When it comes to the world of video conferencing, companies are always looking for the next big thing. What was once a top-of-the-line, state-of-the-art technology has now been rendered dull. Now companies, big companies like Google and smaller yet up and coming firms like TrueConf, are working on rolling out the next wave in video conferencing breakthroughs. That next wave, to the surprise of no one, is the use of 3D video conferencing.
Late last week, this up and still coming technology was shown off at the US Ignite Conference meeting in Chicago, Illinois. At this conference, viewers were able to see what is now being billed as the very first 3D videoconference. Those who put together the presentation of the tech demonstrated their 3D videoconference using a hacked Microsoft (News - Alert) Kinect device.
The presentation involved capturing the image of someone who was holding a live snake and broadcasting that 3D image to the meeting room in Chicago. There are companies that have managed to get some sort of 3D video conferencing working, but this particular version of the tech, known as Engage 3D is being billed as something new and more advanced.
The creators of Engage 3D explained that this particular technology will be more interactive than what people have seen before. This technology works to open up “creation and use of real-time 3D interactive telepresence applications.”
Best of all, the program is open-source. That means that instead of having to pay a pretty penny to a company like Intel or Google (News - Alert), it is available for anyone who wants to give 3D videoconferencing a try. This particular technology was created with a $50,000 grant from Mozilla, one of the reasons there is now no charge for use of the tech.
Edited by Lacey Henry