From the press release entitled Microsoft Hardware Advances Digital Communications Experiences we learn
Consumer research1 has revealed that people want to stay
connected, and many would use webcams if they were easier to operate
and provided better audio and video quality. To counter those
frustrations, Microsoft Hardware and the Windows Live team have joined
forces to introduce a line of LifeCams starting with the LifeCam
VX-6000 and LifeCam VX-3000.
These next-generation webcams
provide groundbreaking video and audio quality that opens the door for
richer digital communications experiences. Optimized for use with
Windows Live™ Messenger, the world’s largest instant messaging network,2 LifeCams meet the growing demand for easier, more meaningful connections.
...
Optimized for Windows Live Messenger
The first two available webcams, the Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000 and
Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000, bring a new dimension to Windows Live
Messenger and feature exclusive industry firsts that streamline the
webcam experience:
| • | Windows Live Call Button.
Located on the top of each LifeCam, the Windows Live Call Button makes
placing a video call a breeze by eliminating the usual multiple steps.
Just one touch brings up the Buddy Picker, a tool that shows users only
current online buddies. They simply select their contact’s name and
they are on their way to making a video call. |
| • | LifeCam Dashboard.
Built right into the Windows Live Messenger window for easy access
during video calling, the LifeCam Dashboard provides simple access to
the controls people need most, including pan, tilt and zoom. Now users’
attention stays where it should be — on their video conversation. |
| • | One-touch blogging.
Windows Live Spaces is one of the fastest-growing blog communities in
the world, with more than 50 million individual Spaces. Now, users can
post High Definition LifeCam pictures directly to their Windows Live
Space blog with one click from within the LifeCam window. |
This is another one of the product teams I've gotten to work with in recent months. I'm sure you can guess which of the listed bits of Windows Live integration I worked on. By the way, if you are a hardware vendor or into tweaking your hardware you might be interested in http://dev.live.com/hardware/. Building mashups with Windows Live services isn't going to be limited to Web apps, we expect hardware devices to get in on the game as well.
NOTE: MSN Spaces isn't Windows Live Spaces. Yet.