Logitech IM Video Companion Adds Live Video to Popular Instant Messengers

July 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Logitech (Nasdaq: LOGI; Switzerland: LOGN, LOGZ), today launched a new video service, Logitech IM Video Companion, which enables users of MSN Messenger and AOL Instant Messenger(AIM) to add live video to instant messages. Logitech IM Video Companion makes it easy to enhance instant messaging sessions with live video, complementing the current features built into MSN Messenger and AIM. This service, which works with most web cameras, can be downloaded from http://companion.logitech.com . In addition, it will ship directly with all new Logitech web cameras. Since June 2001 when video instant messaging was introduced by Yahoo!(R) Messenger, millions of webcam users have taken advantage of this new feature. "Instant messaging continues to emerge as the fastest growing communication platform. As the leading provider of web cameras, Logitech wanted to offer its customers an enriching and personal IM experience by enabling live video that works with MSN Messenger and AIM," said Junien Labrousse, senior vice president of the Logitech Video Business Unit. "We have created the Logitech IM Video Companion to work in tandem with current IM clients, so users can continue to enjoy the advanced features built directly into those applications, while including video in their interaction." Users log onto and use their MSN Messenger and AIM clients as usual. Then, to add live video, they simply launch Logitech IM Video Companion and invite a friend to "View my Webcam." Most viewers do not need any special software installed in order to watch the live video. To ensure privacy, only those friends that the sender invites will be able to view the live video. With the Logitech IM Video Companion, live videos can be simultaneously sent, or broadcast, to multiple friends. What's more, at any point during the IM session, broadcasters have the option to stop sending video to one or all friends. Logitech IM Video Companion enables both broadband and modem users to broadcast or view high quality live video. The application utilizes advanced compression technologies that automatically adapt to the user's Internet connection, which optimizes the video performance for both the broadcaster and the viewers based on the individual Internet speed. IM Video Companion addresses firewall issues, ensuring the video will work even if one of the participants is behind a firewall or NAT. Logitech IM Video Companion allows any PC user with Windows 98 or higher to broadcast live video. Viewers can watch the video within most current web browsers, including browsers on Macintosh computers.