Tuesday May 25, 8:03 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
3Com Enters USB Camera Market With the HomeConnect PC Digital Camera
New Camera Enhances Connections for Mobile and Home Users with High-Quality, Portability and Simplicity
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 25, 1999--Video communications just got easier, brighter and more mobile as 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq:COMS - news) today announced the new 3Com® HomeConnect(tm) PC digital camera, providing users a high-quality, portable video solution for desktop and laptop computers equipped with USB (Universal Serial Bus).
Based on technology from Vista Imaging, the 3Com HomeConnect PC digital camera is designed for PCs running Windows® 95, 98 and 2000 plugging directly into standard USB ports for a fast, easy-to-use, mobile video connection. The HomeConnect PC digital camera is the first product to ship under the 3Com HomeConnect brand name, which will include a variety of products for Internet access and home networking.
''People who use videoconferencing technology are looking for a high-quality, extravagantly simple solution to connect to more people. The easy install and flexibility of the HomeConnect USB camera is evidence that 3Com has done its homework offering innovative video products for the home and mobile computing markets,'' according to Andrew Davis, senior consultant for Forward Concepts.
Low-Light High-Quality Video
One of the first things users will notice about the 3Com HomeConnect PC digital camera is its ability to cope with different lighting conditions. This is the result of the camera's automatic low-light adjustment, which compensates for all types of light. This unique low-light feature spares users the hassle of having to compensate for too much or too little light by capturing clearer images under almost any lighting condition. Now, for example, images remain bright and clear whether users are capturing images in direct sunlight, a low-light hotel room or the glow of birthday candles.
Grab and Go!
Users who were previously frustrated with video cameras that confined them to their desks now have the flexibility to ''grab and go'' with the 3Com HomeConnect PC digital camera. Equipped with a removable 9-foot connection cable, the 3Com camera makes it easy to pick up and move around the room. Then, when users are ready to hit the road, they can ''grab and go'' by simply detaching the cable from the back of the camera and take it with them.
''The new HomeConnect video camera provides consumers with live video in minutes, and the packaged point-and-click software makes it easy to capture and send video over the Internet,'' said Robert Hudson, manager of video products for 3Com's Personal Communications Division. ''Best of all, its portable design makes the HomeConnect PC digital camera the smart option for a variety of users -- everyone from the road warrior needing a laptop videoconferencing solution to families wanting face-to-face contact with distant relatives.''
An extra video cable can be purchased separately and stored in a laptop bag to provide great video at any destination. Best of all, by detaching from the camera and not the computer itself, users avoid the hassle of messing with cords or reaching behind their PCs.
Easy USB Connection and Application Launcher
Inherently easy to use, USB is rapidly becoming the ultimate in plug and play technology mainly because a USB device, such as the HomeConnect PC digital camera, can be plugged into a computer while it is running and recognized as a new device within seconds. The custom install utility created for the HomeConnect PC digital camera immediately scans a user's system for the proper USB drivers and runs a pre-system requirement check.
Loading software for the HomeConnect PC digital camera merely requires inserting the packaged CD-ROM and following the installation instructions. Furthermore, the HomeConnect PC digital camera also comes with a custom application launcher, which places all the packaged video phone, e-mail, capture and editing software at the user's fingertips. The launcher also includes links to 3Com's What's Hot! Web site for the latest in video software and special events.
Software shipping with the new 3Com HomeConnect PC digital camera includes: Microsoft® NetMeeting®, which delivers H.323 standard based Internet/LAN video phone calls and application sharing; NetCard(tm) Pro by PictureWorks Technology, Inc. for sending dynamic digital postcards through the Internet with email and PictureWorks Live!(tm), which allows users to easily create, edit and share video files; VIDcap and Viviewer to instantly capture and edit images using the camera mounted snapshot button; and WebCam 32 software for sending snapshots to the Web at regular intervals.
Additional Features and Accessories
Other special features of the HomeConnect PC digital camera include a single capture button on the top of the camera, which allows users to capture images as quickly and easily as with a pocket camera. The 3Com HomeConnect camera also offers a tilt and swivel camera base that can be removed and mounted on a standard tripod or used with a laptop PC. Additional accessories will be released for the HomeConnect PC digital camera within the year.
System Requirements & Availability
The 3Com HomeConnect PC digital camera (model no. 3718) is now available for an estimated street price of $149.95 in the U.S. The minimum system requirements are a Pentium® 133 MHz PC with MMX or equivalent with a USB port, 16 Megabytes of RAM running Windows® 95 with USB supplement, Windows 98 with current service pack or Windows 2000 Professional and Server (when available). Installation support is available toll-free at 888/877-4VID. For additional information, visit 3Com's video Web site at 3com.com.
About 3Com
With more than 200 million customers worldwide, 3Com Corporation connects more people to information in more ways than any other networking company. 3Com delivers innovative information access products and network system solutions to large, medium and small enterprises; carriers and network service providers; PC OEMs; and consumers. 3Com -- More connected(tm). For further information, visit 3Com's World Wide Web site at www.3com.com or the press site at www.3com.com/pressbox.
Note to Editors: 3Com is a registered trademark and HomeConnect and More connected. are trademarks of 3Com Corporation. Microsoft, NetMeeting, and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. NetCard and PictureWorks Live! are trademarks of PictureWorks Technology, Inc. Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.
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Contact:
3Com Public Relations
Mike Beltrano, 847/262-2331
mike_beltrano@3com.com
or
Coltrin and Associates
Brad Thatcher, 212/221-1616
brad_thatcher@coltrin.com
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