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Technical editor DAVID SCHLOSS selects his must-have products and services for January.
If you have a product you want to tell David Schloss about, please contact him at [email protected].
Logitech Fusion Webcam
While video conferencing seems like a great idea in theory, and while webcams sell like hotcakes, for some reason the technology just doesn't seem to catch on in any applications other than (ahem!) adult use. I think that the problem lies with the poorquality images coming from most webcams, devices that are designed for low price rather than flattering video.
Logitech's Fusion webcam boasts some pretty impressive new technology including RightLight for low-level video enhancements and Right-Sound echo-canceling technology. These two advances address two of the bigger issues with video-conferencing, the terrible image quality that results from home office and cubicle lighting, and the feedback loops that cause for disastrous audio quality.
The 1.3 megapixel imaging sensor creates video that is sharp and high quality, and the internal Face Tracking technology keeps your mug in the center of the screen.
Cost: $99.99.
Further information: www.logitech.com
Netgear RangeMax 240 High Speed WiFi
There's fast, and then there's fast. When it comes to wireless networking, Netgear seems to have the fast market covered with their new RangeMax 240 routers and networking cards. The new Rangemax Wireless Router pumps out data at up to 240 Mbps, making it function on par with "fast Etherenet" 10/100 wired devices. The new high-speed gear enables users to pump out bandwidth intensive video, VoIP telephony and more all across one wireless connection.
The RangeMax 240 also works with 802.11b/g cards, and will even boost the performance of these "older" devices by as much as 50 percent, thanks to a technology called MIMO that helps reduce signal interference and boost operating ranges. Of course to get the greatest...