A Webcam That Follows You Around The Room

By Wilson Rothman

Logitech's QuickCam Orbit ($130), with its unblinking camera eye and ominous red LED, evokes the HAL 9000, though its quirky, jerky movements suggest the work of Jim Henson. The motorized webcam uses facial recognition to stay locked on your mug, even as you move side to side or up and down. It doesn't always get things right--busy backgrounds can confuse the Orbit, and it may stop following you if it spies something of greater interest. (Hint: Keep any giant Tiki-god statues out of sight.) While videoconferencing or taking pictures, you may find it more practical to manually override the facial recognition and steer the Orbit to the best viewing position. But when the meeting is over, the hyperactive camera is an unexpectedly amusing pet. --W.R.