Microsoft today aimed for the crown in webcams today by launching the LifeCam Studio. The clip-on camera is Microsoft's first to have a native 1080p sensor and uses a glass lens with autofocus to provide a much truer to life picture. The barrel-shaped unit also has a better-than-average microphone and shoots stills at a high 2304x1728.
Microsoft at mid-day launched a trio of webcams that all bring the company into the HD era. The HD-5000 and HD-5001 for desktops, as well as the HD-6000 for notebooks, all capture a real 720p widescreen (1280x720) image and tout a new color correction engine dubbed TrueColor. The process uses a mix of hardware and software to adjust color tones, exposure and other factors to properly represent the output in less-than-ideal conditions.
Microsoft is no stranger to the webcam business, and its latest offering shows why the company is still often at the forefront. The LifeCam Cinema is the first consumer webcam to offer both a 16:9 aspect ratio and a native 720p imaging sensor. With a modest retail price of only $80 and some impressive image quality claims, we hope to find out in our review if the LifeCam Cinema is a webcam best buy or simply a marketing point.
Microsoft wrapped up its hardware introductions today in releasing the LifeCam VX-2000. The webcam is aimed at the most basic of desktop users who just need enough for video chat and has a VGA resolution camera sensor with most extras in software. Aside from a Windows Live Call button for those using Microsoft's IM network, the camera's other central feature is its ability interpolate still images and simulate 1.3-megapixel shots.
Microsoft tonight planned to inject some style into its wireless mice with a genuine one-off notebook mouse design. The now official Arc Mouse is thought to have the best advantages of both desktop and notebook mice courtesy of a fold-out hand support: the fully extended mouse has the surface area of a desktop mouse but folds shut to take up as much space as notebook mice. Microsoft has also taken a cue from Logitech's Nano receivers and has a micro transceiver under 1cm (0.4in) that can safely be left in a notebook's USB port without snapping off or adding too much bulk.
Microsoft on Tuesday upgraded its LifeCams with the VX-5000. An unusual approach to webcams, the new add-on is unique in its use of a bendable stand; users can curve the stand to sit the camera on a desk or straighten out to varying degrees to clip to the back of different surfaces, including desktop LCDs and notebook lids. Although capped at 640x480 resolution, the camera supports panning, zooming, and tilting as well as simulated 1.3-megapixel still photos through interpolation.
