IPhone + IChat makes IVRS

Apple's next big thing? Video, analyst says "Apple is ready to make a major move into video, and based his bet on a series of clues in the company's upcoming hardware, as well as the $1 billion data center in North Carolina that's now hiring personnel." (ComputerWorld)

This makes perfect sense. Recently, we got a sneak peek of what the upcoming IPhone 4g will look like. It had not only HD video capability, but also a front-facing camera. It will easily be able to do iChat (video conferencing).

So with the new upcoming IPhone and the data center getting ready for business soon, it is only natural to anticipate one of the VRS provider to come up with an app that'll alow you to do VRS through your iPhone. It is pretty exciting!

SorensonVRS has an app where you can watch your SignMail on your iPhone for free. Convo has their Greenbook and ConvoIM for Mac. Purple has their PurpleVRSim for iChat. There are others I am sure.

Now the question is who is going to be first ??? Any ideas???

An exclusive Interview with SorensonVRS

Ann Bardsley, the Director of Public Relations @ SorensonVRS was kind enough to respond to our questions.

1) Is SorensonVRS Deaf-owned (meaning is the CEO, founder, or owner Deaf)?
"The founder of Sorenson Communications, who was not deaf, worked closely with a family member (who was deaf) to create the first videophone designed especially for the deaf.  The award-winning technology delivered fast video with crisp graphics that transmitted images from even the fastest of finger spellers! Today, Sorenson Communications is led by Pat Nola, President and CEO of the company. He is not deaf. Sorenson Communications employs many deaf individuals. Sorenson Communications Vice President of Community Relations, Ron Burdett, is deaf and is on Sorenson's executive team. "

2) How many Deaf employees are working for the company and what percentage do they make up of your workforce?
"Because Sorenson Communications is a privately-held company, we do not share specific numbers on our employees. We can say, however, that Sorenson has hundreds of deaf employees. In fact, 42% of Sorenson employees are deaf, excluding interpreters who cannot be deaf. Including all Sorenson employees, 84% are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL)."

3) There are rumors that SorensonVRS is planning to release the next generation Videophone (VP-300). Would it be possible for you to share some details about this new Videophone?
" We understand there is always much consumer anticipation of new technologies. Because Sorenson technologies are proprietary—that is, exclusive to Sorenson, I am unable to release information on products and services before our company officially announces or launches them.  Be assured, however, that Sorenson is continually exploring additional solutions to bring more functional equivalency to the deaf and hard-of-hearing."

Thank you, Ann Bardsley, for bringing a sense of clarity to our curiosity! It is probably safe to assume SorensonvRS is currently the largest Video Relay Service / Provider and nearly half of their workforce is Deaf. That is, indeed, impressive!

If you have any more questions, I'll be more than happy to deliver your questions to Ms. Bardsley...

The SorensonVRS Rumor... What's Coming Next???

The following is a rumor that has yet to be confirmed. SorensonVRS is planning to release the next generation videophone sometimes this year. I am sure many of you are familiar with SorensonVRS and their products, but for those of you who aren't familiar, here is a description of their services.

SorensonVRS is an independent, certified (approved by FCC) Video Relay Service Provider. It's headquarters is located in Salt Lake City. There are supposedly 100 call centers all over the USA, and also a few in Canada, Puerto  Rico and Mexico.

They do not offer Captel or any software to download onto your PC or MAC.

However, if you choose SorensonVRS as your default provider, you will get their "Gold Services" which consists of:

• Free Videophone => currently VP-200
• E911 => When calling 911 through VRS, you do not need to provide your address or name. (But it makes it quicker)
• 10-digit number
• Contact Lists (up to 500)
• Free Tech Support
• Extensive Outreach and Customer Training Programs
• SignMail => Hearing people can leave a message on your videophone, computer, or iphone.
• Call Waiting => You can put your caller on hold while accepting another incoming call.
• Automatic updates
• VP Moving Program => If you move to another location, SorensonVRS can assist you rehooking your videophone again.
• SorensonVideo center => You can watch SignMail, personalized education and tech support,as well as entertaining videos on your videophone.

They also offer their own version of IP-Relay called "SIPRelay".You can get your own 10-digit number for the SIPRelay as well. They do have their own specialized software for Blackberry, but you can still use SIPRelay from any other cellphones that support AIM.

You can call SorensonVRS at svrs.tv or call.svrs.tv

Hearing people can call SorensonVRS at (866) FAST-VRS or (801) 287-9403.
They do offer Trilingual services. Rapidovrs.tv for Deaf and Hearings living in USA can call at 1-866-9 VRSLATINO (only for US) or for those who are living in Mexico they can call  001-877-510-7655.

To test the system, I made a call to my friend using a SorensonVRS interpreter. The conversation was about a mishap with a  flight schedule and the notorious plane delays that were involved.

The first interpreter I got was a male interpreter who I thought was very unprofessional. He displayed a depressed personality, he didn't show any enthusiasm whatsoever. In addition he was careless. This made understanding the interpreter more difficult.Finally, I had enough and I asked the interpreter to transfer me to another interpreter. He did respect my wishes and transferred me to another male interpreter. What a huge difference. He was full of energy and warmth. I could tell right away he was going to be a good interpreter. Anyway, the conversation went smoothly. I understood the interpreter with ease. My hearing friend's comments were "The first interpreter was lousy. I barely could hear him and he had an accent that was difficult to understand. He totally confused my story about flying to New York and having to change planes in Philadelphia." My friend was happy that I switched interpreters, it made all the differences in the world.

Next VRS Provider : FedVRS