Microsoft LifeCam reports across the net

A quick note before we go out flying our new Hydrogen-powered rockets with the boys.

I've seen references today from Liveside, blognewschannel and on MSDN on the as-yet-to-be-announced Microsoft LifeCam...

Provantage has them listed on their web site... 'though they're not in stock nor have they been announced by Microsoft Hardware. It will be interesting to see how these compare with the broad range of devices from the likes of Creative, a personal favourite, which comes with Creative's Smart Face Tracking as well as other bundled applications.

This from the Provantage site:

• Experience instant messaging in a whole new way - with Windows Live Messenger & LifeCam you can communicate with friends and family as if they were in the room with you.

• FEATURES

• • High Definition Video and Photos - High Definition video (1.3 megapixels) and photos (5.0 megapixels interpolated) show you in the best light. (One megapixel = 1,000,000 pixels)
• • Built in Microphone - Integrated microphone automatically picks up your voice with remarkable clarity.
• • Windows Live Call Button - Just press this button and select an Online Contact to start a video conversation.
• • Wide-angle lens - the 71 degree wide angle lens ensures no one gets left out of the picture.
• • Universal Base Attachment - It's a snap to attach the LifeCam to any monitor.

• For Windows XP (Home, Pro, Media Center) or Windows XP Tablet Edition with Service Pack 2 (SP2) or later

• Requires an available universal serial bus (USB) 1.1 or 2.0 (recommended) port