Remember how a few years ago, spam mail warned us that the government was watching us through our monitors? Well now they really can. Samsung unveiled two 22" monitor models with VoIP functions at IFA 2007, sending nerds a-droolin’ and gamers exploding with joy. The SyncMaster 220TN and its younger brother, the 225UW, will allow users to do voice chats through their monitor and be watched while they sleep.
The SyncMaster 220TN Samsung monitor has a network module, microphone and speakers, and a webcam built inside of its 22-inch frame, allowing users to have Skype or Microsoft Live Messenger conversations without actually using a PC. Meaning a simple Ethernet connection will now allow you to wander around your house aimlessly while talking to family, friends and enemies through your monitor.
The 220TN also supports 1680×1050 resolution, has a four-port USB hub and runs Windows XP embedded which allows it to handle calls.
The 225UW is almost the same monitor — same size, same options — but has only a 2-port USB hub and is lacking the shiny no-PC-for-voice-calls option that makes the other one so deliciously buyable.
We’re not quite sure if the VoIP is that useful — as all it really saves you is the trouble of, well, turning on your PC. Still, it’s fairly neat and brings us one step closer to Star Wars-like holograms. Somehow. We’re not sure how yet.
See the news at Samsung’s website.
