Honestly, from this distance it’s hard to tell what’s going on, but 9 to 5 Mac says we’re looking at a next-gen camera-equipped iPad fielded specifically to test video calls. As you may recall, iPhone software surfaced with a very similar menu just weeks before the iPhone 4 came out, which either means someone was inspired to create a clever ’shop, or that we just got our first real glimpse at iProd 4,1. Oh, and Mr. Extreme Closeup? He’s our friend Blurrycam’s old college roommate, didn’t you know?

Mr. Extreme Closeup suggests next-gen iPad is testing FaceTime… right now originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 20:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

Perhaps the most-predicted announcement from Apple’s September 1 press event is the addition of two cameras to the iPod touch. Long before Apple revealed its FaceTime videoconferencing software with the iPhone 4, various disassemblers notice that there seemed to be a place left open for a camera in the last iPod touch, despite Apple’s claim that the product didn’t “need more stuff.” Nonetheless, few could deny the usefulness of such an add-on, particularly when paired with the iPod touch’s relatively generous internal memory capacity.

Now, though, adding image and video capture to the touch makes even more sense. Apple’s FaceTime video chat software is Wi-Fi-only, and while 3G support would certainly make It more useful on the go, imbuing the iPod touch with the ability to make video calls greatly expands Apple’s addressable market with FaceTime, brings the touch into a whole new category and possibly make it the first affordable, carrier-independent mass market videophone.

Continue reading Switched on: FaceTime prepares for prime time

Switched on: FaceTime prepares for prime time originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The early days of VOIP calling required a lot of patience, as the half-second or more delay between you speaking and your conversation partner receiving often turned the convo into a start and stop mess. Those days are gone for voice, but we’re right back there again when it comes to HD video calls. However, random product researcher Fraunhofer is working on a new device to kill the lag and speed up your two-way monologues. It’s basically an encoder card able to do hardware squashing of HD video via H.264 and audio via AAC, not unlike the sort of tech Skype requires for its SkypeHD-compatible video cameras. Fraunhofer’s tech is also said to remove boomy room echoes and even handle network hiccups to keep you streamin’ in style. The result is said to be sub-100ms lag, which would be more or less playable for a shooter. Expect more on this development soon from IFA.

Continue reading Fraunhofer working to make HD video conferencing a little less laggy

Fraunhofer working to make HD video conferencing a little less laggy originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Head-mounted display controls video camera, keeps you painfully single

Head-mounted display controls video camera, keeps you painfully single originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A rambling Computerworld report from Cisco’s Live! event is bringing us news of even more goodies, beyond the business and home tablets already revealed. In an interview with Marthin De Beer, Senior VP of Cisco’s Emerging Technologies Group, De Beer strongly hints at a WiFi enabled Flip Video camera by the end of 2010. While he didn’t say it in so many words, he did say, “We didn’t buy Flip to have it be only a video recorder,” adding, “I look forward to Christmas,” when asked about a possible timeline. That seems clear enough.

The conversation then gets muddied when De Beer begins discussing video as a “pervasive play” for Cisco, something that will “ultimately span across everything we do.” And in a bid to interoperate with all devices, including Apple’s new handset and certainly future iOS devices, De Beer said, “We would absolutely love to integrate with FaceTime.” When, is the question left unanswered. Until then Cisco plans to introduce a mobile Movi iPhone app to the App Store that ties back into Cisco’s Tandberg SIP-based video conferencing solution. Now, maybe it’s a stretch, but with Cisco slowly creeping into the consumer space, it’s hard not to take away a sense that it will be introducing software and devices interoperable with its Silicon Valley neighbor’s FaceTime solution in the not too distant future. Hit the source to read the interview in full.

Cisco suggests WiFi Flip Video camera by Christmas, wants to integrate products with Apple’s FaceTime originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 05:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cisco’s just announced a business-aimed Android tablet, and it’s calling it the Cius. The tablet will offer HD video streaming, real-time video, multi-party conferencing, plus all the regular tablet functions like messaging, email, and browsing. We’re not sure about the size of the device yet, or any of it technical specs, but we do know that it’s going to weigh in at 1.15lbs, so it can’t be terrifically large. There’s also no word yet on pricing or availability yet either but we’ll let you know as soon as we do, okay, businessmen? Full press release is below.

Continue reading Cisco unveils Cius Android tablet with HD video capabilities

Cisco unveils Cius Android tablet with HD video capabilities originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ever since HP CEO Mark Hurd said he wasn’t interested in smartphones, it’s like the company’s been making up for lost time — first by denying the exec’s predilections, and more recently by actually asking us to speculate wildly. Now Palm’s Developer Relations team has reportedly stepped in to confirm that speculation, telling devs that future devices and a new version of webOS are on the way. While there’s no knowing if those devices are smartphones or when we might see them, we’re told to expect a “very exciting” next year.

Palm confirms new devices, webOS upgrade originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 02:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’ve talked about the desktop. Think mobile. Think about your phone. HP just acquired Palm. Think about how many legs something like this has. Feel free to speculate.

Of course, there isn’t much more than speculation about those possible mobile applications at the moment, with the official press release on the partnership (after the break) only confirming that that one of the first uses of Vidyo’s technology will be an “executive desktop solution” running on an HP TouchSmart PC. Still, as the man says, feel free to speculate.

Continue reading HP partners with video conferencing firm Vidyo, drops hints at mobile applications

HP partners with video conferencing firm Vidyo, drops hints at mobile applications originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remember how we said Qik was going to rock your world (and your credit card) with its premium-tier offerings for the Evo 4G? Well, as promised, June 4 is here and we now know exactly what you’ll be getting for your extra $5 a month. The full table of goodies is after the break, but highlights include video conferencing at resolutions greater than 640 x 480, unlimited archiving of video, the ability to send video mail, and of course “priority support” should you have a problem handling the Qikening. The updated version of the app, demonstrated in a video below, is available today for the Evo 4G and users can get a taste of those sweet, exclusive features for free until July 15. After that, it’s time to pay up or take the trip back to VGA Chatsville. Don’t have an Evo? There’s also a new version of Qik in the Market for lesser Android smartphones, but video chat is still not on offer.

Continue reading Qik details its premium service tier, free until July 15 (video)

Qik details its premium service tier, free until July 15 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Jun 2010 07:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’ve always been suckers for Minority Report tech, and Microsoft Research’s latest attempt is not to be missed. Thought pinch-to-zoom was quaint? Try pinching the sky in this geodesic dome. Though the cardboard-and-paper-clip structure isn’t all that (unless you’re the arts and crafts type), the inside houses a projectiondesign DLP unit with a custom infrared camera system that can turn simple hand gestures into virtual interstellar travel, 360-degree video teleconferencing and more. You’ll find a pair of videos demonstrating the concept after the break, but try not to get too attached — if you’re anything like us, your poor heart can’t handle another Courier axing.

Continue reading Microsoft Research toys with the cosmos… using forefinger and thumb (video)

Microsoft Research toys with the cosmos… using forefinger and thumb (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 May 2010 10:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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