Bell offers Video Calling feature for mobile phones and Facebook

Bell now lets users enhance their conversations with live video and visual communication through its Canada-wide HSPA network

Movies in the 80’s made it seem like we would have flying cars, teleportation, and the ability to see the people we speak with on the phone. I’m disappointed that my tires are still touching pavement and I can’t zoom off to Brazil for lunch, but at least video calling has become a modern reality.

Bell today announced Video Calling, a feature on its recently launched HSPA network that enables videos calls between Bell Mobility customers. For $5 a month, users can add unlimited Video Calling to their current plan and use the service on compatible smartphones like the LG Xenon and Samsung OMNIA II.

Consumers will obviously get a kick out of seeing their family and friends during conversations, but Video Calling can also be a big help in the workplace. My first job was at a company with a micromanaging CEO who wanted to approve practically everything employees did. That was well within her rights, but she was often outside of the office, which presented some problems. I’ve had many conversations describing layout ideas for printed materials, stopping the flow of conversation to take a picture of something to email to her, and relaying information displayed on graphs and presentations. It would have been much easier to just move my camera to show the CEO my work.

Video Calling also has a Facebook client, meaning a webcam-enabled computer can connect users with co-workers who are at conferences or working outside of the office. Search Facebook for “Bell Video Call” and install the application to begin using the service.

Certain conversations require a visual element of communication that is not available in traditional phone conversations, so it is beneficial to share those visual cues in Video Calling. Not to mention that there’s a more personal feel when someone can actually see the person they are speaking to. It is far more engaging to look directly at a client or co-worker than to rely strictly on audio-only telephone conversations.

Now, if I could just find someone to work on those flying cars and teleportation.

Filed Under: Breaking News > Mobility
Tags: bell, Facebook, phones