DeafDC post: SLA, VLI, and GoAmerica Merging
July 2, 2008
Check out my recent DeafDC blog post with breaking news: SLA, VLI, and GoAmerica are merging.
SnapVRS / Ojo Also Offers 9-1-1 Calling
June 3, 2008
Since May 19, SnapVRS has been making it possible for callers to be connected to 9-1-1 just by dialing “911″ on their Ojo videophones. Sorenson began doing that last year, and Viable just yesterday. Good move, SnapVRS, even if it’s being mandated by FCC!
Callers would have to provide the address where emergency services are needed. I find it interesting that Sorenson has paired with another company to trace your IP address to where you are calling from. I wonder how accurate that is — and whether that company has access to more detailed information that makes it possible to link IP addresses to actual street addresses or if (like SnapVRS and Viable) the caller still must provide his/her address.
Most deaf folks I know haven’t used a TTY in years — rather, they just use videophones as well as text-based relay services through the Internet or via their pagers. But they still kept a “landline” phone line with a TTY next to it. For for? Ah, for emergencies! They needed a way to call 9-1-1, and having the TTY and phone ready was a way to make sure they’d get an ambulance or police over whenever they needed it. (Now, if only these 9-1-1 emergency providers will always respond to TTY calls …)
Viable VRS will soon be able to connect you to your local 9-1-1 emergency service provider. All you would need to do is dial “911″ on ViableVision or your VPAD and click on “VRS.” If you’re using a different videophone, you would be able to dial the full address as following — please be sure to save this at the top of your contacts list!
- Dialing 911 or 911.ViableVRS.tv via Viable Vision and the VPAD
- Dialing 911.ViableVRS.tv via D-Link DVC-1000, Sorenson VP-100, or the Ojo
- Dialing ecall.ViableVRS.tv via Sorenson VP-200
NOTE: This 9-1-1 emergency service is not yet “live” — I’ll let you know when Viable begins providing this service.
I previously blogged about Sorenson providing 9-1-1 services a year ago. Good to see another VRS provider getting into the game, even if it’s being mandated by FCC. I’ll also let you know when other VRS providers begin providing 9-1-1 services as well.
Now, my question is: if you’ve got high-speed Internet and a videophone (or several videophones!) at home, do you even need a landline phone line installed in your home nowadays?
EDIT (6/3/2008): Viable just released a video explaining this new service. Carla Mathers is featured in this video — good job, dear Carla!
VPADs for $99! VPADs for $99!
April 10, 2008
(EDIT 10:30am: Some more information from Viable — see new blog post.)
Better sign up now for a DeafNation Expo near you! Viable VPADs will be sold at the next several DeafNation Expos for just $99, down from the full price of $699.
And Viable has confirmed that these aren’t pre-orders. People will be actually walking out with honest-to-gosh VPADs!
Viable also confirmed that this special offer is limited to one per person. If you want to buy a second VPAD, it’d cost a whopping $699.
I contacted a friend who lives near Pomona, California where the next Expo will take place this Saturday and asked him to get me TWO and ship them to me! But that was before I found out about the one-per-person limit. Dang.
Those of you who are getting VPADs this weekend – I truly envy you.
A friend of mine is thinking of flying out from DC to an upcoming DeafNation Expo just to get one of those VPADs sooner.
And Viable? You’d better stock up. You’re gonna sell out.
Comment from Viable manager on the VPAD
January 6, 2008
Brendan Steuben Steuble, the manager of the VPAD project at Viable, left the following comment with more info on the VPAD on both Amy Cohen Efron and my blog posts announcing the VPAD. Thanks, Brendan, and we look forward to getting even more information on this from you. This new videophone is certainly generating a lot of buzz and excitement!
Hi. I am the manager of the VPAD project for Viable, Inc. We are very excited by the response generated at this year’s CES unveiling. I would like to assure you all that this device is real, exists in quantity, and will be available very very soon: it is not an “idea” or “prototype”.
Of particular note is the ability of the device to provide Video Remote Interpreting, where if it is in the room and on, a deaf and hearing person can speak to each other. Also, it does not need a “public ip” address, and works inside your office, your hotel, your home, or in a wifi hotspot.
It is so easy to setup and use that a child or the most technology afraid person can use it.
Our website will have more details shortly.
My best wishes to you all and my hopes that this device helps bridge the gap between the deaf and hearing communities.
Viable VPAD Unveiled – And It’s A Beaut
January 5, 2008
Viable certainly didn’t disappoint us. It unveiled the newest videophone, the VPAD — and it looks like it’s going to be a winner.
Some features that I think we’ll all like:
- WiFi connectivity – that means we can take the VPAD to our local Starbucks, or on out-of-town trips to hotel rooms, or even to many McDonalds (which now provide free WiFi service).
- Touch-screen that’s 10.2″ wide.
- Optional keyboard via USB cable
- Light alerts along the top of the monitor
- Ability to hook the VPAD up to a larger TV, or even another electronic device (like gaming devices) to the VPAD
- A slot for SD memory cards (altho I wonder what this would be for — can we record conversations? Or only use the VPAD to display photos and possibly videos?)
The Viable’s VPAD webpage even has a 3D demo mini-video. Go check it out.
When can I get my grubby paws on one? However, it doesn’t look like there’s a sign-up list as of yet. No distribution date.
And while I’m at it: SnapVRS, I don’t even have an Ojo unit. When do I get one? Sorenson, I have one of the older VP-100’s and have yet to get a VP-200. Hint-hint-hint … :-P
EDIT: Amy Cohen Efron (who scooped me with her blog post earlier today about the unveiling of this VPAD – good going, Amy!) had several excellent questions about the VPAD. Go pay her blog post a visit, and I hope she gets these questions answered soon.
EDIT (1/7/08:): Amy Cohen Efron got a great response from Viable answering her questions and more.
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.
Snap!VRS Gets Snappy
November 20, 2007
Just got an email from Snap!VRS announcing some upcoming new technology innovations. You may remember Snap!VRS because of its totally-uber-cool Ojo videophones. Looks like Snap! wants to stay on the leading edge of the videophone field — and not just because of its Ojo videophone. Some snippets from its email (and yes, I plagarize shamelessly here):
Wireless — New flexible options to make VRS calls with Ojo from just about anywhere through the use of Wi-Fi wireless access points and WiMAX technologies.- Mobility — New Home Plug technology allows Ojo users to place VRS calls virtually anywhere within the home by using the home electrical system.
- Portability — New compact travel Ojo.
- Enhanced Video Mail — New feature that permits VRS providers or anyone calling an Ojo using an older VP to leave a video message which can be retrieved directly from Ojo.
- Home and Office Program —New program to provide an additional Ojo for use by working professionals to accommodate the need to place VRS calls from home or the office.
- Friends and Family Program — Hearing friends and family members of Snap!VRS customers may purchase an interoperable version of Ojo capable of communicating with other VPs that use older technology.
- Use Ojo to Make Videos — Use Ojo to record personal video episodes called Ojosodes (Ojo + episodes = Ojosodes) that can be posted to an online social community.
- and much more.
i711 Merges With HOVRS
September 12, 2007
It was only recently that GoAmerica, i711’s parent company, merged with Verizon. And today it was announced that GoAmerica will be acquiring, uh, merging with Hands On VRS as well.
i711 seems well on its way to becoming a veriable juggernaunt — will we end up with just several VRS providers soon? True, there are still quite a few VRS providers (13 at my last count). But let’s face it — there comes a time when many VRS providers will exit the market or be brought out — and then we’ll be left with just a few (if not just one).
Any guesses which ones we’ll end up with? Two months ago, I would have thought Verizon’s VRS would still be standing on its own, and that i711 would’ve been acquired by someone else. But, instead, i711 gobbled Verizon VRS right up. But my guess: Sorenson versus i711 versus Sprint (unless Sprint gets out of the market too) …
GoAmerica Acquires Verizon’s Video / TTY Relay Services
August 2, 2007
IP-Relay will soon have a new owner.
GoAmerica recently announced that it will be acquiring Verizon’s Telecommunication Relay Services (TRS) division. This division includes Verizon’s TTY relay services, IP-based (via the Internet) relay services, and video relay services.
At $50 million cash and up to an additional $8 million in contingent cash consideration, this acquisition isn’t exactly chump change. Didn’t know GoAmerica has this kind of money! But revenues just for these services was approximately $67 million for 2006 (with no word on expenditures / profit), so this may be a good move.
I’ve been using IP-Relay nearly ever since it was created. So, I’m curious if the change in ownership will enhance the services provided through IP-Relay even more.
