REDMOND, Wash. Nov. 18, 2008 With holiday-related travel costs already up 25 percent over last year,1 people are looking for alternative ways to connect with distant loved ones this holiday season. When it’s not possible to attend that family gathering in person, Microsoft LifeCams offer an easy, fun and affordable way for people to connect with friends and family all over the world — with high-quality video, crystal-clear audio and versatile designs. When users pair a LifeCam with the latest version of Windows Live Messenger, they can now experience a higher-quality video call with full-screen VGA video for clearer, sharper video.
LifeCams and Windows Live Messenger: The Price Is Right
An online survey from Zoomerang found that many people are cutting back their travel this year — in fact, almost half say the weakened U.S. economy will have an impact on their holiday travel plans.2 Now connecting across the miles with video calling is better than ever when LifeCams are paired with the new Windows Live Messenger. Users will experience true VGA video (640×480) at up to four times better resolution than the current solution in Windows Live Messenger when they switch to full screen, as well as faster connection time to initiate a video call and a new attractive user interface. Users will need a Microsoft LifeCam, the latest version of Windows Live Messenger, and a PC with a dual core processor and broadband Internet connection to experience a true VGA video call.
Microsoft Corp. offers a full line of webcams that deliver high-quality video calls at varying price points to fit consumers’ budgets, including the two newest Microsoft webcams to hit the market, LifeCam Show and LifeCam VX-5500.
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LifeCam Show. With an ultrathin design, a 2.0MP sensor and three attachment options — a laptop clip, a desktop stand and an attachment disc — LifeCam Show provides the ultimate in mobility and customization, while also delivering top-of-the-line audio and video. $99.953
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LifeCam VX-5500. The VX-5500 is all about customization and staying connected. This webcam features a world-class VGA sensor with improved low-light performance and comes with three interchangeable faceplates in blue, white and red with a unique design that folds flat. $59.953
“Windows Live Messenger enables our customers to experience a stunning high-quality video call,” said Dharmesh Mehta, group product manager for Windows Live at Microsoft. “These updates paired with the Microsoft LifeCams are a meaningful way for friends and families to stay in touch during the holidays and all through the year.”
In case friends and family aren’t available for a high-quality video call on Windows Live Messenger, the LifeCams also include access to Video Messages, a brand-new way to keep in touch. When friends and family are not around for a live video call or find themselves in a distant time zone, Video Messages is the perfect solution. LifeCam users can record and send videos through a Windows Vista gadget, and any Windows Live user with a broadband connection can get in on the fun online at http://videomessages.live.com. The recipient can view the message online.
About Windows Live
More than 460 million customers around the world rely on Windows Live for sharing
e-mail, messaging, sharing photos and collaborating on files within their networks of friends, family, business associates and more. With localized versions being made available globally in 54 countries and 48 languages by early 2009, the next generation of Windows Live brings enhanced tools to make online activities easier, more integrated and more intuitive. The new Windows Live experience is also enhanced by partnerships — with feeds from third-party sites that enable users to stay up to date on what’s new with friends and family and see information from other online services such as Flickr, LinkedIn and Pandora — all in a single set of services where they already spend time every day. Over the coming weeks, the next generation of Windows Live will become available at http://www.windowslive.com.
About Microsoft Hardware
For more than 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.mshardwareguide.com.
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.
1 According to Kayak.com.
2 Survey conducted by Zoomerang, part of MarketTools Inc.
3 Estimated retail price (U.S.).
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