Category Archives: Ask Dr. Z

FaceTime for the Mac-(Smartphone Update #5)

Yoo Hoo!

Now there is another way to communicate with the iPhone 4 and the iPod Touch using video?

How?

Apple has just announced FaceTime for the Mac. This means you can use your Mac (and its built-in webcam) to communicate via video with another Mac, iPhone 4 and iPod Touch (4th generation).

The video quality is so clear and astounding–you have to see it to believe it!

The Mac can either be connected via Ethernet (blue wire) or wireless–the iPhone 4 and iPod Touch can be used wirelessly (but not 3G or 4G).

This means when you are traveling and in a wifi hotspot, you can call your family and friends who have a Mac via video!

For ZVRS relay calls, you can use the Z4 downloaded to the Mac and the ZVRS app downloaded to the iPhone 4 and iPod Touch.

Every week, we are getting more communication choices.

We are getting more independent in communication.

For a video demostrating FaceTime for the Mac, click this link.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

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

I Have a Blackberry…how can I do mobile video?–iPod Touch!

Dr. Z has been analyzing various ways as to how you all out there use your pagers and smartphones.

Many of you with Blackberries and Sidekicks do not want to get out of your 2-year commitment with your provider (ATT, Verizon, T-Mobile.)

But you want to do mobile video–how??

Simple–get an iPod Touch from Apple, download the ZVRS app to call your hearing friends or relatives via ZVRS video relay. Use FaceTime that comes with the iPod Touch to call other iPod Touch and iPhone 4 devices–then you have mobile video!

But does that mean you have to pay a monthly charge for your iPod Touch? The answer is a resounding NO! No monthly charge to do mobile video with the iPod Touch? Yes, that’s right. How come? The iPod Touch works only in a wifi environment. You can find wifi in public places such as McDonalds or Starbucks or in your home if you have a wireless router. Wifi is usually free and that is why you do not need a monthly charge.

When your Blackberry’s 2-year commitment expires, you have a choice of keeping your Blackberry or get a new Blackberry because you still have the iPod Touch for video. If you want to do video in a 3G environment, you can get a new Samsung Epic and you can give your iPod Touch to one of your family members–it is a very useful device with many features and you can play games on the device.

You can start your mobile video experience TODAY with an iPod Touch, without the need to wait for the end of your 2-year commitment for your Blackberry or Sidekick.

If you have any questions, send a message to Dr. Z using the contact box on the upper left corner of this web page.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

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

What is Wifi? Where can I find a hotspot?

Dr. Z has received those questions on the web and in person when he speaks at events.

The latest mobile phones/devices such as the Apple iPod, IPhone 4, HTC EVO and the Samsung Epic use wifi to do video communication. For some of these devices, you can use a 3G (cellular connection) to make video calls, but for this blog, Dr. Z is focusing on wifi.

What is wifi? It is a router which makes it possible to have a wireless connection at high speed. You normally do not find wifi on highways for example. But more and more public places have wifi coverage. If you are in a place that has wifi coverage, this means you can use those devices mentioned above to do video communication. For the most part, wifi video usually is of high quality. If you want wifi in your home, you need a router that is wifi enabled–it usually comes with an antenna or two.

A wifi hotspot means that the place where the hotspot is has wifi coverage. As an example, the following public places usually have wifi coverage: Mc Donalds, Barnes and Noble, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Panera Bread, many hotels and motels, and rest areas on highways. Most wifi hotspots have a sign at the door where they are to tell the public that that place has wifi. You can download apps on the devices to tell you where the closest wifi hot spot is.

In the coming months, it is expected that the number of hotspots will grow, which means you will have more places to have high quality video communication.

If you have any questions, send a message to Dr. Z using the contact box on the upper left corner of this web page.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

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

P.S. Dr. Z is traveling and he apologizes for not having a vlog to accompany this blog.

How to Use Your iPhone and iPod Touch with ZVRS-Learn with Dr. Z

Dr. Z at a recent Deaf Nation show met many customers who were interested in the Apple iPhone 4 and the iPod Touch for video communication. As can be expected with any new product, they had questions to ask and Dr. Z had both models on hand to demonstrate and they left our booth awed! This blog/vlog will explain how one should set up their iPhone 4 and iPod Touch so they can use it for video communication and also with the ZVRS video interpreter.

Some things one must do before you start using the iPhone 4 and the iPod Touch for video communication and they have to be done in this order:

Set up an iTunes account on apple.com
Set up a profile with ZVRS on zvrs.com (if you have done this already, no need to do this again.)
Download the ZVRS app from the iTunes store. It can be done in either of 2 ways, downloading it to your iTunes account on your computer and syncing it with your iPhone or iPod Touch OR click the “Applications” icon on your device, search “ZVRS” and then click “FREE” to download it to your device. It will ask for your password. Use the same password you used when you set up your iTunes account with Apple.
Enable FaceTime on your device by clicking the “Settings” icon and scrolling down to “FaceTime” and click FaceTime and turn FaceTime “ON.”

To make calls to other iPhone and iPod users, click contacts and click the button which has the FaceTime icon (video camera.) You will be connected in about 15-30 seconds.

To make calls using ZVRS to a hearing person, click the ZVRS icon and use either “Call Contacts” if you already have that person’s phone number on your contacts list on your device or “Dial Number” if you are calling the hearing person just once or do not have that person’s number on your contacts list.

At this point, you should be all set to make calls and live “happily ever after.”

For more step by step information, you can click any of the following links:

– www.zvrs.com/iphone

– www.zvrs.com/ipodtouch

– www.drzvrs.com/learn

If you have any questions, send a message to Dr. Z using the contact box on the upper left corner of this web page.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

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

ZVRS for the Apple iPod Touch-(Smartphone Update #4)

ZVRS has announced a new app for the Apple iPod Touch. This means you can make relay calls using ZVRS from an iPod Touch. You can download the app from the Apple iTunes store. It is a free app.

You can connect with other FaceTime users by their email addresses. Remember, it works with other FaceTime devices–meaning just Apple devices such as the iPod Touch and the iPhone 4–it will NOT work with other videophones such as the Z-series (Z-150, Z-340, Z-Ojo and the Z4, or the VP-200.) Be aware that to make video calls on the iPod Touch, you need to be in an area where there is wifi coverage.

The iPod Touch comes in 3 models, priced from $229 to $399, depending on how much memory you want. The amount of memory does not change the function of the iPod Touch, it just allows you to hold more videos, more music. For more info, go to the Apple website using this link.

For another video demonstrating the ZVRS app for the iPod touch click on this link. This video is not captioned yet.

For more information and FAQ’s on the ZVRS app for the iPod Touch, click on this link.

We are getting more independent in communication.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

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

Apple iPod Touch (It Can Do Video!)-An Update by Dr. Z (Smartphone Update #3)

Every now and then, a new gadget comes on the market. Dr. Z is always on the lookout for them, especially as to how they do video communication.

Now we have a new device while technically not a smartphone, it can do video. It is the Apple iPod Touch. It works just like the Apple iPhone 4, except that it cannot use a 3G phone network. If you have wifi coverage, the iPod Touch can function almost like a phone (you cannot dial using phone numbers, but you can do FaceTime for video communication using wifi.) The iPod Touch uses the same software for apps as the iPhone 4.

With the new version of iOS (the operating system that runs the iPod Touch and the iPhone 4), you can connect with other FaceTime users by their email addresses. Remember, it works with other FaceTime devices–meaning just Apple devices such as the iPod Touch and the iPhone 4–it will NOT work with other videophones such as the Z-series (Z-150, Z-340, Z-Ojo and the Z4, or the VP-200.)

Be aware that there are 4 models of the iPod–Shuffle, Nano, Classic and the Touch. Only the iPod Touch has video communication capability and be sure you are looking at the new version of the iPod Touch which has a front-facing camera. The old version of iPod Touch does not have a front-facing camera. Without a front-facing camera, you would not be able to do video communication.

(NOTE: The video has a small error–the iPhone 4 does not support 4G, only 3G.)

We are really getting independence in communication with all those devices coming on the market of late.

These are exciting times for video communication!

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

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

Samsung Epic-An Update by Dr. Z (Smartphone Update #2)

Every now and then, a new gadget comes on the market. Dr. Z is always on the lookout for them, especially as to how they do video communication.

Now we have a new smartphone with a front-facing camera–the Samsung Epic, sold by Sprint. The Epic has many of the similar features as the HTC EVO, previously made available by Sprint. The key difference between the Epic and the EVO and the iPhone 4 is that the Samsung Epic has a sliding keyboard. The keyboard is a tactile (raised keys) keyboard just like the Blackberry. When you need to use the keyboard to send an email, you just slid the keyboard out and type your message. At other times, you can use the touchscreen to do other things. At this time, it is the only touchscreen, with a tactile keyboard that also has a front-facing camera.

ZVRS is now developing an app called the “Mobile Z4” for the Samsung Epic. It will be ready in the fall. Dr. Z does not yet have details on this app and will make them available as soon as he becomes aware of them.

For a video on the “Mobile Z4”, click this link.

For more information on the Samsung Epic on the Sprint website, click this link.

For more reviews on the Samsung Epic, click the following links:
CNET Review
Digital Trends Review
Wirefly Review

There is a trade show in Berlin next week. More smartphones or tablets may be announced with a front-facing camera. Dr. Z will keep you all posted,.

These are exciting times for video communication!

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

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

Editorial #53-Sprint EVO–Is this the Future of Videophones?

Recently, Sprint released its EVO smartphone. Like the Apple iPhone 4, it has a front-facing camera which means one can do a video conversation with this device.

While this looks nice, it does have its limitations, like with the release of any new product, the first version rarely includes everything we want in a new product. It usually has limited functions for 2 reasons—first they need to be sure it works and secondly, they want to be able to make improvements to the product in the future.

Right now, the EVO, in order to do video conversations, must use the software (or the app) that is available for it. There are two apps that can be used for video conversations. They are “Qik” and “Fring” which can be downloaded. They will only work with another EVO. It will not work with a Mac, or a Z-phone or a VP-200 yet.

Also, unlike the Apple iPhone, it will work with either a wifi connection or a 3G/4G connection. You will need to pay an additional $10 charge per month to bwe able to use the premium data plan which has no caps. The iPhone 4 can only work with a wifi connection.

But, the concept of being able to do a video conversation “on the go” is nice! It will not be long before we will be able to do video relay calls using a mobile or smartphone. Right now, the closest thing we have to a mobile phone is a Z4 on a netbook or a laptop. This will allow you to experience a mobile calling environment. Dr. Z has used it extensively in his travels and it works greatly and Dr. Z looks forward to the day when we can have a video conversation on a mobile phone with a cellular connection. This will be the day when we have full functional equivalency!

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

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

Editorial #52-Apple iPhone4–Is this the Future of Videophones?

This week, Apple is releasing its iPhone 4 to the public. Like the Sprint EVO, it has a front-facing camera which means one can do a video conversation with this device.

Right now, the iPhone4, in order to do video conversations, must use the software (or the app) that comes with it. The app is called “FaceTime”. It will only work with another iPhone 4. It will not work with a Mac, or a Z-phone or a VP-200 yet.

Also, it will work only with a wifi connection. It will not work with a cellular connection such as CDMA, EDGE, 3G or 4G. That means you can only use it when you are near a wifi hotspot.

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

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

Ask Dr. Z–Will my laptop with the Z4 work while I travel?

Dr. Z has crisscrossed the country the past few weeks and he did this last November and December conducting town hall meetings.

This is to give you an insight into how one deals with all kinds of wifi connections and wired connections while traveling on the road.

The Z4 is a blessing–Dr. Z uses it often to make relay calls and calls his wife every day to check on her while he travels. He has never experienced the freedom to communicate he has had in the past and to be able to talk with his wife and see her everyday on the road is a life changing event, indeed.

But–the wired and wifi world is not perfect–here are some patterns for you to consider. First of all, in a perfect world, with a good connection, a video call works beautifully.

The truth of the matter is that wifi or wired connections on the road do not always give you the necessary bandwidth to experience high quality video communication.

Some airports are better than others. Some hotels are better than others. Some hotels within the same chain vary greatly in quality. What Dr. Z has noticed that in many hotels, the internet connection is much worse at night when everyone else in the hotel uses internet and shares the single line that comes into the hotel.

The same is true with the mifi (3G/4G) or Sprint Overdrive. Sometimes a 3G signal works very well, sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes a 4G connection works fantastically, sometimes it doesn’t. Do not blame it on your computer or the z4–blame it on the poor quality of internet connections.

Some McDonald’s or Starbucks have better wifi connections than others. Dr. Z has had better experience with Barnes and Noble–they seem to have the best connections anywhere.

The bottom line is–if you find your connection not too good–move to another place–move closer to the lobby in the hotel, move to another McDonald’s or Starbucks.

Most of the time, the connection is good for browsing on the internet–but when it comes to making a video call–it varies greatly from one place to another.

Dr. Z is confident that over time, we will continue to experience better internet connections. Remember, hearing people do have problems with their cell phones. Some places do not give you a good connection, others do….its the same with a video call.

But Dr. Z loves his Z4 to death–its the best invention since sliced bread (or the wheel.)

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.