Cingular Video Calling Details
Cingular Wireless (at&t) demonstrated its video calling technology at this year’s CES running on its 3G network, but we didn’t get a date or details. Here are a couple tidbits on what’s to come. The official name is going to be Video Share and due to the need to stream data and voice simultaneously, customers will need to be in a 3G area (obviously). The first phone to support this feature will be the LG CU500v which is just an updated version of the LG CU500 we already are familiar with. The expected launch frame is mid to late June but knowing Cingular I wouldn’t set this in stone. We will keep you posted as details pop up.
I’m wondering if TyTN users will be able to take advantage of this once it launches?
Nice one Boy Genius! Today at the att meeting the LG rep said Cingular was getting a Cu405 (replacement to Cu400 but camless??) and LG Cu570. They didn’t really tell us what the Cu570 had but it was upcoming product. Is it a renamed Cu500v? Who knows.
Video calling is a feature that’s hard to determine until its value until people really adopt the service. Not all people want to be able to be video called.
Cingular demonstrated it now? Why does it take so long for some US operators to follow the world trends? I mean, i can use HSDPA, video calls and all the other stuff for more than a year now (HSDPA is avalabile for a little less of a year) in my country.
I spoke with a field testing person and they told me that it will not be conferencing more like someone records something and sends it to the person on the other end. They told me that dual videoconferencing would take up too much bandwidth.
Played with the Video 3G in Japan two years ago. The Japanese loved it. I assume the US market would too.
I don’t think that trends that apply in other countries can necessarily translate into the US. Part of it has to be cultural I think, and how some cultures latch on to technology, and others see it as a means to an end
I’ve seen this on the TYTN – not the cingular version (8525) – in the US for over 6 months now. All you need is the TYTN/ HSDPA and a little hack love….
Why does it say Vodafone on the screen?
My wife and I use BlackBerrys to keep in touch with friends and family, but when we make calls, we prefer to use American Sign Language over Videophones on our highspeed internet access (cable) and a relay service (sorensonvrs.com or csdvrs.com)
If RIM would make one, I’d love to have a BlackBerry capable of video on a 3G network and sign to my wife on a berry that’s propped up in a holder. Of course, Cingular would have to expand 3G into Iowa and Minnesota.
So, I’m sure the Deaf Community out here would love to cut the wires and sign from anywhere. If it wasn’t live 2-way right away, a video msg in ASL would be better than a note in English.
(BG – can’t post from my BlackBerry, resent from computer)