Motorola Prepares Video Phone, But Will People Go For This?

[Kent Pribbernow]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?ContentId=2752' target='_blank'>http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?ContentId=2752</a><br /><br /></div>How would you like to have the ability to view a person's face as you speak to them over the phone? Perhaps if I were speaking to Gwyneth Paltrow that might seem appealing. But I really have no desire to see others while I chat, or for them to see my ugly mug. Especially early in the morning when I crawl out of bed (not a pretty sight). <br /><br />"The Ojo personal video phone uses an enhanced version of the H.264 digital compression standard and high-fidelity full duplex speakerphone technology. The 30 frames per second video can be transmitted at data rates as low as 110 Kbps ensuring that existing broadband infrastructures can easily handle high volumes of video phone traffic with no need for additional network equipment. The technology is based on interoperable standards, including DOCSIS, SIP and PacketCable. Motorola and WorldGate will begin field tests of the technology in Q2 2004."<br /><br />So what do you think? Is the market ready for this type of device? Or will good old fashioned voice only communications continue to remain the standard? :?<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/motorolaojo.jpg" />

[ctmagnus]

Sounds too much like Oqo or OJ (Simpson) for my liking...

[Kent Pribbernow]

Sounds too much like Oqo or OJ (Simpson) for my liking...

Or Ono...as in Yoko Ono. Gah! That's reason enough to stay away from this product.

[Andy Manea]

I have been wanting to buy a video phone for about 4 years (!!) now. The only device on the market seems to be the Vialta Beamer Phone (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000721YB/qid=1083691057/sr=8-3/ref=pd_ka_3/104-4915146-4002306?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846) .. I've seen it in action and it was not bad, but not too great neither. The picture quality is horrible and with 15 frames/sec ... oh well. The good thing about it is that you can plug it in like a regular phone. Is that the case with that Motorola Video Phone? If yes, then the price will decide. I'm one of those people that would like to see who I'm talking to, and besides:
a) you can't fight progress, and video phones are definitely going to be mainstream soon, and
b) you can always switch the video off and just use it like a normal phone, at least you can do that with the beamer.

Just imagine how cool that would be, like video conferencing without the hassel of using a computer and webcam and stuff.

[rubberdemon]

Still, this doesn't seem that different than what you'd get using a webcam and a computer - it's just a dedicated system that uses the same net connection (and probably costs as much as a cheap PC to boot). What I'd like to see is a bit of innovation in the IM space - if these guys can do 30 fps video, why can't MSN Messenger? If Apple's system can do 30fps in a nice big window, why can't MSN Messenger?

[Andy Manea]

Still, this doesn't seem that different than what you'd get using a webcam and a computer
The difference is that technologically illiterate people can use those phones out of the box, video conferencing is finally possible for them, too. If you read the customer comments on amazon, you'll find that these phones are even used by grandparents to see their grandchildren.

[Suhit Gupta]

Still, this doesn't seem that different than what you'd get using a webcam and a computer
The difference is that technologically illiterate people can use those phones out of the box, video conferencing is finally possible for them, too. If you read the customer comments on amazon, you'll find that these phones are even used by grandparents to see their grandchildren.
Although do you really feel that doing video conferencing over current messaging clients like MSN is quite easy. If you are able to get online, the video setup wizrds do make it quite easy.

Suhit

[Andy Manea]

Suhit, some people don't own a computer, don't know how to go online, and, some just don't feel like going through the hassle of setting up anything at all. This phone works right out of the box. I always wanted one of those in order to be able to communicate to exactly this type of people.

To give you an example. I was suposed to move to the US last summer, and there was nothing I could do to convince my sister to use the webcam I installed for her, so I could see my little nephew while gone. A phone on the other hand, is really idiot or lazy-people-proof.

[Suhit Gupta]

Agreed, I see your point.

Suhit