Apple Introduces iChat AV and iSight
Video Conferencing for “The Rest of Us”
MARKHAM, Ontario—June 23, 2003—Apple® today introduced a major breakthrough
in video conferencing—the iChat™ AV software application and the iSight™
digital video camera. Together they enable high-quality video conferences
between two Mac® users over any broadband connection, revolutionizing the
way people communicate with business associates, colleagues in education,
friends and family. iChat AV also features audio conferences even over
dial-up connections to the Internet. iChat AV requires no set up or
configuration beyond installing the software and plugging in any FireWire®
video camera and microphone. Buddies with audio or video conferencing
capability automatically show up in your buddy list, and initiating a video
or audio conference is as simple as pushing one button. iChat AV is a key
feature of the upcoming release of Mac® OS X version 10.3 “Panther,” and is
available as a public beta today for Mac OS X version
While iChat AV works with any FireWire video camera, Apple’s iSight digital
video camera was designed for video conferencing, delivering sharp images
and clear sound through its built-in, dual-element noise-suppressing
microphone. Smaller and lighter than most cell phones, iSight has a unique
center mount design which allows video conversations to be far more engaging
and natural. iSight is available today and demonstrates Apple’s unique
ability to create a tightly integrated hardware and
“iChat AV is a major breakthrough in communications—users can now video
conference with their business associates, colleagues in education, friends
and family with just the push of a button,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO.
“iChat AV and iSight truly offer video conferencing for the rest of us, and
since they were designed with Apple’s legendary ease-of-use, anyone can set
them up in under
Building on the success of the iChat instant messaging application in Mac OS
X, iChat AV extends instant communication to the next level with the world’s
best personal video conferencing application. With high-quality, full
screen, full motion video over broadband, crystal clear audio over 56K modem
and a familiar easy-to-use interface, iChat AV makes natural conversations
over the Internet immediate and effortless. Automatic display of video and
audio icons within the familiar iChat buddy list instantly identifies
buddies with video or audio conferencing capabilities so conversations can
begin at the click of a button from the office, home
Featuring Apple’s legendary design and ease-of-use, iSight is a small, light
and incredibly portable aluminum alloy camera that features a custom
designed lens with auto-focus and a high-end CCD sensor to provide
high-resolution images and full-motion video at up to 30 frames per second.
iSight includes an integrated microphone that suppresses ambient noise for
crystal-clear digital audio. With its on-board processor, iSight
automatically adjusts color, white balance, sharpness and contrast to
provide high-quality images with accurate color reproduction in any
iSight is designed to be center-mounted on the top of any computer screen
and uses its integrated tilt and rotate mechanism to easily position the
camera for natural, face-to-face video conferencing. iSight is smaller and
lighter than most cell phones and extremely portable. With all audio, video
and power provided by a single FireWire cable, simply clipping the compact
iSight camera to any PowerBook® G4 or iBook® for convenient on-the-go video
conferencing, makes it easy for travelers to keep in touch with family,
friends and business associates while they are
Pricing & Availability
The time-limited iChat AV public beta is available immediately for free
download at www.apple.com/ichat, and requires Mac OS X version 10.2.5
“Jaguar.” Video conferencing requires a PowerPC 600 MHz G3 or greater
Macintosh® computer. The final version of iChat AV will be included as a key
feature of the upcoming release of Mac OS X version 10.3 “Panther” and will
also be downloadable from Apple for $29.95 (US) as a standalone upgrade for
users of Mac OS X v10.2.5
The iSight video camera is available today through the Apple Store®
(www.apple.com/canadastore) and
Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested
retail price of $219(CDN). iSight requires the iChat AV public beta and Mac
OS X v10.2.5 “Jaguar”
Mac OS X v10.2 “Jaguar” requires a minimum of 128MB of memory and is
designed to run on the following Apple products: eMac™, iMac®, iBook, Power
Macintosh® G3, Power Mac® G4 and any PowerBook introduced after
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple
II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh.
Apple is committed to bringing the best personal computing experience to
students, educators, creative professionals and consumers around the world
through its innovative hardware, software and
Apple Canada Inc. is headquartered in Markham, Ontario and is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Apple Computer, Inc. Apple products are available at more than
450 Authorized Apple Canada Dealer locations
Press Contacts:
Simon Atkins
Socratic Communications
(416) 367-8251
simon@socratic.net
© 2003 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved.Apple, the Apple logo, Mac,
Mac OS, Macintosh, iChat, iSight, FireWire, PowerBook, iBook, Apple Store,
eMac, iMac, Power Macintosh and Power Mac are either registered trademarks
or trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of
their
