Online video is changing the way we communicate. It’s not just YouTube or Hulu. We know essentially have “video phones” like the ones we saw on sci-fli flicks back in the 1960’s. This is an evolution that I be you’ll be taking part in within three years.
I hardly ever use the word “revolution” because I think it’s tremendously overused by overeager enthusiasts who fail to understand that this whole integration of digital technologies into our lives is an evolutionary process. The browser was a revolution.
But evolutions can happen fast. And that’s what’s happening right now. Take a look at this.
What you’ll see is how Adrianne George, an African-American expat living in Stockholm is using ooVoo along with several of her colleagues to discuss politics and issues affecting people of color. (Disclosure: ooVoo is a client.) She’s in touch with several people who use ooVoo in both Europe and the United States. One is African American Political Pundit. Another is Francis Holland, both relatively well-known in the political blogosphere. And she can talk to up to five people at once.
I like the interface and the screen quality. That’s, of course, tied into the cameras. But the idea that up to six people having a video conference at once shows me that small working teams, a gaggle of teens, groups of friends, etc. will now be able to have group conversations in real time.
That’s because to me, the very concept of a multi-person conversation going on from various parts of the world using live feeds of video and audio is a awesome example of how current applications of online video technology is allowing people to broaden the way they interact. Ideas can be expressed in real time by people sitting at their dinner table and home offices and cubicles. Forget about the fact that a client of ours is empowering this. Instead, see how this service - and their even competitors will be changing the way we communicate.
OK, I for one have to admit it. I love ooVoo as a client and I love ooVoo as a service.
A revolution? No. At first it will be about competing platforms and speed of adoption. There will be shakeouts and buyouts and unforeseen roadblocks that will hamper the adoption of these technologies. But changes are coming.
1 Comment » Posted on January 16th, 2008 by Jonathan Trenn
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