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AT&T Launches Video Share
By Jeff | August 1, 2007
I have seen the future and the future is now.
Recently, AT&T launched a new service called Video Share that allows you to stream videos as they happen (pretty close anyway) to another cell phone. You knew it was coming and it looks like that time is now. The days of video conferencing on cell phones are approaching and Video Share is the first step. Essentially Video Share allows one user to record live video and share it with another user on the other end of the line.
Real estate agents can share a quick video of properties. The potential buyer can decide to see more or have the agent keep on driving. A helping husband can take a video of an entire aisle of feminine products so the wife can better explain what she needs. A baby’s first step can be shared with grandparents as it happens. The game-winning score can be shared with a friend to rub in it their face. A business person can show their location to another colleague to get quick directions as to where to go for the big meeting or the next event at a conference. No more excuses for the boss now. The uses are endless.
Video Share utilizes the AT&T 3G wireless network to allow simultaneous 2-way audio and 1-way streaming video from one caller to another, in near real time. Video Share provides a one-way video stream. It is NOT a video conferencing service.
With Video Share, customers can:
- Capture live video with the Video Share device’s camera, and stream that video to another Video Share subscriber in near real time (approx 1-2 second delay)
- Record a live video stream while sharing with one caller (saved to device memory), and stream the recorded video to other Video Share subscribers at a later time
- Video streams can be started/stopped multiple times during the voice call
- Video can be shared by caller A to caller B, stopped, then shared from caller B to caller A during the same voice call
Rules:
- Video Share is an add-on feature (in other words, it’s not included in your voice plan and costs extra for you to activate).
- Service utilizes both the voice and data network elements, however there are no data charges associated with Video Share (the data is include in the price of the Video Share plans).
- Active video sharing bills from two airtime buckets simultaneously (voice rate plan AND Video Share).
Restrictions:
- 3G service is not available in all markets.
- Video Share may not be available for purchase in all launched 3G markets.
- Requires an active 3G voice call to be in progress before video sharing can begin. It is not possible to stream video without an active voice call in progress.
- Requires 10 or 11-digit dialing to function. 7-digit dialing is not supported. (Basically, you must dial the area code)
- Non-Video Share recorded video (video recorded on the device outside of a Video Share call) cannot be streamed in a Video Share call.
Currently there are only a few devices that will support the Video Share feature. They are the LG CU500v, Samsung SYNC, Samsung A717, and Samsung A727. More phones are on the way so don’t worry about the small selection at time of launch. There is also a very good FAQs list from AT&T’s website to get more information, which also includes a pretty cool demo site. Step one is about complete. Now it’s time to work on those Star Wars holographic calls.
Topics: streaming video, video phones |
August 16th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Hi Jeff, I have added your new site to my Viral Tag. Have a nice day.