Technabob » skype

HP HD 5210 Webcam Lets You Skype in Hi-Def: Is That a Good Thing or a Bad Thing?

Range — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:45:09 +0000

I’m always annoyed at the low resolution I have on my integrated webcam, so it makes sense to get something with a more pixels. HP’s HD 5210 will allow you to Skype in HD, which can be good or bad, depending on how you’re looking that day. Actually, it’s probably all good for most of us.

The HP HD 5210 allows 720p video streaming and recording in full 1080p (which is cool for shooting HD YouTube videos). There’s an auto-focus lens and HP’s TrueVision auto light exposure to help with the overall look of your video. The software also allows you for one-click uploads to Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Flickr.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The camera swivel mount will allow it to pan 270 degrees. There are two noise-cancelling stereo microphones included. It can also take still photos with a 13MP sensor, and has a 5× digital zoom. The HP HD 5210 Webcam costs $99 (USD) and will be released September 21st.

[via Ubergizmo]

Stype Typewriter: Chat on Skype With Walternate

Lambert Varias — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:22:14 +0000

In the sci-fi TV series Fringe, there’s a typewriter that some of the characters use to communicate with a parallel Earth, where the typewriter’s equivalent exists. Whatever is typed into the typewriter in one world gets typed into the typewriter in the other world and vice-versa. Daniel Huhndt may not have a contact in a parallel world, but his Stype typewriter crosses worlds as well – the analog and the digital.

With the help of “some solenoids, relays, pushbuttons, some parts of a cheap keyboard, an arduino mega and a mac mini” , the typewriter can be used to send messages online. Whatever is typed into the paper gets sent, and the replies are automatically typed into the paper, archiving the conversation in the process. Whether our daily conversations are worth documenting is another matter.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Daniel planned on using the Stype to chat on Skype – hence the name – but in the demo video above the user is chatting with ELIZA, an early proto-chatbot. I wonder how you’ll send links, pics and videos on Stype.

[via WeWasteTime & Engadget]

Skype Android App Finally Gets Video Calls

Shane McGlaun — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 17:40:43 +0000

The Android versus iPhone fanboy battle is almost as bad as the Mac versus PC war. There are few things in the world for an Android lover worse than not having a cool app or feature that iOS devices get. One of those features that Android lovers have been lacking is video calls through Skype. The iPhone has been able to make Skype video calls for a while.

Today, Skype announced that it was finally giving Android fans the ability to make video calls using the latest version of the Skype app. The app is on the Android Market right now. In addition to the video calls, the user can still make and receive calls from everywhere. That now includes video calls to and from iPhone, TV and computer users. The video mode supports both front-facing and rear-facing cameras as well.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The app also allows the user to send SMS messages to anyone in the world at Skype rates. This is cool and the only downside is the video calling only supports a few phones right now. The supported devices include the HTC Desire S, Sony Ericsson Xperia neo, Sony Ericsson Xperia pro and the Google Nexus S. You can grab the latest version of the Skype app at the Android Market now.

Vintage Facebook, Skype, and Youtube Posters

Range — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 18:52:08 +0000

Imagine what it would have been like for your grandparents to have Facebook, YouTube, and Skype in their lifetime. It might have gone something like this.

These great fake vintage posters were created by Rodolfo Sampaio and Marco Martins of Brazil’s Moma Propaganda agency for something called the MaxiMidia Seminars.

[Ads of the World via Ufunk]

R2-D2 Webcam to Drive Star Wars Fanboys Crazy

Technabob — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 18:07:15 +0000

Everyone’s favorite little trash-can droid can now be a regular occupant of your home or office, thanks to the new R2-D2 webcam.

The little guy is a pretty accurate replica of the famous droid, complete with authentic movie sound effects. But what’s really cool about it is that it’s actually motorized and has Wi-fi connectivity, so you can drive the little guy from anywhere in the world and spy on unsuspecting passersby remotely. It’s even got a special sensor to prevent your R2 unit from falling off tables or ledges.

Speaking of remotes, the one that comes with it looks like a lightsaber, letting you drive the droid around and snap pictures, videos and audio on-demand. As an added bonus, the remote also functions as a Skype phone handset, so it’s actually useful in addition to being fun.

Available from Hammacher Schlemmer, it’s a bit pricey at $349.95, but if you’re looking for a holiday gift for that Star Wars geek in your life, this could be it.

Sony Vn-Cx1a: Mouse Skype Phone Combo

Technabob — Mon, 28 May 2007 04:36:02 +0000

Sony Japan recently released a new USB mouse with a unique twist. Simply pick up the mouse from your desktop, and it flips open to become a Skype telephone handset.

The Sony VN-CX1A telephone mouse is a fully-functional optical mouse which works with all Windows PCs. Pick it up, and open it and it transforms into a VOIP phone for use with Skype. When propped open on the desktop, it becomes a speaker phone. The mouse comes in black, silver and blue colors which match most of Sony’s VAIO PCs.

It’s available now from Sony Style Japan for ¥7980 (appx. $65 USD.) No release date has been announced for other countries.

Linksys Beats Apple to Punch With iPhone

Technabob — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 19:11:07 +0000

In what seems like a cruel joke, the rumors that an “iPhone” would be announced today were true…. except the iPhone isn’t an Apple device at all, rather a line of rather pedestrian VOIP phone products coming from Linksys.

The Linksys iPhone series will include several Skype-compatible Internet phones, including both wired and wireless versions. The iPhone product family includes products like the Wireless-G IP Phone (WIP330) which lets you access music, photos, and streaming video from sources on the Internet in addition to making phone calls.
The full series of products includes:

iPhone Cordless Internet Telephony Kit
(CIT200): $79.99
iPhone Dual-Mode Internet Telephony Kit
(CIT300): $99.99
iPhone Dual-Mode Cordless Phone for Yahoo! Messenger with Voice (CIT310): $99.99
iPhone Dual-Mode Internet Telephony Kit for Skype
(CIT400): $179.99
iPhone Wireless-G IP Phone
(WIP300): $219.99
iPhone Wireless-G Phone for Skype
(WIP320): $199.99
iPhone Wireless-G IP Phone
(WIP330): $369.99

Apple fanboys, you may now resume your speculation on Apple’s telecom plans.

[via Gizmodo]

Kensington Releases Skype USB Speakerphone

Technabob — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 21:36:56 +0000

The new Kensington Vo300 USB Internet Speakerphone allows you to make Skype VOIP phone calls from your desktop using the familiar interface of a regular desktop speakerphone.

The phone features a standard telephone keypad and volume controls, as well as an integrated LCD that lets you control Skype without looking at your computer screen at all. It even has a voicemail indicator light to let you know when you have messages. If you don’t want to make a speakerphone call, you can also connect a standard headset. Priced at $89.99 USD, it’s available now.

[via CrunchGear ]

New Sony “Mylo” Wifi Media Player – Should We Care?

Technabob — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 05:26:17 +0000

The new Sony “Mylo” media player supports MPEG-4 video, audio and photos. It also has a built-in wireless connection that supports wireless music streaming to other mylo players and it works as a wireless Skype phone. The mini keyboard should be handy for browsing the web with the integrated Opera browser and for instant messaging.

The device has 1GB of flash RAM and a 320×240 color screen. Retail price is $350, and it’ll hit the streets in September.

I’m not sure how much this device really has that the PSP doesn’t, other than the inability to play games, a smaller screen, and $150 higher price tag. I also find it odd that Sony is recycling the name of its own product for this one. Back in 2001, they released a wireless service known as “Mylo” for the Clie. Did they run out of names?

Gizmodo has posted a video review here.

[via Gizmodo]