Apple Vision

Ushering instant messaging into the video era is Apple Computers. Its new combination iSight web cam/microphone and iChat software allows MAC owners to video chat over AOL Instant Message network. At 30 frames per second, the iSight’s picture quality runs circles around the competition. The bad news: iChat is only for MACS running OSX or better and requires a high speed Internet connection. This of course narrows the audience, but as with Apple’s groundbreaking iPod MP3 player, one can only wish upon a Pixar that this technology will make it to the Windows world. $150; www.apple.com