HANNOVER, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 8, 2006--Logitech (SWX:LOGN)(NASDAQ:LOGI) today unveiled the latest version of the company's hallmark webcam eyeball design, one of the most recognizable shapes in the PC industry. The affordable new QuickCam(R) Connect, QuickCam(R) Messenger, QuickCam(R) Chat, and QuickCam(R) Express webcams each feature a smaller eyeball design that fits with the minimalist tastes of the modern consumer - the new eyeball is just 45 millimeters wide, 33 percent smaller than previous models.
Logitech evolved the webcam design so that it better complements the aesthetics of the living room, the home office, the den - or any of the varied places people are using PCs in the modern-day home. This is especially important as video calling continues to become more prevalent in everyday computing.
During the past eight years, Logitech has introduced more than 20 different webcams with the iconic eyeball designs; along the way, Logitech has sold more webcams worldwide than any other company, and maintains market leadership positions for sales in most of the world's major markets. According to recent MarketLab survey, nearly 50 percent of people surveyed identify the eyeball shape with Logitech.
"The way people use webcams and the quality of the experience has changed dramatically over the years, but the iconic eyeball design has been timeless because of what it means," said Gina Clark, director of product marketing at Logitech. "For us, the design represents a promise to help people extend their sight beyond their physical location and connect them with friends and family who are geographically separated. This next step in the evolution of the design is a smaller, cleaner, simpler form that we think will appeal to people making video calls from a variety of environments in the home, whether it's the living room, dining room, den or home office."
Much has changed since 1994, when Connectix introduced the eyeball design with the original QuickCam(R) webcam, recently named by PC World Magazine as one of The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years. In 1998, Logitech acquired the hardware division of Connectix and the QuickCam design. Logitech's award-winning design process was subsequently applied to the eyeball, which the company has nurtured and carefully fine-tuned over time. Meanwhile, the experience of using a webcam has steadily improved since the days when connecting two parties required entering complicated IP addresses. Now it's easy for friends and family to keep in touch by making full-screen video and audio calls with applications such as Skype(R) and MSN(R) Messenger.
Logitech's newest webcams offer good video performance at an extremely affordable price - the four products will be available in various worldwide regions beginning this spring for suggested retail prices ranging from $24.99 to $39.99 in the U.S. All of the new cameras are extremely simple to install and use with a wide variety of today's webcam applications. The QuickCam Connect (named QuickCam(R) IM in the U.S.) and QuickCam Messenger webcams each feature an integrated microphone with echo-canceling audio technology - this Logitech(R) RightSound(TM) technology allows people to make video calls with crisp, clear, echo-free audio. With RightSound technology, family members can all gather around the PC and see and talk to loved ones on the other end of a video call - without using a headset.
Logitech's newest QuickCam webcams will come in a variety of colors, and in some regions, Logitech will offer interchangeable face plates that allow people to personalize the cameras. The webcams also feature a new universal clip that attaches to any variety of desktop or notebook monitor, or sits on a tabletop.
About Logitech
Founded in 1981, Logitech designs, manufactures and markets personal peripherals that enable people to effectively work, play, and communicate in the digital world. Logitech International is a Swiss public company traded on the SWX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and in the U.S. on the Nasdaq National Market System (LOGI). The company has manufacturing facilities in Asia and offices in major cities in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.
Logitech, the Logitech logo, and other Logitech marks are owned by Logitech and may be registered. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.