Mar 30, 2010

Microsoft Corp. today brightens your video calls with TrueColor Technology, a groundbreaking new image processing technology that provides superior color and brightness in even the worst lighting conditions. TrueColor Technology automatically adjusts the picture quality to provide a more colorful video whether out on the porch with bright sunshine in the morning or in the living room with low light in the evening. This technology will be available in three new webcams launching today, the LifeCam HD-5000, LifeCam HD-5001 and LifeCam HD-6000 for Notebooks. These LifeCams will also feature 720p HD sensors and Auto Focus technology at a value price. In addition, TrueColor will be available with the recently launched LifeCam Cinema through a software update.

LifeCam HD-5000 Click for high-res version

“Color quality and brightness are critical aspects of video calls. Through our research we know that a large number of video calls are held in either low light conditions or uneven lighting, and these are challenging situations for any webcam and represent a common pain point for webcam users,” said Daniel Anguiano, product marketing manager for Microsoft Hardware. “Our engineers at Microsoft Hardware created TrueColor Technology to improve the video experience, combining software and firmware to help people look bright and natural in virtually any lighting situation.”

True Colors Shining Through

Microsoft’s new image processing technology analyzes the user’s environment and automatically adjusts the LifeCam settings to provide brighter and more colorful video. It does this through a carefully designed proprietary combination of software and firmware technology to deliver a great experience. To achieve these results, TrueColor Technology includes face tracking technology developed by Microsoft Research, which can detect a person’s face and help ensure it’s not overexposed or underexposed, so the video call picture looks great even in the most challenging lighting scenarios.

LifeCam HD-5000

Launching with Microsoft’s new TrueColor Technology, the LifeCam HD-5000 offers best-in-class video quality in most lighting scenarios and is the only webcam on the market to offer 720p HD widescreen video and Auto Focus for an estimated retail price under $50.¹ The LifeCam HD-5000 also features a flexible attachment base that bends to fit on most surfaces, including on top of flat-screen monitors and notebook screens, or directly on the desk, so people can use it at home on the desktop or with their notebook while on the road.

Best Buy will launch an exclusive version of this product, called the LifeCam HD-5001, that includes all the same great features as the LifeCam HD-5000, but will have a custom design with a white faceplate.

LifeCam HD-5001 Click for high-res version

LifeCam HD-6000 for Notebooks

Also launching today is the LifeCam HD-6000 for Notebooks, which includes TrueColor Technology, 720p HD widescreen video, Auto Focus and a design just for notebooks. The LifeCam HD-6000 features a 360-degree rotation view so people can point the webcam in any direction to share more with friends and family. With a compact design, short three-foot cord and carrying case, the LifeCam HD-6000 for Notebooks is the perfect webcam for sharing life on the go.

Pricing and Availability

The LifeCam HD-5000 and the LifeCam HD-5001 will be available later this month for the estimated retail price of $49.95² and the LifeCam HD-6000 for Notebooks will be available in May for the estimated retail price of $59.95.² The LifeCam HD-5000 and LifeCam HD-6000 for Notebooks will be available for pre-sale on Amazon.com and Buy.com starting today. TrueColor Technology will be available via a software download for LifeCam Cinema, which is already broadly available at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/downloads/default.mspx.

LifeCam HD-6000 Click for high-res version.

Microsoft backs these products with a worldwide three-year limited hardware warranty. More information about these and other Microsoft Hardware products can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware.

About Microsoft Hardware

For more than 27 years, the Hardware Group has employed innovative engineering, cutting-edge industrial design and extensive usability testing to create products of exceptional quality and durability that enhance the software experience and strengthen the connection between consumers and their PC. Microsoft Hardware leads the industry in ergonomic engineering, industrial design and hardware/software compatibility, offering consumers an easier, more convenient and more enjoyable computing experience. More information about Microsoft Hardware is available at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware and http://www.microsofthardwareblog.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

¹ Based on estimated or suggested current webcam products commercially available as of March 2010

² Estimated retail price. Actual retail prices may vary.

Feb 22, 2010

LifeBook P1000 notebook Touch screen notebook PC in the smallest available form factor. Efficient in design and on the budget.

Store will feature Ice-T merchandise plus custom apparel from celebrity wife Coco

IMVU Inc. (www.imvu.com), an avatar-based social network and virtual world where people meet and interact in 3D, today announced the

launch of a co-branded storefront featuring custom-designed 3D virtual goods from Grammy Award winning rapper, actor and author Ice-T, as well as a special selection of apparel and lingerie from his wife, celebrity model and actress Coco.

LifeBook N Series Notebook This all-in-one notebook is performance driven. Its unique MVA screen offers wide viewing angles and displays richly colored 3-D graphics that will immerse any gamer in the on-screen action. The LifeBook N Series notebook is built to handle anything, from the mundane to the mesmerizing.

The Ice-T and Coco store is located at http://www.imvu.com/shop/icet_coco. On the left side of the store IMVU members will find virtual goods that reflect the Ice-T urban lifestyle and brand, including Ice-T branded t-shirts, hats and even virtual weapons such as bazookas, rocket launchers, nunchakus and more. The right side of the store features a specialty line of women’s apparel products designed by Coco. IMVU members can buy these items for their avatars and wear them when interacting with other members in IMVU’s 3D animated scenes.

“We love Ice-T and Coco because they are fun and fearless entertainers. Their branded merchandise will be a great addition for IMVU members,” said Jeff Titterton, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at IMVU. “We are excited about this partnership and look forward to working with Ice-T and Coco to add more items to the store each month.”

“Coco and I are excited to be working with IMVU on this project,” said Ice-T. “It’s cool how the avatars can use or wear the 3D products we created in IMVU’s animated rooms. It’s a whole new way to interact with people.”

Feb 22, 2010

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, IMVU Inc., an avatar-based social network and virtual world where people meet and interact in 3D, today announced that the company has partnered with Zoosk, one of the world’s largest and fastest growing online dating services, to bring the popular dating service to IMVU. The two partners have integrated Zoosk into the IMVU Web site, making it easy for adult singles who are IMVU members to join Zoosk.

“The majority of IMVU members are over 18 – in fact, the average age is 22 – and we wanted to partner with a leading dating service to give them a way to meet people offline,” said Kevin Dasch, VP of Finance and Business Development. “Our partnership with Zoosk affords both companies the opportunity to grow our membership bases and to increase the range of service we provide to our adults; however, we will not expose the dating service to our teen members.”

To join the Zoosk service within IMVU, members age 18 and over will simply click the “Dating” link under the Community tab. From there, they will follow the step-by-step instructions to create an account.

“IMVU is an excellent candidate for us to partner with, given that IMVU members already socialize and get to know new people in a fun and entertaining setting,” said Jeff Titterton, VP of Marketing at Zoosk. “Zoosk gives IMVU adult members the opportunity to scan our online database of more than 50 million singles around the world to develop friendships and relationships.”

About IMVU

IMVU Inc. (www.imvu.com) is an avatar-based social network and virtual world where people meet and interact in 3D. IMVU has reached 40 million registered users, 6 million unique visitors per month and a $25 million revenue run rate. IMVU has the world’s largest virtual goods catalog of more than 3 million items, almost all of which are created by its own members. Founded in 2004, IMVU is backed by venture investors Menlo Ventures, Allegis Capital, Bridgescale Partners and Best Buy Capital and is located in Palo Alto, CA.

Feb 21, 2010

IMVU Inc., an avatar-based social network and virtual world where people meet and interact in 3D, today announced the launch of a virtual branded storefront for clothing retailer Charlotte Russe, a growing, mall-based specialty retailer of fashionable, value-priced apparel and accessories. Charlotte Russe has teamed up with IMVU to provide IMVU’s registered members with the ability to purchase virtual Charlotte Russe clothing and accessories that they can use to outfit their IMVU avatars. Members can also link directly to Charlotte Russe online product pages to buy real clothing items.

“This exciting partnership marks the first time Charlotte Russe has partnered with a virtual world to extend our brand beyond our online store and the walls of our retail locations,” said Craig Gillan, Director of eCommerce for Charlotte Russe. “IMVU’s largely female audience and fun environment matches perfectly with our target customer and we think of this partnership as a win-win for both brands.”

Charlotte Russe largely targets young women in their teens and twenties. Currently, 70% of IMVU customers are female and 75% of those women fit into the brand’s target age demographic. IMVU customers will be able to purchase and wear this season’s hottest skinny jeans, a glamorous sequined wallet, or one of a dozen other items from Charlotte Russe’s current catalog.

“As we continue to grow our audience base, IMVU is working to expand its catalog of digital goods with many of the leading brands in the fashion and entertainment worlds,” said Kevin Dasch, IMVU’s Vice President of Finance and Business Development. “Charlotte Russe is a terrific partner for IMVU.”