Hi all
I recently started working for Comverse - the company supplies solutions for telephony providers, mainly cellular ones. Our product lies in the core of the operator's network and manages all or some of the services provided by the operator, such as Voice Mail, SMS, MMS, Video Calls, etc. Our system can provide a complete solution or integrate its parts with other available solutions in the market.
As I'm having an educational process now, I got an interesting thought during the studies. I got an insinuation from some of the cellular operators in last years, that video calls ability was the major drive behind the transition to fast networks, such as 3G, 3.5G and next generations. While it is true for some cases, I am not that sure that it is completely valuable.
Just think about it: would you perform a video call using the modern handset that has a video camera? Of course not - you'd have privacy issues right away. Do you really want the whole world to hear what you are saying? So what the point then in having fast network but not providing any type of service with it? Probably this is one of the reasons that cellular providers have problem: they have the infrastructure, but no services to monetize it. So everything else costs more to cover the losses. And this is something that I as consumer do not like.
I wonder why is it so in my locale that we do not have an unlimited connection cellular plans. We do have various packages, but they all are paid per minutes or MBs of data - just similar to what dial-ups used to be ages ago. It really would be great to have internet everywhere, and I think that cellular companies are not getting something here.
It's not that they make more money on pay per minute/byte basis. It's just me not buying the service at all while this is the payment scheme. So general users of this are business folks that gotta have an access to their email at all times. And even then, better options exist (we have WiFi hotspots almost everywhere now).
Just wonders of the world I guess.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Cellular Video Calls: reality that never happened?
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3 Comments:
Alex, what are you talking about? privacy using video calls is no different then privacy using regular calls, and that doesn't bother people - just look at the number of people that are using headsets. If you're talking about people around you hearing the other side, think again - this is also solvable by a headset, and is actually a must, since in crowded environments you can't possibly hold the phone at arms reach (for the camera to catch you) and still hear the other side, without some speaker in your ear.
Alon
First. How many people do you know actually use video calls? The ability is in phones for more than 2 years, so the tech is basically old now. And still I don't know one person who uses it.
Second. How exactly do you imagine video call without holding some sort of the camera device at arms reach in front of you? And if it is your handset, then I suppose audio can be solved by headset of a sort. I still maintain that this is very complex and not really comfortable application - most of the people use their cellular phones while doing something else - which is impossible during the video call.
After all, I've heard many times that operators build their networks for video calls. But no one is using it. I've asked around people with 3.5g handsets why aren't they using video. All of them said "it's not convenient".
I like this, open debate, and I'm not even any parts of a scholar.
OK, Video Call and Video share are two different thing... If can't have an IM type of video call experience where I see you while you see me then it's a video share... cam on the same side as the display... see what I mean.
iPhone, Samsung, HTC... your not serious when you say Video Call... however, Nokia N95, N97, enven the old communicator... there not for "US Operators"... cause US citizens are slow... but he's sort of right, the've got the backhul and infrastructure juxpositioned ... but wheres... my features & fuctionality set for video call.
Look the he's stating the problem, your digressing to what you belive... no offense but, your dating yourself, video call is for use younger generation, we don't care how it works, ...or who's looking... we want what they have in Japan... (but not the TV phone crap cause it's analog and US TV is Digital now) ...and I was in Japan back 9 yrs ago... image the future... focus, adjust and get me there!
If you Build it WE WILL COME! ...and darn-it it's built already... he's saying LET US COME! Give us the correct service for the correct phones.
P.S. I don't work for Nokia but there the best... Lord have mercy!! REAL TALK! I'm out!
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