A student asks:
Would a video phone be favored over Skype? I think a video phone is pretty much Skype via a laptop. Do video phones have higher quality because they are strictly for ASL communication -- compared to a laptop, which is used for many things?
Dear _____,
Well, I'll tell you this, I have an older friend who recently was hospitalized in an extended term care facility. He asked for for a video phone. The hospital and concerned family/friends offered to supply him with Skype or "Purple Communications" software and a laptop, etc. He wanted none of it. He only wanted his Sorenson Video Phone. He liked the remote. He liked the fact that when he clicked on it he could see his contacts, pick a contact listing, click on it, and presto -- his friend's face would appear on the television (not computer monitor) screen.
However, many people "do" prefer Skype over VP if for no other reason than their Hearing family and friends use Skype and do not qualify for a free VP.
Quite a few of my friends are into "video messaging" now with mobile device (smart phone) app called "Glide."
Video phones do not necessarily have better quality. My web-cam tends to be superior to my video phone in terms of quality -- but I tend to invest heavily (pay the price) in high end web-cam equipment since I often use my webcam as a way to create videos for my website.
- Dr. Bill
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