Asus lets loose business card-reading AF-200, MF-200 webcams

Our pals at Engadget Chinese first caught sight of these webcams way back at Computex earlier this year, but it looks like Asus' AF-200 and MF-200 cams are just now rolling out, at least in some parts of the world (exactly where isn't clear). Not surprisingly, there's not a whole lot that's changed since we last saw 'em, with each model boasting a 2 megapixel resolution, face-tracking, and a business card holder that'll let you line things up just right to take advantage of Asus' business card recognition software. The only difference between the two, it seems, is added auto focus on the AF-200 model. Still no word on a price for either one, unfortunately, but we'd expect to see these popping up for sale before too long.

[Thanks, Michele]

[parr @ Dec 18th 2007 5:53PM]

wow. no one has a witty comment or snide remark?

i'm amazed.

[Charlie Calhoun @ Dec 18th 2007 6:42PM]

"Dude, you have to wait." - Mitch Hedberg

[Sean Todd @ Dec 18th 2007 5:55PM]

I'm amazed that this thing can read business cards from the behind. Does it have x-ray vision?

[BigD145 @ Dec 18th 2007 6:21PM]

Number one, the card is backwards. Number two, scanner.

[AlexL @ Dec 18th 2007 6:42PM]

Because it's much more convenient to carry a scanner with your laptop to set up portable videoconferences with business associates identified by business cards.

[Ellianth @ Dec 18th 2007 10:03PM]

Business card recognition software? WTF? is it that hard to type out the contents of your business card in an im? Sheesh!

[steve @ Dec 18th 2007 6:40PM]

I'd like to be the first to ask why anyone would want their webcam to recognize a business card. I mean, what practical value could that possibly have?

[AlexL @ Dec 18th 2007 6:44PM]

The convenience of one device that does both tasks. Webcams and business card readers are both commonly used business devices. It's nice to have both functions in the same device, especially when you want to shave down bulk for a traveling solution.

[johnzilla @ Dec 18th 2007 8:07PM]

I can think of one...hold the business card in front of the webcam and a video conference is automatically started with that person, assuming they're online. One step better...if they're not online, you leave a video message for them that they can pick up later.

[austin @ Dec 18th 2007 7:27PM]

the af model has auto focus?
af, huh, whooda thunk it?

[russ @ Dec 19th 2007 5:00AM]

My cell phone does this..it really makes more sense on a mobile phone where typing in all the data might take a longer time.

[David @ Dec 19th 2007 6:32AM]

Better way to do it is to generate a QR or datamatrix code and print it on the card , scaning the code with a mobile phone with the code reader ( almost any phone today with a camera will accept the reader) will put the card details inside you mobile Outlook or other program and sinc with your desktop.

[DAZA @ Dec 19th 2007 9:25AM]

The Mio C720 GPS has similar functionality. With its inbuilt camera it can take a photo of a business card and scan it for location information. Obviously once it has worked out a name and an address it will store this in its database and you will be able to get directions to the location of said location by clicking on it through the menu. I think you can even make calls to phone number(s) on the business card using the inbuilt Bluetooth. Quite a practical idea if you ask me =)

[ClarkVent @ Dec 22nd 2007 6:29PM]

Businesscard, Schmusinesscard...

We need a 20x optical zoom PTZ pinhole camera!