Microsoft isn’t a famous name when it comes to hardware, but that doesn’t mean they don’t come up with anything decent. Their range of keyboards, mice and webcams are pretty good in terms of performance. Today, we’ll look at a couple of webcam releases from the software giant – the LifeCam Show and LifeCam VS-5500. Both peripherals will feature new designs that will sit down well with most people, and is versatile enough to function on both desktop and notebook platforms.
The LifeCam Show is extremely sleek, and is touted to be one of the slimmest webcams available in the market now while the LifeCam VX-5500 wears a more sassy approach, featuring switchable faceplates that come in a trio of colors and an innovative, collapsible design for easy portability. Both models will deliver high-end audio and video performance without missing a beat, and they support the Video Messages service that makes it easy to send and receive video messages to your contacts.

The LifeCam Show and LifeCam VX-5500 will be available later this October for $99.95 and $59.95,respectively.

New Webcams from Microsoft: [via]

A gaming mouse that does not come with wires? Well well, this is definitely going against the grain, but Microsoft doesn’t care as they forge ahead with the SideWinder X8. This wireless gaming mouse relies on a 2.4GHz connection to keep it moving, and it is capable of hitting a ridiculously high 4,000 dpi to match the Razer Lachesis. I am personally using a Lachesis, and I don’t venture anywhere near that amount since it is way too sensitive for me in the midst of a firefight. The SideWinder X8 relies on the recently unveiled BlueTrack laser technology that makes mousing possible on virtually any surface. Microsoft has also touted a 30 hour battery life for active gamers, but I would make sure the battery is fully charged if I’m going to enter any gaming competition with this. Good to know the SideWinder X8 comes with a play-and-charge cable for those emergencies. You can pick up the Microsoft SideWinder X8 for $100 next February.

SideWinder X8 – gaming mouse from Microsoft: [via]

Of all the companies that make toasters, I’m pretty sure Electrolux has the biggest R&D budget. It always pops up sponsoring fancy design competitions and the like. Here’s its “Scan Toaster,” a concept by Sung Bae Chang, whose mode of operation is refreshingly obvious.

You plug it into your computer, put a slice of bread in it, and then print.

Electrolux Scan Toaster: [via]

Dell has a ways to go before it can match, say, Microsoft’s peripheral acumen — or the considerable buzz being generated by Blue Track at the moment. That said, the computer giant looks to have a couple new ones in the pipeline, and that’s always a treat for the folks too poor or lazy to replace their pre-bundled keyboard and mouse. The keyboard’s short-throw keys will be a love it or hate it affair, but the media keys seem nice enough, while the mouse offers sensitivity-denoting LEDs and some laser tech underneath to match those smooth, predictable contours. No word on a ship date, but look for these to show up in your new Dell boxes before long.

Mouse and keyboard from Dell: [via]

If you have a thing for retro design you’re going to love this USB microphone. It features of course a retro inspired microphone. Which yes is a little more bulky than it needs to be, but it’s worth it to get the overall retro look. It uses radio-frequency identification, so you can move about the room with it as long as you’re within three meters. As you’re wandering you won’t have to worry about tripping over any wires, you can make a fool of yourself anyway though by singing into it.

It will support Windows XP, Vista and Mac OSX. It also does not require drivers for either XP or Vista. The microphone measures 80 x 80 x 160mm and has a On/Off button directly on it. Likely this microphone will probably make you want to listen to music along the lines of Fred Astaire as opposed to the more recent artists. To pick one up it will cost you $29.

Old fashion wireless microphone: [via]

Epson America Inc. has recently made available two new all-in-one printers that look set to cause more than a stir in the printer market with the Artisan 800 and Artisan 700. Both models look set to blaze the industry thanks to their superb performance, highly desirable features and stylish piano black finish that always seem to guarantee attracting the fingerprints of whoever lay their eyes on it. The Artisan series will look great be it at home or at the office, so head on after the jump to read more about the specifications before you decide on whether to purchase one for yourself or not.

The Artisan 800 is the higher end version of the two, and will boast Wi-Fi connectivity that makes it a whole lot easier to share with other people in the network, not to mention doing away with yet another wired connection that could potentially trip some careless soul. In addition, the Artisan 800 will come with fax capability, an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) and the ability to churn out Ultra Hi-Definition photos. Thanks to the 7.8″ smart touch panel and 3.5″ LCD display, you will have full control of the entire printer at your fingertips that makes it a snap when it comes to selecting, copying, enlarging, rotating, cropping, and printing photos sans a computer.

The Epson Artisan 800 and 700 will retail for $299.99 and $199.99, respectively. Each purchase comes with a 2-year warranty.

All-in-one printers from Epson: [via]

The tiny 20GB hard drive comes in the same 1.8 form found inside media players and the MacBook Air. Apparently it is very quiet, and draws a maximum of just 1.4 watts, which means it will get power from the USB port, just like any other thumb drive.

The Black Edition Q Series is cheap, too, coming in at the equivalent of US$45. It even has a dinky picture of an HDD on the shiny case so you don’t confuse it with a real credit card. We worry slightly, though, that the magnets inside the drive might cause mayhem with the other inhabitants of your wallet.

Tiny Samsung Hard drive: [via]

Canon has released two new all-in-one printers, and most of us would want to know more when Canon has something new. The PIXMA MP980 and the PIXMA MP620 Photo AIO printers offer digital darkroom and office productivity in just one inkjet machine. Both the printers are sleek and well designed and come with features such as Wi-Fi connectivity, fast print speeds, Canon’s Auto Photo Fix, Auto Scan mode, and other such facilities. Both models use Canon’s FINE Technology and ChromaLife100+ System and also have reduced sizes. The PIXMA MP980 runs around $299.99 whereas the smaller PIXMA MP620 costs $149.99.

New Canon printers with Wi-Fi: [via]

Owning multiple displays is no longer simply a luxury for the most hardcore and wealthy of geeks. Slowly, but surely, multiple display and peripherals set-ups are moving their way into the mainstream. With the lowering prices of hardware comes the lowering prices of hardware space. In this case, the Pro Gaming Table, which features tons of extra shelf space for a fraction of the expected price.

The Pro Gaming Table features a comfortably-placed multi-tiered design, which allows a ton of more space for placing all of your collected gaming and display gadgets. It provides plenty of room for up to three 21-inch LCD monitors, a printer, a keyboard, not to mention tons of extra gaming real-estate with its three levels of shelving.

Pro Gaming Table – more space to place your collected gadgets: [via]

Asus have created a mouse that measures your pulse rate. The pulse rate sensor is embedded under the plastic skin of the mouse and tracks exactly what’s going on in your body while you work.

The information that it collects (your pulse) is beamed wirelessly to your computer so you can monitor on screen to see exactly when you need to take a break from your busy routine.

A Mouse that measures your pulse rate: [via]