By launching the first apps from independent developers for the "Hangouts" video chat feature of Google+, Googleplex hopes to increase the time people spend on its social network and create a popular platform that will ultimately grow to hundreds of video apps, or more.

Hangouts allows up to 10 people to connect on a video chat. The service allows people to connect through a video chat, and a drawing pad embedded in the service allows participants to collaboratively draw colorful lines using their computer mouse.

A touch-screen version for iPad and other tablets is planned.

With hardly any noise -- not to mention a press conference-- Cisco shuts off sales of the umi, its ill-fated stab at a consumer videoconferencing system.

Call it sneaking away from another disaster from a once-infallible Cisco who thought it could easily crossover into consumer marketing, if you will.

Launched back in October 2010, the umi (pronounced You-Me) was a premium home conferencing kit offering 1080p video conferencing (720 for recording) at $599-- and an additional $10 monthly service fee. The package included a camera, controller and STB... and customers had to include their own HDTVs and internet connections.

Existing users will still be able to use the service to chat with either umi subscribers or Google video chat accounts.

Is Cisco giving up on home telepresence (while using the Linksys brand to target home users) or simply waiting until the time is right? Either way, we're sure Cisco will continue chasing the online video market.

Go Cisco umi

The latest In-Stat research might be pointing out your next install opportunity-- living room video calling systems. According to the analyst, global video calling will surpass 380M active users by 2015.

The number of video calling users for 2010 totals 63M.

In-Stat says that while PC video calling will "account for the majority of video calling minutes," it also expects "significant developments" in the living room segment as more vendors enter the market.

Skype remains the market leading solution across all screen types-- PC, mobile and TV. Solutions offering integration with social networking will also be "significant" market drivers.

One can find Skype embedded in a number of devices (including HDTVs and Blu-ray players), while Google TV also offers TV calling features via Google Chat.

Go Video Calling Across Screen Types (In-Stat)

The word "Biscotti" does not simply refer to Italian biscuits any more-- it is also the name of a miniature VoIP TV phone that's only a bit bigger than the actual baked goods sharing the name.

The Biscotti consists of a small camera-carrying box designed to sit on top of TV sets, to which it plugs in using HDMI. Connecting to the internet via wifi, it allows users to make video-calls through either Biscotti service or Google Talk from their living rooms.

Control comes via included 6-button remote, while a HDMI-in port allows one to connect the Biscotti to both TV and cable/satellite STB and make calls while watching other TV channels.

Users can also set the Biscotti to automatically answer calls from select contacts and even turn the TV on when receiving calls through a simple menu system.

It works with wifi upload speeds starting from 256Kbps, and delivers HD video at speeds of 1Mbps and over. Now all we need is some coffee to go with such crunchy treats...

Go Biscotti TV Phone

AVermedia launches a video conferencing range, the AVerComm H series. The 2 models offer 720P images at 30fps and are aimed at business and education.

The AVerComm H100 has a 5 megapixel PTZ camera, two-way content sharing and projector-applicable Table Hub design.

The AVerComm H300 allows 4-way Multipoint conferencing, snapshot and meeting recording added to the H100's features. AVerMedia says it is designed for headquarter and boardroom use.

Go to AVermedia Video Conferencing Range

Cisco launches ūmi (prounounced You-Me), a home videoconferencing system. A premium single-function product ($600 in USA for camera STB and remote), it faces competition from smaller, cheaper (as much as 4X) multi-function video conferencing rivals.

The 1080p HD video conferencing camera connects to an internet-enabled console that allows video chat (with remote control) via the living room TV. A monthly subscription ($25 in USA) is required. Umi accepts video calls from Google video chat, as well as records videos to use as messages or share online.

Of course, Skype remains the toughest competition: 40% of calls placed over Skype are video calls. But compare ūmi as a single-function device to Logitech’s camera as part of Google TV, Skype as integrated with internet-enabled TVs, and Microsoft and Sony cameras as part of their game consoles (with motion-sensing capabilities). Nor is ūmi interoperable with Cisco’s corporate telepresence systems (so no executive toy here).

On the surface, it looks like ūmi will not be the mass market product Cisco so desperately wanted but that's not stopping Best Buy from putting it on American store shelves as we speak.

Go Cisco Brings Out ūmi