Web Cams
Snipers used to be the scourge of online gamers, hiding in corners and taking spot shots at innocent Quake players. Eventually, however, the gaming community embraced the fun that could be had with a powerful rifle and a zoom lense, and games like Splinter Cell get some of their greatest moments from the ability to perch on a rooftop, picking off unwary enemies before they even know you're there.
Unfortunately you can't use this particular device to usefully zoom in on enemies in games, but it does let you chat to your friends via your favourite instant messenger or video compatible VoIP software. It's a webcam, disguised as a sniper sight and mounted on a fully adjustable tripod. It has a 640 by 480 pixel, 30 frames per second camera and a detachable zoom lens that can magnify your view by up to 18 times - great for spying on your neighbours.
For more information and more interesting gaming-inspired devices (including USB memory drives incoroprated into dog tags), check out Cyber Snipa's website.
Many web loggers like to illustrate their daily posts with digital photos but transferring, optimising and uploading shots from your camera can often a take a while.
The Hercules Blog Webcam aims to simplify the whole process with an array of time-saving functions specifically designed for today's busy bloggers. These include a burst function that captures up to 20 images at intervals of between one and five seconds; automatic conversion of pictures and video into a web-friendly file size and format; and the ability to post photos and messages to your blog simultaneously.
A built-in microphone, face-tracking zoom and sturdy screen clamp make the camera equally useful for online video chats; it supports all instant messaging software and is bundled with Windows Live Messenger.
Priced at a great-value £29.90, find out where to buy the Hercules Blog Webcam here.
If you're one of the millions of people who saved a fortune on their phone bill this year thanks to Skype, here's a device to take your VoIP experience to the next level in 2007.
The USRobotics USR809640 is a small but perfectly formed webcam that can be positioned securely on any monitor, laptop or desktop to bring pictures to your internet calls. Optimised for Skype, the USR Mini Cam captures still images of 1.3-megapixels and full motion video at up to 30 frames per second.
The camera automatically adjusts to low-light conditions, and includes image tuning options such as brightness, saturation, contrast. It also features a face-tracking auto-focus and a 70-degree viewing angle to ensure you remain in the frame no matter how lively your conversation.
On sale from January for a budget price of around £25, find out more about the USR809640 at the USRobotics website.
Employing a webcam as part of your home security system provides a great means of catching intruders and burglars in the act. The trouble is that by the time you come to review the captured footage, the perpetratrors could be miles away.
With the D-Link DCS-2120 Wireless Internet Camera, you can monitor your house remotely via your 3G phone or PDA. A live video feed can be accessed over the web on your portable device or PC, allowing you to take and save snapshots wherever you are. The camera uses motion detection to trigger video and audio recording or send email alerts, and even works in rooms with low lighting.
Web User's Best Price:
Much like digital cameras, webcams are constantly increasing in quality as they decrease in cost, so that even full-featured models are now affordably-priced.
The Philips SPC710NC is one such 'cam, offering everything you need for clear and comfortable online video chats. Its stable mount allows you to position it securely on any monitor, laptop or desktop, and the built-in microphone lets you add sound to video clips with no need for a separate recording device. Other notable functions include face tracking to keep you in the centre of the picture, a rotating lens for capturing images at different angles, and a 5x digital zoom for close-ups.
Video is shot at 30 frames per second and still images at SVGA resolution, while the webcam is compatible with most free messaging services. Priced at £59.99, full details are available at the Philips website here.
