Microsoft LifeCam for Sharing Photos, and video chat over Windows Live
The Windows Live team has been working on selecting optimal hardware for their Live video chat. Sounds like they will be bringing a great integration of hardware and software to the Windows Live platform. I have found the Live Messenger to be a great chat application. From the LifeCam press release:
Optimized for Windows Live Messenger
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| LifeCam VX-6000 |
| Click for larger version. |
The first two available webcams, the Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000 and Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000, bring a new dimension to Windows Live Messenger and feature exclusive industry firsts that streamline the webcam experience:
| • | Windows Live Call Button. Located on the top of each LifeCam, the Windows Live Call Button makes placing a video call a breeze by eliminating the usual multiple steps. Just one touch brings up the Buddy Picker, a tool that shows users only current online buddies. They simply select their contact’s name and they are on their way to making a video call. |
| • | LifeCam Dashboard. Built right into the Windows Live Messenger window for easy access during video calling, the LifeCam Dashboard provides simple access to the controls people need most, including pan, tilt and zoom. Now users’ attention stays where it should be — on their video conversation. |
| • | One-touch blogging. Windows Live Spaces is one of the fastest-growing blog communities in the world, with more than 50 million individual Spaces. Now, users can post High Definition LifeCam pictures directly to their Windows Live Space blog with one click from within the LifeCam window. |
“As we look to further develop Windows Live to meet the changing communications needs of consumers, it made sense to extend our partner ecosystem to include internal businesses that deliver solutions that bring relationships to life online,” said Martin Taylor, corporate vice president of Windows Live and MSN at Microsoft. “Our work with the Microsoft Hardware team will play a significant role in the growth of Windows Live Messenger and help us deliver on our promise of deepening people’s relationships with whomever and whatever matters most to them.”
I wonder if this means that we'll be seeing a new "Life" line of products from Microsoft Hardware...