Logitech Adds New Notebook Webcams For Growing Notebook Market — Logitech QuickCam Deluxe for Notebooks, Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks Deliver Enhanced Image Quality
Addressing the growing demand for notebook peripherals, Logitech (SWX:LOGN) (NASDAQ:LOGI), the world’s leading manufacturer of webcams, announced two new additions to its growing portfolio of notebook peripherals: the Logitech QuickCam Deluxe for Notebooks and the Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks. Both the QuickCam Deluxe for Notebooks and the QuickCam for Notebooks webcams offer Logitech’s enhanced RightSound™ Technology with new noise suppression, which helps improve sound quality, and RightLight™ Technology, which enables crisp, clear image quality even in dim lighting. And the QuickCam Deluxe for Notebooks incorporates a glass lens for improved image clarity. These upgrades ensure exceptional video communication at an affordable price.
In 2006, worldwide shipments of notebook PCs reached over 80 million, an increase of more than 26 percent over 2005, and worldwide sales of notebook PCs will exceed 100 million units for the first time in 2007, according to analyst firm IDC.
“As notebook computers quickly become the form factor of choice for consumers, Logitech continues to deliver high-quality, affordable notebook webcams that help people make reliable video calls,” said Gina Clark, vice president of product marketing for Logitech’s Internet Communications business unit. “Our two new notebook webcams offer people great image quality at a reasonable price – and make video communication easier. We’re proud to continue leading the market and helping to connect friends and family across the miles and around the world.”
Both webcams work effortlessly with the most popular video messaging applications, including Skype™, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger and AIM. In fact, Logitech has provided audio and video technology for Windows Live Messenger since March 2003. And as of January 2007, Logitech has supported 11.3 billion Windows Live Messenger sessions.
Enhanced RightSound Technology Now Provides Noise Suppression
Now in addition to eliminating echo and feedback, Logitech RightSound Technology significantly reduces background noise with included noise suppression. The software identifies the difference between signals from the speaker’s voice and background noise, which allows people to enjoy clearer audio.
High-Performance for the Mobile Professional: Logitech QuickCam Deluxe for Notebooks
The Logitech QuickCam Deluxe for Notebooks is a sophisticated, compact webcam that offers best-of-class image and audio quality. The QuickCam Deluxe for Notebooks surpasses other webcams in image quality by combining a glass lens with a 1.3 megapixel sensor. Many other notebook webcams are made with plastic lenses that produce images that often appear distant and distorted. With its glass lens, the QuickCam Deluxe for Notebooks provides better image clarity and color sharpness.
The webcam is also extremely easy to use. A snapshot button located on the top of the webcam enables people to quickly take a photo. To accommodate people using larger laptop computers, the adjustable, spring-tension clip works on panels up to 20 mm thick. And because the QuickCam Deluxe for Notebooks is certified for the Windows Vista operating system, people running Windows Vista on their PCs can simply plug in their webcam and start using it.
A Perfect Introduction to Video Communications: Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks
Perfect for first-time webcam users, the QuickCam for Notebooks is Logitech’s most affordable notebook PC webcam. With its built-in microphone and enhanced RightSound Technology, the Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks enables family and friends separated by thousands of miles to talk – without a headset – as if they were in the same room. The new, compact design offers people quick access to common features such as a snapshot button and a focus ring, which helps people obtain better image clarity.
Support for Windows Vista
The QuickCam Deluxe for Notebooks and the QuickCam for Notebooks both work with Windows Vista. The new QuickCam software (Version 10.5) includes a number of webcam-specific gadgets, including QuickVideo, QuickPicture and QuickView. Logitech plans to develop additional gadgets for Windows Vista, which are expected to be made available for download at www.logitech.com.
New Logitech Fun Filters
These two notebook webcams will be the first to offer a new Logitech software feature: Fun Filters. Logitech Fun Filters create an outline around any object visible in the image, such as the caller’s face, chair or office furniture. With the simple click of a button, people can change their image to one of twelve fun filters, giving their image a fish eye, neon light or chalkboard-looking effect. Beginning in April, Logitech is expected to offer a growing line of Fun Filters available to download free at www.logitech.com.
Pricing and Availability
The Logitech QuickCam Deluxe for Notebooks and Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks webcam are expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe beginning in April. The QuickCam Deluxe for Notebooks webcam will have a suggested retail price of $59.99 (U.S.). The QuickCam for Notebooks will have a suggested retail price of $39.99 (U.S.).
About Logitech
Logitech is a world leader in personal peripherals, driving innovation in PC navigation, Internet communications, digital music, home-entertainment control, gaming and wireless devices. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company traded on the SWX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI).
Information on worldwide PC shipments provided by IDC, Worldwide and U.S. PC Client Form Factor 2006–2010 Forecast, Doc #204809, Dec. 2006.
Logitech, the Logitech logo, and other Logitech marks are registered in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. For more information about Logitech and its products, visit the company’s Web site at www.logitech.com.
