VPAD – Video Demo on YouTube!

January 6, 2008 Uncategorized

Everyone is going wild over the newest product created by Viable, Inc., founded by John Yeh. The newest product is videophone, called VPAD, which is a portable, compact and most importantly, wireless (WiFi) videophone!

I found TWO short videoclips on VPAD on YouTube, and you’ll like to see them yourself. My gosh, can you see how compact is that? Touch screen? Coolio!

[kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/cYVSBTwFnbw" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

[kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/3oMwtwt_VpM" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Still awaiting for answers to my questions from my previous post.

1. Does this VPAD come with rechargeable batteries?
2. Does this VPAD’s Power 12V DC with AC power adapter compatible with DC to AC Car Adapter if I need to plug in my car?
3. How heavy is it? It comes with a carrying case, and I want to know how heavy I’ll have to carry this.
4. Since it comes with an option using Ethernet jack or Wireless. What kind of wireless standard? Is it 802.11g or 802.11b? Or is it similar to our pager’s wireless standard? GPRS (new international wireless standard) available to GSM (Global System for Mobile telecommunications) networks? PCS networks? Which one????
5. This VPAD comes with Audio/Video In/Out – connecting with TV? DVD? LCD Projector? What is the purpose of having
audio/video in/out slots?
6. This VPAD has SD Card, and it seems like it can be used as Digital Picture Frame. What are other files I can download from SD Card? Can I download videos?
7. This VPAD comes with USB 2.0 slot (how many? only one?) and can I connect with any kind of USB keyboard?
8. This VPAD comes with headset, for who? for VCO users?
9. It would be great that the flash video demonstration has a zoom feature for me to zoom-in to see the product closely, especially the slot areas.
10. What kind of interface the VPAD will be showing? Is it the same with Viable Vision interface?
11. How can I get this product? How much does it cost? How will this be distributed?
12. What way people can call in? Using 10-digit phone number or IP address? I sincerely hope it is 10-digit phone number.
13. Will I use this VPAD to make VRI (Video Relay Interpreting) calls with understanding that I pay for the services?
14. Will this VPAD have a basic operating system including email/AIM/ICQ procotol?
15. Do I need to purchase a new wireless router for this VPAD?
16. Will this VPAD allows the point-to-point calls to VP200, Ojo, DLink, and webcam (netmeeting, etc.)?
17. Who were the beta testers? Who or how to qualify for beta testers?
18. Do you think Viable will allow to distribute this product to families of young Deaf babies/toddlers so that these families can contact with Deaf mentors to keep up with their signing abilities?
19. Will VPAD require all of us to get broadband wireless router in our homes? Many of us have regular routers, but wireless? Does that mean we need to purchase a new router?
20. Will Viable release an official videoclip demonstrating exactly how VPAD works?

Deaf Firefighter’s blog has two more questions on his blog… and I truly think it is worthy to add these questions to the list! Go and read his blog for in-depth explanation why the interoperability is so important for videophone devices. He made an excellent point that we need to stay ahead of the game of the video-compression technology AND ‘calling’ protocols!

21. Is the device truly interoperable?
22. What communication protocols is it using in making the call?

Readers, I will be in touch with Viable, Inc., and bring their attention to these questions. I’ll make every possible effort to post these questions on my new blog post.

If you do have any more questions- please add on the comment page. They are truly reading our blogs! They are *listening* to us! Grins!

Best,
Amy Cohen Efron

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20 comments on “VPAD – Video Demo on YouTube!”

[…] other review: DEAF WORLD AS EYE SEE IT

I want to get one…

Not a good demo. Too distracting. Too chopping. Sign
language not clear.

Demo? I dont see any demo…

can you post the demo so that i can see what you were refering to the choppy video. This might be a good product but i prefer to have my own laptop if i travel and all of that.

Demo and Sonny –

I agree with you that this is not the best kind of ‘demo’ video. It is what I found from YouTube. It appears to me that the person who is filming this is not Deaf themselves.

If I am there, I will make darn good videoclip with an actual demonstration!

I contacted Viable, and asked for a videoclip of an actual demonstration of VPAD, and how did this work.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Interesting…

The interviewer called them hearing-impaired although the booth said deaf, the vendor said deaf, and the interpreter said deaf.

Talked with a lady who is more informed.

The number one is INTEROPERABILITY with WIRELESS.
The reason – many carriers have wireless that are NOT interoperabile.

The stats posted by viable.net do not answer your detailed questions.

As for requirement for wireless routers in homes, one thing I do know – they cost extra to go wireless.

How about the extra bonus question? Will the communication be encoded for security?

Thank you James!

David – excellent question! You got a bonus star from me!

Still waiting to hear from Viable….

Amy, I appreciate your contributions. I agree with almost all your viewpoints except for your doing business with a certain character marketing your DVD.

I know it’s good to ask questions about something new but maybe the best of us can consider not asking too much questions right away. Let them rejoice.
I know this isn’t your intentions to bombard. I know you’re happy for them.

But, I feel this has became highly interrogatory to point this special occasion is now becoming a critic festival taking away from the historic moment.

Generally, directed to all of you: Simple: wait until you get your hands on VPAD and you’re so free to review using your own standards. If you don’t like this or that product, find or make something else better and illustrate how it can work for you. Otherwise, you’re nothing but hot air.

Anonymous:

Bah! Nothing but hot air? Harrumph…

Wait and see…

Yes, detractors who talk or question negatively about products but can’t name a better product or make a better product is nothing but hot air reeking of a bad inferiority complex.

True sensibility is looking at the big picture welcoming days of improvements to come in the next generation. Critics or critically long-winded interrogators tends to have too much time on their hands.

This is just the beginning for Viable and other VRS businesses alike.

CSDVRS has been talking about a new videophone. Maybe they’re holding before ambushing Viable.

Stealing the thunder? Who knows?

Who knows Sorenson, despite its right-wing agenda among its top executives (check Sorenson’s political donations against the homosexual cause and they have used many homosexual interpreters?!?!), will come up with something?

Anonymous:

I talk negatively? mmm…. go and check my new post!

Viable’s Response

Viable responded most of my questions, and I don’t consider myself as a critic or long-winded interrogator…

I consider myself as an informed consumer and I ain’t dumb.

Thanks!

Let me share you a little secret about customer service. “The customer is always right no matter what.” Yes, they answered your basic questions. This is called the practice of common courtesy.

The rest is way too semantic to answer on a whim boggling down to point of fault-finding taking away from the big picture of Viable rejoicing about their innovation especially on launch day. Let them chow their Las Vegas desserts.

The Viable folks are busy having their day in the sun. Today is not the day of judgment. “Tomorrow” should come and you’ll get your answers sooner than later then you can make your call as to whether or not you’ll dismiss product, hopefully after you get your hands on it thus more merit to your broadcasts.

I wasn’t implying you’re a negative person. Best of us can get carried away in semantics to point of fault-finding. Just let them bring the cake and we can taste when the time is right.

Even though he talked about interoperability Neil McDevitt kept his posting sweet and simple. Proud Geek kept it simple and sweet on two postings in which one has the punch line here:

http://blog.proud-geek.com/2008/01/06/comment-from-viable-manager-on-the-vpad/

The comment on the above link implied that more details will be posted on the Website. Patience should be a virtue of smart customers such as hopefully you!

My mental picture here: Viable folks smiling at their booths and celebrating at restaurants while you’re hunkering at your keyboard in interrogatory fashion.

Sorry, if you can’t take a bit of a good-natured ribbing here.

W. David Samuelson. I knew you’d ask about the security question. You just added more credibility to your already credible name. I understand because I received so many contacts from the local Sorenson Gestapo inquiring as to why I didn’t use their VRS enough. I don’t even use their products anymore. I know the relentless lack of privacy afforded Deaf Utahns. I was there not long time ago. Boy, many don’t know how to mind their business! I was interrogated about the worthiness of a religious person who happened to hail from Utah. That sent chills up my spine. I really feel for you.

I had to cringe when the guy in the second posted clip said something like “I travel a lot and meet a lot of people but I have no way of communicating with hearing people.” That line just undid some of progress we made as Deaf people and affirmed some of hearies’ perceptions of us.

Nevertheless the product looks interesting and I’d like to know more.

Wanna see muccchhhhh bettttter than you saw on YouTube?? Watch out for DeafNationTV tomorrow about VPAD!! DeafNation crew are shooting at Viable booth today!! Happpy now? smile..

Hello wow that great good show and how will i get vpad travel ? it free or pay for vpad box ? pls let me know thanks

Hello Everyone…

Please do not leave your personal email address, phone numbers or home addresses for Viable to contact you on my blog.

Please go to http://www.viable.net and click : contact support and you will reach one of the customer support representative. They will help you.

I cannot help you, and I value your privacy very much.

Thank you,
Amy Cohen Efron

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