Reach for the Skype
Swiss PC peripherals giant Logitech has decided to dabble in the software business to drive demand for and add value to its webcam products.
Vid is a free download for Logitech webcam users that claims to make video calling easier (as long as you have a Logitech webcam). "...you can set up Vid in fewer than half the steps required by the major instant-messaging programs," said the press release.
This positions Vid in competition with things like Windows Live messenger, but surely Skype is the biggest player in this market.
We gave it a go and can confirm that it's quick, easy and intuitive to set up. However, we did feel a bit like the inventor of the first telephone - who could we call?
Logitech offers help in setting up your Vid address book by requesting an email address. It then checks to see if the address is registered on the Vid network. It looks like Vid is free to people who don't have a Logitech webcam if invited by someone who does, but otherwise is restricted to a 30 day trial period, after which you need to buy a Logitech webcam to keep using it.
"Vid gives you the best of both worlds - eliminating the biggest obstacles to making video calls, while still providing the exceptional-quality audio and video that you expect from Logitech," said Gina Clark, GM and VP of Logitech's Internet Communications business unit.
You can download Vid here. Let us know how you get on with it in the HEXUS.community discussion forums.
