LifeSize, a division of Logitech, has made an interesting set of announcements this morning. The three main points are:

• LifeSize Connections, a service that enables cloud-based videoconferencing.
• LifeSize Passport Connect, a very small codec/camera to video-enable remote/home offices.
• LifeSize has acquired Mirial,a developer of PC/smartphone mobile videoconferencing solutions.

What does this mean? Mobile, video-communicating, iWorkers will be able stay connected easily and affordably later this quarter when all of these components are generally available. Using the PC client, a very portable codec (about the size of a half-notebook at 8” x 5” x 1”) and camera, and a hosted bridging service, these iWorkers can connect to many standards-based, open video endpoints at HD resolutions. The required components are:

• LifeSize Connections service - $360/year.
• LifeSize Passport Connect codec and camera - $1,000 up front.
• Mirial ClearSea client account - $480/year (this is available today, and it worked well when I tried it).

This fits LifeSize’s market profile well ─ affordable, easy-to-use, high-definition video solutions for business. It puts LifeSize in a competitive stance compared with the mobile offers from other video vendors, like Cisco/Tandberg Movi, Polycom CMA, Radvision Scopia, and VidyoDesktop.

I believe that affordable, easy-to-use, interoperable desktop video will be a tipping point for video use in business, and adoption of this set capabilities by businesses will test that hypothesis.