Ojo Shadow video phone hitting the US market

Just in case you were losing faith in WorldGate's ability to build back steam behind the trusty Ojo, we've got some positive news. The Ojo Shadow video phone will soon be loosed on the US market through a slightly unorthodox venue, as the Home Shopping Network snags the exclusive first launch privileges. The device is slated to make its television debut to American consumers at 8:00AM EST on HSN (set your alarms, folks), but for those of us who aren't down with waiting, a set of two is available right now from the company's webstore for $499.90. Users can expect a 854 x 480 resolution display, up to 20 minutes of video messaging, photo-based caller ID, and automatic white balance and backlight compensation, but we still say a webcam-based video chat would be much kinder to your wallet.

[Seve @ May 4th 2007 6:14AM]

Or... for those who are a bit more with it you can go to any Fry's electronics store (just saw this tonight, not impressed). Not so exclusive and hip now is it? Even better will be when one of our american 3g networks starts supporting video calls. This could have been a cool post if it were 1992.

[Jeff @ May 4th 2007 6:42AM]

I thought the same thing when I was reading this—I saw this at the Fry's in Dallas 6 months ago. Is this a new model maybe? I was also unimpressed and no one in the store seemed interested in it at all. This things going to go over like a terd in a punch bowl, it's too little too late.

[V.I. @ May 4th 2007 6:38AM]

Doesn't Arie on Entourage have one of these on his desk? I never see him use it, but I do recall seeing it there...

[Arnold @ May 4th 2007 6:59AM]

About six months ago I sent one of these to a great old friend who I hadn't seen in years and was flat on his back recovering from back surgery. Every day we spoke for an hour or so and that really lifted his spirits, seemed like we were in the same room. Now he is recovered but we still talk 4-5 times a week and we're great close friends again. He has now bought several Ojos for his entire family that's scattered over several states, brothers, in-laws and his daughter. They all love the phone. Perfect picture and sound.

[Rich @ May 4th 2007 7:05AM]

A web cam call is more like being drunk out of your mind and talking to somebody. The Ojo call is like the person is sitting across the table from you.

Here's a video of a Skype call and then an Ojo call.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GdMx3vAiC8

[Ian Jardine @ May 4th 2007 9:50AM]

Yeah one coes FREE (with say a $50.00 cost for buying a cam if you don't have one) and the other costs $500.00 in hardware. ALso note the Audio quality through the PC hardware is so MUCH better.

If you want a standalone devise try Packet* www.packet8.net. Their hardware is excellent, much less expensive.

[Rick @ May 4th 2007 10:21AM]

Plus there's a $15/month fee, and the $20-50/month phone line fee to use it.

[nigel @ May 4th 2007 10:46AM]

I think its a much better design, but with web cams. websites and even 360 and ps3, at 500 for 2 they need a new strategy.

[JJ_USA @ May 4th 2007 11:07AM]

The OJO is NOT $499!!!
The OJO ROCKS! We have 8 of these in my family. The quality is amazing and no PC is required!
My 4 yr old can call his cousins any time he wants ... by himself. We bought it for the kids, since the cousins are all over the country, but the adults love it too. High quality video chatting is SOOOO much different than voice only ... I highly recommend getting them if you have a dispersed family.
You should not even compare it to a web camera ... I have $100 web cams and top speed broadband Internet and it still sucks ... not to mention that I can not even use audio - I use my cell phone.
You can get it on their website now for only $299. I bought a whole year of service for less than $9/mo.
I just wish they had a portable model I could take on the road with me to phone home.

[Nick @ May 4th 2007 4:15PM]

Ahh.. I remember seeing these in '24' from Series 4 onwards... they look pretty cool

[Christopher Poole @ May 4th 2007 5:30PM]

Ojo videophone? get free www.snapvrs.com for apply deaf/hard of hearing free only

[edsteve @ May 5th 2007 3:24AM]

this thing has been on sale in compusa for the last 6 moths,http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?pfp=SEARCH&Ntt=ojo&N=0&Dx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&D=ojo&Ntk=All&product_code=341639&Pn=Shadow_Personal_Video_Phone

[janet betty bull @ May 9th 2007 2:08PM]

will u pls use both e-mail addresses for naming janet betty bull ?

[janet betty bull @ May 12th 2007 5:09PM]

hi i am totally deaf lady , my friend refered me abt this .his name is jorge flores from phila. penna . i wnt to appy for free snap to make communicate with deaf n hearing people . thnks a lot my e-mail address is [e-mail] and [e-mail].i wnt to know when will i get it ? for that reasons i am having bad arthrictis hands. pls reply me asap so i will know tht there will be an existing sitution . much thanks from janet betty bull

[Quaiz @ Aug 19th 2007 4:53AM]

This is out already. I saw this in my Local Fry's yesterday (San Marcos, CA). It's on an end-cap over by the home appliances and phones.