Future iPhone for Deaf people
Last weekend when my buddies and I were en route to upstate NY near Vermont for our snowboarding trip, we were talking about different technology and VRS services for deaf people, then I had this sudden idea/imagination. The future is soon here. Why? look below at the mock-up pictures I’ve made.
VRS interpreter on iPhone
Video conferencing with two people on iPhone
Yup, the future is soon here.
We’ve been dreaming how nice it would be to use ASL to place calls on our mobile phones. Guess what? That is gonna happen soon, with next generation (maybe third generation) iPhone when it has a built-in camera with a wifi connection. I’ve made a mock-up pics using photoshop.
Imagine when you’re at a restaurant or dealing with a hearing person, all you have to do is to call an interpreter from your iPhone and s/he will interpret everything what you say and what the hearing party say. I can’t wait!
If you are tempted to buy iPhone when it comes out this summer, I understand but I’ll be waiting till it has a built-in camera. While you’re at it, you might as well want to buy some Apple stocks. :-)
35 Comments, Comment or Ping
tayler
It includes a built-in 2mp camera, but I’m sure it will one day be capable of video… great mock-up shots, I want to send this post to Apple to get them to think about seriously supporting videophone technology (if they’re not already)!
Feb 28th, 2007
natech
Oh that’s right, I overlooked the part that it already has a 2mp camera but doesn’t have wifi yet. It’s just a matter of when. HOVRS has an upper hand on this because they support VRS on iChat. And iPhone will include iChat program. Awesome!
Feb 28th, 2007
Shane
My dream is a built-in projector which has already been invented (or currently under development):
http://www.microvision.com/proj.html
Then we can talk with a person without holding the pager. An even better device would be one that has a hologram.
Feb 28th, 2007
gabe
simply have the gov’t loosen the restriction of video telephony for 3G network here in usa and we’d come up with great services from vrs…
Feb 28th, 2007
Jared Evans
VRS terps are gonna hate that one because they would have to deal with a video phone held by human hands with the natural jerky movements. :-)
This future phone with video would have to come with it’s own small stand so you could set it down on a table or a level surface. It would also need a zoom camera so you aren’t stuck sitting at a certain distance to maximize the capture area around you as you sign to the phone.
Feb 28th, 2007
Marlene
I talked with one Apple Store manager and wrote down a list of needs for the iPhone: strong vibrations, font sizing, CC movies, 911 service, data plan, VRS, and downloadable books. (Audio books will be included in this device, so why not books we can read?) Manager kept saying “good idea…never thought of this or that” and would send email to upper management. I sent an email, too, but never heard anything back from Apple Corp.
Feb 28th, 2007
natech
It’s all about progress/evolution. Eventually they will happen. A matter of when.
Jared, you’re right, I guess the caller will need to place the phone somewhere on the table or have someone to hold it steady. WE’ll come up with something. Technology!
Feb 28th, 2007
ToddE
Gabe is correct; The iPhone, AFAIK, still uses the slower network for data transmissions, and is ill-suited for live video.
Once the next-generation wireless technologies are here and in widespread use, then this could be very feasible.
Feb 28th, 2007
Ze7
natech,
iPohne does HAVE WiFi
http://www.apple.com/iphone/technology/wireless.html
Feb 28th, 2007
Ze7
This iPhone has built-in camera but not in front of you, it is back of the iphone so it cant be live chat!
Feb 28th, 2007
sano
Have you heard of the Mobile ASL project at the University of Washington? This project addresses this very issue. Cell phones today could easily support video, but cellular (networking) technology in the United States isn’t at a point where it could support video transfers at a rate that would be satisfactory to any of us.
Feb 28th, 2007
natech
Good question about the camera being on the back, not on the front, so that would prove to be difficult for us to use it as a live streaming video. We gotta let Apple know and see what they can come up with. I used wifi (54 mbps) using iChat on my macbook pro and it worked fine. I’m very sure that engineers at Apple have plans for iPhone to incorporate iSight in the not very far future.
Sano - yes, I’ve seen their website and it looks promising. Once they are able to nail down the codecs and test different video transfer rates, surely we will find a way to bring it to feasibility.
I know I may sound too much of an optimist but it’s gonna happen!
Feb 28th, 2007
Ze7
I though you might interest so I found a link about Apple iPhone: iChat?
http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/leaked-pictures-of-apple-phone-ichat-portable
Mar 1st, 2007
natech
Said it’s fake but looks good! thanks for sharing the link .
Mar 2nd, 2007
Ze7
Yeah, I know but it will be nice if Apple is working on it.
Mar 2nd, 2007
Peggy
Please let me know asap. How much, where to order, etc. Thanks Peggy
May 9th, 2007
COOKIE MONSTER
HI THERE
May 10th, 2007
ilikeasl
Love the future iPhone. How much will it cost us? Any chance of full rebate?
May 12th, 2007
dale saline
i like to more info about iphone and more picture show thanks
May 12th, 2007
Harold Hankins
I like to get more info about iphone and cost ???
May 12th, 2007
Iris
soud good for deaf need and also equal with hearing peoples. Best asl and how much cost for that? pls let me know soon
have a nice day. smile thank you for information about iphone..
May 12th, 2007
Gloria castro
hello i like that future deaf iphone wowow
May 12th, 2007
George
cool it better and how about homolog yet lol??
May 12th, 2007
Tina
soud good for deaf need and also equal with hearing peoples. Best asl and how much cost for that? pls let me know soon
have a nice day.
May 13th, 2007
Colleen
it is good idea and it is worthy for deaf people need viedo communiction with two people on iPhone. please let me know how much cost? thanks
May 14th, 2007
Cathy
Cool! Deaf people should be very happy as long as they cannot heard, but can have everything as well!
May 14th, 2007
laura
look for the movie called..”babel” they are already using this kind of technology in china and they have stands on it so u have to put it down when u talk to it. its ALREADY out there! and the movie was good,too!
May 14th, 2007
Brian
I was thinking to get a iPhone after I finished my Sidekick 3 for 1 year contract. I heard much about iPhone and I will test on keyboard if i feel comfortable. Now, I heard more positive news about iPhone have wifi and could work on HOVRS and new software for VRS to install into iPhone Applications. I love to use my Apple computers since 1997 to now. I am glad that Apple could give iPhone program to be flexible for us to use VRS. GREATLY!
May 14th, 2007
Anna
will it work in rurals how good range is? T-mobile is not working range in the country, rurals especially.
May 15th, 2007
Meg
Wow! Good One and let me know asap when its born and spread out in stores! Pls, thanks ;)
May 15th, 2007
tim
keyboard touch will be last longer ?? sidekick keyboard with rubber or plastic dont stay longer will fall off. you know. i wonder ipod will be easier keyboard touch without trouble at all.
May 16th, 2007
Nick
While that would be nice, the current models won’t work as a Mini-VP….
The camera part is on the WRONG side… on the back… we would not be able to see the picture at the same time.
May 16th, 2007
maria pinner
i ask u i through about it my sk3 used 6 months can used t-mobile ip phone vp camera? frist time i want learn more deep about my new sk3 can set up mini vp ? let me kow thank you maria pinner
May 18th, 2007
Nicole
Hi,
It really great idea. My concern about wireless phone company.. I notice in the picture and cinglaur will have iphone but I did not like cinglaur. I am hoping for verizon or tmobile is fine with me.
May 22nd, 2007
Janice
cool, most of deaf people need to have wireless videophone we would love to have them very much for sure. we are looking forward them. good for deaf People for not need to depend hearing people to call for us. hope that wireless videophone will be ready to go soon as possible. hope not too expensive.
May 23rd, 2007