Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Down the Road, But In the Works: 3-D Video Calls From Skype

Posted by timothy on from the via-second-life dept.

An anonymous reader notes that Skype is reportedly working on a 3D version of its messaging application. As reported by the BBC, an unnamed senior executive says that rumors to this effect are true. However, don't get too worked up about sending your avatar to school or to work just yet: Microsoft's corporate vice-president for Skype, Mark Gillett, says that "the capture devices are not yet there. As we work with that kind of technology you have to add multiple cameras to your computer, precisely calibrate them and point them at the right angle. ... We have it in the lab, we know how to make it work and we're looking at the ecosystem of devices and their capability to support it in order to make a decision when we might think about bringing something like that to market." Also at SlashBI.

6 of 97 comments (clear)

  1. I don't want 2D video by Threni · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Why would I want 3D? I thought 3D was dead anyway - no-one wants it anywhere.

    Microsoft, trying to innovate. How embarrassing. Surely there's another company they can buy some kinect-like tech off to at least give the impression they have a clue about what's going on in the industry?

    1. Re:I don't want 2D video by dj245 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Why would I want 3D?

      I am not sure if 3D is the answer, but we need more realistic immersive technology. We consume millions of barrels of oil every day to physically move people to the same location as other people, so they can interact and collaborate. Telecommuting with current technology just doesn't work well for most people. We need some sort of holodeck that allows people to be fully immersed in their work environment without being physically present.

      We need a system where I look at someone's image in the eye, and from their perspective they are looking at me in the eye. This is basically impossible to do with current technology. You can try to fake it in various ways, but the illusion is never perfect. Until this happens videoconferencing will always be an inferior means of communication.

      If someone could figure out how to embed cameras in a display panel, that would be the best solution. A stopgap solution is to have a very small camera on a small tripod and putting it directly infront of the other person's face on the screen, but this isn't a great solution.

      --
      Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress at this period in history.
    2. Re:I don't want 2D video by icebike · · Score: 3, Funny

      You're going to look silly wearing your 3d glasses every time you meet on Skype to whisper sweet nothings just between the two of you and the NSA.

      Skype is off all of my machines since microsoft pulled all the streams through its own servers.

      (I actually suspect the NSA funded Microsoft's purchase of Skype strictly to get it into the hands
      of someone who would play their game, because Microsoft stripped every innovation out of skype
      that allowed privacy and network robustness).

      --
      Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
  2. FTFY by wbr1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    As we work with that kind of technology you have to add multiple cameras to your computer, precisely calibrate them and point them at the right angle. ... We have it in the lab, we know how to make it work and we're looking at the ecosystem of devices and their capability to support it in order to make a decision when we might think about bringing something like that to market."

    It requires laptop manufacturers to place two cheap webcams in the lid instead of one, and the appropriate software. We have it in the lab and would like to launch. We are currently in liaison with our armies of attorneys and MBAS to make sure that all our patents, copyrights and other vendor lock in is correctly set up to maximize corporate profit at the expense of consumer flexibility and satisfaction. Only one the attorneys are done will we bring the product to market.

    --
    Silence is a state of mime.
  3. Skype can barely handle regular calls... by sinij · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Skype can barely handle regular voice calls, why do you think it is up to the task for anything else?

  4. Bloat by Loki_666 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Can the Skype team stop adding more and more crap to it, and start removing some of the existing bloat?

    I want an instant messenger, not something that takes minutes to load, minutes to fetch messages (many of which i already read on another comp or on my phone, but it still alerts me like they are new messages), and when finally loaded i get bombarded with ads that do not interest me in the slightest, or offers to connect Skype to Facebook and the like, something i already told it to go do something anatomically impossible about more than once.

    Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
    Antoine de Saint-Exupery