LiveSide - News blog : LifeCams

Now that’s a serious webcam: the LifeCam Cinema – 720p HD widescreen video

Kip Kniskern — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:23:26 GMT

Yesterday Microsoft released Windows Live Movie Maker with HD support, and today they’re announcing a new webcam that may just be the perfect complement. The LifeCam Cinema, which will be available for pre-order from Amazon.com on August 24th, and available in September, offers 720p HD in 16:9 widescreen format, low light technology, auto focus, Microsoft’s new ClearFrame technology for faster processing, and a 74 degree wide angle of capture, the widest ever for a Microsoft webcam.

Also announced today is the LifeChat LX-1000, a high-quality noise cancelling headset. The LifeCam Cinema will retail for $79.95, and the headset for $24.95.

Microsoft to introduce new laser mouse, (LifeCams ?) the same day as Apple unveils new iPods

Kip Kniskern — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:06:00 GMT

Next Tuesday, September 9th, for some strange reason is shaping up to be a Battle of the Hardware Announcements. On the same day that Apple is widely expected to unveil a new line of iPods, which apparently only Kevin Rose has seen, Microsoft is planning the release of a new (Edit: doh, should read "new not-a-laser mouse", as in "Say Goodbye to Laser") laser mouse, which they’re teasing on Microsoft Hardware. However we're also expecting a new line of LifeCams, including the LifeCam vx 5500 (which we told you about last month), and an as yet unseen (until now) LifeCam Show – the nx 8000 (product page on Microsoft Hardware Germany, and product fact sheet, both in German). According to Windows Live Translator, the fact sheet reads, in part:

BENEFITS

1. Maximum flexibility owing to sophisticated mounting options
2. Video on High Defi nition level and hochaufl ösende photos
3. Optics with 5-fold zoom shot and microphone with intercarrier noise suppressor of

TOP SALES ARGUMENTS

• Style meets mobility: Ultrafl the ache and compact housing is held in noble black with silver resplendent edge

• Innovative attachment mechanism - the LifeCam can be attached very fast by special mounting plate and attachment disk at the flat screen and becomes with the graceful designed table stand to the Design object for the desk

• High-quality optics with genuine glass elements and 5-fold zoom shot • Hochaufl eye that image sensor for videos with 2 megapixels (native) and brilliant photos with 8 megapixels (interpolated)

• Crystal-clear clay/tone owing to microphone with intercarrier noise suppressor

• Compatibly to all common fair gladly - Windows Live, Skype, Yahoo, AOL uvm.

• More fun with „the Videofonieren “with the new LifeCam software with many special effects and sophisticated functionality

In other news, There are already circulating rumors of a 120 gb hard drive Zune, and a 16gb flash one, along with a new blue Zune (oooh aaahhh), which are slated to come out soon, too. Coincidence?

Windows Live Video Messages – new tech preview coming soon (sidebar gadget available for download now)

Chris — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:48:21 GMT

You kill one service, and another one springs up to take its place. The Windows Live Support and Feedback sites helpfully spilled the beans on Windows Live Video Messages, a new beta service that ties in with the LifeCam range of webcams.

As we mentioned in our recent post on the new upcoming LifeCams, the VX5500 and the LifeCam Show, the new devices are compatible with a a Windows Vista sidebar gadget. Turns out this gadget is part of the new Video Messages service, along with a to-be-released web portal.

The Video Messages service allows all webcam users to send video messages to friends and family, even if they are offline. The bonus is that if you are using a LifeCam, you can do this direct from your desktop using the sidebar gadget.

Thought the website says the tech preview is coming to the public on 9th September, if you say you’re a member of the press you get presented with the gadget download link immediately. Groovy. No 64-bit version we could find though I’m afraid. Warning, we tested this without LifeCams installed and the entire sidebar disappeared. Let us know if you have any luck though.

So, 1.5 years after the launch of Windows Vista, we finally have our first official Windows Live sidebar gadget, not counting the Live Search (Maps) ones of course. Looks like things are on the up!

Totally off-topic, we heard whisperings of a contractor developed Messenger sidebar gadget about a year ago. I wonder what rabbit-hole that disappeared down…

Via PP2

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...

New LifeCams announced; Photo Swap available for all LifeCams

Kip Kniskern — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:53:00 GMT

Microsoft today announces two new LifeCams, webcams built for use with Windows Live Messenger. A desktop model, the VX 7000, pictured above, features:

a 2.0 megapixel sensor to deliver High Definition video (2.0 MP) and still photography (7.6 MP interpolated) and brings a sleek new design to desktop webcams. The VX-7000’s additional features and benefits include the following:
•The slim, glossy, sleek design allows the LifeCam to blend seamlessly into the PC monitor.
•The built-in unidirectional microphone with acoustic noise cancellation delivers crystal-clear audio.
•A 71-degree, wide-angle lens fits more people on the screen at once.
•Automatic adjustments for low-light conditions provide superior color quality.
•The glass element lens delivers clear video quality.
•An illuminated LED indicates the camera is in use.

Also announce is a new laptop model, the NX 3000:

This new LifeCam features brilliant video (640x480 pixels), High Definition still photography (1.3 MP) and a built-in unidirectional microphone with acoustic noise cancellation. The LifeCam NX-3000 also offers these features:

•Automatic audio control provides enhanced sound clarity.
•The swivel lens allows users to adjust the camera angle for ultimate notebook mobility.
•An illuminated LED indicates the camera is in use.
•Video Effects enable users to personalize video calls with fun visual elements such as snow, stars and flowers.
•The protective carrying case enables easy and convenient portability while on the go.

Both models will be available for pre-order on Amazon, the VX 7000 for $99.95, and the NX 3000 for $59.95, and are expected to be available in September.

In addition, a new feature called Photo Swap is also being announced. Photo Swap allows photos to be shared during a webcam session:

which lets users share digital photos live during a video conversation. One click of the Photo Swap icon opens a window next to the video call so users can pick available photos on their PC and flip through them with their friend. Photo Swap is easy to use and works like a virtual photo album, allowing consumers to see and hear the reactions of their friends and family in real time as they view the pictures together.

This new feature is available for all models of LifeCam, adding to a set of features already available, including the Windows Live Call Button, the LifeCam dashboard, and One Touch Blogging

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.

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)