For those using Google voice and video chat plugin you should have recently received an automatic update that contains:
• Reduced crashes on newer macs (Mac OS X v10.6.2 specifically)
• A fix for webcam compatibility on Windows (including HP webcams)
• Several fixes for plugin stability
• Fixes to the infrastructure used to set up and connect video calls.

Tags: google voice, google talk, Windows Video Chat , Mac video chat

iPevo Technologies has released the long awaited update to thier original POV webcam for Windows. Now bringing cross-platform compatiblity and a higher resolution 2 mega-pixel sensor - the new P2V webcam stands out for one notable feature in particular. With an ultra-short focal range of 5cm /2" -- iPevo's cameras have been able to show close-up macro details that no other consumer webcam manufacturer delivers.

iPevo's P2V UVC Compatible 2MP Webcam

Focal Range : 2" to Infinity

With it's narrow, tapered and compact styling - the P2V is designed as a hand-held webcam useful for zooming in on detail. This is very helpful for salespeople or engineers showing and demonstrating product details. Ipevo's cams have also been very popular among Dentists: When combined with a laptop computer they can document a patients mouth - and even show patients in real-time extactly what's happening with their teeth and gums onscreen. Top mounted buttons control focus and snapshot functions.

For more conventional demonstration and video chat uses, the P2V comes with an articulated stand that allows flexible, precision camera placement - as well as a small interchangable notebook mounting clip for the edge of an LCD display.

Tags: driverless webcams, uvc webcam, Macro focus webcam, Close up webcam

Blue Microphones recently released a 2nd generation of it's driverless, cross-platform EyeBall webcam - upping the webcam's sensor from 1.3 Mega Pixels in it's first iteration to higher resolution 2 Mega Pixels in the aptly named EyeBall 2.0 web camera with up to 1600x1200 max resolution.

NEW 2MP RESOLUTION CAM

Top Quality Cardioid Pattern Condenser Mic
Supports 44Khz 16Bit 'HD' pro audio

Blue has retained the unique flip-up design and POP-OUT webcam -- in what otherwise looks more like a microphone in a base that can rest atop a desk or monitor - or clip to the edge of a LCD display. Unlike many webcams which have a front mounted LED light to indicate when the camera is recording, Blue does it physically - When the camera is out, it's ready to go. Or simply press the camera back in to engage video privacy mode.

Tags: blue webcam, eyeball webcam

For Intel Mac owners upgrading to Mac OS X version 10.6 Snow Leopard : The new QuickTime X Movie Capture will provide a free webcam recording alternative to using the somewhat buggy and limited PhotoBooth. You'll also no longer HAVE to pay for a QuickTime Pro license key as in the past to unlock video capture features. Movie Capture will additionally provide more control over output/export options - something PhotoBooth completely lacked.



QuickTime X Movie Capture requires an iSight camera (built-in or external), USB video class web camera, or FireWire DV camcorder. For those who wish to continue using their existing QuickTime Pro for grabbing webcam video - the Snow Leopard upgrade will KEEP - BUT MOVE the QT Pro application to your Utilities folder.

Tags: snow leopard, Apple Photobooth, quicktime x

Direct from Microsoft's Developer Network -- Their documentation for Microsoft Windows 7 continues the trend of standardizing heavily towards USB Video Class implementation for web cameras:

"USB Video Class Driver Overview : If you are providing a driver for a webcam or a digital camcorder, consider using the system-supplied universal serial bus (USB) Video Class driver, usbvideo.sys -- The USB Video Class (UVC) driver is a Microsoft-provided AVStream minidriver that provides driver support for USB Video Class devices. When your device uses UVC, you do not need to supply your own driver. Instead, the device works automatically with the system-supplied driver.
In the USB Video Class model, vendors do not write drivers; instead, vendors implement video streaming hardware according to the guidelines in the Universal Serial Bus Device Class Definition for Video Devices Specification. The UVC driver queries the hardware directly to obtain its capabilities and then drives the device, with no proprietary driver required. You can optionally extend Video Class driver functionality to add vendor-specific processing."

Now that the Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro (ahem) ‘For Mac’ webcam is shipping, hands-on video reviews around the web are popping up. OMG! - what a SPECTACULAR performing product! The particular reviews I watched were both using and demonstrating the cam on a Windows Vista PC - - So truly there is NOTHING Apple Macintosh specific about this webcam whatsoever. That’s not suprising. This truly is a driverless UVC compliant webcam in all major aspects. It’s about time.

What Vista/XP PC users can conclude from this is simple. It’s only a matter of time before the 9000 Pro gets dustbinned or demoted - and a ‘Very, very extra-special Just-For-PC’ release of another (Ahem) Mac-Compatible-Web-Cam will be announced with much Press Release fanfare and shipped in a different box, a slighty different name, and a slightly different, very sexy model # other than 960-000254. I’m placing odds the PC version arrives in Basic-Black just like it’s 9000 Pro predecessor. Just so there’ll be no confusion: ‘The same webcam in Silver/Black for PC, Silver/Gray for Mac’ to uh, help the consumer make the, uh, critical distinction. And double the amount of shelf-space Logitech can occupy.

In a nutshell, Logitech has simply released a GREAT quality webcam with HARDWARE Auto-Focus that needs no software. They’ve done a great HARDWARE implementation of their RightLight2 technology that adapts well to rapid shifts in lighting that needs no software. A truly intelligent, quality, driver-free autofocus webcam we’ve all been waiting for. Buyers are gonna LOVE it’s performance. The caveat? As with all Auto-Focus webcams, focusing takes time. Not much, but in the video reviews of the QuickCam Vision Pro I saw, the perceptable second or two lag to zone in is perfectly normal.

Tags: Logitech QuickCam

Logitech's Marketing department finally WOKE UP to address the Macintosh market with the ‘new’ Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro (ahem) ‘For Mac’. (Model # 960-000254) A successor to their best-selling 9000 Pro series. Features smooth voice-coil driven auto-focus down to 10cm, top-notch Carl-Zeiss lens optics, a 2 megapixel sensor delivering 720p high-definition (HD) video format (960-by-720 pixels) with it's highly regarded what they call “RightLight2” technology.

Logitech’s official words in it’s support forums implies this webcam IS different inside than it’s near identical-twin looking 9000 Pro series camera - that the Vision Pro implements advanced focus and light-sensitivity functions in hardware. The 9000 doesn’t have ANY Mac software to control it. As such, for Mac users, the Vision Pro may very well be worth the price premium.

The camera is now shipping and available at Amazon.com. Check pricing for the Apple compatible LOGITECH QUICKCAM VISION PRO FOR MAC

Other, select models of Logitech cameras support the UVC standard. But will Logitech ever get the courage to simply say “UVC COMPLIANT” on any of their packaging? They’ve been making cams that have the SAME name but DIFFERENT sensors inside: Some UVC compliant and others not. A geeky cross-reference chart buried on thier website with prodict part numbers and ID codes is a horrible way to convey these differences to CONSUMERS. Fortunately a few of the higher-end cams Logitech makes were made ONLY as UVC models, and those that are - are featured here at www.uvccompatiblewebcams.com

Most webcams come bundled with Windows-Only programs to tweak camera settings like brightness, contrast, zoom, etc. Apple Mac users should look at one of two $10 utlities from www.ecamm.com - iGLASSES or iUSB Cam which can give you far greater control over your external UVC webcam or built-in iSight, giving precise image ajustment abilities. Very useful programs - especially if you use iChat - iChatAV and PhotoBooth.

For those wanting to prepare video clips for, say, uploading to YouTube: A notable Macintosh capture utility with image adjustment controls and fun effects is Webcam Tweaker from www.tweakersoft.com

For others: Most QuickTime enabled video capture apps often already have image adjustment controls somewhat hidden in the Video Settings... preferences section. So if you use these sorts of programs - you may have more image options available than you thought.

Tags: ecamm

Thought you'd save with your regional phone company's 'Worry Free' calling plan? Where for say, $50 a month you could forget the fact that you probably only made $14 worth of calls last month, or only $23 the month before. Their 'Freedom Plan' freed you from having to do any math and realize you paid too much for your modest near and long-distance needs.

Even if you have a serious case of Long-Winded Flap-Jaw yourself, or a relative who can't keep their calls short and to the point -- You can save a TON of real money with a tiny investment in a Skype pay as you go or low flat rate montly plan.

So why is Skype and it's VOIP - Voice Over Internet Phone calling shaking up eveything you thought you new about local and long distance? Price. Rock bottom pricing using the high-speed internet connection you already have - and already pay monthly for. So why not leverage your broadband investment to AXE your phone expenses? Skype gives you:

+ Freedom to call anyone using Skype's Unlimited Calls to Landlines. With either Pay As You Go, or by purchasing as little as $10 of calling credits - save on Long Distance near - and far.

+ Explore ZERO cost 1:1 Voice and Video chat calls simply download Skype for Apple computers or PCs. No cost, one to one communications with everyone in your Windows Outlook or Apple AddressBook in OSX.

+ Get a dedicated phone number in your area: Choose your own unique local SkypeIn number. Just like a dedicated land-line: Answer on your computer when you're there, let it roll to bundled voicemail when you're not.

+ Save with Skype for Business to cut communication costs and up your profits. Set up one account to manage multiple employee Skype expenses.

Tags: voip for mac, voip for windows

Because these two Apple computer models don't include one - A webcam for Mac mini and Mac Pro Tower computers are often high on owners buying lists. It's almost unfortunate the Low-Quality MacAlly IceCam2 web camera - with it's white and silver aesthetics - is often chosen as a webcam for their Macintosh mini. It may be affordable and widely available, but the IceCam's poor light sensitivity, off-color balance, and disappointing microphone with hollow sound 'quality' leave much to be desired.

There's better driverless UVC web cams in the $30 USD range that outperform the IceCam: Look to this Hercules cross-platform UVC webcam forsaking color aesthetics for a much better image and sound quality at the same price. Consider the iHome MyLife Notebook Webcam - its silver and black color-scheme would at least contrast or compliment the Mac aesthetic and/or an Apple Cinema display's casing.

The Mac mini and Mac Pro Tower also lack a built-in mic. Since the majority of video chat webcams now have one included, a web cam can provide a microphone for Mac mini and Pro as well - doubling it's value. Best Bet? Pay up for quality - The Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro may cost around $100 - but it's image and sound-quality is world class.

Tags: Mac mini webcam, Mac Pro webcam

What REALLY matters in choosing a web camera? Is it the CHEAPEST WEBCAM you can get your mitts on? Or the BEST QUALITY WEBCAM IMAGE you're striving for? Well, that's up to you, your needs and your wallet. Here's an example of unimaginative mass-production from China: Take one of the best 1.3 MP webcams made by Logitech, steal its design elements, make a cheap knock-off that 'almost, sorta' looks like a really good web camera, skimp on the engineering, sensor and other components, don't worry about defect rates or quality construction too much -- and there you have it! Connect-Land's cheap low-cost driverless webcam for Mac or PC -- Thirty bucks or less.



Logitech QuickCam Ultra Vision SE Webcam : Optical glass lens, superb sound quality and RightLight light management




Syba-Connectland Web Camera With Built-In (Lousy) Microphone Sadly, while this cheap webcam has surprisingly good image sharpness -- its low-quality microphone sounds lifeless, hollow and has background hum.

A longtime manufacturer of many iPod speaker systems, iHome is branching out with a line of USB 2.0 Video Class driverless laptop webcams in their iHome MyLife Notebook Webcam Line. Of note other than having reasonable prices and built in microphone - the MyLife webcams offers COLOR options for those who prefer Pink - Blue - Red - Silver color choices.

Tags: iHome webcam, MyLife Webcam, UVC Web Camera

ISPQ continues to be one of the best Cross-Platform Apple Mac and Windows PC video-chat programs - whether you use it for business conferencing, Friends & Family Chat, or Adult XXX webcam fun. Now at version 8.x it just keeps getting better and better. Apple webcam users should note the official release of ISPQ v8.1 for Mac is now available for download at ISPQ’s site. Give the free trial a spin: http://www.ispq.com/

Tags: ispq, Mac video chat

You asked for it, you got it! An entire page devoted to really cheap, probably UVC compatible webcams for Mac or Vista or XP SP3 SP2 that really probably ought to work after you plug them in. But they might not. Or you might sink into clinical depression seeing the image quality or light-sensitivity - or lack of it. Or you may have saved yourself a bundle and it works to meet your expectations.. As Forrest Gump woulda said; “Life is like a cargo ship full of cheap budget overseas webcams in a box - You’ll never know what you’ll get.” Well, that’s half the fun of buying Cheap Webcams On eBay, right?

Across the street - or across the globe: Adding a web camera to your computer system can take your sex life to a new level. Perhaps you have an exhibitionist streak and like to show off. Perhaps you're a voyeur and love to watch other's DO IT. Perhaps you need someone to talk dirty to you - and make you do things on a webcam that you otherwise wouldn't. Because he wants you to. Because she dares you to. And the next thing you know: You've hiked-up your skirt and unbuttoned your blouse. Or you unzipped and dropped your pants. Because they want to see it up close, they want to see you touch it...

Well that's how it goes in the world of online adult video chat. It's safe sex, it's fun sex, it's easy sex via a video webcam whether it's with your spouse far away on a job assignment, or you just want to be dirty with a total stranger (or three!) from a country far away, that you might not even speak each other's language - other than body language. You might not have alot of time, you're horny and just wanna get off, you don't care if you're just ships passing in the night. You want her to shove it in your face, you want him to make it squirt. You want it NOW. In REAL-TIME. You wanna SEE IT. You want to WHORE, You wanna WATCH, You wanna put on a STRIP-TEASE show. All it takes is a little imagination and a Cross-Platform "Lets Have Video Sex" UVC Web Camera for Vista/XP, Apple Mac, or *nix. What could be more fun, or safer than that?

Tags: webcam sex, Adult video chat, exhibitionist cams, voyeur cams

Apple's recent updates to the new Mac mini and the new Mac Pro Tower line warrant a closer look at UVC web cameras that can provide instant plug and play webcam compatibility with OS X 10.5 Leopard which ships with the revised models. Some will buy Apple's new mini DisplayPort compatible LED based Cinema displays with built-in iSight web cam to complete their purchase. But others looking for the right web camera - and wanting to learn more about Mac friendly video chat apps - might want to visit www.mac-compatible-web-cam.com to find webcams that go beyond simply being UVC compliant, but to webcams which perform BEST on Apple's Macintosh platform.

Tags: Mac mini webcam, Mac Pro webcam, Mac mini web camera, Mac Pro web camera

Creative's website lists a new and updated LIVE! Video IM series webcam - The "ULTRA" Model 73VF041500000.This video chat cam - the Video IM PRO ULTRA is slated to supercede it's IM 'Pro' predecessor - and bumps the webcam sensor to 1.3MP 1280x960 HD resolution. It's been awhile since Creative has introduced a new chat cam, and they've yet to revamp their entire video chat camera line to complete USB Video Class compliance across the board. But hey, 4 out of 7 ain't bad.

However - The Creative Labs Live! Cam Video IM Ultra 1.3MP Webcam - (Model: VF0415) is now available from Amazon.com and is listing for under $50.

It's similar in appearance to their SVGA 800x600 UVC sensor Creative Live! Cam Video IM Pro(VF0410) web camera, but takes the resolution a notch higher.

Tags: 1.3 megapixel webcam

Korean company Samsung of their newest 1/4" SoC image sensor built specifically for web cams. The 1.2MP sensor - expected to be shipping in products in quantity by mid-2009 promises to be the first to produce High-Definition 720p-quality video (at 30 FPS) and able to stream 640x480 VGA video at 60 FPS. Improved light sensitivity of webcam video capture is achieved through an innovative 2x2 pixel processing/grouping technique called 'binning'.

There's a huge market potential here. Few webcam companies other than Logitech use state of the art sensors such as in their PRO webcam line. The sub $50 webcam market is rife with not only cheap sensors - but low quality plastic or glass lenses at best. From personal webcam chats to the talking heads on YouTube -- there's hope some of the blurry, off-color and downright LOUSY webcam images we've been inflicting on each other may suddenly get ALOT better in the year ahead.

Tags: technology, webcam resolution, gadgets, webcam light sensitivity, webcam color balance, HD webcam, high definition webcam

A great new iPhone - iPod Touch app available at the iTunes app store is the Senstic Air Cam live video remote webcam monitoring iPhone app.

Hook any of a number of known USB Video Class compatible webcams for Mac OS X Tiger or Leopard - or web cameras for Windows XP or Vista and Air Cam lets you view live video feed from your computers built-in or external webcam directly on your iPhone/iPod Touch using your home Wi-Fi networks.

Need a baby monitor? Set up your iSight webcam in the baby's bedroom, and remotely check up on your baby with your iPhone/iPod Touch without stepping into the room. Need a pet monitor? Use AirCam to remotely monitor them. You can even turn Air Cam into a low-cost, affordable home security surveillance system. Simply point your webcam to the location you want to monitor, and receive live video feed on your iPhone/iPod Touch.

Tags: Aircam, Air cam, senstic, iphone app, App store, surveillance system

Google has announced Gmail voice and video chat plug-in users to allow Cross-Plaform Google Talk video chat using their new plug-in. Might prove to be a viable alternative to Skype for reliable Mac to PC videochat calling.

Tags: Apple, Windows, gmail video, Mac PC chat, google video, gmail mac, google talk

Logitech's top-of-the-line Apple Macintosh compatible USB Video Class webcam - the UVC Compliant Logitech Quick Cam Vision Pro experienced a price drop of $20 literally overnight at AMAZON.COM - bringing the Street-Price under $100. This is absolutely the best webcam we've ever tested: It's frame-rates, light-management, hardware-based autofocus and microphone is superb. Before you decide to buy a cheap UVC compatible webcam - consider the long-term value of the world-class image quality Logtech delivers. Don’t be fooled by the branding or marketing. This Mac-branded webcam performs great with DRIVERLESS simplicity on Windows 7, Vista and *nix operating systems as well.

Tags: Apple, technology, gadgets, webcams, Logitech

Let’s be honest: Sex sells. And it sells alot of webcams - and has since Adult video conferencing was even possible on personal computers. In the early days of online sex, Adult chat was barely doable over dial-up modem connections - and even then in small, postage-stamp size Black & White images. But with advances in video compression, faster computers and modems, and with the first color webcams - Adult XXX video chat went to the next level.

Fast forward to the current state of the art in online Adult whoring: High definition quality webcams, dual-core video crunching processors and fast broadband now allow much larger chat sessions to occur onscreen, with high frame-rates and stunning clarity.

And there’s the irony: For mature xxx sex chatting needs, you may actually find that lesser quality webcams can actually hide a few flaws and soften rough edges. So ADJUSTABLE FOCUS WEBCAMS may be the BEST web camera choice you can make. Explicit detail when you want it, soft hazy allure when you don’t - all with a simple twist of the webcam’s adjustable focus lens.

Lastly, during frenzied moments of sexual stimulation - you really want and need a web camera that can manage high frame-rates without blur. Many may find a FIREWIRE WEBCAM to be their best choice here - or a DV camcorder with 1394b (iLink as Sony likes to call it) interface. For those with USB 2.0 webcams - you may want to keep your webcamera on a separate USB bus for high frames per second - and not slow your images down with contention from other devices polling on a shared USB hub for example.

Tags: sex videos, sex chat, Adult webcams, video, xxx webcam

A new release - now at version 2.0 of CamSpinner lets Apple Macintosh webcam users capture web cam video for uploads - or to FTP to web servers. Added is the ability to save up to 20 custom presets for optimal video grabbing of still shots or audio and video clips at resolutions ranging from 128x96 up to 768x576 pixels (on web cameras that support greater than 640x480 resolution) - Any Mac compatible UVC webcam or iSight / FireWire input is supported as well as image adjustment and compression controls available in QuickTime. Nice little app for only $12.95, Free trial version of CamSpinner is available at http://www.optima-system.com/

Tags: Mac Webcam, macintosh video