Latest LifeCams bring life to video calls

Microsoft’s Latest LifeCams bring life to video calls
LifeCam Show and LifeCam VX-5500 debut fun new video effects and Video Messages.

AUCKLAND - September 10th, 2008 - Microsoft today unveiled two new webcams — LifeCam Show and LifeCam VX-5500 — featuring new designs that not only look great but also provide versatility for use on a laptop or desktop computer.

LifeCam Show is one of the thinnest webcams on the market while the LifeCam VX-5500 changes to suit the user’s moods with switchable faceplates in three colours and a collapsible design. Both LifeCams deliver great audio and video performance, new video effects, and Video Messages — a new service for sending and receiving video messages.

LifeCam Show
The LifeCam Show features a sleek, mirrored finish and ultrathin design. It looks great with any computer, attaching with ease to a desktop or laptop, or even sitting on top of your desk. The LifeCam Show ships with a complete attachment system to make setting up and using the webcam a snap in a variety of different scenarios.
Features of the LifeCam Show include:
- Laptop clip. LifeCam Show magnetically attaches to a clip snapped right onto a laptop
- Desktop stand. LifeCam Show magnetically attaches to an 11-inch-tall desktop stand, which users can position anywhere around the desk for the perfect viewing angle.
- Two attachment discs. Attachment discs allow users to attach the adhesive disc to the back of their laptop, giving them the ability to close their laptop easily with the webcam still attached for greater portability.
- A 2.0MP sensor and 8.0MP stills offer true-to-life communication for sharing important life moments.
- High-end audio technology, including a built-in, noise-cancelling microphone with echo-cancellation software, provides improved sound clarity.

“Our design team has been working hard to ensure that we could fit best-in-class webcam technology into such a tiny product. At less than one and a half centimetres deep, LifeCam Show packs a mean punch with high quality audio and video technology,” said Danica Aitken, ANZ Product Marketing Manager, Internet Communications Hardware, Microsoft ANZ. “We also designed these LifeCams to easily attach to any type of PC because consumers want a webcam that provides versatility with camera angles.”

LifeCam VX-5500
The LifeCam VX-5500 is all about fun with an innovative new design. The VX-5500 ships with three interchangeable faceplates in blue, red and white, so users can either choose their favourite colour and leave it that way, or switch the colour to match their mood. Similar to LifeCam Show, the VX-5500 can be used on a laptop or desktop computer thanks to the universal attachment clip. When users are ready to pack up, the entire webcam folds down flat for easy transport. With a VGA sensor for 640x480 video, 1.3MP stills and a unidirectional, noise-cancelling microphone, the LifeCam VX-5500 keeps video communications crystal clear.

Both webcams come with the latest version of LifeCam software, making it easier than ever for users to have a fun video call experience. A major addition to the new software is a group of more than 30 new video effects, including 3D Accessories, Facial Exaggerations and Filters. 3D Accessories offer realistic effects that truly move with users’ faces — users can put a cowboy hat on their head or sunglasses over their eyes and the effect will stay with them even when they turn their heads.
Filters allow users to stretch their faces, make bug eyes or create a pointy new nose for an entertaining fun-house mirror effect using a LifeCam.
Video Messages
The new release also includes access to Video Messages, a new Microsoft service to help people keep in touch. When friends and family are not around for a live video chat or perhaps are in a distant time zone, Video Messages is a great solution. LifeCam users can record and send videos through an exclusive Windows Vista gadget and any Windows Live user can get in on the fun via an online portal – http://videomessages.live.com. From the website, consumers can record a personal video message and enter the email address of a friend or family member, who will receive a notification of the video via email. Recipients who are also Windows Live customers can even respond with a video of their own.

Go, Go LifeCam Gadget
The ultimate way to experience Video Messages is with a LifeCam video messages gadget, available for people running Windows Vista and using a supported Microsoft LifeCam. By downloading the new gadget, LifeCam users can create, send and receive video messages from their desktop. They can even select six of their top friends who will always be visible in the video messages gadget. This is just like storing top friends’ numbers on speed dial for easy access. This added convenience is a great benefit for LifeCam customers because the Video Messages controls are always available; they can just click on a friend’s image, record a video and hit send.

Additional features that make these webcams a great option for Windows Live Messenger users include the following:
- Photo Swap. This feature allows two callers to share digital photos in mid video conversation. Just click the Photo Swap icon, and a new window opens up next to the video call window so users can flip through the photos on their desktop and decide which pictures they want to show.1
- Windows Live Call Button. Located on top of the LifeCam, the Windows Live Call Button allows users to open their Contact Picker (a tool showing which contacts are currently online) with one touch, so they can quickly initiate video calls to friends and family.1

Users can see Video Messages in action at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/video_messages_intro.1
Pricing and Availability
The LifeCam Show and LifeCam VX-5500 will be available in October 2008 for the respective recommended retail prices of $189.00RRP2 and $99.00RRP2.
About MSN and Windows Live
MSN attracts more than 465 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 42 markets and 21 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering compelling programmed content experiences to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide. Windows Live, a set of personal Internet services and software, is designed to bring together in one place all the relationships, information and interests people care about most, with enhanced safety and security features across their PC, devices and the Web. MSN and Windows Live are offered alongside each other as complementary services. Some Windows Live services entered an early beta phase on Nov. 1, 2005; these and future beta updates can be found at http://ideas.live.com. Windows Live is available at http://www.live.com. MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com. MSN worldwide sites are located at http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx.

About Microsoft Hardware
For 25 years, the Hardware Group has employed innovative engineering, cutting-edge industrial design and extensive usability testing to create products of exceptional quality and durability that enhance the software experience and strengthen the connection between consumers and their PC. Microsoft Hardware leads the industry in ergonomic engineering, industrial design and hardware/software compatibility, offering consumers an easier, more convenient and more enjoyable computing experience. Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer, which launched in 1999, earned a place on PCWorld.com’s December 2005 list of “The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years” as the first mainstream optical mouse that “brought gunk-free pointing devices” to a broad consumer base. More information about the Hardware Group is available at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
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1 These features are available only through Windows Live Messenger
2 Recommended retail prices. At participating retailers. The price a customer pays will be determined by their retailer

Visit the Microsoft Hardware website at http://www.microsoft.com/nz/hardware/

For product images visit http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/gallery.mspx

For a look at Microsoft Hardware’s past 25 years of innovation visit
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/innovation/history.mspx
More information about Microsoft LifeCams is available at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware.

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