An Apple iPhone 4 Videophone for the Holidays? (Holiday Update #4)

With the holidays coming around the corner, Dr. Z has been asked in his recent travels–“which videophone should I get?”

Dr. Z would not want to tell you which car to get for the same reason he would not tell you which videophone to get.

The Apple iPhone 4 mobile videophone is covered here. Dr. Z will cover other mobile models in following blogs.

Here is a list of who you can call with the Apple iPhone 4 only in a wifi environment:

  • iPhone 4 (using FaceTime) (wifi only)
  • iPod Touch (using FaceTime)(wifi only)
  • Apple Mac (using FaceTime)(wifi only)
  • Samsung Epic (using downloaded Tango software)(can do in a 3G environment or wifi)
  • ZVRS interpreter for relay calls (using downloaded ZVRS app)(wifi only)

The Apple iPhone 4 is can be bought at an Apple or AT&T store. It currently sells for $199 with a $50 monthly charge.  Be sure its the iPhone 4 model and has a front-facing camera.  Older models such as a iPhone 3G or 3GS do not have a front-facing camera.

To get started with an Apple iPhone:

  • Buy one from the retailer listed above
  • If you do not have a ZVRS account, set one up (link)
  • Set up your profile on the ZVRS website (link)
  • Set up your Apple iTunes Account either on your PC or Mac.  If you have a PC, you need to download the iTunes software from the Apple website.
  • Click the ZVRS icon–it will ask for your phone number and password. Use the phone number you have for the Z4 or the one that ZVRS assigned to you and use the same password that you used when you created your profile.
  • You can add your contacts using the My Contacts link after you bring up your profile on the ZVRS website. You can also add your contact information using the Epic.
  • Click the contact you want to call, or type the phone number to the left of the red/green phone icon on the top of the screen.
  • If you are calling a hearing person, a ZVRS interpreter will come on the screen.
  • If you are calling a deaf/hard of hearing person, use the Contacts icon on the iPod Touch and click the FaceTime button.

Happy calling!!

Feel free to contact Dr. Z with your thoughts using the contact form on the left side of the web page.

Happy shopping (and decisionmaking.)

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z is a contractor working with CSDVRS on several projects.