Aiming to make video conferencing more realistic, Chris Harrison and Scott E. Hudson of CMU’s Human Computer Interaction Institute have developed an implementation of pseudo-3D which can allow the viewer to “see around” the person they’re currently talking with. Although 3D conferencing equipment is already commercially available, this particular setup differs as it uses a standard webcam – such as found in most new notebooks.
Video demo after the cut
We all know what Apple has been pushing out the patents for ideas that range from being very practice and useful to just outright off the wall. The latest of patents made by Apple to be released into the world is an iSight camera that is placed behind the display screen in what is depicted as a MacBook.
iRiver can always be relied on to bring something interesting to CES, and this year is no exception. The WAVE HOME is this year’s multimedia maven, combining local video and music playback, internet access and VoIP voice and messaging into a compact, minimalist desktop unit. SlashGear stopped by the iRiver booth to spend some hands-on time with the WAVE, and while it might do its darnedest to defy categorisation, that didn’t stop us wanting to bring it home.
Here’s a pretty cool device that has all sorts of mischievous potential. The WowWee Spyball is a remote controlled webcam hidden inside a futuristic-looking plastic ball. Note to WowWee: the ball’s appearance might be kind of a giveaway.
Now I know there are still a few of those old time blue and red 3D image fanatics left out there. Novo has not forgotten about this portion of the population, in fact they have just released the Novo Minoru – the world’s first 3D webcam. Yes its time to dust off the old cardboard glasses.
Skype have begun selling ASUS’ standalone webcam-equipped VoIP phone, the AiGuru SV1. Intended for those who don’t want to deal with a full laptop for their video conferencing, the SV1 has an integrated 800 x 480 7-inch display, microphone, webcam and speakerphone; it uses either WiFi or a wired ethernet connection, and has a rechargeable battery.
If you’re suspicious about what might be happening less than 100m away from you, then Geniesys Technologies’ OptiEyes Bluetooth 1.3-megapixel video camera may be just the ticket. Measuring just 69 x 21 x 13.25 mm and weighing in at 15g, the OptiEyes is capable of streaming QVGA video or sending VGA quality images to a nearby cellphone or computer via a Bluetooth connection.
Samsung have unveiled a new high-definition webcam small enough to be embedded into the bezel of a notebook or LCD display. The new 1/4-inch S5K4AW CMOS chip has 1.2-megapixel standard resolution, and is capable of recording 1280 x 960 video at 30fps or 640 x 480 video at 60fps. It also boasts improved low-light performance, though at the expense of image quality.
What can you do in 90 minutes? If you’re Stephen Myers, you can set up a webcam-enabled dog-treat dispenser that you can remotely access from your iPhone. Created from a CD spindle case, scraps of cardboard, a servo motor and some random junk Stephen found lying around his house, the system allows him to watch his dog from the Apple smartphone and dispense a tasty treat.
Check out the demo video after the cut
Color us jealous. Seeing as our last call for a Korean gadget to cross over to the West worked so well, can we now please have the Mintpad? Mintpass have been showing off the 2.86-inch touchscreen PMP/internet tablet, currently on sale in Korea for 199,000 KRW ($132), complete with WiFi b/g, camera and IM functionality.
SlashGear Japan
