PC World reports on two new two videoconferencing webcams from Microsoft, the LifeCam VX-6000 and the LifeCam VX-3000. One of the tools provided by the bundled software that comes with the cameras is a photoblogging tool that intantly posts a Webcam photo of the individual in a MSN Spaces blog.
The Webcams come bundled with LifeCam Dashboard software, which lets the user zoom, tilt, and pan the Webcam. An optional software service called "One-Touch Blogging" automatically publishes pictures free to the user's blog on Microsoft's MSN Spaces. After the LifeCam snaps a picture, the software automatically logs a user in to MSN Spaces and posts the picture as a new blog entry, Cowan said. Users can add text to the photo blog entry before publishing it.
Both Webcams have integrated microphones with a noise-cancellation feature, Cowan said. When a user speaks into the microphone, the Webcam creates a sound funnel that automatically cuts down on echo and room noise, Cowan said.
The $100 LifeCam VX-6000 is aimed at tech-savvy users looking for a feature-rich Webcam that offers robust performance, Cowan said. The round Webcam has a 71-degree wide-angle lens and shoots video at a 1280-by-1024 pixel resolution.
The $50 LifeCam VX-3000 shoots video at 640-by-480-pixel resolution and is designed for budget-conscious buyers. It doesn't have a wide-angle lens.
It is an interesting development that probably means there will
be many more tie-ins between gadget manufacturers and social networks to come.
PC World 
