In an interesting e-mail that was sent out today by Snap!VRS Mr. Schatzberg claims that the Ojo is interoperable and that consumers should simply take that as reality. However, the reality is much different from what that claim.

Let me begin by expressing my appreciation and gratitude to the employees of Snap, Worldgate and CAN who have worked long and hard on the interoperability project. I have seen and used an interoperable Ojo. The interoperability solution as I’ve seen it works well and seems to be well thought out. I applaude those who’ve worked diligently to make that a reality.

The issue here is that interoperability is being given out in a selective, subjective manner. That means, if you already have an Ojo and want the interoperability download you have to be approved by someone at Snap to receive it. There doesn’t appear to be any objective criteria for how that decision is made. For example, a number of Ojo’s located in New Mexico that were purchased through retail channels (”non-Snap” Ojo’s) were recently approved by Snap to receive the interoperability download. In contrast, when I asked to receive the interoperability download for my non-Snap Ojo I was told that I could not receive the update.

How was that determination made? Who made that determination in each situation? What were the objective criteria?

Some people have asked, “but you’re hearing Daryl, why do you need it?” I don’t need it specifically, but Deaf friends and colleagues who have and will visit my home have needed it. It would be overburdensome to ask my friend to bring his own Ojo to my house just so he could make a telephone call. I can stand in the place of my house guests in my request because it is personal to me and affects my guests visiting my house.

The great thing about technology and the blogosphere is corporations and the people who run them can be placed under an unforgiving microscope of transparency. Either the reality that is hyped is true or it’s not.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2899332557989427366

The Shadow Ojo has a black satin finish and is devoted to video. MSRP is $299. Both phones are less expensive from www.thenerds.net where the Shadow costs just $223.

There is a monthly service charge ordinarily $14.95 for UNLIMITED VIDEO PHONE CALLS worldwide at any time. IF you register your Ojo before the end of June the monthly charge is just $9.95 good for the rest of 2007. Both phones are made by WorldGate Comm www.wgate.com Nasdaq WGAT $1.15 on Feb 23.

The Ojo is wonderful with no breakup or pixelization. Profoundly realistic picture and audio. If you have a friend or loved one who lives at a distance the Ojo will change your life.
galt