We’ve seen cameras do all kinds of crazy things. DIY 3D photography, augmented reality, and now this demo by Qi Pan shows how an ordinary webcam can model objects in 3D.

I’m in no position to discuss the amount of technical wizardry in play here, but I do think the interface is really great. Look at how it overlays scanned textures on the person’s hand to create a transparency effect. Neato!

It’s definitely a whiz-bang application, but like augmented reality, I’m not sure how much I need it. Someone needs to figure out how to scan and print a sandwich. Now that would be something. [Pro Forma via Boing Boing]

The 2-megapixel Point to View USB 2.0 camera — which also has a macro mode for 2-inch close ups — goes for $US69. [iPevo via Gizmowatch]

In other words, this would be a great, inexpensive home surveillance cam. It’s supposed to be a snap to set up. You can access the feed, and control the pan and tilt of the camera from any PC or internet capable mobile phone. For $US300, Astak also throws in motion detection, night vision, two-way audio and a built-in DVR. I have to believe this is as good a feature set as you will find on a webcam at this price point.

ASTAK INTRODUCES WORLD’S FIRST SELF-CONFIGURING, STANDALONE INTERNET CAMERA IDEAL FOR KEEPING AN EYE ON HAPPENINGS AT HOME

YouTube, Twitter and iPhone ready, the affordable and easy-to-use Mole is the first “do it yourself, view from anywhere” solution for remote viewing and sharing

SAN JOSE, Calif.–October 28, 2009–The lowly mole is a victim of poor PR, but that’s about to change with Astak Inc.’s innovative new product, the Mole — a standalone Internet camera for consumers who need an easy and affordable way to capture, view and share unattended video over the Internet. Featuring automatic network configuration, the Mole makes it simple for home or business users to remotely view and share video in real-time from any web browser, social networking site, or Internet-capable cell phone, including the iPhone.

Unlike current webcams that require a PC for use, or IP cameras that are complicated to set up and often require customer software to view, the Mole is the first “do it yourself, view from anywhere” solution for home or business surveillance, health and family care (elder or children), social network sharing, pet or , bird watching, and other unfolding events such as social gatherings. The Mole is also an ideal way to keep an eye on business or home while travelling.

“The Mole will redefine home and business surveillance, and it also opens the door to using a remote camera for sharing unattended video, since it’s Web 2.0 ready,” said Jason Hsia, CEO of ASTAK. “Internet citizens are already uploading over 20 hours of video to YouTube every minute. When interesting or important events are underway, you can’t always be there to see or record them in person. That all changes with the Mole, where motion-detected events can be auto-uploaded to YouTube and a tweet auto-sent to your Twitter feed.”

A standalone Internet camera with advanced built-in software, the Mole provides auto-configuration so that the user can set up the camera in just a few easy steps and access their video privately without any network knowledge. Once set up, the Mole allows users to adjust the pan remotely to change the view instantly. While easy-to-use and affordable, the Mole camera includes high-end features such as motion detection activation, night vision, two-way audio, and a built-in DVR. The Mole also features both Ethernet or Wi-Fi connectivity.

The Mole is designed for direct access from any web browser, which lets users watch their video instantly, from anywhere, including the iPhone. The onboard software is specifically tailored for seamless Internet sharing including auto-uploads to YouTube. Users can also choose to receive real-time alerts via email or Twitter sent to their mobile phone or any IP-enabled device.

Available in early November 2009, the Mole will be distributed through Astak’s network of retail and distribution partners, including Fry’s, Costco, Amazon.com, Walmart.com and Astak.com, with an MSRP of $US299.00.

[Astak]

The camera, shown today at IDF, is just a prototype, made up of a few components form other companies (a Sony IMX036 CMOS image sensor, for one), but it’s damn impressive. Due to the speed of USB 3.0, the webcam is capable of streaming and displaying its 1920×1080 video without compression, which makes for huge files but also extremely sharp image quality. The camera lacked autofocus but manual focus let it capture incredibly crisp images, even all the miniscule elements of a PCI-Express card. Of course, as USB 3.0 isn’t exactly widely available, you have to run it through that PCI-Express-to-USB-3.0 card, but Point Grey says it’ll be ready for release in either very late 2009 or early 2010. [Point Grey]

There are scant details for how it’ll work, and hey, maybe there are other shapes that an erotic game would want to detect other than the shape of a baby’s arm holding a crabapple. But I can’t think of any.

But hey, maybe this is a good thing! It’s innovation! It seems weird now, but when Natal comes out we’ll probably be using our boners to reload machine guns in Gears of War 3. [TeaTime via Canned Dogs via Kotaku]

Demoed today at TechCrunch 50, the start up showed software that works with webcams to detect how you feel deep inside or at least how you show it on your face. It can detect smiles, frowns and, I assume, tears.

How are they going to use this? It looks like they have handed it right over to The Man himself. It will be used by ad companies to test responses to ad content. The software can gather data and then create reports on reactions to whatever individuals were looking at. Yes, the ASPCA ad with Sarah McLachlan makes me freakin cry. Do you feel better now Affective Interfaces!?

Beyond ads, it could be used as a “social tool” or to detect when drivers get sleepy behind the wheel. Am I the only one here that sees the dirty in all this? [Techcrunch via Venture Beat]

We first saw the system used at CES in January, but it’s now available in Bloomingdale stores for $US170. That price includes an assortment of 14 scenes (with multiple roles); extra scenes cost between $US0.99 and $US4 at Yoostar.com. What’s sort of interesting is that you can perform the script with the characters, or just outright replace them.

I had a quick look: no Star Wars! But there are scenes in a number of genres, as diverse as Rocky, Animal House and even the NBA.

Of course, you can easily do this yourself with a bit of know-how, but it looks like a fun one for the kids. [Yoostar via Uncrate]

The camera is made from aluminium and has a stand designed to work with both desktops and laptops. Pocket-link goes on to say that:

The LifeCam Cinema is of course compatible with Windows Live Messenger, but also with Windows Live Movie Maker and Windows Live Photo Gallery. It’s also compatible with Windows 7 out of the box, as well as Windows Vista and Windows XP.

We’ve seen 720p Webcams before but the video specs on this one look quite promising. The Lifecam Cinema is expected to be $US80 when it hits stores on September 9. [via Pocket-Lint]

After his girlfriend dumped him, Joseph W. Shepherd of Lockport, NY decided to go onto some British forums and whine that he was going to kill himself. The power of the internet kicked in as some concerned readers contacted Interpol London, Interpol London contacted Interpol DC, Interpol DC contacted the New York State Police Intelligence centre (NYSIC) in Albany, and they in turn sent some local authorities to Shepherd’s door:

Troopers interviewed Shepherd who was found in good health and obviously not deceased nor injured in any way. Further investigation revealed that the entire suicide on camera was a hoax.

Further investigation was required that the suicide was faked? The fact that Shepherd was alive wasn’t enough of a tip-off?

In the end, he was charged with Second Degree Aggravated Harassment and Third Degree Falsely Reporting an Incident. No explanation on why he’s the one getting charged for a false incident report.

No matter what, I’m happy that at least this bit of WTF news at didn’t come from Florida. [WKBW]

Photo by rafael_mizrahi

The Vid, which we tested out last month, is basically Skype, minus all the complexities of signing up and configuring and adding users. Just enter your email, enter the email of the person you want to talk to and you’re done. Anyone with a Logitech webcam has access, and anyone that someone with a Logitech webcam invites has access. It’s not meant to be a replacement for IM or anything like that, just a very, very easy way to video chat.

Here are the webcams that it’s included with.

The Logitech Webcam Pro 9000 (SRP: $US99.99 U.S.), Logitech Portable Webcam C905 (SRP: $US99.99 U.S.), Logitech Webcam C600 (SRP: $US79.99 U.S.), Logitech Webcam C500 (SRP: $US49.99 U.S.), Logitech Webcam C300 (SRP: $US49.99 U.S.), Logitech Webcam C250 (SRP: $US39.99 U.S.) and Logitech Webcam C200 (SRP: $US29.99 U.S.) are expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe beginning in August.

AU: you want local prices? You can’t handle local prices! Oh, wait, yes you can!
Logitech Webcam C600 – RRP: $129.95 AUD
Logitech Webcam C500 – RRP: $99.95 AUD
Logitech Webcam C300 – RRP: $89.95 AUD
Logitech Webcam C250 – RRP: $79.95 AUD
Logitech Webcam C200 – RRP: $59.95 AUD

Premium Webcams: Logitech Webcam Pro 9000, Logitech Portable Webcam C905
With the award-winning Logitech Webcam Pro 9000 your world never looked better. Zeiss® optics with autofocus lets you enjoy razor-sharp images even in extreme close-ups. A 2-megapixel HD sensor delivers fluid, true-to-life video up to 720p and snapshots at up to 8 megapixels (software enhanced). Logitech® RightLight™ 2 technology intelligently adjusts to produce the best possible images, even in dim or backlit settings, and with Logitech® Video Effects™, you can personalise your conversations by choosing from hundreds of avatars, face accessories, and masks that mirror expressions and movement.

Offering all of the benefits of the Webcam Pro 9000 for those occasions when you want a webcam when you’re on the go, the Logitech Portable Webcam C905 features an easy-to-transport design so that you can make a video call no matter where you are.

Mid-Range Webcams: Logitech Webcam C600, Logitech Webcam C500

Because you delight in the details of your loved ones’ lives, the Logitech Webcam C600 delivers fluid HD-quality video and 8-megapixel snapshots (software enhanced), thanks to its 2-megapixel sensor and glass lens. You can even capture HD video at up to 720p – that’s TV-quality resolution. For those challenging lighting situations, Logitech RightLight 2 technology intelligently adjusts to give you the best possible images. Logitech Video Effects make it possible for you to personalise your conversations.

When you want to show your distant friends and family how you really feel, the Logitech Webcam C500 offers a glass lens and 1.3-megapixel sensor for sharper images and fluid video. Its 5-megapixel photo capture lets you take high-resolution snapshots (software enhanced). Logitech® RightLight™ technology automatically adjusts the image, so you look your best, even in dim light, while Logitech Video Effects allow you to personalise your conversations.

Basic Webcams: Logitech Webcam C300, Logitech Webcam C250, Logitech Webcam C200

For a rich video calling experience, the Logitech Webcam C300 gives you up to 5-megapixel photo capture (software enhanced). Additionally, Logitech® Video Effects™ Fun Filters let you add some fun to your video call with neon splashes, fish-eye distortions, and more.

Seeing is believing with the Logitech Webcam C250. Featuring a VGA sensor, the ability to take snapshots at up to 1.3 megapixels (software enhanced), and Logitech Video Effects Fun Filters, the Webcam C250 makes it easy to share your life as you live it.

The Logitech Webcam C200 lets you see the people you care about in lifelike colour with a VGA sensor and snapshots at up to 1.3 megapixels (software enhanced).

Because making sure your loved ones can hear your voice clearly is just as important as clearly seeing your face, Logitech’s newest webcams include a built-in microphone with Logitech® RightSound™ technology for clear, headset-free conversations without background noise.

Thanks to a universal clip, the Logitech® Webcam Pro 9000, Logitech® Webcam C600, Logitech® Webcam C500, Logitech® Webcam C300, Logitech® Webcam C250 and Logitech® Webcam C200 can attach securely to LCD monitors and notebooks. The Logitech® Portable Webcam C905 can attach to notebooks or sit on a shelf or desk with the included desktop stand. In addition, the Portable Webcam C905 comes with a convenient carrying case.