In case you didn't catch the news yesterday, Vonage plans to offer a videophone in 2005 via a partnership with Viseon. But there's much more to it than that. First, go check out Andy's blog entry about it. VoIP Watch: 'Vonage Goes VideoPhone Soon' as well as Aswath's thoughts on the videophone service provider model here.
The really interesting thing is the comments made by Vonage's CEO, Jeffrey Citron. He was quoted as referring to the Packet8 videophone as "a phone with a camera slapped on it." Ouch! Them's fightin' words! Talk about the big bad Goliath (Vonage) pickin' on a little guy (Packet8). In the spirit of Braveheart (the greatest movie of all time IMHO), I can envision Bryan R. Martin, CEO of 8X8 (which owns Packet8) donning some blue war paint and telling his workers, "Are you ready for a war!".
Interestingly, when you examine the photos for both the Vonage videophone and Packet8's videophone you'll notice they look identical, but that didn't stop Citron from calling Packet8's videophone just a phone with a camera slapped on it. Maybe Citron didn't like the fact that Vonage, one of the pioneers of broadband VoIP wasn't first when it came to offering a videophone? That honor belongs to Packet8.
Packet8's videophone is OEM'ed from Leadtek from what I understand, whereas Vonage's phone is from Viseon, as seen here:
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Packet8 Videophone |
Compare with Vonage Videophone... Looks pretty much the same to me. If I didn't know any better I'd say Videon copied the blueprints! The button layout is the same and everything.
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Vonage Videophone |
Viseon's website even has a countdown applet (26 days currently) until the official release of the phone at CES. The phone will use the H.263 and H.264 protocols, according to Citron, but what I REALLY want to know is will a Vonage videophone user be able to dial a Packet8 videophone user or any other videophone for that matter.
Unfortunately, the answer to that is almost certainly not. From what I understand even with video standards, there has yet to be a true 100% standards-based videophone that is hardware-based. There are some good 100% standard videophone soft-clients, but unfortunately I've yet to see a hard phone that doesn't do some proprietary tricks. I know the Packet8 phone does some proprietary optimization techniques for the video to ensure the best video quality. Too bad they can't use the proprietary techniques when dialing a fellow Packet8 videophone but use industry standards when dialing a non-Packet8 videophone.
I should point out that Voicepulse has announced plans to follow suit in offering a videophone. The verdict is still out whether or not videophones will ever take off. The promise of a videophone in every home just hasn't taken foothold yet. The George Jetson cartoon which popularized the videophone in the supposed future is still a ways off.
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Does anyone know if I can use the
D-Link DVC-1000 without a PC with the MSN messenger with a PC?
Thank you
Mark March
The Video phone is going to be in every home just like the Microwave is now , Or like a TV in just about every room . The technology is here and is getting better everyday .Packet 8 is leading the charge in offering great service at low prices .Any other Voip provider could just be left in the dust .
Unlimited us andd canada usage for as little as $20.00 per month . Who would have ever thought such a thing would be possible .
Escape International is realy doing great things in helping Packet8 grow .
For more information please visit
www.EscapeRep.com/center
You can even become a distributor for Free and get your own Free website and get in on the Voip BOOM.
VideoPhone is now a reality. I was referred to a website by a friend where I ordered 2 Videophone. The cost was free. We had to pay for 6 months up front. It replaced our Home phone, the monthly charges are $28.99 per month, we use to pay $40 with AT&T.
The Videophone is great. It works like a regular phone and if the person I am calling has the Videophone we can see each other. I already have a circle of 8 friends & family with the Videophone. It allows my parents to see their grandchildren everyday in both Dallas & Montreal.
For those who are interested visit www.GetVideoPhone.com
Seeing is believing!
Where is the Vonage Videophone? Nowhere
If you are looking for a videophone let me introduce you the New 2008 IRIS 3000 Videophone:
http://video.acninc.com/Training/product/IRIS3000/IRIS3000.html
For more information visit
WWW.MYACN.COM
ACN Independent Representative Team ID Number: 01233711
After doing much research I have found that Packet8 ACN and Vonage also have competition with a phone system by Grandstream and the Global Freedom Phone service provided by Liberty Interantional. So I became a rep and have never regretted it. These phones allow you to take the phone anywhere with you and also serve as digital picture frames when not in use. I also like the features that they have. Screensavers, call transferring to any other phone number and the crisp connection. Join me at Chicago Video Phones and see for yourself. We also have http://sexyvideophone.net for friends and couples.
The best looking and most amazing VIDEOPHONE is available via ACN. Full 7" screen with 39fps. Over 16 calling features including video mail. Can transfer your existing number to this phone or order with a new number based on the province or state you live in, and now being launched into Europe.
Offering plans with unlimited calling. Take with you and plug into any internet worldwide and you have your local videophone number with you. Great way to communciate without all the long distance charges.
Better yet...this videophone is only $99.
Check out the website: www.teamembrace.acnrep.com
Hello videophoner?s
In Portugal my videophone has a new number and it begins with 300XXXXXX. Beautiful design, digital frame, i can call via ACN voip network worldwide. This is a great way to communicate without all the long distance charges.
I can call to a fixed telephone in any country were ACN is operating and stay on the phone for hours and it costs only an activation fee about 0,12 euros per call, but if i call to an ACN videophone worldwide the call wil be free.
(We only pay 9,90 euros/month for the digital service + 174 euros for the videophone)
So i can call to any fixed number from Portugal without any additional costs - we can say the call will be free, unless we call to Mobil phones...
This videophone is a revolution in the telecommunications habits. I welcome Portugal to this new era. Anyone in Portugal just check out this website:
http://bit.ly/tuga_videofone
to sign up for this worldwide digital service and get a new videophone. You must have ADSL on your home to plug in this amazing VIDEOPHONE. When you get your's please contact to my videophone.
The videophone is the phone of the future generation.
Like television, there is going to be a videophone in every home in the world.
Look how many people already talking about the IRIS3000 by ACN.
Check this out at www.beastar.org