I guess I sort of don’t understand what the big deal is about a $450 ‘videophone’ package, like the ViaVideo II that Polycom is touting today. I mean, it looks nice enough, feature-wise, but it’s still basically just a webcam with some bundled software, right? It’s not as if the internet has gotten that much faster since in the last few years—is this really any better than an iSight or a Logitech webcam?
On the other hand, you do get an all-in-one video and audio unit and software designed specifically to work with the hardware, instead of stringing together various (possibly incompatible) programs. Also, until they discover a way to digitally comb my hair, anyone that wants to videochat with me is in for a shock.
Product Page [Polycom]
