More off-topic: Skype High Quality Video, Sesam 3D Maps ++
Really getting into the slightly off-topic flow today:)
I recently bought a new Logitech QuickCam Sphere AF camera for the sole purpose of testing Skype High Quality video. Inspired by other testers giving it thumbs up I wanted to see for myself if this could really get even close to the high-end experience of TANDBERG etc. I'm not expecting the full telepresence of high-end systems, but some affordable low-end video technology that actually provides some value (320x200 webcams do not imo).
Currently, only Skype supports 640x480 video conferencing, and its still in beta (Skype 4.0 Beta 2 for Windows) but to me the overall experience is still worth the modest price (just over $100) of a new webcam (only Logitech supported by skype). With smart positioning of the camera and some getting used to (where-2-stare) this really is a viable option for video conversation. Compared to some of the economy TANDBERG units I've tried its just as good. However; there are roumors of TANDBERG creating full HD cameras for the desktop these days, so we might be in for even more desktop video goodies. From the guys at Skype I would really like to see this integrated with some form of desktop sharing; a whiteboard or some powerpoint presentation sharing with picture-in-picture capability.
Here's how my chat with Olle came out this afternoon (both CPU cores were paying about 30% to the skype client during this session..):
Chatting with Olle he made me aware of the new 3D map service from norwegian search engine Sesam. Their solution is powered by myVR Software and was actually quite impressive.
View from my balcony (taken with my crap cellphone camera in the angle shown above), the only thing they missed was the season:) :
Then finally to conclude todays off-topicness with a gadget that I would definately like to find under the xmas tree, namely the Nec MPPro 110 portable projector:
More about these babies found in video here, prices here, and buying for norwegians here. They're only 640x480, but hey; what can you expect from a pocket device at only about $300..