[IxDA Discuss] Why haven't video calls taken off

[Alexander Baxevanis]

No.2 below is what I mean by "greedy" in this case. All you need to do
in a normal phone call is hold the phone. Whereas in a video call you
constantly need to pay attention to the logistics.

On Fri, May 30, 2008 at 5:34 PM, Peyush Agarwal
<peyush.agarwal at oracle.com> wrote:
> Alexander,
> I'm not sure I agree with the notion of 'greedy interface' as the problem. I mean, it's the whole point when you do video calls, no?
>
> I think rather that there are 3 general issues with video phoning -
> 1. Technology - they are bandwidth heavy, and unreliable in terms of quality. Sometimes it's good other times choppy etc. It has to work like tv all the time from any location. Sort of how audio phoning works.
> 2. Logistics - maybe this is also technological, but it's too much hassle to sit in the right place, have the right lighting etc. to make it worthwhile. I remember when I first used webcams (low res, choppy etc.) the excitement of seeing someone from another part of the world was quickly overcome by constantly wanting to 'place' them such that I could be 'eye to eye' with them, and be able to see their face properly etc. Typically, lights behind the person that work fine as local ambient light are terrible for the person on the other end of the call - all they see is a silhouette.
> 3. Privacy - I think it would be just terrible if you HAD to use videoconferencing - I don't have to pat down my cowlick in order to speak over the phone today, or put on a tie etc.
>
> -Peyush
>
>
>
> <Because it's a greedy mobile interface:
>
> http://www.adaptivepath.com/blog/2008/05/21/greedy-mobile-interfaces/>
>
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