Logitech Vid claims to simplify video calling

Logitech Vid claims to simplify video calling

Postby Stephen Withers » Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:21 am

Vid, a free application from Logitech, is designed for those who find existing video calling software too daunting.

Some people like the whole Unified Communications thing, but others just want a straightforward way to make video calls to friends and family. And that, according to Logitech, is where Vid comes in.

Vid is a new video calling application for Windows XP/Vista and Mac OS X from Logitech. It's designed to be simple to set up and use.

According to company officials, "you can set up Vid in fewer than half the steps required by the major instant-messaging programs."

OK... but who hasn't already set up an IM program? It sounds as if Logitech is aiming Vid mainly at an older and less technologically sophisticated market.

"Video calling has been around for more than a decade, but Vid truly has the potential to make video calling one of the primary ways that people stay in touch with their loved ones," said Gina Clark, general manager and vice president of Logitech's Internet communications business unit.

"Vid gives you the best of both worlds – eliminating the biggest obstacles to making video calls, while still providing the exceptional-quality audio and video that you expect from Logitech. Above all, you don’t need to be tech-savvy to use Vid," she added.

While Vid works with standalone and embedded webcams, it is intended for use with a Logitech webcam at one or both ends. If you don't have a Logitech webcam, you'll need to be invited to a Vid session by someone that does.

After that, you have full use of Vid for 30 days. When the trial period is over, you can still use Vid when a Logitech owner calls you - but to initiate calls you'll need to buy a Logitech webcam.

Isn't that a bit confusing? Logitech wants to sell more cameras, but Vid is only useful if you already have a webcam on your system. Are you really going to spend $A60 or more on a Logitech camera (let alone a hefty $A230 for the only Mac-compatible model in the range) in this situation?

This seems like an example of trying to use viral marking against an audience that's already been vaccinated.

If you want to try Vid, it's available for download from Logitech's web site.



Article Link at http://www.itwire.com/content/view/25762/1231/
Stephen Withers
 
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Re: Logitech Vid claims to simplify video calling

Postby jethou » Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:47 pm

While I feel that Logitech generally produce good products, I really think they’ve got this one wrong.
The likes of Skype etc are already used by most people who want video chat and they are not really going to want to use two such programs when one could do.
Why not then move to Logitech Vid and ditch the others?
Well, for a start you cannot chat to non-Vid users, so you have persuade them to have Logitech Vid, which if they don’t have a Logitech webcam they won’t want to, and users with laptops that have built in non-Logitech webcams certainly aren’t going buy an extra webcam. Even if they were happy to do it, they would then have to convince all their friends to get Vid. It’s beginning to sound like a pyramid selling scheme!
Lack of text chat is also an issue, text chat can be really useful when, as sometimes happens, the sound quality is poor. Since this can be a bandwidth issue, the best software in the world isn’t going to help.
jethou
 
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