Having a webcam is great. It allows you to do many things. But what if hackers get into your system, or your school starts spying on you?

Gsou of China offers this USB webcam with a low tech anti-peep feature: a robotic arm that will cover the camera lens automatically once you’re done with your video session. If you get an incoming Skype or MSN video call, both hands will be lowered. There’s also a manual override that lets you uncover the lens manually.

Microsoft has just added three new webcams to its LifeCam line, and all three are capable of 720p HD video. The LifeCam HD-5000 and HD-5001 look different on the outside, but inside they are the same and both sell for $49.95 and are available later this month.

A smaller version of the LifeCam, the HD-6000 is available in May and aimed at notebooks, also capable of 720p video and autofocus, with a 360° rotation view.

Sakar International has announced a bunch of new Kodak webcams. The list includes the S100, a driver-free webcam; the T130; an auto focus webcam and the the P310HD, a webcam with a three megapixel sensor which produces HD quality video.

There’s also the W100 and a two megapixel auto focus webcam called the L200. The cameras can automatically connect to IM and VoiP services like AOL, MSN Instant Messenger and SKYPE by automatically launching the app without the user having to do it themselves, which is neat.

The Hercules Dualpix HD720p may look huge, but it’s just a close up. Thank god. You wouldn’t want a gargantuan webcam like that in your face. The webcam is HD 720p capable, complete with an autofocus lens and integrated microphone.

It articulates in two different ways, so you can rest assured that you will get yourself in the shot, or show off more things behind you. The 1-megapixel CMOS (1280 x 800) can capture 30fps 720p video, or interpolated pseudo-5MP stills, and it hooks up to your XP/Vista/Windows 7 PC via USB.

If you are looking to add some color to your life, Japan’s Elecom is offering the UCAM-DLC300T Series. It’s a three megapixel USB web camera that fits onto the top of standard laptop screens allowing you to video chat instantly and easily.

It’s not just about laptops though. The web cam is also designed to work with the Sony Playstation 3 while offering 30 frames per second image transmission. The UCAM-DLC300T webcams come in white, black, pink and sky blue, and are compatible with PC or Mac.

Today Microsoft announced a brand new webcam with the LifeCam Cinema, which offers a true HD experience in 720p resolution. It’s capable of capturing 30 frames per second and it’s all about giving you high quality at an affordable price.

Some other features include a 4x digital zoom, noise-canceling mic, autofocus and a glass lens. Constructed from aluminum, this camera has an interesting stand that works with both notebooks and desktops. The webcam even has a specific Windows Live call button for use with Windows Live Messenger and it connects via USB 2.0.

Summer is here and if you want to get all fruity about it, why not get yourself a fruit webcam. It’s part of a healthy diet. Your choice of watermelon, apple, and pear. The pear even has a smiley face. Each costs just $12.69.

Some features include: No seeds, no juices, no fruit flys nearby, 8.0 Mega pixel Watermelon Shaped Web Cam, Supports windows Vista, XP, 2000, ME, video up to: 1600*1200 (Dynamic: 2Mega), 2.0 Mega pixel CMOS sensor, and 10 X ZOOM.

Here’s the final frontier in geek accessories for your computer. Let your geek flag fly high with this USS Enterprise-themed USB webcam. Perfect for making video Captain’s logs to send to other nerds. It won’t fight other webcams shaped like Klingon or Romulan ships, but it does feature an adjustable focus, and the red engine lights light up. So that ought to mesmerize you for all of a minute.

The cable even features the Star Fleet Insignia. Nothing on a release date or price, but it will be available in lieu of time spent with girls very soon.

A new 3D Webcam we heard about earlier this year is set to make the rounds at the Consumer Electronics Show this week, followed by early January sales here in the United States. It is called the Minoru 3D Webcam and it will price around $90 when released.

The Minoru is said to provide a 3D stereoscopic image because it is a single piece with two cameras spaced roughly the same distance apart aside. Strange looking similarities to Wall-E aside, the developer of this Webcam says users will tend to look into the eyes of the camera as they light up – perhaps to suck more cash out of one’s pocket.

You might remember this virtual nerd girlfriend from several months back. The Dennou AR Figures virtual 3D girlfriends are for those extra lonely nerds who don’t get out much. I think the idea is that you would want to check in on her now and then, apply spankings as needed and occasionally give her gifts, all safe in the knowledge that she can’t run or call the cops.

You install webcam software and when your camera detects the special cube onscreen, it puts a 3D companion into your environment. It’s available right now in Japan for $125. And we don’t want to know what you two do in your spare time. A slightly NSFW video below

Web cams have just gone all view-master on us. The Minoru looks like a super-cute Japanese robot and is designed to deliver the Internet experience in 3D. The stereo webcam uses two lenses to form one image that appears three-dimensional…when the viewer wears a pair of 3D glasses. When are we gonna get beyond these nerd glasses?

It’s compatible with chat services like Skype, AIM, and Windows Live Messenger. Apparently the device can take 3D photos and output 3D video that’s uploadable to YouTube too. He’s part E.T., part Wall-E and he’ll be on sale in December for $100.

Two new Webcams were recently conceived over at little old Microsoft in Redmond, WA. The more standout of these is the slim LifeCam Show, priced around $100.

The Microsoft LifeCam Show comes with what Microsoft says is a “complete attachment kit” to anchor it to many surfaces. These kit parts include a magnetic laptop clip, magnetic desktop stand and two attachment discs which have adhesive backings.

A Taiwanese company known as MingJong has released some colorful robotic UVC compliant USB 2.0 webcams called ‘M6637U’ that sport 1.3-megapixels.

These little guys have the right idea. If you want to take over the world, you have to appeal to those lovers of cute and colorful desk accessories. Put a bunch together and they are clearly interacting, comparing notes for our eventual assimilation. Then when a human comes back into the room they all freeze. There’s not a whole lot of info on these guys, but be weary. Never turn your back on one.

Futurama fans will want to get their hands on this one of a kind Bender webcam. This guy removed all of the gears and mechanics from and officially licensed Matt Groening and Rocket USA tin robot toy and replaced them with a Creative Live! webcam.

The arms and legs no longer move, but some things have to be sacrificed when making something cool. Bender is completely free standing and he’s got a USB cable coming from the former key slot. Turning his antenna rotates his mouth and cigar allowing for two facial expressions. As of this writing, it’s only at $20, so what are you waiting for?

This strange looking web camera from HP reminds me of an old desk lamp. It’s compatible with all the major video chat solutions, like Yahoo, Skype, MS Messenger, AIM. The cam clips onto your monitor and features a 3 megapixel CMOS camera capable of shooting video ranging from 640 x 480 pixels at 30fps quality on down to 1,600 x 1,200 at 5fps.

It also has a built-in stereo microphone, face tracking and Magic-i video effects software, 3 programmable buttons, and a sliding “privacy cover” so you know that it is really off. It’s pretty sexy.