Story Tools: PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

CES: Creative Labs woos small businesses with inPerson video conferencing

Wednesday, January 9, 2008 | 08:43 AM ET

By Ted Kritsonis, Special to CBCNews.ca

LAS VEGAS - In a surprising shift for a very consumer-focused company, Creative Labs is hoping to garner attention from small business and SOHO customers seeking a video conferencing option.

The inPerson system looks a little like an opened mini-notebook computer, but is actually a portable video conferencing tool that can accommodate multiple participants. The 7-inch LCD screen displays a standard resolution of 640-by- 480 in both the NTSC and PAL video formats. The signal can be sent to a flat-panel display or projector for a better viewing experience, particularly since the system can be used by a roomfull of people. The audio can be outputted to a set of external speakers, too.

CreativeinPersonKritsonis.jpg

The inPerson lets people communicate with other inPerson systems, or with anyone that has a webcam (as long as they have inPerson software installed on their PC). Telephone calls to mobile and landline phones can be done through the system as well if you want to conference-in someone who isn't at a computer.

The catch to all this is that inPerson requires a monthly service plan, and those calls out to mobile and landlines will "be a very low cost perminute," according to the company. No definitive monthly service price has been set for Canada yet, however. Createive says inPerson-to-inPerson and webcam calls will be free (with a monthly service plan, of course).

Being Wi-Fi-enabled (on 802.11b and g), adds to the inPerson's portability, and from what I saw at CES the controls seem to be laid out in a simple way that anyone should be able to understand. Up to four webcams can take part in a video conference at one time, and another two connections can be added via audio only.

There's also an SD card slot on the side of the inPerson for uploading content, except that its application seems
to be limited at the moment to sharing photos.

It's hard to say how well this product might do, given the various voice-over-IP (VoIP) and video conferencing options already out there that are software-based and don't require special hardware. The cost of the inPerson hardware is expected to be in the $700 US range, which can be pricey for some small businesses, not to mention the residual costs of a monthly service plan and long-distance charges.

The inPerson is expected to launch in Canada in the spring, though no definite date has been confirmed yet.

The author is a Toronto-based freelance writer

« Previous Post | Main | Next Post »

This discussion is now Open. Submit your Comment.

« Previous Post | Main | Next Post »

Post a Comment

Disclaimer:

Note: By submitting your comments you acknowledge that CBC has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Please note that due to the volume of e-mails we receive, not all comments will be published, and those that are published will not be edited. But all will be carefully read, considered and appreciated.

Note: Due to volume there will be a delay before your comment is processed. Your comment will go through even if you leave this page immediately afterwards.

Privacy Policy | Submissions Policy

Story Tools: PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

World »

Whitney Houston's funeral to be held Saturday video
Pop star Whitney Houston's funeral service will be held Saturday in the New Jersey church where she first showcased her singing talents as a child.
Eurozone meeting on Greek bailout cancelled video
A meeting of the finance chiefs of the 17 euro countries to discuss Greece's second multibillion bailout planned for Wednesday was called off after Athens failed to deliver on several demands made by its partners in the currency union.
updated CN blamed for fatal train derailment in Illinois
CN is being blamed for a 2009 train derailment in Illinois, in which several cars went off the tracks and caught fire, killing one person and injuring seven others.
more »

Canada »

MacKay says submarine fleet has 'spotty' history
The ongoing maintenance for Canada's troubled submarine fleet is "on track" despite the damage suffered by HMCS Corner Brook from a crash last year, Defence Minister Peter MacKay says, adding that the history of the fleet is "spotty."
updated Legalize pot, say former B.C. attorneys general video
Four former B.C. attorneys general are joining a coalition of health and justice experts calling for the legalization of marijuana.
Online surveillance bill targets child porn: Toews video
A bill that would give police and intelligence agencies new powers to access Canadians' electronic communications is needed to protect against child pornography, says Public Safety Minister Vic Toews.
more »

Politics »

Trudeau says sovereignty less of a bogeyman now video
Justin Trudeau says sovereignty is less of a bogeyman than it once was as he defends himself against accusations he's sympathetic to the desire to leave Canada.
Online surveillance bill targets child porn: Toews video
A bill that would give police and intelligence agencies new powers to access Canadians' electronic communications is needed to protect against child pornography, says Public Safety Minister Vic Toews.
MacKay says submarine fleet has 'spotty' history
The ongoing maintenance for Canada's troubled submarine fleet is "on track" despite the damage suffered by HMCS Corner Brook from a crash last year, Defence Minister Peter MacKay says, adding that the history of the fleet is "spotty."
more »

Health »

Chronic fatigue may be reversed with exercise
Taking it easy is not the best treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome, rather exercise and behaviour therapy are, a large study finds.
AT&T buys T-Mobile USA for $39B US
AT&T Inc. said Sunday it will buy T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom AG in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $39 billion US, becoming the largest cellphone company in the U.S.
Milky Way home to 50 billion planets: NASA
Scientists have compiled the first cosmic census of planets in our galaxy: at least 50 billion planets are estimated to call the Milky Way home.
more »

Arts & Entertainment»

audio Regent Park dance studio heralds culture of change audio
A Toronto dance company opens its new home Tuesday in Regent Park — the neighbourhood with Canada's biggest social housing project.
Whitney Houston's funeral to be held Saturday video
Pop star Whitney Houston's funeral service will be held Saturday in the New Jersey church where she first showcased her singing talents as a child.
Prospective WSO maestros unveiled
The Windsor Symphony Orchestra unveiled a shortlist of prospective music directors on Tuesday, and the public will have a hand in selecting the finalist.
more »

Technology & Science »

Online surveillance bill targets child porn: Toews video
A bill that would give police and intelligence agencies new powers to access Canadians' electronic communications is needed to protect against child pornography, says Public Safety Minister Vic Toews.
New iPad anticipated in March
The latest version of Apple's iPad tablet will launch in early March, according to blog and media reports this week.
Higgs boson hunt aided by energy boost
The world's largest particle accelerator is ramping up its beam energy in hopes that scientists will learn definitively this year whether the last undiscovered particle in the Standard Model of Physics exists.
more »

Money »

Eurozone meeting on Greek bailout cancelled video
A meeting of the finance chiefs of the 17 euro countries to discuss Greece's second multibillion bailout planned for Wednesday was called off after Athens failed to deliver on several demands made by its partners in the currency union.
Air Canada confident it can reach deal with pilots
Travellers flying Air Canada can keep booking their flights as negotiations continue with a new federally appointed mediator to help resolve an ongoing contract dispute between the airline and its pilots.
CPP invests $1.8B in U.S. malls
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is making a whopping $1.8-billion investment in shopping malls in the U.S. with a new joint venture agreement with the Westfield Group in its biggest real estate deal to date.
more »

Consumer Life »

Honda recalls Fit subcompacts
Honda Canada says it will recall 14,640 of its 2009 and 2010 Fit subcompact cars to replace lost motion springs.
U.S. travel fee proposal criticized by Harper
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he doesn't think much of a new border tax that's being proposed by the United States, calling it a cash grab designed to help a budget crisis.
Bell class action suit approved by Que. court
A Quebec Superior Court judge has authorized a class action lawsuit to go ahead against Bell Mobility.
more »

Sports »

Scores: NHL NBA

blog Oilers face difficult decisions with Hemsky, Gagner
The Edmonton Oilers could use some blue-line help and with a plethora of forwards, like Ales Hemsky and Sam Gagner, general manager Steve Tambellini has some options on trade deadline day, writes CBCSports.ca senior hockey writer Tim Wharnsby.
Colts owner to meet with Manning this week
Jim Irsay expects to meet with Peyton Manning in the next seven days, and the Colts owner tells The Indianapolis Star the return of the four-time MVP depends on his willingness to restructure his contract.
Messi, Barcelona master Leverkusen: Champions League
Lionel Messi helped Barcelona shake off its domestic troubles in Spain by inspiring the defending champions to a 3-1 victory at Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
more »

Diversions »

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
more »