Remember the standalone conference phone? So do we — its what we used before Skype. Back then it was called “video conferencing” and took place in walnut-trimmed offices amongst serious executives. Now, of course, the biggest problem with video calls is that you can’t pretend you’re not still in bed.
Kicker is a concept phone for people who hate conference phones, and tries to bring a bit of the “web 2.0” to the old-school device. The iPod-alike box would be nothing more than a novelty were it not for some genuinely interesting features. We will translate them one by one:
Feature: Synchronizes with calendars and contacts for one-tap dialing
Translation :Actually usable by people in suits
Feature: Quickly see who’s talking on a call and who wants to speak
Translation: Avoid the boss
Feature: “Hand Raising” to indicate a desire to speak
Translation: Let’s the meek guy from accounting actually speak. Time for a snooze
Feature: “Poking” to nudge other callers
Translation: Pretend you’re on Facebook
Feature: Recording and marking of calls
Translation: Blackmail the boss and take his job
Feature: Multi-line dialing
Translation: What? This is a conference phone. right?Feature: Adjusting individual lines for the best overall conference call quality
Translation: Mute dull co-workers, or make them sound like they breathed helium
Feature: Available in four colors
Translation: Available in four colors. Y’know, like the iPod.
We don’t know. This does look nice, but really, will anyone choose it over free, software based video calling? It’s not like every single employee doesn’t have a computer already, right?
Product page [Kicker Studio]
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