AOL to start charging for video-conferencing on AIM network

[MacBytes]

Category: 3rd Party Software
Link: AOL to start charging for video-conferencing on AIM network
Posted on MacBytes.com

Approved by Mudbug

 

[MoparShaha]

How do you think this will affect iChat A/V?

 

[PowerMacMan]

How do you think this will affect iChat A/V?

I doubt the feature will be available for iChat... But if it is you would pay for it of course, and an extra button on the menu I guess...

 

[King Cobra]

lol

So far, it's taken AOL about 9.0 attempts to get it right...but requiring users to pay for video conferencing (and for a ridiculous price - 15c/min.) just shows that AOL still doesn't "get it."

 

[Bendit]

Before anyone panics, AOL won't be charging for current video conferencing features. They will add a multi user video conferencing feature for businesses that will cost money. Nothing will happen to iChat or home AIM users.

 

[shamino]

Before anyone panics, AOL won't be charging for current video conferencing features. They will add a multi user video conferencing feature for businesses that will cost money. Nothing will happen to iChat or home AIM users.

I should hope not. iChat AV doesn't go through the AIM server. AIM is only used to identify the party at the other end and get an IP address. After that, the two sides connect directly to each other.

I'd like to see someoone propose a tech where AOL can collect money for a service that they're not providing.

 

[shamino]

How do you think this will affect iChat A/V?

Not at all. Different service, different tech.

 

[mkrishnan]

Before anyone panics, AOL won't be charging for current video conferencing features. They will add a multi user video conferencing feature for businesses that will cost money. Nothing will happen to iChat or home AIM users.

That was what I was scared it meant too, until I read the news article more carefully. OTOH I don't really use video chat much.

 

[DMann]

AOL

Fuggetaboudit!!!

 

[rendezvouscp]

Knowing that AOL is going to do this, I wonder if Apple has thought about adding conferencing to their own iChat software (or another product). That would be a very nice service, and they wouldn't have to charge for it because it is only the price of the R&D (and a few other things). Or, they could make it only for .Mac users, but that wouldn't be fun.
–Chase

 

[shamino]

Knowing that AOL is going to do this, I wonder if Apple has thought about adding conferencing to their own iChat software

There was a rumor about this many months ago.

The rumor said that a future version of iChat would allow up to 8- (or maybe 16-way) voice conferencing and up to 4-way video conferencing. Supposedly, there were working prototypes in Apple.

As for when/if this is released, I have no idea.

 

[g4cubed]

I should hope not. iChat AV doesn't go through the AIM server. AIM is only used to identify the party at the other end and get an IP address. After that, the two sides connect directly to each other.

I'd like to see someoone propose a tech where AOL can collect money for a service that they're not providing.

It's different services altogether. But if AOL can figiure away to charge you, you better believe they will. AOL/Time Warner blows