger, on or before August 31, 2008. The exact date will be provided in a subsequent notice that you will receive at least 90 days before the final discontinuance of the product.

You may continue to use and recharge your Web Calling Account until Web Calling is discontinued. You may also request a refund of the remaining funds in your account at any time by logging into your Online Account Manager account and e-mailing Customer Service. The other features of Windows Live Messenger will not be impacted by the withdrawal of Web Calling.

Windows Live is currently working on a successor to Verizon Web Calling. Details of that offer will be communicated when they are available.

Any monies remaining on your account will be refunded to you when Web Calling is discontinued.

Thank you for your support of Verizon Web Calling.

Sincerely,

Verizon Web Calling Customer Service

A Windows Live Coffeemaker, really?

Matthew — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 13:15:00 GMT

And you thought Microsoft was going out on a limb creating webcams? Ha!

Actually, Melitta, which produces a number of coffee products, is going to introduce the first coffeemaker that tells us the most important thing in the morning: the weather. Not only does it keep the time [good for when the power goes out in the morning, and you need that cup of jo to start on time], but it also keeps all kinds of weather data. Basically, it's a mini Oregon Scientific Regional Weather Station and coffeemaker in one.

Not only does the coffeemaker brew great-tasting coffee, it also provides animated weather information on its large, bright-blue backlit LCD display. MSN Direct region-specific up-to-the-minute weather information is transmitted via an FM signal within minutes of plugging in the coffeemaker--there's no set-up, subscription, or Internet connection required. The appliance displays the current temperature and conditions, high and low temperatures, and chance of precipitation, as well as four-day weather forecasts. The coffeemaker also displays scrolling weather information; visibility; sunrise/sunset time; the UV index; and national weather-service warnings and alerts (the display flashes when a warning alert is issued). In addition to its optional sleep function, where if the unit is idle for a period of time an animated, napping cat appears, the user interface can display a 12- or 24-hour clock; temperature in degrees F or C; along with English, French, or Spanish languages. The 10-cup programmable coffeemaker with animated coffee and weather information measures 8 by 11 by 14 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

Clearly every home needs one, especially with the napping cat screen saver! Seriously, it's clear that Microsoft is taking the MSN Direct technology to v2 and beyond as it finds more useful devices for the inexpensive SPOT technology. Additionally, with it's new DirectBand Network initiative, Microsoft is trying to reach out to other product makers, hoping to develop partners and make MSN Direct a must-have. After all, who wouldn't want the weather on their coffeemaker?

This is of course just one of many devices that will be running on the Microsoft .NET Micro Framework and DirectBand Network in the near future. Gates is making the technology a priority, and with the Windows Vista release, we'll start to see SideShow on laptops, and that's just the beginning...

Go ahead, have a cup of coffee: It's your grind, redefined.

@Matthew

Update: Picture Added

A look at the new line of Windows Live Hardware

Harrison Hoffman — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 00:26:00 GMT

Yesterday, Chris posted, about about some new Windows Live Hardware that has been announced. Well, the commenters complained about the lack of photos of the products in the post (I'm looking directly at you TheViewMaster and himmel!), so here are some nice photos of the upcoming products for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy.

Microsoft LifeCam NX-6000

Microsoft LifeCam VX-1000

Microsoft LifeChat ZX-6000

Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000

Microsoft announces new Windows Live hardware

Chris — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 03:20:00 GMT

Microsoft has today announced the expansion of its Windows Live hardware line, both with the new range of voip headsets (LifeChat) and a wider range of webcams (LifeCam).

- The Microsoft LifeCam NX-6000 will be widely available in November 2006 for an estimated retail price of $99.95 (U.S.). This is a laptop only webcam.

- The Microsoft LifeCam VX-1000 will be widely available in September 2006 for an estimated retail price of $29.95. Readers have told us that this is already in the shops.

- The Microsoft LifeChat products introduced today will be widely available in January 2007 for the following estimated retail prices:

Microsoft LifeChat ZX-6000: $69.95 (U.S.)
Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000: $39.95(U.S.)

With these new LifeChat devices launching soon, it's a shame that Microsoft's voip product currently falls well behind the likes of Skype in terms of features and extensibility, something which no amount of attractive hardware can rectify. Maybe the upcoming VoiceMail service, to be integrated in Live Mail (and the desktop version) v2, will remedy some of these deficiencies.

Microsoft Press Release

Update: Pictures of these devices are available here.

Motorola T31 - Windows Live Messenger phone

Chris — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 22:50:00 GMT

Motorola have now released details on their upcoming T31 series of cordless phones, designed to work with Windows Live Messenger. The T3153 and T3101 both support upto 6 handsets, with the only difference being a separate base unit for the T3151. You...(read more)

Microsoft debuts Windows Live LifeCams

Harrison Hoffman — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 00:03:00 GMT

Today, Microsoft announced the availability of its new High Definition webcams knows as LifeCams in August of this year. We told you aboutt the impending release of this new generation of webcams back in early May. The specifications have not changed...(read more)

Microsoft serious about VOIP? You bet

Chris — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 17:01:00 GMT

In a BusinessWeek article published today, Olga Kharif talks about Microsoft's expansion into VOIP in and how consumers can expect to see it integrated into future products and services. - In Windows Live Messenger and Mail users can call their contacts...(read more)

Windows Live Session summary

Chris — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 07:19:00 GMT

Last night saw the first Windows Live Session in the UK, hosted at MSN London. Phil Holden gave some good demos of Windows Live beta products as well as outlining the history and intentions behind them. Several MSN UK staff were present too, some of whom...(read more)