OJO and WorldGate
12 02 2008All..
I think you will find this extremely interesting…
First check out Worldgate Communications Inc statement
Then read SNAPVRS counter statement
From these links we learn that Worldgate’s reference to "largest customer" seems to be SNAPVRS. We also learn why OJO network has been inaccessible; Worldgate "wind down business" - which means stop or cut down network connection. That is why OJO users do not have access to SNAPVRS.
We also learn from SNAPVRS its counter response that conflicts with what Worldgate Communications claim is happening.
I’m sure many of you felt the same way as I did - getting comfortable with OJO video phone - it is really a nice video phone. Now this problem. I am sure that the FCC is taking a hard look at that and may have to revamp its VRS regulations to ensure that this won’t happen again. In other words, VRS industry would have to meet regulation that they have redundant service in place. We’ll see how the FCC responds ot this latest growing pain - or should I say a mesquite thorn?
At any rate, I am sure SNAPVRS folks are working as hard as they can to make it work. I feel for SNAPVRS and sincerely hope it works out.
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed B
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I’d love to get your opinion about th OJO video phone and why you like it better (or worse) than other video phones, like Sorenson, for example.
Thanks Ed for making this info avail via a vlog. Cute intro by the way! I’m in agreement with you entirely that the FCC needs to review its own certification requirements to make sure these companies applying have in place a backup and strong financial standing. I sympathize with SNAPVRS. I also sympathize with folks out there who are stuck now, not able to make calls as easily as they once could (can still do so using IP Address but who wants to do that?).
Thanks, Sheri for kind stroke and I like ur added requirement that VRS providers should have strong financial standing.
Ah, S. Freedman - everyone has his/her own needs and wants and I’m no different. Both vp have features that I like. Both have very nice video quality. OJO has video ans mach and video mail, Sorenson vp has that nice interruption and hold feature and also has video mail, but no ans video mach. Sorenson VP use TV - bulky (once a while reminds me of the “two-ton monster TTYs we had in back 1970’s) while OJO has standalone product; on other hand Sorenson VP has large screen and OJO has teensy weensy screen - well, I exaggerate, and is comfy once u get used to it and have pair of reading glasses (I need that). So which gets my vote? OJO gets my vote, but just barely. One negative for BOTH is I can’t purchase Sorenson VP for my hearing daughter; one can get OJO, but with some difficulty and has added cost of monthly payment. [sigh]
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed
You guys can also take a look on other website such as
http://salcostello.blogspot.com/2008/02/is-ojoworldgate-dead.html
http://www.theojocollective.com/
http://jncutt.blogspot.com/2008/02/ojo-videophone-newspaper-articles.html
Take a look.
Sad!
Thanks for the information. That’s a great side-by-side comparison.
Ojo may not work for SnapVRS at the moment; however, it does work for other VRS providers such as CSDVRS. You can add CSDVRS.tv to the Ojo address book and it should work just dandy according to one user.
I haven’t seen anything that says the FCC is looking into this. Did you send in an official complaint or petition? ‘Cause I don’t think the FCC will look at this until then. It doesn’t look like Snap would file anything because they’re probably trying to resolve this without FCC intervention, and I don’t see any customer complaints on the FCC website.
I’ve got both Sorenson and Ojo and pretty much agree with Ed’s assessment - each has their pros and cons, and overall both are great.
I tend to favor Ojo based on its convenience.
As great as the Sorenson is, its in a set location upstairs. So If I use the Sorenson during waking hours, my kids will wreck everything downstairs.
Meanwhile, I have the Ojo set up conveniently on the kitchen counter — it takes up very little space — so I can use it to make important calls during business hours AND keep my eye on the little monst–, uh, darling kids. It’s after the kids’ bedtime when I can sit down comfortably upstairs and use the Sorenson. It’s nice to have both options. Am definitely looking forward to seeing Ojo bounce back soon!
Drolz
P.S. — Oh yeah, another feature on the Ojo that I absolutely love: being able to leave video messages. My friends and I have left some OUTRAGEOUS messages for each other, complete with scripted scenes and insane props. It’s gone back and forth and makes the Super Bowl commercials look lame by comparison. It got to the point where we hoped no one was home so we could leave gag messages!
Bill,
You’re right there is no official announcement from the FCC on this. It is my educated guess that the FCC is looking at the problem. In regular relay service, there is a regulation that requires redundant service; in case of bad storm, terrorist attack, etc., traditional relay service providers are required to have backup ready. Does VRS industry have that? SNAPVRS service was essentially cut off because of a contract issue; I don’t think the FCC wants to see that happen again. So I would guess that the FCC may want to set up a regulation to ensure that “cut off” service does not happen again.
It is a brave new world, really - Internet-enabled relay services are done via Internet which poses new challenges for the FCC. I predict - nay I know we will see new regulations by the FCC for VRS in the future. VRS is too popular among deaf/hoh that VRS Industry needs further clarifications on what they can and cannot do. The FCC needs to clarify what the criteria are necessary to become a VRS provider.
Ed
Mark,
I chuckled at ur comments. Let it suffice that I can empahtize with you. I, too, hope SNAPVRS can bounce back soon.
Ed
Hi ED!
The beauty of this Ojo in which I had been using it since August 2006 has everything. It has a perfect picture quality, can work clear on low bandwidth speed, has answering machine that customer can call me 365/24/7 with this blue led light blinking off and on telling me a message is being left, speaking sound are crystal clear, make your desk more roomy without a 13″ TV eating spaces (lol), its light and easy to carry around and last by not least, it is SIP Technology. Any customers ordering their Ojo via Snap!VRS will find that their Ojo are still operable today regardless Worldgate Communciation “shutting” off the network system due to their financial mess. I still can call using IP based numbers without any problems. The only problem I cannot call friends of mine with Ojo are via phone numbers. That was what shutted down. This shut down affected “hearing” customers throughout the world that ordered via Worldgate Communications because their Ojo is stopped at a standstill. No way can they call anywhere.
I agree with ED that FCC will probably be looking at this problem. I recalled when I was on the RTAC (Relay Texas Advisory Committee) a rule has been created for TRS to have backup ready. In the VRS areas, this should be used as well to prevent problems like what Worldgate Communication had done.
Really, I do not see any problem with the Ojo I have today in which I tested, and experienced it. I found this a great equipment to have. I am looking forward for new devices to come soon. Any new devices coming out soon, I will sure test it and comment. I done that with Ojo and tested it out at hotels and it worked. I have posted this on my blog. (www.jncutt.blogspot.com)
I am postive Snap!VRS will find a way to get this phone number back up and running. Question is when????
Thanks
I am still waiting for Ojo to arrive.. I have not given up hope and hope that issue will be resolved soon. I am sure that Ojo is still pointing to Worldgate server. I am wondering if SnapVRS can set up their own routing or ldap server and push “deaf” firmware upgrade to all Ojo and get Ojo to work with SnapVRS. This is someting that I think SnapVRS need to work with Worldgate over possible “legal” issue.
2nd of all, I did mentioned long time ago in your comment under different subject that VRS provider can turn off their server and recall all their video phone devices. We need to make sure that this does not happen.
I agree that both Sorenson VP200 (Not vp100) and Ojo have pro and con.
FAM,
You got it right about the second paragraph u typed. It is reason why I think the FCC will need to take a hard look at defining who should be VRS provider; I think it necessary more to protect the VRS users like us.
Ed
SnapVRS is still alive and well! They can still be reached by dialing call.snapvrs.com or snapvrs.tv (depends on the type of device you are using). I use my Ojo to call SnapVRS because they have very skilled interpreters and because I LOVE my OJO. Don’t give up on SnapVRS.
Oh yes, and one other thing…
It seems that some of the other companies (Im not going to name them because I totally understand they have a job to do) are a bit overzealous with their promotions.
Being the busy guy that I am… sometimes I get annoyed with having to say “No thank you” to unsolicited offers or requests. (If I want something new, I’ll ask for it, thank you very much.)
With the Ojo, however, they pretty much let the product speak (uh, sign) for itself. I greatly appreciate it.
Best regards,
Drolz
I am not very familiar with VRS issues but it seems to me that even in the case that WG claim is true and that SnapVRS owes WG unpaid fees, WG has no right to turn off its service for all its customers. Regular Ojo customers who are individually paying or have even prepaid for their subscription fees are wrongly penalized in this “dispute”. I really don’t know if WG is or is not acting properly with regard to VRS service but I know WG is not acting properly with regards to its regular customers especially the ones like myself who have prepaid a year’s worth of Ojo subscription. And I believe that WG can easily rectify its actions by keep their servers running at least for Ojo customers that WG have no payment disputes with. I believe the cost of keeping the servers running is minimal and WG should act immediately to restore its service with customers who they have no dispute with. I do sincerely hope that for the VRS customers maybe SnapVRS can find a way to operate without Ojo servers. Just my 2 cents but i hope WG or someone picks up on this unfair decision and practice of WG and can do something about it.
George W,
Good to get comments from a non-VRS user and your remarks gave us an insight that we deaf/hard of hearing are not alone in this. Absolutely agree with you, George, that WG is not acting properly with its customers; my opinion, however it is unfair to both VRS users and regular OJO customers.
We did get two conflicting statements from both WG and SNAPVRS; I suspect that WG saw how well SNAPVRS was doing and wanted additional profits, and SNAPVRS may have stuck with contract terms hence the impasse? I would not be surprised that WG cut off regular OJO customers with hopes that they’ll act against SNAPVRS. That’s just my guess.
I do not think WG realize that VRS is not exactly a lucrative business; profitable if done right, yes, but not outrageously profitable.
I, too, hope that WG would work with SNAPVRS and come up with a reasonable agreement for all concerned.
Ed B
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: (215) 885-5855