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Scharon Harding-December 15, 2021 at 12:22 PM UTC
If you let me guess which company is improving the positioning of the webcam, I won't name Dell. That's because I still remember Dell XPS's infamous camera head webcam, which is an unfortunate shooting game that has provided countless XPS users with a nostril view over the years. But Dell wants a different, more positive reason for you to associate it with trendy webcams. Ironically, the company is committed to placing webcams in the most ideal position.
Dell demonstrated Concept Pari to the media last week (in the same event, it showed Concept Luna repairable PCs). This is a prototype of a 1080p webcam that can be taken out of the holster with a single flick and placed wherever the magnet can work. The idea is that the camera will continue to send video to the connected PC via Wi-Fi, even if it is a few feet away. The most obvious use case for Concept Pari is to stick it directly on the computer's display screen instead of sticking it to its border. This creates a more private space for conversations with distant interlocutors, keeping their views of you in line with yours. The zoom/webcam is placed closer to the line of sight, making the call feel more like real life. Scharon Harding
"It can be placed directly anywhere-on compatible displays, charging docks, cradles, and even in your hand," Glen Robson, chief technology officer of Dell Technologies Client Solutions Group, explained in a blog post today.
Dell has made great strides since 2015, when, as NotebookCheck recalled, it brought the XPS 13 webcam to an unfortunate position: the bottom left corner of the bottom bezel of the laptop. I also have a laptop with a front-view camera, and let me tell you that unless you lift the machine very high, it is difficult to avoid looking up. Not only is this lens unattractive, it is almost impossible to make serious, professional calls. However, the camera stayed there until 2019, when Dell finally removed the front camera from the XPS 13 and XPS 15. Zoom in/My 2016 era XPS 13 is still playing, but the webcam brings back bad memories. Sharon Harding
Webcams are not just to make your face look more beautiful. In theory, it can also help you look more professional. Dell uses the camera as an ideal tool for presentations, allowing staff to more easily show content such as sketches and prototypes. The magnification/webcam is magnetically attached to the metal bracket to allow you to view the paper below from top to bottom. Scharon Harding
The whole thing weighs about one ounce. It also has a microphone and an indicator light to help you straighten out your vision. When not in use, the Concept Pari can be placed in its leather case, and it can be placed on top of the display and charged. The base on the top of the zoom/display charges the wireless webcam. Dell, you can even place it backwards to make sure no one sees you. A Dell spokesperson said at a press conference that the battery life of the current prototype is "close" to one hour. This is not terrible for personal calls, but my business calls usually last longer. However, Dell's concept is that after it dies, the camera can still be used from the charging dock.
The prototype is 1080p, which is enough pixels for most situations. But some brands, including Dell, offer 4K webcams. If Concept Pari becomes a real product, resolution is one of the things Dell must balance, in addition to price and battery life-4K specifications will also affect it. Zooming in/higher resolution will damage the battery life of the camera. Scharon Harding
But Concept Pari is just a prototype. No one said how long Dell’s true wireless magnetic webcam will last, or whether the company will release one. Dell today announced the project, which includes an 11-inch screen Concept Stanza that can be used for collaboration, note-taking and screen mirroring, and a Workspace Concept Flow with wireless charging and Wi-Fi 6E docking stations. These are just to showcase the features and/or products that Dell might launch someday.
That said, it's nice to see Dell as far away from the nose cam area as possible-even if it is only through prototypes.
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