More meaningful conversations: LifeCams + Windows Live Essentials Beta
Yesterday Microsoft announced the public availability of the new Windows Live Essentials beta – a free suite of services that includes Messenger, Movie Maker, Photo Gallery, Sync, Mail, Writer and Family Safety – making it easier to communicate with the people you care about most. If you are a webcam user, you will definitely want to give the new Windows Live Essential features a try.
First of all, let’s talk about Messenger. The popular IM service will now support HD video chats, which means that you will have a more vivid and clear image in video calls with friends and family. To take full advantage of this feature, go ahead and try one of the HD LifeCams that are Optimized for Windows Live: LifeCam HD-6000, LifeCam HD-5000 and LifeCam Cinema. Additionally, the Messenger Beta integrates Video Messages, a great feature especially if you usually video call to people that are not in the same time zone or if it is difficult to find a common time to chat. You just click a button, record a video with your LifeCam, and send it to one of your Messenger contacts even if they are not online. They will see your video message right on the Messenger Window next time they log in.
Secondly, if you want to be the Steven Spielberg of your own webcam movies – Movie Maker Beta will be a great help. Movie Maker includes new Auto Movie themes that allow you to add transitions, titles, captions and a music soundtrack to your photos and videos in minutes. To make it even easier for LifeCam users, Movie Maker can be launched directly from the LifeCam software. For example, you can record a video introduction with your HD LifeCam and then with one click you will be able to open Movie Maker with the video that you just recorded. From there you can add photos, other movies and music very easily with the new Movie Maker. And when your masterpiece is complete, just one more click and your movie can be posted to Facebook or YouTube.
