Video Killed The Telephone Star ...

History 1911 � American Telephone and Telegraph (AT & T) acquire the Western Union Telegraph Company in a hostile takeover. They purchased stocks in the company covertly and the two eventually merged.

You know the 80's song, "Video Killed the Radio Star." It was a big hit and one of the first videos to air on MTV. Well, what came true for music video is on it's way to becoming true for telephone.

You're the star of all your phone conversations already, right? Everyone loves to hear your voice and hold endless conversations on the phone with you … well, you better get prepared to dress up for your appearances now too.

History 1877 � The very first permanent outdoor telephone wire was completed. It stretched a distance of just three miles.

Yup, video phones are now the newest trend to hit the market and it's not being provided via your traditional phone carrier either. The video phone is available only through a broadband phone provider or phone supplier, but it is already taking off in the market as the next household necessity much like the cell phone and high speed Internet did.

History 1955 � Saw the beginning of the laying of transatlantic telephone cables.

My Privacy … I Just Got Out of the Shower!

Before you worry about invasion of privacy issues, like just getting out of the shower, most video phones are optional in their viewing modes. This means you have the option of being on camera or not. Phew, got that off of your chest.

The Entire Globe

Now the great part is that it is through the broadband voice providers that most broadband phone services are available globally. So it is very likely that if you have relatives afar, you can video phone with them overseas.

History 1936 � Research into electronic telephone exchanges began and was eventually perfected in the 1960's with the electronic switching system (SES).

Cost Savings with a Catch

With broadband phone calling, long distance or international is now running as low as 3 cents a minute or less so you don't pay much to call at all. You might even call it a steal. What's the catch? Well, it's the video phones themselves. The phones run about $500.00 or more a piece. Yikes!

With a little shopping ingenuity however you can find lower prices on these video phones. Packet8, a VoIP broadband phone company has a mail-in rebate for the time being on their line of video phones to notch down their price 50%. Their phones after rebate run at $250.00, which for many households, may still be a little too steep.

History 1946 � Worlds first commercial mobile phone service put into operation. It could link moving vehicles to a telephone network via radio waves.

History Promises the Trend

Don't get too discouraged by phone prices though, this trend is still in a growing stage. Cell phones are free these days and they use to be only afforded by the rich and famous. Everyone has a cell phone now, a camera phone for that matter. So if price holds you back now, you can anticipate lower prices and even free offers in the future.

History 1874 � Principal of the telephone was uncovered.

Video Phones Save On Travel

If you travel to visit relatives often or even once a year just to see them face to face, the video phone may very well pay for itself in travel expenses alone. So you can't give them a hug, well would you believe there is a prototype for a virtual kissing phone coming out for cell phones? Yes, you can virtually smooch back and forth between another phone owner.

History 1876 � Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone, beating Elisha Gray by a matter of hours.

Technology will never cease to amaze, and prices can't stay up forever so eventually you will more than likely find yourself a consumer in the video phone market. Rest assured today's growing technologies will have you saying, "Back in my day." I already say it.

History 1900 � First coin operated telephone installed in Hartford, Connecticut.

This article was written by Aaron Siegel of TopSavings.Net which provides consultive services for communications for households and businesses alike.

Services available at the website include broadband phone services (Including Packet8), Phoneless DSL(SpeakEasy), Long Distance, Local Phone Services, Cellular services, and more. Broadband Video Phone Service

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