With hardly any noise -- not to mention a press conference-- Cisco shuts off sales of the umi, its ill-fated stab at a consumer videoconferencing system.

Call it sneaking away from another disaster from a once-infallible Cisco who thought it could easily crossover into consumer marketing, if you will.

Launched back in October 2010, the umi (pronounced You-Me) was a premium home conferencing kit offering 1080p video conferencing (720 for recording) at $599-- and an additional $10 monthly service Continue reading...

The latest In-Stat research might be pointing out your next retail opportunity-- living room video calling systems. According to the analyst, global video calling will surpass 380M active users by 2015.

The number of video calling users for 2010 totals 63M.

In-Stat says that while PC video calling will "account for the majority of video calling minutes," it also expects "significant developments" in the living room segment as more vendors enter the market.

Skype remains the market leading solution Continue reading...

The word "Biscotti" does not simply refer to Italian biscuits any more-- it is also the name of a miniature VoIP TV phone that's only a bit bigger than the actual baked goods sharing the name.

The Biscotti consists of a small camera-carrying box designed to sit on top of TV sets, to which it plugs in using HDMI. Connecting to the internet via wifi, it allows users to make video-calls through either Biscotti service or Google Talk from their living rooms.

Control comes via included 6-button remote, Continue reading...

Sony will soon start shipping the first Playstation-branded 3D Display, a 3D monitor aiming for gaming use with SimulView, a different display take on 2 player gaming.

The 24" active 3D display comes packaged with 1 pair of 3D glasses, an HDMI cable and a copy of the MotorStorm Apocalypse game, and offers Edge LED backlighting, 240Hz refresh rate and an integrated subwoofer.

Inputs includes x2 HDMI 1.4 and component, plus stereo headphone output.

The big feature Sony is pushing is SimulView-- Continue reading...

ViewSonic announces the V3D245, the 24" addition to its 3D-ready monitor range.

It carries a 1080p LED-backlit panel together with a built-in nVidia 3D Vision wireless emitter, while the package includes a pair of 3D Vision glasses.

The display comes with 120Hz refresh rate, 2ms response time, brightness at 300 nits and contrast rates of up to 20000000:1.

It is also HDMI 1.4 compatible and HDCP enabled, and audio comes via built-in SRS Premium Sound speakers.

ViewSonic says the V3D245 should Continue reading...

LG releases 2 Cinema 3D monitors-- D41P and D42P-- carrying LG's Film Patterned Retarder (FPR) technology that should provide more comfortable and flicker-free 3D imagery.

The company says the monitors carry "flicker-free" certification awarded by TÜV and Intertek, as well as provide brighter 3D image and lower crosstalk. Being passive 3D, the glasses users wear are lightweight and need no recharging.

The monitors should work with all graphics cards and support HDMI 1.4, while also having a 2D Continue reading...

Toshiba unveils its take on the USB monitor, with a tablet-style portable format.

The USB Mobile LCD monitor has a 14" screen, with a 1366 x 768 resolution, while a single USB cable handles both power and data. It comes complete with a protective case, which can also act as a stand.

Being small enough to fit in most laptop bags and only 1" thick, it appears to be ideal for customers in need of extra screen space for photography work any sort of multitasking work.

Go Toshiba USB Mobile LCD Monitor Continue reading...

Acer's GN245HQ is the first supporting Nvidia's HDMI 3D solution, making it deal for both gaming and 3D movies.

It comes as a 23" LED backlit screen with 16:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz refresh rate and 100m:1 contrast ratio. Maximum resolution is 1920 x 1080.

The monitor carries HDMI and DVI-DL connections. The IR emitter is integrated in the set (unlike earlier Nvidia 3D systems requiring a USB IR emitter), and includes Nvidia's active shutter 3D glasses.

Go Acer