The thing about useful stuff is

Gabmail Friday, February 02, 2007

In response to my post on eyejot yesterday, Nick Danger pointed me in the direction of Gabmail which also offers a flash based, browser hosted video email service. Similar to springdoo you can also embed the video created into a webpage. Gabmail doesn't require registration to use the service, albeit you are limited to 2 minutes of recording.

However, one interesting feature is the Gabjam, which allows anyone that is included on a message to see the video conversation thread thereafter. This feature reminds me of Yackpack, which I liked but never got round to actually using, albeit that is an audio service. Not sure I would use this but I can see that it has its' uses.

Just like eyejot and springdoo, Gabmail is very simple to use, albeit I did feel the sound & video quality was not as good as the other two from the limited tests I undertook. However one thing I did like was that Gabmail gives me a link of the video to copy into my own emails rather than sending the videoemail out direct with all of its corporate branding splashed across it.

One of my colleagues did ask me this morning how often I'm using videoemail and I realised that it came down to the following limited scenarios

When I am introducing myself to someone new, then along with some background text in an email, I also try to include a intro videoemail; perfect way to prove it's not spam is a personal videoemail
When I am due to meet someone for the first time, it's avoids having to wear the red carnation if they know what you look like!
When I am trying to convey a message that might be misconstrued [humour etc] and the phone isn't an option
When I am "showing off" and illustrating how many incredibly cool apps I know about to uninitiated colleagues [very rare]
When it would be wrong to hide behind a text email but the phone isn't an available/immediate option.

Biggest challenge with video email that I've found is that many corporate PC's have the sound cards disabled, presumably so as not to disturb other workers in the office and because somebody decreed that sound from the PC doesn't/shouldn't feature in their work. Obviously the corporate IT dept personnel generally have headsets to enable them to listen to music all day, so they are fine! Fortunately, thanks to health & safety officials who are concerned about neck strain from perching the phone under one's neck so as to have two hands free, more people are getting access to headphones/headsets.

Labels: eyejot, gabmail, springdoo, videomail

posted by John Wilson @ 5:32 PM Permanent Link ,

newsvine reddit

eyejot - a pale imitation of Springdoo Thursday, February 01, 2007

Eyejoy launched at Demo 07 offering an "no install" video email solution. You record and send your video emails directly through the browser, a facility available thanks to Flash.

Bizarrely, their home page provides zero information about what they do/offer - clearly looking for the psychic audience or they believe their brand is so huge it will be obvious! Or maybe their name gives it away?

Functionally it easy to use and works fine. However, I do find it too sterile a site and lacks the "fun" element that Springdoo conveys, who launched about 6 months ago from their NZ base and who have since added the ability to embed the video messages you create inside webpages ("springcasts").