Mobile Blog: Video, Media, Augmented Reality, Rich Media, IVVR

photo credit: phauly

In desktop video conferencing, the video conferencing application is normally bundled to an Instant Messaging software that includes text chat capabilities. Users can appoint or prearrange a video conference using textual chat. In contrast, the current evolution of video telephony in UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) networks based on the circuit-switched 3G-324M service does not seamlessly combine video conferencing with other communication channels. The notion of video telephony in the mobile environment is nearer to standard voice calling than in the stationary world. Therefore, it is more likely that somebody will place a video call without prior announcement. This leads to privacy and inconvenience concerns. The callee might not want to be seen during a conversation for a variety reasons: A video call

photo credit: Iain Farrell

Even with a great deal of marketing, early attempts to convert users to the video telephony technology flopped (Jones and Marsden). In contrast, desktop video conferencing is incredibly popular for private person-to-person conversations and widely used for video conferencing in business environments such as telepresence for computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW).

In desktop video conferencing scenarios, typically a stationary computer is used. Camera and microphone are fixed and usually maintain the same distance from the person participating during the conversation. Moreover, lighting conditions are generally better than

photo credit: Steven Fernandez

Media compression, error concealment measures, and the characteristics of wireless networks have side effects on the quality of 3G video telephony and IVVR (Interactive Voice & Video Response) applications.

3G-324M requires only the use of speech codecs. In contrast to audio codecs, speech codecs are designed for speech transmission within a narrow frequency range, making them inappropriate for transmission of music or a range of artificial sounds. This fact needs to be considered when designing IVVR applications

IVVR (Interactive Voice & Video Response) Application: IVR (Interactive Voice Response) Supplement Example

IVVR applications use the IVVR mobile technology to create services based on 3G video calling. In my opinion, the easiest conceivable IVVR application is an IVR supplement that adds the video dimension to typical IVR services:

IVR Supplements are dialog-based IVVR applications founding on the notion of typical IVR applications for call dispatching or information services. They add the visual dimension to IVR applications by showing slides as a graphical representation of an IVR voice menu on the phone screen. This increases accessibility for the dumb, making it possible to interact with IVR where listening might not be desired

photo credit: jepoirrier

I just posted my article about the IVVR (Interactive Voice & Video Response) Game Santa Claus Sleigh Ride, and I totally forgot to post the number where you can play the game by yourself.

You can give it a try by placing a video call to +498938155555. You can probably only reach it within Germany. But I haven’t tested this, though.

By the way: Do you know more IVVR servics, either in Germany or worldwide? Use the comment function to post them and I will create a list of IVVR services!