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So you want Skype High Quality (HQ) video, but aren’t willing to shell out for a nice dual-core processor and a high-end Logitech camera, eh? Well, no worries - Nodewave has a Force ‘Skype’ HQ Video app that allows you to Enable/Disable (and even configure) High-Quality Video in Skype, and even High-Definition Video regardless of your camera or processor.

So if Santa doesn′t stick a high-end Logitech Orb AF webcam (my favorite webcam) in your stocking for Christmas, then this hack might just be the way to go!

Tags: hq video, Logitech, Orb AF, Skype, voip, webcam

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Copyright VoIP & Gadgets Blog

Original post by nafiz

The Click for Amazon price:
WowWee Rovio Wi-Fi Enabled Robotic WebCam
Buy Now‘, STICKY, TIMEOUT, 6000);” onmouseout=”return nd();”&gtWowWee Rovio
is a cool Wi-Fi enabled robotic webcam. I like to call Rovio a remote-controlled VoIP webcam sentry robot.

The Click for Amazon price:
WowWee Rovio Wi-Fi Enabled Robotic WebCam
Buy Now‘, STICKY, TIMEOUT, 6000);” onmouseout=”return nd();”>Rovio
is pretty futuristic looking. It looks like it belongs on some sci-fi TV show or movie. Reminds me of some vehicle I saw on Terminator 2. The Rovio can move in any direction and can be controlled remotely. Simply view and interact with Rovio’s environment through its streaming video and audio from its built in camera using a browser. You can even control the Rovio from an iPhone and the Nintendo DS.

Continue reading Rovio Wi-Fi VoIP Robotic Webcam…

Tags: camera, iphone, nintendo ds, robot, Rovio, video, video streaming, voip, wifi, WowWee

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Copyright VoIP &amp Gadgets Blog

Original post by nafiz

Filed under: Displays

Asus is ritzing up its LCD inventory with four new high-end displays this month — the VK266H and VW266H at 25.5 inches (beating out the manufacturer’s current top end) and the VK246H and VW246H at good ol’ 24 inches. They all feature the company’s new Splendid Video Intelligence Technology, run at at 1,920 x 1,200, and have a 20,000:1 contrast ratio, which is a significant improvement over the current Asus flagship‘s 3,000:1, but the max brightness is a bit lower. Why two at each size, you ask? Actual specs are identical across the board, but the VK266H and the VK246H have built-in webcams, while the VW266H and VW246H don′t — unfortunately, pricing info is not yet available, so there’s no telling how much extra you’ll be paying to record cringe-worthy YouTube diaries.

[Via PCLaunches; thanks, Vinit]

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Original post by Samuel Axon

Filed under: Digital Cameras

We′ve never really gotten the knack for video chat. Either we’re bothered by the lack of eye contact, freaked by the uneasy silences or just way too ugly, but whatever it is we’re sure the Minoru 3D Webcam is going to make it all much more immersive and difficult. Featuring dual cameras spaced about a face-width apart, Minoru creates a stereoscopic effect for viewing with old-school red and blue 3D glasses. The camera supports all sorts of video chat services, or you can shoot 3D video and shuffle it up to YouTube, and 2D is also available for all the squares out there. Minoru’s currently competing in the CES Innovations competition, and should be hitting shelves in December at a sub-$100 pricepoint.

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Original post by Paul Miller

Filed under: Displays

They’re not much more useful or cost efficient than a second or third regular-sized display, but Korean company Nanovision’s soon-to-be-released 7-inch mini-LCDs — model-named MIMO — are novel, and probably a bit more convenient to hook up thanks to a USB interface. Two models will hit the streets of Korea in just a couple of days, and they both work in either landscape or portrait mode at 800 x 480. The UM-750 (₩183,000 or $152), has a webcam, touchscreen, and TV tuner, but its feature-challenged brother the UM-710 (₩98,000 or $81) doesn′t. Unfortunately, they’re only planned for Korea at the moment, so everyone else will have to consider a smaller but considerably less adorable alternative.

[Via Technabob; Thanks, Tom M]

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Original post by Samuel Axon

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Gaming, Peripherals

Remember that PlayStation Eye you purchased way back when? You know, that PS peripheral you used for all of 12 minutes before shelving indefinitely? It’s time to break that bad boy back out, as a detailed hack from the NUI Group shows how to convert it into a working webcam within Windows. Make no mistake, this isn’t the simplest hack in the whole wide world, but the long-winded instructions ought to guide you right through. What are you waiting for? Head on down and get to work!

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Peripherals

Sure, it’s frumpy, overpriced and rather pointless for anyone who owns a computer with a webcam and knows how to use it, but ASUS and Skype are after the grandma / grandpa / computerphobic set with this here AiGuru SV1 videophone, and aren’t doing horrible job of it. The screen is great, the icons are ginormous, and operation couldn’t be much simpler. Unfortunately, the video quality is pretty inexcusable for a dedicated box like this: the VGA image is crap, and the framerate is totally weak — it could’ve been a problem with the network we were on, but it looked like a straight-up wired router to us. What gives, ASUS?

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Original post by Paul Miller

Filed under: Robots

We’re not entirely sure that you can call a six-legged arthropod a spider, but let’s not quibble over biology: this robot looks pretty cool. At the moment about all it can do is poise for attack and track faces using a built-in webcam (and what looks like proprietary face-recognition software), but the designers (high school students David Benhaim and Owen McGarry) assure us that they will be implementing the ability to walk — and terrify your little sister — shortly. One thing’s for sure: we wish we’d done something like this in high school (they machine-lathed the parts themselves!) instead of playing Ultima and stealing beer… but you can’t win them all. Check a video of the bot in action after the break.

Continue reading High schoolers create face-tracking spiderbot, Tom Selleck comes out of retirement

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Original post by Joseph L. Flatley

Filed under: Peripherals

Man, with all these product intros today you’d think the world was going to end tomorrow or something. Anyway, just as predicted, Microsoft just kicked out the new LifeCam Show and LifeCam VX-5500. The $100 Show is a 2.0 megapixel cam that can take 8 megapixel stills, and a built-in mic with noise- and echo-cancellation, while the $60 VX-5500 does VGA video and 1.3 megapixel stills and has interchangeable faceplates. Both include a one-touch Windows LiveCall button that pops open your contact list and new LifeCam software which allows you to send video messages, share photos during calls, and initiate calls with a Vista gadget. Should be out in October — check the VX-5500 after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft LifeCam Show and LifeCam VX-5500 make the scene

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Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Audio, Portable Video

So we know that Microsoft is gearing up to launch those new “Blue Track” mice on September 9th, but Ars Technica says that there’s a good chance we’ll be getting new webcams and — surprise! — Zunes as well. Sadly, the new mice might still be the most exciting things on the ticket — the LifeCam VX-5500 and LifeCam Show NX-8000 are pretty much just webcams, and we’re not expecting anything Zune hardware-related beyond beyond bumps to 120GB and 16GB and perhaps that blue flash number. Still, there’s a chance we could be surprised by those rumored new software and service announcements, but Microsoft’s going to have to reach deep into the wow box to steal attention from a certain black-turtlenecked raconteur who’ll be taking the stage in Cupertino to announce some minor new PMPs that day as well. Let the games begin!

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Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Portable Audio

We’ve never been big fans of giving your tween some Nickelodeon-ized gizmo when you can simply hand down your current gear and use it for an excuse to upgrade, but apparently not everyone sees it that way. Nickelodeon, Viacom and Imation have jointly announced the latest line of kid-friendly Npower gizmos, which includes a digital voice recorder, a digicam and a webcam based on the “breakout hit” iCarly. Additionally, the outfit is churning out SpongeBob SquarePants-themed speakers, boomboxes, MP3 players and digiframes, and there’s even a few Dora the Explorer toys thrown in for good measure. All the (inflated) prices and shipping details are down there in the read link — we won′t bore the uninterested any longer by fleshing it out here.

[Via Electronista]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Peripherals

Wesco Limited is offering up a TIE Fighter webcam, which — truth be told — would look completely ridiculous sitting atop your LCD. That being said, those of you already chatting it up with your fellow nerds on an R2-ʪ webcam won′t mind one bit. You’ll also be interested to know that there’s a complete dearth of specifications, though we do know that a pair of LEDs just below the camera lights up to brighten your cheery face. It’s available for now around $40, and proceeds go directly into funding George Lucas’ next extravagant vacation.

[Via DigitalDrops]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Peripherals

Oftentimes, Brando’s assortment of “must-have″ doohickeys don’t actually do much for your productivity level. This particular gizmo, however, bucks that trend in glorious fashion. The $23 USB 4-in-1 Web Cam is a fairly standard desk lamp with built-in LEDs that also acts as a webcam, voice input device and fan. Best of all, this one’s USB-powered, though that could spell disaster (or “USB hub”) if your sockets are already occupied with other Brando gear.

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Original post by Darren Murph

It initially seems odd that Logitech would launch a Mac-only webcam: All Macs but the Mini and Pro have a built in iSight camera.

Reading the specs gives the answer — the QuickCam Vision Pro is a significant step up in performance from the built-in option.

The two megapixel Quickcam can supply 720p video via an autofocus Carl Zeiss lens, and has a built in microphone.

The camera will cost $130.00 USD and – floating eerily as it does in the product shot – the Quickcam reminds me of nothing other than the Empire’s Imperial Probe Droid, or Probot.

Source: Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro Product Page.

Tags: apple, Gadgets, Technology, Webcam

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Original post by Sean R.

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Peripherals

Logitech, a name long synonymous with PC webcams, just announced its newest, flagship camera which — are you ready? — is Mac-only. A move which, quite honestly, makes us feel, well… dirty. The USB 2.0 QuickCam Vision Pro works with iChat and Skype and features a 2 megapixel sensor, a quick autofocusing Carl Zeiss lens, and the ability to record VGA video at 30fps while mounted to your display or, redundantly, to your MacBook which of course have featured an integrated webcam for the last few years. Hitting shelves across Europe and the US in July for $130. See this chunk of a webcam attached to an Apple Studio Display after the break.

Continue reading Logitech’s flagship QuickCam Vision Pro is Mac only

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Original post by Thomas Ricker