Poll: Why would you use Video Calling?

[vodacom3g]

The thread on inter-network video calling made me wonder: What are the compelling instances where you would use video calling rather than 'normal' voice calling?

For example:

1) Personal calls. We see this a lot already with people called loved ones like children and want to visually see them. This is probably the primary application.
2) Video conferencing. 1 to 1 or 1 to many (using gateway technology).
3) Shopping! s'true, we've seen this where people show potential goods to someone back home to help decide if it really looks better in red....

Any others?

 

[bb_matt]

4) Sex

Seriously - that's a definate top use for tech like this.
Your partner who may be out of town - your in Joburg, they are in durbs or cape town - use your imagination

I can also see this taking off in the escort "industry" big time, not to mention porn sites.

 

[ScrnScrm]

4) Sex

Seriously - that's a definate top use for tech like this.
Your partner who may be out of town - your in Joburg, they are in durbs or cape town - use your imagination

I can also see this taking off in the escort "industry" big time, not to mention porn sites.

BWAHAHAHAHAHA. Yeah mate, Sex will always sell Although personally, I dont like the idea of holding my phone below the, eh, surface. All that radiation... We will have a new generation of mutant kids! The exact reason why I dont walk around with my phone in my pocket

 

[Daveogg]

How about when me Ma phones and says:

"You know that email thingy that you installed 6 months ago when i click on that round icon thats on the left of the screen it goes all squidgy. What do you think is causing it??"

I can say point the phone at the screen then at least i have a small idea what she is on about!!

 

[Mux]

I can think of a nr of reasons why Video would be used:
(Other than the 1's mentioned)
Insurance claims? (At the scene of an accident - towing services <- although they are probably there even without a phone )
Emergency situations - floods - lots of these that will be handy
....operation remotely - nah wait...this 1 is a fake!

 

[stoke]

It's just so much better to actually see the other person. Voice is so ... not a picture... *Sob - cry*

 

[VMS]

I see a market here !!! Streaming porn ! Pay per minute, no nasty tell tale files in your temp directory for your wife to find.

I can imagine the following:"Honey,I want a 6680"..."But love, none of your friends have 3G phones".

But seriously now. The video feature will have a serious impact on the service industry. Just thinking about my access control systems. I have recently resigned from my company, but every so often a system goes poof and I have to be contracted to drive out to the site (generally the one 200km away). I can invoice R400/h and travel, but I have found that I generally lose out on time and flexibility. By having video a service a techy can drive out to the site and physically show me what the system is doing. We had a case like that last Friday. The client just called to say that nothing is working. My ex-partner had to drive all the way with a spare system and a boot full of tools. With a video phone he could have sent a low paid techy to show me the lights and I could have told him to just flip a switch that some idiot turned off. Even at R2/meg that service would have been a lot cheaper than having someone of management driving all the way out.

But then you might save on bandwidth on the long run by using a laptop and webcam, along with MSN. I have had some good video chats even on GPRS. Long delays, but you get the general idea where that person is, what he is doing (and who he is doing it with).

I think with video you will have less of a chance to see the other person. A lot of people are very self consious. Many have to mentally prepare themselves to even make a voice call. Men should be easy, but my wife will have to dress and do her hair and face before making or receiving a video call.

Calling in sick might also be a problem Your boss might want to see your face and the backdrop scene might just resemble a shopping mall and not you bed's head rest.

I think for the lower end market it will be a novelty. For the higher end it will definitely be an added bonus. But, as I said before, then you can just as well buy a cheap laptop, webcam and a 3G contract and work via MSN. The nice thing about the laptop is that you will be able to have all you required software and be able to exchange so much more.

Only time will tell.

VMS

 

[ScrnScrm]

Men should be easy, but my wife will have to dress and do her hair and face before making or receiving a video call.

You dont know how right you are VMS. We have Vidcon kit at work, and before every session, all my female colleagues go and "Dolly" themselves up so that they "look their best" Of course, I am sure that they also use the opportunity to skinner about the guys, but nevermind, thats off topic!
Vidcon is a whole new ball game...

 

[HiltM]

me thinks it will be esp. helpful for tech support when dealing with "clever" end users

 

[goodgirl]

People that are on holiday when they call home to show them the attraction as they visit it, such as the nice beach, weather, monument, etc ..

 

[rehd]

Sort of wish you were here scenario...

Hehe

 

[bb_matt]

I'll just take a photo of myself at my best (that'll take a long while) and keep it with me in my wallet.

Everytime someone video phones me, I'll stick it in front of the camera.

Hmm, actually, I'll take a photo of my butt - most people won't notice the difference !

 

[rpm]

Hi there

I think this technology can have a use for validating information which can only be done through visuals. Signed documents, people present at a meeting etc. This can make the validation of information much easier and faster, and enable statements related to such information without the concern of false information being presented by voice by a single person.

Another use can be to ensure that your kid is actually at the movies and not the local pub: call, ask for visual of the movie playing Needless to say that same can hold for a wife to check on her husband or a manager to check on his employees. This borders on an invasion of privacy, but I guess so does reading of employees’ emails etc.

Regards,

RPM

 

[vodacom3g]

Another thing to think about; a next release of the dashboard will have a built-in video client, allowing you to make video calls to a 3G mobile or another laptop.

I've played with the beta and it works quite well. From my laptop, via a webcam, I can call any 3G video handset. Or another laptop with VMC. It's obviously a CS call and not packet based.

VMS, this might work for you for your remote support.

 

[alchamy]

Another thing to think about; a next release of the dashboard will have a built-in video client, allowing you to make video calls to a 3G mobile or another laptop.

I've played with the beta and it works quite well. From my laptop, via a webcam, I can call any 3G video handset. Or another laptop with VMC. It's obviously a CS call and not packet based.

VMS, this might work for you for your remote support.

Now that is something I can look forward to

 

[qdada]

I think it will do a something for journalism as well...

I have seen video feeds that i suspect come from video phones. I have seen this on CNN. The image was terrible though ... pixelated but I imagine in terms of content particularly for portable devices, this should be just what the doctor ordered.

Have you noticed calls from call centers where they try to sell you some insurance product; Notice how, if you are a guy it is most like a lady that will call you and vice versa ? Well, you can expect more of those calls, they are most likely going to employ attractive looking individuals to try and charm the money out of you. I wonder if this will boost the sales of cosmo products.