Latest news with #videochat
The Verge
3 days ago
- The Verge
Nintendo Switch 2 webcam compatibility: it's a wild west
The Nintendo Switch 2 is more expensive in practically every way: pricier console, pricier games, an entire Chat button you'll eventually have to pay to use. So it was nice when Nintendo revealed you won't need its own $55 camera to video chat with pals. 'You can use the Nintendo Switch 2 camera accessory (sold separately) or any compatible USB-C® camera you'd like,' the company wrote. But you might be mighty disappointed if you simply buy a PC webcam off the shelf. Many USB-C webcams we've tried don't work at all, including the ones you'll typically find on 'best webcam' lists around the internet, like the Logitech Brio 4K, the Insta360 Link, and the Elgato Facecam MK.2. Meanwhile, ancient USB-A cameras like my Logitech C920 fire up instantly with no trouble at all. And in our testing, it doesn't seem to matter if you use USB-C or USB-A, whether you're going through a C-to-A adapter, whether you plug in via USB hub or the Switch's dock; the webcams that work, work, and the ones that don't, don't. Overall, it's starting to look like Nintendo didn't mean 'compatible with USB-C,' but rather 'compatible with Switch 2.' So why did it suggest you can use any camera you'd like? We've asked Nintendo. (It didn't have an answer for us just yet.) As of launch, neither Nintendo nor any major webcam manufacturer had even a partial list for us of compatible webcams. We asked Logitech, Razer, Microsoft, Anker, Elgato, Dell, Insta360, Obsbot, and Opal, but they didn't have anything yet. (We'll publish an update and/or a new story next week if they do.) In the meanwhile, it may be up to gamers and the media to create a list themselves. So here's a first stab at that! We confirmed it works with Switch 2 The official Nintendo Switch 2 Camera Logitech C920 Logitech C922 Logitech C270 Logitech Brio 300 A $10 USB endoscope, amusingly We confirmed it doesn't work Logitech Brio 4K Elgato Facecam MK.2 Insta360 Link Opal Tadpole Anker PowerConf C200 Obsbot Meet SE DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Android phone in webcam mode Reportedly works with Switch 2 (mostly from this Reddit thread) iPhone with USB-C to HDMI cable and HDMI to USB-C capture cable Razer Kiyo Pro Razer Kiyo Logitech StreamCam Logitech C930e Logitech C910 Logitech C615 Logitech C310 Logitech C250 Microsoft LifeCam 3000 Microsoft LifeCam Studio HP 4310 Lenovo WHWC500 (mostly from this Reddit thread) Opal C1 Elgato Facecam Pro Elgato Facecam Neo Elgato Facecam MK.1 Nexigo N60 Sony ZV-E10 Sony EyeToy PS5 HD Camera PS4 Camera Insta360 X3 Microsoft Xbox One Kinect To Nintendo's credit, it is incredibly easy to test which cameras do work with the console. Just go to Systems Settings > Controllers & Accessories > Test USB Camera and working ones will automatically display an image on the screen as soon as you plug them in. And to Elgato's credit, it tells The Verge it may try to update its cameras: 'For cameras that do not work, we will explore firmware updates to enable compatibility with Switch 2,' reads a statement via spokesperson Justin Ocbina.
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Thousands queue at midnight for Nintendo Switch 2 release
Gamers across the country were lining up at midnight to be the first to get their hands on the 'biggest game launch of the year'. EB Games stores across the country were jammed packed last night as people rushed to buy the new Nintendo Switch 2. The original Switch is currently the third highest selling console of all time, and today marks he release of the brand new Nintendo Switch 2. People of all ages have already sold out first wave pre-orders at most stores worldwide, and are stretching to prepare for the first fully brand new traditional Mario Kart game in 11 years, while parents are girding their loins (and wallets) to brave the shopping gauntlet at Christmas. But, for the uninitiated, let's dive into why the Nintendo Switch 2 is a big deal, what's new, what's weird, and why it's so gosh darn expensive. What's so special about it? First up, the Nintendo Switch is a game console that can be both docked at home connected to a TV, and taken around as a portable console. In old fashioned terms, it's the answer to both the Nintendo 64 and the GameBoy. The Nintendo Switch 2 does everything the Switch could do, and adds better graphics, a larger screen with a higher refresh rate for smoother motion, Joy-Con controllers that can also be used as mice, a new focus on Game Chat, allowing players to see and talk to people on their friends list, newer fancier games, and a higher price tag. That Game Chat feature allows players to plug in an external camera to video chat with other people while they play games, making it easier for families to stay connected overseas, and for bosses to come up with innovative new ways to make budget meetings interesting. People can also use the camera to play games using motion controls Daniel Cusumano, General Manager of The Gamesmen games shop in Sydney, said that he thought the reason why the Switch 2 was such a big deal was because of the relationship people have with the brand. 'Nintendo has been around for over 100 years, and they have the strongest IP lineup of any competitor with Mario, Kirby, Zelda and Donkey Kong. All of their IP titles seem to be extremely popular.' Selling out While the Switch 2 is big news for Nintendo players looking forward to new instalments of their favourite games, according to Ron Curry, the CEO of the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association in Australia, a new console is actually good news for all gamers. 'Any time a new piece of hardware comes into the market it invigorates the category altogether and invigorates consumers and developers, too.' His prediction is that new and interesting hardware will lead to new and interesting games that hopefully players will enjoy, while giving the other console making companies inspiration for the future. At first, there was some skepticism that the Switch 2 might be too expensive, given the price tag of $699, compared to the original Switch OLED's current price of $539 (generally found discounted for under $500). However, sales of the Switch 2 look to be strong, with initial preorders selling out across most stores. Cusumano told that he'd initially been sure that he'd have stock left to sell on launch day, but preorders outpaced his expectations. However, unlike the PlayStation 5, which was difficult to find in stores for a year after it was released, he says Nintendo has significantly more stock available and consoles should be easy to find soon. Launch titles are always a major factor in the initial success of a console, and Nintendo is coming out swinging. Although many of the hotly anticipated games will be coming out a little after launch, the heaviest hitter is Mario Kart World Tour, which is the first full new traditional Mario Kart game since Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U in 2014. It's the biggest Mario Kart game yet, with all the tracks interconnected, and players able to free roam around the open world in a new mode, or between races. Bigger still, races allow for up to 24 players at a time, with the new Knock Out Mode (which eliminates four players at each checkpoint) being delightful chaos. Other major launch titles include Cyberpunk 2077, Street Fighter 6, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, and upgrade packs for The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild and other popular Switch 1 titles. Looking ahead, anticipated games coming soon include Donkey Kong Bananza (17 July), Kirby. Air Riders (later this year), Drag X Drive (winter 2025), AFL 26 (2025) and Hades II (2025). Accessory sales are also expected to be strong, with gamers using this as an opportunity to upgrade headsets, as well as get new controllers and compatible cameras. Dean Katsimalis, Marketing Manager for ANZ at Steel Series, says that this is going to be a big year. 'With the current economic situation, people are going to be looking for value in their purchases, and spending more time choosing carefully. 'I think the majority of the market will be looking for budget-friendly accessories, but given the price point, I think we will also see lots of people purchasing premium products that are compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2. 'Steel Series is currently number one in Australia for gaming audio, so I think we're well positioned to meet that demand.' Given the console's focus on Game Chat, Katsimalis thinks that gaming headsets will be the most popular accessory after extra controllers. The brand released the new SteelSeries Nova 3 Wireless headset yesterday in anticipation of the Switch 2 launch for $199, with the Arctis GameBuds as the premium option for $359. Popular gaming accessories brand Razer is also prepping for the launch with a push of the Barracuda X Chroma headset. Other accessories expected to do well are SanDisk MicroSD Express memory cards to expand storage, Nintendo Pro Controllers, USB-C cameras, and screen protectors and cases from companies like 3rd Earth and Power A. The high price of the Switch 2 is influenced by a few factors, primarily that everything is more expensive now, but also the novel pieces for the console that make it stand out, like the new magnetic controllers that double as mice. Many of the people I spoke to pointed out that the Nintendo Switch 2 is still considerably cheaper than an Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5. The centrepiece of the Switch 2 is connecting people through gaming. We saw during the lockdown era how important games were for keeping people connected through games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It's beautiful to see a console concept built entirely around the way games help you meet new friends and spend time with family separated by distance. According to Curry, playing together is one of the things that makes us human. 'We know that play builds culture and connections, which is incredibly important,' he said. 'We see people to continue engaging with games because that's what we've always done. 'We've been playing together as a culture for millennia, this is just a new way of doing that.' As for how the Nintendo Switch 2 is going to sell, that's largely up to gamers if they want to buy it and game developers if they want to create engaging games for it. Nintendo has a history of follow ups to successful consoles with an added gimmick that's more expensive not going well (specifically remembering back to the Nintendo Wii which sold over 101 million units, compared to the Wii U, which sold 13.56 million). Having now spent a lot of time with the console, I hope it's embraced by both gamers and developers, because it has so much potential to do amazing things. At the moment, the Switch 2 is projected to sell 15 million units in its first year, already outpacing the Wii U. It'll be interesting to see where it goes from there.
CNET
20-05-2025
- CNET
Google Beam Promises Futuristic AI-Powered 3D Video Chats
Beam me up, Google. Video chats could have a much more sci-fi feel with Google Beam, an AI-powered video communications platform that aims to make it feel like you're meeting up in person. Google announced Beam, an evolution of its Google Starline technology, at its annual I/O developers conference on Tuesday. Google has teamed up with HP to commercialize the system. Google Beam uses a six-camera array that captures the subject from different angles. An AI video model puts the views together in real-time to create a 3D person. Google says the system features near-perfect head tracking down to the millimeter with video at 60 frames per second. The idea is reminiscent of any number of holographic communications systems seen in everything from Star Wars to Star Trek. Unlike the tiny, low-quality Princess Leia hologram from A New Hope, Beam is designed to be life-sized and lifelike. Google once described the technology as a "magic window." Enlarge Image Google's Starline technology platform is growing up and getting a new name, Google Beam. Google The platform uses a light field display that doesn't require wearing any special equipment. CNET's Abrar Al-Heeti tried out Starline last year and called it "the closest thing to a hologram I've ever seen." Speech translation, a feature Google is bringing to Google Meet, could come to Beam as well, Google said. Google introduced Starline as a research project in 2021 and has been testing and refining prototypes ever since. Today's announcement means the technology is closing in on being ready for prime time. Video calls have long been plagued with challenges. It can be hard to read expressions and gestures. Traditional video chats are missing a sense of eye contact. Zoom fatigue was a hot topic during the height of COVID-19. Beam wants to address those issues with a more immersive and lifelike experience. Google said HP will share more about the platform at the InfoComm audio visual technology exhibition in June. Google is also working with Zoom and other audio visual companies. Beam will likely find its footing first with larger organizations that want to shake up the way they handle videoconferencing. The first Beam devices will be available for early adopters later in 2025, so start practicing your "Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope." Beam isn't Google's only big announcement of the day. Check out everything that's been revealed at Google I/O.
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Microsoft shuts down Skype video call platform after more than two decades of service
Microsoft has permanently shut down Skype, pulling the plug on nearly 2 billion video chat accounts. The tech giant warned users in February that they would no longer have access to their accounts as of May 5, 2025 and urged them to migrate to its free Teams app as soon as possible. Skype was bought by Microsoft in 2011 but had been in operation for 21 years. Skype's official X account warned: 'Over the coming days you can sign in to Microsoft Teams Free with your Skype account to stay connected with all your chats and contacts. Thank you for being part of Skype.' Many users marked the shutdown as 'the end of an era', as former U.S. ambassador to Mexica, Christopher Landau, claimed: 'Not going to lie, the end of Skype today has me feeling wistful. 'My wife Caroline and I met 31 years ago this week and, since that first week, have spoken every single day - back in the day, often through Skype when she was traveling.' Psychotherapist Dr Saundra Stephen added: 'Skype has been wonderful for my practice since 2008 - so sad to see it go. Free video calling - what a gift it has been!' Skype launched in the early 2000s and quickly gained popularity as a way for people to talk to each other without paying a phone company. But once the smartphone-era hit, its users declined and similar services such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jeff Teper, president of Microsoft 365 collaborative apps and platforms, told CNBC: 'We've learned a lot from Skype over the years that we've put into Teams as we've evolved over the last seven to eight years. 'But we felt like now is the time because we can be simpler for the market, for our customer base, and we can deliver more innovation faster just by being focused on Teams.'
