In it’s new pricing model, WebEx end users can now purchase web conferencing services for one to nine hosts directly on demand from its website. Previously, the minimum number of hosts were five, making the service expensive for clients that required less than that for their online presentations. The changing in pricing also allows monthly and annual packages instead annual packages alone. This structure allows clients to purchase more or less services as they require it.

WebEx VP, Bert van der Zwan

We want to make sure that our products help our customers maximize their productivity, which means as markets and businesses become more flexible so do our services. This is why we have made the buying process easier – no matter what size your company is, you can purchase exactly what you need. Software-as-a-Service applications like WebEx have given users unparalleled flexibility in how they use IT, and our new pricing model matches this by giving customers more choice in how they pay for and use our services.

The WebEx Meeting Center allows instant online meetings over the internet, allowing a company’s vendors, partners, clients and suppliers to connect instantly and without the hassle of conventional travel. Collaboration becomes more simple and questions can be answered instantly, making disparate offices work as if they were together onsite. The service supports, video and many collaboration features such as white boarding and online PowerPoint presentations. The end user only needs to have a computer and if they want to participate in the video conference, a standard webcam and microphone.

The Novo Minoru 3D webcam looks a lot like Disney/Pixar’s Wall-E robot, and according to the company will bring 3D video into your home or office. The animated looking camera has two lenses, roughly spaced the same distance as human eyes. The two images are recorded together in a single stream to create the 3D effect, much the way the human eye processes the images.

Viewers of this 3D video will have to wear the classic blue and read glasses to decode the 3D video which otherwise is too blury to see. The camera will come with five sets of 3D glasses and more will be available for order through the vendor. The Minoru can also record video in regular 2D format.

the Minoru, which literally means “reality” in Japanese, can be used with most instant messengers and video conferencing packages according to the British designers who created the product. The camera can also be used for still pictures or to record 3D video for YouTube. The webcam has been developed for the i-stage competition run by the Consumer Electronics Association and while still in prototype testing, the company expects the product to be available in December for $80.