videophone

(1) (VideoPhone) A line of videophones (definition #1 below) from AT&T that were introduced in the early 1990s and later pulled off the market due to poor sales. The first models came with a price tag above $1,000, and a pair were needed. See Picturephone.

(2) A telephone with a built-in camera and screen for real time videoconferencing. The videophone was expected to materialize in the 20th century, but the communications infrastructure for universal real time video was not available. After AT&T debuted its Picturephone at the New York World's Fair in 1964, many expected videophones to become widely used by the 1980s. However, the limitations of analog phone lines and high prices of the first units kept this from happening on a wide scale. Nevertheless, proponents keep trying, and today's higher speeds via Internet cable modems and DSL are expected to cause renewed interest. See videoconferencing and Picturephone.

An Earlier Videophone

In the 1990s, several companies tried to persuade people to use their videophones, but squeezing video over analog phone lines was never compelling enough to catch on. This earlier ViaTV from 8x8 did produce respectable quality as long as nobody moved, otherwise the image would pixelate. Subsequently, 8x8 introduced videophones for users with cable modems and DSL. (Image courtesy of 8x8, Inc.)

This Wristwatch May Not Exist Today

But the Microprocessor for it Does

Hitachi's SuperH series chips are designed to power devices such as this. It will not be too long before the "Dick Tracy Watch" becomes reality, only with some twists even Tracy never thought of. (Image courtesy of Hitachi America, Ltd.)