For some technology users, video chat can be a fun application to take part in. For Deaf users, it can be used as a convenient communication method. Engineers at the University of Washington have created a method in which Deaf individuals are able to use video chat, for low costs, through their smart phone over 3G networks. Video chat allows deaf users to use American Sign Language to communicate with others through their mobile device.
Thus far, deaf individuals have only been able to use the video chat on a PC, and for mobile phones they must send text messages which convey little emotion.
The iPhone 4, HTC Evo, and Samsung Epic 4G provide front-facing cameras to use for video conferencing. Mobile ASL is a new specially designed software for users to use video chat through cell phones.
As for now, Mobile ASL is only available to those phones running on Windows Mobile Operating System, but Android hopes to find a solution to this very soon.
Those using the iPhone 4 can use the front camera in what is called “Face Time,” where one iPhone 4 users calls another iPhone 4 user and they can sign to each other using the front-facing camera. Right now this process only works over a wireless network and not 3G.
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