Viable To Unveil New Videophone This Saturday
January 4, 2008
Viable will be unveiling a totally new type of videophone on Saturday, January 5th (TOMORROW!) at the 2008 International CES conference.
Judging from the shape under the fabric (see picture), it looks like some kind of upright tablet / monitor. Looks like it’s much wider than the Ojo. Hmmm. (Speaking of which, SnapVRS, I still haven’t gotten an Ojo unit from you. I want one!) A source in Viable, who shall remain unnamed, confirms that this cloth-covered shape is indeed the new videophone. Wow.
The related news release seems to suggest that this videophone will be wireless (or at least be WiFi-enabled — get your terms straight, folks!) and will be “introducing to our customers to an exciting, new technology standard that blows away every other videophone currently available.”
Waitamin. The photo in the news release is named “clothvpad.png”. That suggests the videophone is being called the vpad. I Googled “vpad,” and I wonder if the vpad will look anything like the VidaBox vPad (although this model deals with home security / piping music throughout the house and does not come with a webcam / videocamera):
Whoops! The same unnamed Viable source confirmed (in an indirectly roundabout way) that while the unit will indeed be called the vpad, it will NOT look like the VidaBox vPad (pictured above). Let the speculation continue, then.
Oh, I can’t wait. Look at me — I’m actually shaking with anticipation.
January 4, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Interesting.
Let’s find out tomorrow.
January 4, 2008 at 4:00 pm
First class geek.
January 4, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Alison, yep, that’s me. Lovin’ it!
January 4, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I have see this products and its sucks for your information!
January 4, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Should be interesting…
I’d like a VP that I could just plug in..no connecting to a TV or a monitor..no software hassles (for PC webcams)…
January 4, 2008 at 7:03 pm
[...] Viable To Unveil New Videophone This Saturday [image] Viable will be unveiling a totally new type of videophone on Saturday, January 5th (TOMORROW!) at the 2008 […] [...]
January 5, 2008 at 4:04 am
When you do see it, can you find out what would the video resolution be on the device? I’ve not been impressed with the Ojo - it might be sleek and cool-looking, but if it comes with a quarter CIF resolution, it’s no good…lesser quality!
I wish we all could be using devices such as those made by Life-Size - video resolution of 1280×800 hmmm (seen it in action once…I was blown away)
But then…still hurrah for USA, yet another videophone…meanwhile back in Blighty (UK) there’s sod all…sigh…
January 5, 2008 at 4:17 pm
complainers. why don’t you come out with a better product? now stfu.
January 5, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Cool…how do I order a VPAD? It would be perfect for my boat (with wireless coverage).
January 7, 2008 at 11:32 am
I would like to get one. How can I do that.
George Adams III
January 7, 2008 at 11:51 am
Hi George - I’m going to edit your comment to remove your personal information. Also, the VPAD still has to go through beta testing with a limited group of people before it can be released to the public. So, could be several months, could be longer …
Kalzig — showoff! :-) You’ll hafta wait a while, but perhaps by the time it’s ready, your boat’ll be out of winter drydock anyway.