Video calls have been part of human dreams and science fiction for a long time. Already at the beginning of the 20th century we have been thinking in ways to make this a reality. Although the technology to make it happen has been around for some years already, it is now when it is been executed in a way we really want to use it.
2001: Space Odyssey (1968)
Nothing like a face
Psychologists believe that our feelings are represented in big part through faces; with more than 40 muscles, faces can deliver more than 3000 different messages that our brains decode during a conversation. So no wonder we love faces.
A moving image, in real time, of a person makes us feel closer and confident.
In business, talking to a real person makes us feel comfortable and safer. Several studies showed that attractive shop assistants sell more because we usually trust good looking people. It’s the most primitive part of our brain who is giving us these directions and it’s difficult to fight against it. We enjoy to hear and to see real people.
Terrific user experience and implementation of video calls.
Shaping the next tools
We might be facing a new area in computer-based human communications. In the same way little children are growing up with touch interfaces and expect all interfaces to behave in this way, the general public might get used to video interfaces and might expect to get this dimension embedded in everything they use.
Specially smart phones, the new iPad 2 and Internet-enabled TVs will push for the use of video calls: no need for additional devices and setups, they are always on, always with you. No need to sit in front of the PC.
An Internet-enabled Samsung TV with Skype and an iPhone.
A little revolution
A project management software that makes video calls easy could improve communication, a warmer and video-capable Facebook, a video-based online shop or a video customer support. The list could get long if the medium, interfaces and user experiences are all properly designed; they have to be easily accessible avoiding to be intrusive.
We will be closer to friends and family, safer and more confident doing business. This is a new little revolution.
Sources:
S.F psychologist has made a science of reading facial expressions
Do facial expressions reflect inner feelings? Or are they social devices for influencing others?