As a staple in high-tech, futuristic movies, video phones have long been promised but under delivered until now. Video Phone use has skyrocketed in the last year or so thanks in part to the ever expanding availability of broadband Cable or DSL service. I would say that I am excited to try it out for myself with one caveat : I would have to pay attention to how I look when I make a call 
No more can I just sit in my underwear, pick my nose, and drink beer while I am talking to a business client. Nor will I be able to tell my wife that the kids are getting into mischief and I need to hang up because she will be able to see that they are right behind me being perfect angels. And we wont really get into that whole idea of the in-laws calling at the wrong time (to give you a hint, both children will be asleep).
Aside from the potential for mishaps, I would love to have a video phone from Packet8. As you know we have 2 children – but you may not know that most of my family is in Florida or Alabama. It would be great for the grandparents and auntie to be able to see the kids more often and to talk to them. I think most of them haven’t even see Simon since he was born 6 months ago. Anyone with children knows that a lot of changes happen in 6 months and its sad that most of his family is missing them.
The picture above is of the Packet8 Tango VTA464 – I chose this one mainly because of its sleek styling and low profile. It offers full motion video and no delay audio which is great – who wants clunky, jerky video with out of sync audio? And because it used Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) you are able to use your internet connection and your phone at the same time. Something I thought about a long time ago when video phones were just an idea was the idea of using the phone to snoop. I am happy to say that this phone offers that (sort of) in the form of Remote Surveillance Mode – coupled with a camera that rotates 180 degrees and you have yourself a very capable home security tool.
