VON Fall 2006 is over; it certainly helped put into perspective where we are in the IP voice and video communications space at this time.

Video I: Jeff Pulver's presentation included a demonstration of the Vividas high definition video streaming using the Ghost Rider trailer. Select "Watch Trailer in High Definition" from the options. Amazing quality on my 1650 x 1080 laptop screen but when Jeff showed this on the large screen at VON Fall with a full surround sound system, it was as if we were in our local movie theater for both video and audio quality.

Video II: Ted Leonsis, Vice Chairman AOL & President AOL Audience Business, has blogged about his keynote presentation where he mentions the several new video services that AOL has recently launched or will be launching in the near future. From commercial music video to personal video services, suffice it to say that, with AOL's access to not only AOL's web resources but also Time Warner's content resources, AOL finally has gotten around to leveraging all the potential foreseen in the original AOL-Time Warner deal.  Sometimes it takes a few kicks at the can to get it right; in this case the deal was done well ahead of the availability of the technology and infrastructure needed to leverage these assets fully.

One exhibitor who drew a lot of attention was Trufone who exhibited their software that brings VoIP to the mobile phone. Martin Geddes has one of the phones with which it is currently compatible and I'm sure we'll hear from Martin soon on his experience with it. Personally I need to wait until they have compatibility with Nokia N70 or Nokia N93.

Skype compatible hardware was exhibited by Ascalade, RTX with their Dual Phone as well as a new line of cordless SIP Phones with dual VoIP/PCN capability, Polycom with their HD Voice-enabled Communicator Speakerphone, amongst others. As well Global IP Sound and Trinity Convergence (post to come next week) were talking about their voice engines used in various Skype products.

And what is PCN? Public Communications Network ... with all the graying of the line between PSTN and VoIP technology, Andy Abramson's new term for the future networks evolving in the communications space. The PSTN is not going to just go away but is going to change.

Personally I learned a lot from both the presentations I attended as well as several interviews on which I have reported or will be reporting.

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