Logitech Acquired SightSpeed
SightSpeed FAQ
Q: We are acquiring SightSpeed for the development of future initiatives. Will we maintain and support the current SightSpeed services?
A: Yes. The current SightSpeed services, which are very highly valued by their users, will continue to be available and fully supported.
Q: Do we plan any updates or enhancements to the existing services? And in what timeframe?
A: For the time being, we expect to keep the site as is. But we will evaluate any enhancements as we move forward.
Q: Will we put more marketing clout behind the SightSpeed services to make them more competitive against the likes of Skype and MSN?
A: Our focus for the SightSpeed team will be on the development of new technology that we think will drive growth of the video communications market. We are not planning an increase in marketing for the current SightSpeed services.
Q: SightSpeed is a direct competitor to Skype and MSN. How does this acquisition affect our partnership with these companies?
A: We expect our strong relationships with Skype and MSN to continue. As you know, Skype is primarily a VoIP service with video capabilities as an added feature. So if people communicate via Skype, they will probably continue to do so. Likewise, MSN is an IM platform with video added on. So people will probably continue to use MSN if it is how they communicate with friends and family.
For those consumers and businesses looking for a service built for video calling, they will most likely consider SightSpeed.
Q: Will we continue to enhance our webcams to take advantage of new features or capabilities offered by Skype or MSN?
A: We always consider enhancements to our webcams based on the best interest of consumers. For example, if Skype were to enhance their service to improve the experience for webcam users, we would consider how to take advantage of that for the benefit of our customers.
Q: This acquisition seems out of the norm for Logitech if we are just trying to sell more webcams – why buy this company instead of partner with them?
A: Logitech has been a driving force in the video communications market over the last several years because we have many reasons to believe in it. To help create the next wave of video communications enthusiasts, we believe that it is necessary to focus on an intuitive solution that will allow people to better incorporate video communications into their lifestyle. This means a cross-platform solution that works for people at a computer or in the living room. By acquiring SightSpeed, we can drive this development in the best interest of the future users.
Q: We have done a lot of development already for video calling services. We offered a video calling service until last year. Why couldn’t we develop this internally and not spend so much money?
A: SightSpeed is already pretty far down the path of having the kind of services technology that we would like to make available. By working with SightSpeed, we can get such a service to market much faster. In addition, they have significant engineering talent that we believe will enhance Logitech’s overall technology development efforts.
Q: Who on the SightSpeed team will join Logitech and who will not?All of the SightSpeed employees will be offered jobs at Logitech and we are delighted to have them join the company.
What exactly does SightSpeed bring to the party?
A: SightSpeed has a very talented development organization and they have a standards-based architecture, which we consider to be very important. They have a technology platform that we believe is right for delivering a solution to the marketplace in a timely fashion. They also have a proven track record of global deployment.
Q: Who are the primary competitors?
A: No company has specifically targeted the mass market with a service focused on a solution that crosses the personal computer and the living room.
Q: Where will SightSpeed fit into Logitech?
A: SightSpeed will be part of Logitech’s Internet Communications Business Unit, reporting into General Manager Gina Clark.
Q: Will they remain in Berkeley?
A: The SightSpeed staff will continue on in Berkeley and we will evaluate options as we go along.
Q: Do we expect to sell more webcams because of this acquisition?
A: We expect to drive future growth in video communications.
Q: What about services revenue?
A: We acknowledge that there is a potential upside with regard to services revenue but it is not a significant factor in our business model.
Guitar Hero Fan Boys Rejoice!
Logitech just recently announced release of a premium game control for Guitar Hero.
Here are some of the FAQs about this Wireless Guitar control.
1) What will be the North American availability of this product?
We plan to have the Logitech Wireless Guitar Controller available around early/mid December
2) What will be the worldwide availability of this product?
We currently have not announced an international release of this controller. Please check your local Logitech.com webpage for an official announcement
3) What makes the North American "Premiere Edition" special?
The premiere edition will come with an authentic gig-bag for transportation and storage of your Logitech controller. There will be initially a limited quantity of this device
4) How will users be able to use this both on a PS2 and PS3?
The Wireless Guitar for PS3 will come with a USB 2.4Ghz receiver. However it can only work on PS3 at this point.
- Works with Guitar Hero games on the PS3
5) Will there be an Xbox/Wii/PC/Commodore64 version?
We currently do not have an announced controller for any other platforms beyond the PS2 and PS3. Any announcements for future products will be done through www.logitech.com
6) Will my Guitar Hero rechargable battery pack fit in the controller?
Yes
7) What does the Touch Sensitive Neck Slider do?
The touch slider's performance and behavior is determined by the game is is being played on. Please refer to your software manual on how this control is implemented and if this control is supported
8) Will there be any future colors?
We have not announced any plans for this.
9) What is the range of this controller?
Up to 30 feet / 10 meters
10) Is this guitar really real wood? How much of it is wood? Is it the same size as a real guitar?
The guitar is made in a 3/4th size scale to a standard guitar. The neck is solid wood, and the body is made out of a reinforced wood product to make the controller more durable.
11) Are the buttons/Strum Bar really that quiet?
Logitech has developed an entirely new way to strum bar activity, and this allows for a quieter performance, but still has the tactile feedback you've become used to. The buttons are also quieted through using a button design that is different from the standard guitar controllers
12) How long is the warranty?
The Wireless Guitar Controller will have a 1 year warranty.
13) Are the black plastic pickups functional?
The "double humbucker" style pickups serve as your Star Power button. For advanced players this allows the activation of star power without having to tilt the guitar.
14) Will these work with Rock Band 1/2 or Guitar Revolution?
This guitar was designed to function exclusively with the Guitar Hero series for Playstation. If a game developer includes support in their own 3rd party game for our controllers, then you may use it with that game, but we do not have any official information of support for this controller beyond the Guitar Hero series.
For more product specific details please visit the official Logitech page.
How to make sure the Num Lock key stays on during System Boot up
When is a good time to update your Logitech drivers?
Searching all over the internet to find updated drivers? I'm sure most of the people out there have one common syndrome called "Keeping up with the Joneses". We all want the latest, best, up-to-date, geekiest thingy that our neighbor has. Well, it doesn't necessary have to be something physical that you can see or own; we are brought up in a society with this type of mentality. Every time we see someone having something new, we tend to either get jealous or drool.
Ok, so let's get down to the main topic - When should you update your Logitech drivers? Here I will provide some simple guidelines on whether you should update or not.
When you SHOULD update:
- You are getting software errors / software not working properly all the time
- Your Operating System no longer supports the older software
- You got a newer Logitech equipment which is not supported on the older software
- When you are advised to update by Logitech support
When you SHOULD NOT update:
- You experience no software errors
- Your Logitech equipments are functioning normally
What do newer software offer?
- Fix bugs in previous software
- Add / remove configuration or features
- Support for newer released products
- Newer look and feel
- New support for newer version of Operating System
What don't newer software offer?
- Support for legacy devices (products from x years ago will still not be supported)
- Offer more enhancement functionality to your current product (mouse will not perform any better)
As they say in the first law of engineering - If it is not broken, don't fix it! For example, I've seen a lot of cases when the G5 mouse is not having any issues, the fella go and update the firmware thinking that it will improve the performance. In the end, he corrupted the firmware and the mouse becomes completely useless.
Even when you are updating your Logitech software, I recommend to download the whole software package, remove the current software then install the newer software. Never try to update the software via the "update" link from Logitech software because most of the time it does not install correctly and in the end corrupts your whole program. Clean install is the way for updating software.
So remember, newer is not always better. If everything is working fine for you, just stick with it and it will serve you well for a long time to come.