Logitech has announced two 1.3 megapixel webcams - QuickCam S7500 and QuickCam S5500.

"Our newest performance webcams provide an exceptional video-calling experience," said Subrotah Biswas, Country Manager, India and SAARC, Logitech. "Logitech's focus on innovation and quality make the promise of video calling a reality. Now, with the QuickCam S 7500 and the QuickCam S 5500, people can seeand hear their loved ones and business partners even when they are separated by thousands of miles."The Logitech QuickCam S7500 features a 1.3-megapixel sensor and glass lens that provides 5-megapixel photos (with software enhancement). When used with Skype, the webcam is capable of 30 frames per second at VGA resolution. It also offers RightLight 2 technology, which automatically adjusts for low and uneven lighting environments, such as when a window creates harsh backlighting. Besides, with face accessories, avatars and Video Masks, people using the QuickCam S7500 can transform themselves into three-dimensional animated characters (avatars), or add accessories such as glasses or funny hats to their on-screen image.

The QuickCam S5500 also delivers a 1.3-megapixel sensor which can produce 4-megapixel photos (with software enhancement) as well as Logitech RightLight and RightSound technologies.

Both the webcams offer a built-in microphone and RightSound technology, which claims to significantly reduce background noise, echo and feedback.

The webcams also include Logitech Video Effects software, which features one-touch YouTube uploading. The YouTube button appears at the bottom of the Logitech QuickCapture window, which launches when people want to transmit or record a video. When a person is ready to upload a video captured using their Logitech webcam, they have to simply select the video they want to upload and click the YouTube button. A second screen will appear for providing information about the video clip, including the title, a brief description, video category and search tags. Once the clip information is entered, the QuickCam will do the rest on a single click.

The Logitech QuickCam S7500 is priced at Rs. 5,995 and Logitech QuickCam S5500 is priced at Rs. 2,995. Both webcams are available at all leading electronic stores in India and enjoy a replacement warranty of 2 years.

Genius, a brand from KYE Systems Corp. has introduced a 2.0 megapixel webcam - Genius iSlim 2000AF.The webcam features a motorized auto focus lens and its cover design provides a personal privacy solution where users do not need to remove the device when stopping the video calling. They can just slide the cover over the lens and continue chatting. Through the intelligent IM hotkey, one can also link with MSN or Skype immediately.

The iSlim 2000AF is plug and play capable under Windows Vista, XP SP2 and Mac 10.5.0. It comes with a built-in microphone and its multi-function clip fits LCD panels and notebooks alike. It also comes with a feature that enables video file sharing for YouTube. Bundled software with the product includes CrazyTalk Avatar Creator, Cam Suite and Genius Application-WebMate.

The Genius iSlim 2000AF is available in India through its authorized channel partners at Rs. 2,999.

Spice Mobiles seem to be launching new handsets by the bushel. Their latest is what they are calling their next generation dual SIM handset, the Spice D-90. The new GSM/GSM handset offers simultaneous access of two different numbers, enabling users to keep their personal and professional lives separate.

Spice offers the capability of two live SIMs working simultaneously with features like call hold and swap (providing real-time switching facility between both SIMs). The Dual-SIM helps to cut down on roaming bills without getting disconnected from their home-network. Of course this not necessarily new technology. Just ask the Chinese mobile makers.The Spice D-90 has a 2 MP camera which can double as a webcam. Other media features include an in-built MP3 player and FM radio with recording facility. This handset also features a special handset contact back-up application which allows seamless transfer of all the phone book contacts to the D-90 at one go.

The phone comes with a panic button (you’ll have to wait for the review to know what that’s all about), mobile tracker, 256MB memory card; is GPRS / WAP/ JAVA enabled, and comes pre-loaded with Opera Mini as a web browser.

The handset is priced at Rs. 7,799 (MRP).

Black holes, rainbows, and Microsoft technology. What do these three things have in common? You’ll find all of them in the VX5000 webcam.

The VX5000 is the first webcam we've ever tested with a flexible base. You can contour it to fit on your laptop or have it simply act as a traditional stand. During our recording tests we found that the webcam couldn't display pure white; instead, bright whites would display as aqua.Furthermore, when objects quickly crossed over a bright white background, they would disappear. Another hiccup we discovered was an effect very similar to spatial Moiré pattern aliasing—the ripples in our shirts would create wavelike rainbows which contorted as we moved.

The VX5000's embedded microphone, however, was surprisingly sensitive and did a great job recording with sufficient clarity. Unfortunately, this acute sensitivity also applied to background noise, which the microphone recorded with the same fidelity.
The webcam comes with a number of cool features, including one-touch blogging and one-touch calling and photo swapping; however, these features are tied to Windows Live or Messenger software and cannot be used with other apps. If you won’t be using these proprietary features, the unit is little more than a generic 1.3 megapixel webcam hindered by faulty color reproduction.

It's nothing new that exciting new gizmos travel from the western world to India only on turtle back (where the turtle walks all the way here). That's been confirmed yet again!

Logitech has announced its first Mac-compatible Web cam featuring a 2 mega pixels sensor, premium auto-focus technology, and Carl Zeiss optics. However, the company doesn't know when the product will hit Indian shores.Logitech's QuickCam Vision Pro for the Mac claims to deliver image-perfect detail and clarity, and exceptional video calling with iChat and Skype. It is assisted by Logitech's RightLight Technology, which, the company says, enables the Web cam to intelligently adjust to dim or harshly-lit situations. When using this Web cam with iChat or Skype, it promises VGA-quality video at up to 30 frames per second. Moreover, Logitech claims that the video quality is four times as sharp, and twice as smooth as any other video-calling solution. The Web cam can also be used to record video clips in 720p high-definition (HD) video format (960-by-720 pixels).

The Web cam is a plug-and-play device, and it comes in a black-and-silver profile with a prominent built-in silver microphone. The QuickCam Vision Pro Web camfor Mac is expected to be available in the US and Europe beginning July. It will retail for approximately $130.

Yet another assignment! For another couple of weeks! High Career profiles come at a cost of being away from your loved ones. Whether it be a span of days or weeks or months you will only miss them. The falling snow or the blooming bud makes you miss them more.

Of course your laptop’s webcam lets you share live talks with your loved ones. But if you want to show them the view outside your stay, say the beautiful lake or the falling snow, you just can’t do it effectively. Why? Because the laptop’s webcam is usually embedded on the top of the screen and you have to tilt or carry the laptop to show what you want to. Won’t it be desirable to have a separate cam that is flexible and easy to carry? Brando has it. The USB flexible web cam is very much convenient for the frequent travellers. It comes with a flexible neck that can be bent into any direction, without moving the laptop an inch. Isn’t that an awesome idea?It will fit well in your laptop case and is easy to carry. So now you want to check out the features? Here it goes:

* 100% plug and play
* Doesn’t require any drivers to be installed
* Compatible with Windows XP or Vista
* The lens can be rotated for adjusting the focus
* Compatible with ICQ, MSN, Skype and other chat and VOIP applications.