Webcam mirror exposes your egotistical personality

For those of you who regularly get lost in the infinite beauty of your own reflection, you can now enjoy the totally self-indulgent experience while "communicating" with your "friends", thanks to the Mirror Webcam. There isn't much tech to divulge here -- it's a USB webcam embedded in a mirror, with a ring of LED lights surrounding it which, depending on your face, will make you look much better or much worse. You can use the device as a regular mirror or as a digital mirror, but either way you're still staring at your own face like a self-involved jerk. Available now for around $49.

[Via Akihabara News]

[Renato @ Jul 13th 2007 11:20PM]

It's a dream come true...

I'm so happy! =P

[david @ Jul 13th 2007 11:39PM]

I need this...

[HyperHacker @ Jul 14th 2007 1:15AM]

Or save some money and just have VLC display the camera feed on-screen.

[Chuckles McGee @ Jul 14th 2007 1:47AM]

Is it just me, or are the models sparkly pupils sort of freaky?

[bombastinator @ Jul 14th 2007 6:04AM]

I can see this. It's video conferencing for the terminally self conscious. You'll notice the model is a Japanese teenage girl. can you imagine a being more likely to be worried about what their facial expression is when talking to someone on videophone?

As for the lighting it is a style designed to minimize wrinkles and make someone look softer. it is very similar to a standard fashion photography lighting system known as butterfly, which is used almost exclusively on women. It tends to make people look younger and more submissive. Again, perfect for japanese teen girls.

these things could actually sell rather well.

[nicleT @ Jul 14th 2007 10:31AM]

Is it possible to place a camera behind a little display? Because this is what is all about.

[Electromodo @ Jul 14th 2007 12:22PM]

Guys, actually, this device utilizes the way professional video is filmed.

1. Ring light around camera lenses is a usual piece of professional video equipment.

2. Camera behind the mirror (or prompt screen) is used in TV studios and is called a prompter, so you can read text and look directly at camera lenses. Here, you can look at your face.

Which is good, since all web-cameras will not show your party looking directly at you, because he will be looking at the monitor to see you.

So this thing is really made with a piece of mind. :)

[Electromodo @ Jul 14th 2007 12:23PM]

Sorry, forgot to mention the biggest drawback: you can not see your party when looking at the mirror. It should be a small screen instead (as nicleT mentioned). :)

[kaminix @ Jul 14th 2007 1:47PM]

I'm getting one for my sister for Christmas :D

[Yubal @ Jul 14th 2007 4:27PM]

I like the efect on the pupils... the leds reflected there and all

[Rico Suave @ Jul 14th 2007 10:36PM]

If I'm not mistaken, thats a MacBook which already has a webcam and you can get widgets that act like mirror. That MacBook however is running a copy of Vista (look at the gadgets). I wonder how the fabric of this universe is still holding together.....

[REDbULL Runner @ Jul 15th 2007 5:14AM]

Hmm, its a mirror, but its also a webcam... think of the possibilities the geeksquad could have now. no more leaving expensive cellphones in the bathroom to record people.