GIPS Brings Video Conferencing Tech To iPhone Developers

Video processing solutions vendor Global IP Solutions (GIPS) has announced the expansion of its video conferencing technology to include Apple's iPhone platform. GIPS VideoEngine Mobile enables developers incorporate real-time chat or multi-point video conferencing within their iPhone OS applications, dealing with the delay and jitter issues tied to most IP networks. Most likely, not many end-users have heard of GIPS but have used their video technology at one time or another. The GIPS VideoEngine uses a technology component also used by companies such as Google, Yahoo and Cisco.  So while GIPS' announcement lacks an actual iPhone client today, it opens the door to a bevy of both enterprise and consumer iPhone applications in the near future.

The obvious issue with holding a video-enabled call on the iPhone right now is the lack of a forward facing camera. Joyce Kim, chief marketing officer for GIPS, addressed this issue directly, noting that the company made the decision to release the solution without two-way video based on the idea that end-users would still want to receive video from equipped devices, even if they cannnot send video themselves.

The timing of the GIPS announcement coincides with AT&T's acceptance of streaming video within iPhone applications across its 3G wireless network. Until recently, both video streaming applications and even audio chat applications, such as Skype, were limited to WiFi connections only. With the U.S. carrier opening its network to these consumer-focused applications, enterprise apps taking advantage of both audio and video should be soon to follow.

For enterprises, the GIPS announcement is another step closer to the age of video, as well as the role that mobile devices will play in it. The VideoEngine Mobile solution is setting the stage for handheld devices enabled for two-way video communications. Ultimately, the broad adoption of video conferencing across the enterprise will not come from the tele-presence suites in corporate board rooms, but from handheld devices and camera-equipped desk sets.