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Logitech's Brio 300 HD webcams offer auto light correction and noise reduction for $70
Logitech has unveiled a colorful, budget-oriented line of 1080p webcams, the $70 (£75) Brio 300 series.
Apple will let you use iPhones for video chats on Mac (because its webcams stink)
iPhone users are walking around with great cameras in their pockets, so why not use that with their Macs?
The best webcams
By Andrew Cunningham and Kimber Streams This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. After researching 19 top webcams and testing six, we think that if you need a webcam for video calls, streaming, or recording, you should get the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920. It takes better pictures and video than any of the other models we tested, beating even newer and more expensive models. It has sharp, 1080p video at 30 frames per second with fast autofocus and quick, accurate auto white balance; it's simple to install and use; and at around $60 it doesn't cost much more than lesser budget webcams.
Razer's 'Stargazer' webcam is built for streaming
Razer announced a new feature-laden webcam geared specifically for gamers and streamers, rather than business conference calls, on Monday. Dubbed the Stargazer, this webcam is built on Intel's RealSense SR300 imaging sensors and offers 720p resolution at 60fps which matches the frame rate of modern video games. It can also handle 1080p at 30 fps if you do want to use it for conventional video conferences. What's more, the camera boasts an automatic noise cancelling dual array mic so your PewDiePie impressions aren't drowned out by ambient sounds.
WorldRelay Tuner lets you create your own micro-channel on iOS
WorldRelay Tuner (free) is a fascinating variation on the many radio tuner apps available. This app gives you audio and video streams, lets you save favorites, and watch or listen to what you want. It also includes live streaming cameras from a variety of spots around the globe. I set up destinations that interested me; some Art House classic films, several jazz stations, and a handful of streaming cameras from a few tourist spots. You can set up a favorites list, which I did, or browse by subject or location. WorldRelay Tuner worked well, and I did discover some media worth sampling and returning to. Although there are several dozen audio and video destinations, I'd love to see a lot more, and I expect the developer to add more over time. The app supports AirPlay, and works on any iOS device as it is universal. The experience reminds me of my youth, playing with a shortwave radio that was used by some of my older relatives. I'd stay up late scanning the airwaves for different stations, hearing the news or music from all over the world. Internet radio does that now, and just about every station is on the Web. WorldRelay Tuner takes it another step forward with video for movies, video podcasts and streaming cameras, but still retains lots of music, news and talk stations. WorldRelay Tuner requires iOS 7 or later. It's optimized for the iPhone 5, but runs fine on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.
Popular iCam app gets a big brother with a lot more features
I've really enjoyed using the iCam app (US$4.99) over the years. It lets me remotely view the webcams in my house, helping me keep track of my parrot and make sure no one is breaking in. The old iCam is still for sale, but it now has a sibling in the form of iCam Pro (free, but a subscription will most likely be needed). It adds a lot of features, like support for wide aspect ratio cameras, improved quality and frame rate, and sound detection and recording, as well as auto network detection for setting it up. You can automatically start a recording on the detection of motion or sound, or start recording manually. The iOS iCam Pro app is universal. The downside is that you need to have a monthly or lifetime subscription if you want to access the cameras away from your own network. The prices aren't that steep; $0.99 a month or $9.99 for a lifetime subscription, which seems the better deal. As with the original iCam, you need to have server software running on your Mac or Windows home computer. That software, called iCamSourcePro, is free. The developers have a handy chart that compares iCam to iCam Pro. In my experience, the iCam and iCamPro software can connect to almost any webcam. I can easily see my D-Link and Linksys wireless webcams, and also get a connection to the Logitech webcam attached to my desktop Mac. It's also possible to connect to built-in webcams on Windows and Mac computers. Support from the iCam people has always been quick and helpful for those needing it. I'm happy to report that the non-subscription iCam app will not be killed off for those wanting to keep using what they have. This new iCam Pro app is very full-featured and works as advertised. It requires iOS 7 or later, and the iCamSource Pro software needs to run on Windows 7 or later or Mac OS X 10.7 or later.
Webcam Iceland provides a nice tour of a place few of us will ever see
Iceland has always been on my list of places I simply must go to. The spectacular scenery (prominent in some recent films like Oblivion and Prometheus) is something I would like to capture with my own DSLR. The food, the culture, and the history are all very attractive, so I jumped at the chance to get a look at Webcam Iceland, (US$0.99) even though I usually don't review webcam apps. I'm glad I tried it out. There are the usual traffic cameras, but also there are dozens of live views of Iceland, cities and spectacular wilderness. Some of the views are live with motion, others are just constantly updating snapshots. It's an interesting time to get a look at Iceland. Due to its northerly location, summer days are long -- about 20 hours long at this time of year. When you open the app, you get a choice of webcams or traffic cams. Next, you select the quadrant of the country you are interested in, and then a specific location. The view are great, and even though it is summer some views show snowcapped mountains. The app worked well, and the 103 cameras offered certainly cover interesting things to see. My only suggestion is the app should let you move from location to location with a swipe, rather than have to return to the list of locations each time. Webcam Iceland requires iOS 7.0 or later. It's not a universal app, and it is optimized for the iPhone 5. It's just the app to view in our long hot summer here in the U.S. If the app ignites your interest in Iceland, give the $2.99 Iceland Explorer Guide app a try. It's quite detailed, with great photos, maps and a Hot Spring Guide.
Logitech's $180 WiFi webcam gets outed, targeted for the Mac
That mysterious Logitech WiFi webcam we spotted on the FCC in July might have finally been outed, thanks to a tip sent to Zatz Not Funny. This Logitech Wireless Webcam for the Mac listed on B&H certainly fits the bill, as it touts both wireless capabilities and apparently a rechargeable battery. There also looks to be an interesting status indicator on the top. Seeing as most Macs already come with a pretty decent front-facing camera, we're assuming the Logitech offers higher quality video (1080p perhaps?) and greater flexibility for broadcasting or recording to the cloud. The B&H Photo listing doesn't exactly provide many details, but it does reveal a $180 price tag. We'll be sure to keep an eye on this when it gets official.
HP unveils first NFC-enabled mouse, various other PC accessories
In addition to unveiling all those laptops, HP just announced a boatload of peripherals. Of the bunch, the most compelling might be the NFC-enabled Touch to Pair Mouse, which, as the name suggests, can be paired with another device simply through tapping. (Good thing lots of computers currently have NFC, right?) If, by chance, you don't have NFC on your laptop -- and you probably don't -- the mouse will function just fine as a regular old Bluetooth device. Look for it in November for $39. Elsewhere on the wireless mouse front, HP announced the X6000 (pictured), which has four-way tilt scrolling and can be used on most surfaces, including glass. That arrives this month for $59. Finally, if your tastes are a bit simpler, there's also the Wireless Mouse X4500 and X5500, which will be available this month for $29 and $39, respectively. Beyond mice, HP also trotted out the $29 Wireless Classic Desktop keyboard, along with the $49 Wireless Elite v2. For audio lovers, there's the HP Portable Bluetooth Speaker, which will go on sale next month for a cool $79. Eighty bucks (or thereabouts) will also get you a 90W universal power adapter that claims to be compatible with most notebooks. It also has a built-in USB port, allowing you to charge a mobile device at the same time. Rounding out the list is the Webcam HD 4310, a $69 $89 shooter capable of 1080p video, autofocus, autoexposure and three-way video calling. All that in more digestible form in the PR after the break.
Sony takes SOEmote live for EverQuest II, lets gamers show their true CG selves (video)
We had a fun time trying Sony's SOEmote expression capture tech at E3; now everyone can try it. As of today, most EverQuest II players with a webcam can map their facial behavior to their virtual personas while they play, whether it's to catch the nuances of conversation or drive home an exaggerated game face. Voice masking also lets RPG fans stay as much in (or out of) character as they'd like. About the only question left for those willing to brave the uncanny valley is when other games will get the SOEmote treatment. Catch our video look after the break if you need a refresher.
Microsoft no fan of existing WebRTC standard, proposes its own to get Skype onboard
Microsoft, objecting to a web standard promoted by its competitors? Get out. While Firefox, Opera and now Chrome have implemented WebRTC on some level for plugin-free VoIP and webcam chats, Microsoft doesn't think the existing, proposed standard is up to snuff for linking with existing devices or obeying "key web tenets." It's suggesting a new CU-RTC-Web standard to fix what it claims is broken with WebRTC. Thankfully, the changes are more technical improvements than political maneuvering: Microsoft wants a peer-to-peer transport level that gives more control as well as to reduce some of the requirements that it sees holding the technology back as of today. There's no doubt an economic incentive for a company that wants to push Skype in the browser, but the format is already in front of the W3C and could become a real cross-platform standard. If other W3C members are willing to (slightly) reinvent the wheel, Microsoft's approach could get Chrome and Internet Explorer users talking -- no, really talking.
Google Chrome 21 stable release adds Retina MacBook Pro support, webcam use without plugins
Some Retina MacBook Pro owners have been waiting for this day for six weeks: that promised Retina support in Google Chrome is now part of a finished, stable release. Chrome 21 is now crisp and clear for those who took the plunge on Apple's new laptop but would rather not cling to Safari for the web. No matter what hardware you're using, Google has rolled in its promised WebRTC support to let webcams and microphones have their way without Flash or other plugins. Other notable tweaks like wider support for Cloud Print and gamepads tag along in the update as well. If you're at all intrigued by the expanded hardware support in Chrome, Google has an abundance of details (and downloads) at the links below.
Mystery WiFi Logitech webcam diagram appears, lacks role-reversing hardware photos
Logitech's collection of subtle HD webcams launched a few months ago, but an unannounced WiFi-connected camera has appeared at the FCC. Labelled up as the Logitech Broadcaster, a little bit of investigation reveals that the camera may be able to function unencumbered by cabling, similar to Livestream's identically-named Broadcaster add-on or the ill-fated FlipLive cams. Connected through WiFi -- thus explaining its appearance at the FCC -- we still don't know specifics on how it'll be powered, whether it's through a self-contained battery or otherwise. Until then, emissions and wavelength obsessives can direct themselves to the source for the science.
Logitech's business webcam is an eye on a stalk, and it's pointin' at you
Resembling a surveillance unit from a sinister dystopia, Logitech's newest webcam is strictly for the corporate environment only. The BCC950 Conference Cam holds a Carl Zeiss-lensed HD webcam atop a motorized stalk that can pan across 180 degrees. The camera itself has a 78 degree field of view, ending the era of huddling around a laptop. Its full-duplex speakerphone has a range of eight feet and will also happily let you Skype from the middle of a crowded bullpen. It'll be exclusively available to suited-and-booted customers at a cost of $250 (£200 in the UK) from May -- perhaps a tad too expensive to wheel around your office trying to catch someone napping at their desk.
Biscotti TV Phone goes on sale today for $199, assumes everyone you know uses Google Talk
Feel the need to video chat in higher resolution? Or maybe just take a break from the PC while you talk to your long-distance girlfriend you met at Comic Con? Well, we just got word that Biscotti, that TV phone we demoed last week, is on sale in the US and Canada for a princely $199. To recap, it's a camera that sits discreetly atop your TV and is, indeed, about as small and lightweight as that crunchy Italian cookie. The idea is pretty simple: it plugs into both your TV and set-top box, and makes free calls to other Biscotti owners, along with anyone using Google Talk. After our brief demo we were impressed enough with the easy setup and simple menus that layer on top of whatever you're watching, but then again, we were unaware of the price. So, is two hundred bucks worth a lifetime of seeing grandma in 1080p? That, friends, is a decision you'll have to make for yourself. %Gallery-139204%
Daily iPad App: Pocket Zoo HD
Parents and educators looking for a fun way to teach the young ones about zoo animals -- and have a bit of fun in the process -- now have an iPad app that fits both criteria. Pocket Zoo HD (US$3.99) gives kids of all ages a chance to learn more about some of the animals they might find in zoos (or the wild) and even see the creatures in real time through embedded webcam video. Launching Pocket Zoo HD takes you to a "zoo map" that looks remarkably similar to one of those that you'd find at a top-tier location like the San Diego Zoo. It has the animals grouped by biome on the map -- Australian critters like the platypus and Tasmanian devil occupy one area, sea creatures are in an "aquarium" in the center of the map, and so on. Tapping on the image of an animal displays informative text about the animal under a detailed photo, and tapping on the photo plays a high-quality recording of a sound that the animal makes. %Gallery-131036% In many cases, there are short videos associated with the animal as well. These videos are all from YouTube, so in some cases the soundtrack can be a bit annoying, but it's fun to see zoo animals in action as seen by the video cameras or smartphones of people at the zoo. The best feature, though, is new -- the ability to watch many of the animals in real time through zoo webcams. Not every animal has a webcam feed, and for those who do, the feed can be shut down from time to time to give the animal some "private time." While the animals are online, it's a lot of fun to watch their behavior in action. The live cams feature a camera button for taking stills of what's going on, as well as email and Twitter buttons for sharing the action with friends. Pocket Zoo HD is a perfect example of an app that can be both fun and educational, and the addition of the webcam feeds makes it even more of an enticing way for anyone to learn more about the animals we share the planet with. The developer, Tiny Hearts, also donates 1% of all proceeds to animal conservation, so you can help preserve wildlife while enjoying the app.
Man watches his home being burglarized via his iPhone
The AP is reporting the story of a Dallas man who went out of town to visit relatives 1400 miles away in Hartford, Conn. While he was there, he got an alert from his iCam app, which was running on his iPhone, that motion had been detected in his house. It turned out to be two intruders that were trying to get in; they eventually threw a brick through a glass door to gain access. He called 911, and the next motion alert he received was the arrival of police officers with guns drawn. It isn't clear from the story if the burglars got away with any loot, but iCam certainly did work, and it relayed the important message to the owner of the house. We've reviewed iCam before. I use it to keep an eye on the house and pets when I'm away, and for the cost of US $4.99 (plus the money for a couple of webcams), it really is a great low-cost security system. The software can be set to take a rapid series of still photos when motion is detected, so the police should get some shots of the burglars, which will help make a case when and if they nab them. [via the Dallas Morning News]
No criminal charges in Pennsylvania MacBook spying probe
The Associated Press is reporting that a federal investigation into the possible misuse of webcams on Apple laptops did not find criminal intent. The investigation was at a suburban Philadelphia school district that used special software that wound up covertly snapping images of students who were at home with their school provided MacBooks. The FBI opened the investigation to see if there were violations of federal wiretap statutes or privacy invasions. The school has said the security software had been purchased to track laptops that had been reported stolen, but one student, Blake Robbins, claimed he had been photographed more than 400 times during a two week period on a laptop that had not been reported to be stolen. The dropping of the federal probe does not have any bearing on a civil lawsuit against the Lower Merion School District. Another student has also joined that legal action. The school district issued 2,300 MacBook computers and installed software from LanRev to track stolen laptops. Parents and students were not notified the software was on the laptops. The civil suits allege that students' text messages were intercepted, and they were photographed while sleeping or only partially dressed. The school has since deactivated the anti-theft software.
First look: free WunderMap weather app for iPad
I've always been a bit of a sucker for the Weather Underground "Who Is Hot?" and Wunder Radio iPhone apps, as well as their website, so I was anxiously awaiting word of when they'd announce something for the iPad. I didn't have to wait long, as the company has announced that their free WunderMap has been approved by Apple and will be available soon. According to a company spokesman, they also submitted a version of WunderRadio for iPad that was rejected by Apple -- it ran on the iPad simulator, but not on the actual device. They've resubmitted, and we can only hope that that great radio app receives approval before Saturday. What is WunderMap? It's an amazing interactive weather map that uses Weather Underground's 16,000+ weather stations as well as radar and satellite layers to bring you weather information in a totally new way. You can start by looking at current conditions at any of the Weather Underground sites, with information including temperature, dew point, humidity, precipitation, wind speed, wind direction, and barometric pressure. Or course, most people want to know what the weather is going to be like in the future, so WunderMap provides 4-day forecasts for the center location in the current view of the map.
Remote webcam activation now disabled in software that led to controversy at Pennsylvania school
The suburban Philadelphia school being investigated for spying on students using MacBook laptops will lose the ability to turn on the built-in cameras remotely when they update their security software. Absolute Software, new owners of the LANrev remote administration suite (formerly owned and developed by Pole Position GmbH), say they are going to remove the webcam remote activation feature from the software this week. In a note to customers today, the company said: "We know that webcam pictures are an ineffective tool in tracking down the location of a stolen computer. Taking pictures of lawful computer users without their permission, and without law enforcement involvement, is contrary to Absolute's policies and is inconsistent with our existing, more effective product offering." "Based on recent events, we have received many inquiries about TheftTrack from customers who are concerned and who want to ensure their organizations are not involved in a similar incident." As a result, the webcam feature is being removed in all updated versions of the software as of tomorrow. Current customers still have the feature, but they are being advised by the company to get the latest update. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that two I.T. employees of the Lower Merion School District have been placed on leave while an investigation continues. The incident received national attention when the parents of a Harriton High School sophomore filed a federal lawsuit on February 16, alleging that school officials were activating the iSight cameras built into MacBook computers while students were using the computers at home. The school has said the cameras were only turned on to locate stolen laptops, but several students said they saw the green camera light come on several times on computers that had not been reported stolen. Federal Agents are also investigating, and have asked the school for all records relating to the incident. The school says it has stopped using the software for accessing the webcams remotely. Over the last two years, the district has provided MacBooks to all 2,300 high school students.
