When are we going to get v-mail?

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Subject Author Date When are we going to get v-mail? Mr. Nonsense 06-28-2009  Re: When are we going to get v-mail? Nathan Keel 06-28-2009  Re: When are we going to get v-mail? Brian Cryer 06-29-2009  Re: When are we going to get v-mail? Dylan Parry 06-29-2009

Posted by Mr. Nonsense on June 28, 2009, 2:06 pm Please log in for more thread options Isn't it about time that we are able to send short videos instead of typing out long e-mails to people? Most computers now have built-in WebCams, so it would be a cool feature to be able to attach a video to an e-mail on the fly. I wonder why Google has not thought of that and integrated that with their Gmail? Posted by Nathan Keel on June 28, 2009, 9:41 pm Please log in for more thread options Mr. Nonsense wrote: show/hide quoted text > Isn't it about time that we are able to send short videos instead of > typing out long e-mails to people? Most computers now have built-in > WebCams, so it would be a cool feature to be able to attach a video to > an e-mail on the fly. I wonder why Google has not thought of that and > integrated that with their Gmail? So attach a video. Unless you really think video over text would be better or better most of the time? For video conferencing, there's already that software, and you can attach one to an email now, so I don't get what you are asking is taking so long? Posted by Brian Cryer on June 29, 2009, 6:14 am Please log in for more thread options show/hide quoted text > Isn't it about time that we are able to send short videos instead of > typing out long e-mails to people? Most computers now have built-in > WebCams, so it would be a cool feature to be able to attach a video to > an e-mail on the fly. I wonder why Google has not thought of that and > integrated that with their Gmail? If you want video its better to use skype or similar than to stick it in an email. The problems with video in or in place of email include (and there is some overlap with those Jamie and Nathan have highlighted): 1. size - storage requirements would go through the roof. Also, email servers have practical limits set on how large and email can be before it gets rejected. 10MB is often about the limit, although companies offering free public email may set the limit lower. So any individual email over that limit gets rejected. On top of this you normally have a storage quota, although many companies (such as gmail) give you more than adequate storage for most things. 2. bandwidth - as with storage, your bandwidth requirements would increase, and email delivery would slow down. Even for those on broadband a 10MB file takes a while to shift, and spare a thought for those unfortunate minority who are still on dial-up. I remember someone sending me a 4MB image when I was on dial-up and it took 45mins to download and I wasn't pleased. 3. searchability. You can't get your email client to search through your video-emails. This is also a reason why google would probably be less interested - if they can't scan the email then they can't hope to pull out relevant ads to show - remember its their ad revenue which supports gmail. Also, you can't skim a video, so it will take you much longer to "read" your emails. I wouldn't advocate video, not in place of emails at any rate or at least not as a regular substitute to text emails. -- Brian Cryer www/cryer.co.uk/brian Posted by Dylan Parry on June 29, 2009, 10:02 am Please log in for more thread options Mr. Nonsense wrote: show/hide quoted text > Isn't it about time that we are able to send short videos instead of > typing out long e-mails to people? I can do the latter having just got out of bed, and looking like I've slept on my face. I wouldn’t even contemplate doing the former in that state. -- Dylan Parry http://electricfreedom.org | http://webpageworkshop.co.uk “If I had my life to live over again, I'd be a plumber” – Einstein