With relatively little fanfare yesterday, AT&T launched their cell phone Video Share service in nearly 160 markets. Sure the iPhone has brought in a lot of buzz not to mention revenue for AT&T (more on AT&T earnings later), but in the long run, the launch of video sharing is a bigger deal.
Years ago I worked with Motorola on the launch of the ill-fated Ojo video phone. There are many reasons why Motorola discontinued the product, but for me, the Ojo still has an important place in my living room. My almost-two-year-old talks to her grandparents on it several times a week, and has almost since she was born.
One of these days, video phones will hit the mainstream, and AT&T has found a way to ease people into the idea. Text messaging and photo messaging are common now, and video on a cell phone is simply the next logical step. I even think that sending a video clip versus talking via live video is a smart way to start with the concept. People are vaguely uncomfortable about sharing themselves live on video (think Jane Jetson’s morning face mask), but taking a quick clip of something and sharing it is as comfortable as posting something on YouTube. And on a cell phone it’s much easier, immediate, and more relevant.
All of that said, the AT&T Video Share service has several limitations as Marguerite Reardon points out over on CNET. For example, both the video sender and receiver need AT&T’s service and one of the few compatible handsets. I doubt Video Share will take off like gangbusters, but it’s the start of an interesting trend.
One other note, AT&T is billing Video Share as its first commercial IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) application. IMS has been long in the works as a system for offering converged IP services. AT&T has made a firm commitment to IP everything, as evidenced by Uverse, its small but growing IPTV service.
Ah, but without the Ojo, what would CTU use on 24? ;) I suppose they could get up from their desks and walk ten feet, but where’s the fun in that? Seriously, this sounds like an interesting transition service from AT&T: would be even nicer to see a software upgrade for iPhone video on the camera now….
Video phones have already started taking off, and Donald Trump is endorsing it. Trust me, the ACN video phone network is strong and definately not going anywhere, but bigger! Here’s a 45 second commercial for ACN’s video phone’s: http://video.acninc.com/Misc/promotions/videophone.html
I am a purchaser of 3 OJO PVP 900 phones now without a service provider since worldgate had issue and I believe they were the service provider for OJO video Telephones, does anyone know or have a service provider for ther OJO Video phone?
thank you
v/r
Robert