Video Phones

Researched and presented by Samuel Levinson

Envisioning the Future

Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone, envisioned a videophone known as an electrical radiophone. To him, the capability to see another individual via communication technology could become a reality using electricity. This was thought to be possible with devices relying on selenium or tellurium components. He predicted that this technology would be developed in the future. Research into developing videophones was conducted by Bell Labs. In the 1960s, Bell Labs introduced a product and service known as the http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ba-Be/Bell-Alexander-Graham picturephone. The terminology of videophone began use a decade earlier, in the 1950s.

The First Video Telephone

Dr. Georg Schubert created the first video telephone for public use in Germany, during the 1930s. From Berlin, Nuremberg, Munich, to Hamburg, the videophone linked these areas for a demonstration of service. There were public telephone booths integrated with this new technology at the time. The British General Post Office was also using a video telephone in the 1930s, before World War II.

http://www.gominis.com/face-to-face-phones/

Changing World of Technology

The average person still uses telecommunication that involves audio only. However, with an increase in new technology, such as smart phones and online video conferencing services, the means of acquiring a phone with video capability is greater than before. This technology has become less expensive and more accessible, therefore the telecommunication habits of the public may soon change. There are several choices for video communication, including the iPhone, Skype, and Microsoft's Messenger.
http://www.itechnews.net/2008/08/15/d-link-gvc-3000-video-phone/

Videophone in Popular Culture

In past decades, video phones were associated with the future. These devices were featured on television shows, such as Star Trek, and even in animated programs such as The Jetsons, Space Ghost, and Inspector Gadget.

http://arstechnica.com/business/last-mile-bandwidth/2011/06/umi-we-hardly-knew-ye-contemplating-the-fate-of-the-videophone-in-2011.ars http://www.unplggd.com/unplggd/surveys/survey-do-you-video-chat-076167

http://video.tvguide.com/Results.aspx?primary=Shows&show=Space%20Ghost%20Coast%20to%20Coast&length=clip&display_mode=details&pageno=17

://superpunch.blogspot.com/2009/03/winner-of-sketch-card-is.html

Broadband Internet and Videophones

Broadband internet is a great asset to the progression of videophone technology. Also known as high-speed internet, Broadband provides users with access to internet services at higher speeds in comparison to dial-up internet. A high-speed transmission technology is used in order to access vast amounts of information online. Broadband transmission is digital, and all information is transmitted through data bits. Those with broadband internet access would have a higher quality video phone experience, in comparison to individuals with a dial-up connection. High speed internet is much more efficient and faster.

http://www.broadbandinternetoffers.info/what-are-the-options-available-for-prepaid-broadband-internet-access-in-indonesia/

http://www.logostage.com/logo/firefox/

Video Conferencing
Video conferencing may take place when using videophone technology in addition to high speed internet. Numerous communication devices now have color display screens, allowing for the transmission of high resolution images. With the proper technology, one phone may be linked to another users device, allowing for video conferencing. Companies are able to save money with the use of video conferencing, by having virtual meetings with those in other countries, instead of traveling there by plane.

http://www.telecomfamily.com/video-conferencing/

iPhone as a Videophone
Apple has introduced a program known as FaceTime that allows anyone with the appropriate products (such as an iPhone, iPad 2, iPod Touch, or a Mac) to communicate with other individuals via integrated videophone technology. This application on the iPhone is presented as an efficient way to contact friends, family members, or coworkers.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/228815/white_iphone_4_vs_black_iphone_4_do_they_have_different_cameras.html

FaceTime Videophone on iPhone

The FaceTime application is advertised as an easy to use program that is already loaded on the iPhone. To make this technology more convenient, screen names are not necessary to use this service. By locating ones entry in a list of contacts and selecting FaceTime, an individual may begin a videophone conversation with another person immediately. This application also features the ability to switch from a conventional phone call to FaceTime with the press of a touch screen button.

http://thenextweb.com/apple/2010/03/30/iphones-face/

Skype Video Calling

Those using Skype are able to use the service to make video phone calls. The live video on Skype allows for instant communication through images and audio. Individuals who use video calling on Skype are able to communicate with friends and family, and the product is also featured in association with business meetings. Those who choose Skype are able to meet with and talk to others in this nation and around the world. This would potentially limit the travel that workers would have to experience in order to share product information with other workers at different work sites.

http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-skype/

References
References for slide #2, 3, 12: Face-To-Face Phones Gominis.com, August 2010 <http://www.gominis.com/face-to-face-phones/>

References for slide #4, 5, and 12: The history of video phones and their role in the media Mad4mobilephones.com, October 2006 <http://www.mad4mobilephones.com/the-history-of-video-phones-and-their-role-in-the-media/227/>

Reference for slide #6: Getting Broadband Federal Communication Commission <http://www.fcc.gov/guides/getting-broadband>

References [Continued]
References for slides #8, 9, 12: iPhone: FaceTime Apple Inc., 2011 <http://www.apple.com/iphone/built-in-apps/facetime.html>

References for slides #7, 10, 11, and 12: Video calling on Skype Skype Limited, 2011 <http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/features/allfeatures/video-call/>

References for slides #11 and 12: Messenger Microsoft, 2011 <http://explore.live.com/messenger>