Two New LifeCams feature Microsoft Hardware’s Latest Technology and 720p HD Sensors Stephen Fung March 16, 2010 Press Release TORONTO, ON - March 16, 2010 - Microsoft Canada today brightens your video calls with TrueColour Technology, a groundbreaking new image processing technology that provides superior color and brightness in even the worst lighting conditions. TrueColour Technology automatically adjusts the picture quality to provide a more colourful video whether out on the porch with bright sunshine in the morning or in the living room with low light in the evening. This technology will be available in two new webcams launching today, the LifeCam HD-5000 and LifeCam HD-6000 for Notebooks. These LifeCams will also feature 720p HD sensors and Auto Focus technology at a value price. In addition, TrueColour will be available with the recently launched LifeCam Cinema through a software update. “Color quality and brightness are critical aspects of video calls. Through our research we know that a large number of video calls are held in either low light conditions or uneven lighting, which are challenging situations for any webcam and represent a common pain point for webcam users,” said Charles Chang, Product Manager for Microsoft Hardware. “Our engineers at Microsoft Hardware created TrueColour Technology to improve the video experience, combining software and firmware to help people look bright and natural in virtually any lighting situation.” True Colors Shining Through Microsoft’s new image processing technology analyzes the user’s environment and automatically adjusts the LifeCam settings to provide brighter and more colourful video. It does this through a carefully designed proprietary combination of software and firmware technology to deliver a great experience. To achieve these results, TrueColour Technology includes face tracking technology developed by Microsoft Research, which can detect a person’s face and help ensure it’s not overexposed or underexposed, so the video call picture looks great even in the most challenging lighting scenarios. LifeCam HD-5000 Launching with Microsoft’s new TrueColour Technology, the LifeCam HD-5000 offers best-in-class video quality in most lighting scenarios and is the only webcam on the market to offer 720p HD widescreen video and Auto Focus for an estimated retail price under $60.1 The LifeCam HD-5000 also features a flexible attachment base that bends to fit on most surfaces, including on top of flat-screen monitors and notebook screens, or directly on the desk, so people can use it at home on the desktop or with their notebook while on the road. Best Buy and Future Shop will launch an exclusive version of this product, called the LifeCam HD-5001 that includes all the same great features as the LifeCam HD-5000, but will have a custom design with a white faceplate. LifeCam HD-6000 for Notebooks Also launching today is the LifeCam HD-6000 for Notebooks, which includes TrueColour Technology, 720p HD widescreen video, Auto Focus and a design just for notebooks. The LifeCam HD-6000 features a 360-degree rotation view so people can point the webcam in any direction to share more with friends and family. With a compact design, short three-foot cord and carrying case, the LifeCam HD-6000 for Notebooks is the perfect webcam for sharing life on the go. Pricing and Availability The LifeCam HD-5000 and the LifeCam HD-5001 will be available in April for the estimated retail price of $59.952. The LifeCam HD-6000 for Notebooks will be available in May exclusively at Best Buy and Future Shop for the estimated retail price of $69.95.2 TrueColour Technology will be available via a software download for LifeCam Cinema, which is already broadly available at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/downloads/default.mspx. Microsoft backs these products with a worldwide three-year limited hardware warranty. About Microsoft Hardware For more than 27 years, the Hardware Group has employed innovative engineering, cutting-edge industrial design and extensive usability testing to create products of exceptional quality and durability that enhance the software experience and strengthen the connection between consumers and their PC. Microsoft Hardware leads the industry in ergonomic engineering, industrial design and hardware/software compatibility, offering consumers an easier, more convenient and more enjoyable computing experience. More information about the Hardware Group is available at http://www.microsoft.ca/hardware. About Microsoft Canada Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. Microsoft Canada Co. was founded in 1985. As the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation in Redmond, Washington, the company provides sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in French and English. Microsoft Canada has grown from five people in 1985 to more than 900 employees. It also has strong relationships with more than 24,000 partners across Canada. More than 1,100 of these are Microsoft Certified Partners, and over 200 are Gold Certified Partners. Headquartered in Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has regional offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec and Halifax. 1 Based on estimated or suggested current webcam products commercially available as of March 2010 2 Estimated retail price.Actual retail prices may vary. Share This With The World!
