Has the Ojo gone dark once and for all?

We don't have one with which to confirm, but we've heard that Worldgate, which took over Ojo from Motorola a ways back, has finally disconnected service. This after a report yesterday that the company was well on the road to bankruptcy. Surprising? Not so much, the grandma-videocalling market is remarkably small, and Ojo was never much of a technological eye-catcher, especially considering that monthly service. Ojowners, you having issues? Is this the end of the line for Ojo?

[ugg.tryptophan @ Feb 6th 2008 9:53PM]

once you go black...

[holycow @ Feb 6th 2008 10:13PM]

well Michael changed...

[Steveorevo @ Feb 6th 2008 10:07PM]

Its a really cool phone, quality and all. Too bad it was expensive... horrible requirements and monthly usage fees. If someone would just comeup with a hardware skype video phone for grandma...

[ethana2 @ Feb 7th 2008 2:29AM]

Grandma needs to get exposed to an OS that's /usable/ and /maintainable/, like Ubuntu or OSX.
...Then she can do it the same way the rest of us do. Plug in the webcam, open skype, and click the camera.

[The Pepto Pimp @ Feb 6th 2008 10:03PM]

I see these on tv a lot, but never even knew it was an actual product. Maybe if they'd spent a few dollars to advertise...

[StrangeBum @ Feb 6th 2008 10:25PM]

The market just isn't quite there yet for these types of devices. We are nearing it so quickly, but are still just on the cusp of it. And I mean this as far as a society in whole. Sure there are the few that use these, or vid-chat over IM, hell even some phones utilize two-way video conferencing. But the demand to have them in the house is just not readily available.

[Alexander @ Feb 6th 2008 11:55PM]

I have GOT to get my engineering friends together and make us a skype phone with videoconferencing capabilities.

The market just isin't quite there yet. Pfft. The market was ripe 10 years ago, when the tech sucked. Why can't my cellphone be used as a videophone? All the required tech is there, so don't even start with me on that. It has plenty of power, it is just the suck-ass connection.

Get the lead out, VZW/AT&T/TMOB and I want my G3 networks like they have in Japan.

[Steven @ Feb 7th 2008 12:13AM]

It's the sad truth. Unfortunately, my Ojo stopped working a week ago: http://www.geeknuz.com/nuz/2008/02/ojo---worldgate.html

[Topmounter @ Feb 7th 2008 12:14AM]

I've never met or known anyone that's even seen an Ojo.

Maybe if grandma didn't call at 'awkward' times them maybe we might be a bit more interested in this video-call stuff.

[Chris @ Feb 7th 2008 12:23AM]

From the OjoPhone.com website:

"The Company is currently in a dispute with its largest customer over the payment of significant monies which the Company believes are owed to it. The customer's refusal to pay such monies has contributed to a shortfall in the operating cash available to the Company to continue operations. Accordingly, on January 30, 2008, the Company shut down its operations as a first step to winding down its business, which will occur if the Company is not able to secure payment of the monies believed to be owed and/or new financing. The Company continues to explore potential financing opportunities and is also pursuing legal recourse against the customer. The Company would intend to resume operations if it can obtain financing or payment of the monies believed to be owed in a timely manner. Without such financing or the payment of monies believed to be owed, however, the Company will continue its plan to wind down the business."

[Gene @ Feb 7th 2008 6:22AM]

Anyone know what the hackability is for this device? That 16:9 screen and camera could be put to great use.

[Drew @ Feb 7th 2008 7:40AM]

Oh no! What is CTU going to do now?

[Joseph @ Feb 7th 2008 1:23PM]

Don't forget about NCIS. How is Ducky going to call Abby?

[Jamar @ Feb 7th 2008 7:59AM]

Doesn't AT&T have a 3G network?
...ooh, right- no videocall cameras on AT&T phones... stupid. It'd be cheaper and easier than Ojo (if they choose to make it so- on my phone it's as easy as dialing the numbers and pushing "video call" and it's a flat-rate plan too; oh, the joys of not living in the cellular stone age)

[boknows @ Feb 7th 2008 5:19PM]

But wouldn't this be a cool SKYPE phone?

[Steveorevo @ Feb 7th 2008 11:29PM]

It would be a very cool skype phone. I would kill for a decent to high priced skype phone that did video, was pc-less (i.e. not needing a pc connection, but was a standalone device). Even better if it doubled as a regular land phone like some skype phones do. Combined with video and a caller id optional video or audio only answer would be SWEET! I'll gladly lend my programming and design skills....

[unkulunkulu @ Feb 7th 2008 10:48AM]

The disputed "customer" is SnapVRS!
http://www.snapvrs.com/

from the CEO:

Dear Snap!VRS Customers,

Today, I am writing to give you facts about the current Ojo network disruption, but most importantly to assure you that Snap!VRS has acted, and will continue to act, with the highest degree of integrity and ethics. I'm sure you are well aware by now that the Ojo network is down. Please be assured that Snap!VRS is committed to you, our valued customer, and we are doing everything in our control to best serve your needs. This is a frustrating experience for all of us.

Yesterday morning, WorldGate Communications, Inc. ("WorldGate"), a public company that manufactures the Ojo video phone and operates the Ojo network that enables you to make calls, issued an SEC filing stating that they have been forced to shut down operations "as a first step to winding down its business" as a result of a dispute over payments supposedly owed by "its largest customer." Although WorldGate did not identify the customer by name, we want you to know that this is a direct reference to us, Snap!VRS.

While WorldGate would like to direct the blame for its present financial troubles on us, the blame does not reside with Snap!VRS and it is misleading for WorldGate to suggest so. In actuality, we are current on all payments and do not owe WorldGate any money. We feel so strongly about our position and are so intent on resolving this matter swiftly that we have offered to submit this disagreement to immediate binding arbitration, a process by which an independent third party decides who is right. WorldGate has rejected this offer.

Our priority is to ensure that the Ojo network is always up. In efforts to help WorldGate through its financial troubles, we have made numerous offers to finance WorldGate's continued operations - even without the usual equity stake an investor would typically take. So you know how committed we are to resolving this situation, it is important to note that these offers have actually exceeded the amount WorldGate claims we owe them. WorldGate has thus far refused all of these offers, but we remain in discussions with them.

We have recently extended another financing offer to help WorldGate through its financial troubles that would include restoring the Ojo network. Although we still do not know when the Ojo network will be back up, I am hopeful that a solution is nearly at hand. So please keep your Ojo close by.

In the meantime, the Snap!VRS network and our highly qualified interpreters are available and proudly serving customers 24 hours a day. While the Ojo network is down, you may use an alternative video phone (e.g. VP-100/200 and D-Link) to call Snap!VRS for all of your interpreting needs. Please dial "snapvrs.tv" or "call.snapvrs.com" from your video phone.

Sincerely,
Richard Schatzberg
CEO

-Snap!VRS Team

[bill robinson @ Feb 7th 2008 5:18PM]

This phone was used on the agents desk on HBO entourage series I think.
He almost knocked it over accidentally on one episode.

[sal costello @ Feb 8th 2008 12:25PM]

Worldgate: Shut down

By CRISSA SHOEMAKER DEBREE
Bucks County Courier Times

WorldGate Communications, maker of the Ojo personal video phone, has shut down operations as it seeks payment from its largest customer.

In a statement to the Securities and Exchange Commission, and on WorldGate's Web site, the Bensalem company said it stopped operating Jan. 30, “as a first step to winding down its business, which will occur if the company is not able to secure payment ... and/or new financing.”

While WorldGate didn't name the customer, Snap!VRS, which provides video relay services for the hearing impaired, confirmed it was that customer in a letter on its own Web site. It also disputes WorldGate's statement.

“We are current on all payments and do not owe WorldGate any money,” Snap!VRS CEO Richard Schatzberg said in the letter. “We feel so strongly about our position and are so intent on resolving this matter swiftly, that we have offered to submit this disagreement to immediate binding arbitration, a process by which an independent third party decides who is right. WorldGate has rejected this offer.”

WorldGate CEO Hal Krisbergh declined to comment Thursday afternoon when reached by cell phone.

“I would like to, but there's a lot going on that I can't get into,” he said. “I'd really rather just stay with our public announcement.”

In the meantime, all Ojo phone service, which was provided by WorldGate, is down.

Krisbergh founded WorldGate in 1995 to develop products that would provide Internet services through cable, such as Web TV. But the concept never took off, and by 2002 the company was failing. It liquidated all its assets and poured them into developing Ojo. Motorola agreed to distribute the phone, which went on sale in May 2005.
click here

In February 2006, WorldGate and Motorola ended that arrangement and WorldGate took on sole responsibility for getting Ojo into stores. At the time, Krisbergh indicated WorldGate was unhappy with Motorola's high pricing, which it felt kept the product out of major retailers and out of reach for most households.

Upon taking control of Ojo retailing, WorldGate slashed the price by $300, introduced a cheaper Ojo with fewer features and pursued national and international distribution deals.

In June, WorldGate and Snap! trumpeted a deal to provide Ojos to deaf and hearing-impaired customers, who traditionally use interpreters to hold telephone conversations.

WorldGate has struggled financially since its inception. It's never turned a profit and the company has never released sales figures for its Ojos. For the quarter that ended Sept. 30, the company reported a $2.7 million loss.

11:02 AM, February 08, 2008
Delete
Blogger Sal Costello said...

FEEL SCREWED LIKE I DO?

Wordgate is run by Hal Krisbergh.
Hal had no response when a reporter got a hold of him for an article that just came out.

This is an insult to our families who have paid a lot of money for ojo's.

This is his home address:
1538 Meadowbrook Rd
Jenkintown, PA 19046

If you use google maps you can see a picture of his mini-mansion using "street view".

Public records state he and his wife Audrey purchased the home in 1992 and it is worth about $750k.

CALL HAL AND AUDREY TODAY AND ASK THEM WHY THEY ARE PLAYING POLITICS AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR FAMILIES:

[phone]

[dean @ Feb 24th 2008 6:16PM]

Has anyone figured out how to use the Ojo now without service? Not my expertise, but it seems possible.

[John F. Burt @ Feb 12th 2008 8:07AM]

I'm hoping Worldgate is positioning itself for the best resolution and that is the reason for the delayed reactivation. I may be overly optimistic but at the current stock price and if they are it would be a heck of a buy. I have 6 Ojo's

John