We review the iPhone iteration of the multi-platform social video chat service Qik to get our face out there
Just communicating with people isn't enough anymore. Well, we say anymore, but perhaps that's the way it's always been with electronic communication. After all, text messaging really isn't all that different from the telegram - operationally and technologically - so it shouldn't be surprising developers are constantly tweaking the way we send messages from our phones.
Video calling has finally taken off with the installation of a forward facing camera on the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad and even that's been surpassed now. Qik Video Connect PLUS takes the 'standard' video call (if something that's lifted straight out of Star Trek can be considered standard) and added a social and cross-platform element that promises to make face-to-face calling less of a novelty and more a smartphone requirement.
First and foremost, this is a video calling app. It lets you send and receive video calls from any other Qik Video Connect PLUS user, even if they're using an Android phone or an iPad 2. They all wire through the same network and identify you by email address or phone number, so there's no ambiguity when it comes to connecting. If you're already in contact with someone by a more classical method you can immediately connect with them through Qik - if they're using the system, of course.
The video calls are much as you'd expect, with a small mirror in the corner so you can make sure you're not pulling strange faces and your recipient filling the rest of the screen. You can flip between forward and rear cameras at will and perhaps most importantly, the calls can be sent over 3G as well as Wi-Fi. This is a pleasant surprise, especially after learning that Qik was recently acquired by Skype. Perhaps those free 3G calls won't last too much longer...
But one thing that no one previously realised was missing from video calling were the other services we've come to expect from voice calls for a long time: Namely voice mail. Or in this case, video mail.
The Qik network allows you to leave a video message if someone's not answering, or you can record a video and send it later on, or upload it to the Qik servers and forward the link as an email or text message so it can be picked up on computer. If you want, you can even turn the private messaging on its head and make your recorded messages public on the Qik website, Facebook or Twitter.
A few wacky filters are thrown in if you want to look like you're making the call from an x-ray table or the year 1890, and some simple (but effective) editing tools are included so you can trim the fat off your recorded videos before uploading them to the recipient.
The servers are impressively fast, too, especially considering the great video quality the calls are able to sledgehammer through the data networks. And should you want to pocket some of your own videos or those you've received from other Qik Video Connect PLUS users, they can be exported to the camera roll where they'll be synced with your next iTunes plug in.
We thought video calling had arrived with FaceTime, but Qik has proven that wasn't the case. This is the app that really delivers a usable face-to-face video call that's likely to quietly spark the next communication revolution. Until 3D video calling arrives, that is.
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