I hope you all have been enjoying the videos from DeafNation World Expo that I’ve been posting. Unfortunately all good things must come to an end – and today I’m posting the last video I have from that show. Have fun. We have more videos planned, so stay tuned. :)
Now on to ZVRS! They may be last alphabetically, but they definitely are not least when it comes to VRS. At DeafNation World Expo, ZVRS had a fun booth set up and were really getting the crowds hyped up with their cash booth and other funny antics. Don’t forget that ZVRS was the first to announce a VRS solution for the iPhone 4 at the NAD convention at the beginning of July. Their iPhone 4 VRS service began service at the end of July, as announced.
I was able to talk with Phil Bravin, AKA “Dr. Z” about their service, Now, lets watch what Dr. Z has to share with you – all 39 seconds of it:
[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/14179856?title=0&byline=0&color=2bc7e3 400 711]
ZVRS at DeafNation World Expo.
Dr. Z is saying that iPhone 4 users who want to use ZVRS’ VRS solution at this time will need to make a brief voice call connection in order to get a ZVRS interpreter to call back via FaceTime. One of the reasons this is being done is to combat fraud by automating ZVRS’ billing records to make it clear to the FCC that these VRS calls are being made by legitimate callers.
A couple of things that I learned that were not mentioned in the video – their service IS NOT called “iZ” – apparently this was the invention of some bloggers, and ZVRS stressed to me that they are not calling it by this name at all. Another thing is that ZVRS is fully aware that their current solution for iPhone 4 FaceTime VRS means that iPhone 4 users are being charged for the first minute of a voice call while waiting to be connected to a ZVRS interpreter via FaceTime. Phil and other ZVRS personnel stated that they are working hard on alternative solutions to this issue, and that they do not intend that the current setup will be the permanent solution.
It is exciting to know that we already have multiple VRS providers on the iPhone 4. This can only be a win-win situation for us who have iPhone 4′s because competition is healthy. Right now we’re experiencing growing pains because of the new platform, but for myself and friends who I’ve talked with, this really is making a difference in our lives! Thank you Phil for the chat, and thanks to ZVRS for making this possible! We wish you the best of luck.
[UPDATE: Apparently ZVRS has responded to clarify some things that were mentioned in this post. See comment #4 below. I'm working on confirming this actually came from ZVRS.] [UPDATE 2: I've confirmed this was an official comment from ZVRS.]
Aug 16, 2010I may have misunderstood what ZVRS personnel told me as to the reason why, but I clearly remember being told that the name of their service was not “iZ” when I used that term to refer to their service. I was not at the NAD launch so I do not know how they presented it there.
*Pure conjecture ahead* It’s possible they planned to have an app ready for launch, and pushed that back. I seem to recall reading elsewhere that ZVRS is supposedly coming out with an iOS app for VRS in the near future, but I can’t find the source, sorry.
Aug 16, 2010check my vlog to clarify about this service and iwrelay issue at http://fookembug.wordpress.com/2010/08/13/using-of-vrs-service-in-facetime-on-your-iphone4/ [Added link to the specific post on vlog - Ed.]
Aug 18, 2010Just to be clear, no one is blaming or accusing the bloggers of making up the iZ name. It was a nickname used in Philly that took on a life of its own. However, the official name used in all of our marketing materials is simply ZVRS on iPhone 4.
Our initial release was actually NOT an app. It was a special phone number. However, we will soon be releasing a ZVRS app for iPhone 4 that will replace that phone number and eliminate the AT&T charges. We’re very excited about the new app and still working on expanding ZVRS to other mobile devices, as well.
Aug 20, 2010ZVRS app for iPhone 4 is available now!!!
[Yup, ZVRS app is available here @ iTunes App Store - Ed.]
Aug 21, 2010ZVRS app is an exact copy of the IWRelay App. Come on Z – be more innovative than that. I am hoping one of the VRS companies will figure out how to let us receive calls and view our video mail in the App!
Aug 26, 2010Currently you can receive incoming calls on your iPhone by having the hearing person call IWRelay @ 866-258-1163 and then giving the terp your iPhone number. Great idea on the video mail!
Aug 26, 2010@IWRelay iPhone VRS – I didn’t realize I could receive calls on my iPhone with IWRelay. One additional question, if I miss the call, will the caller be able to leave a video mail and how will IWRelay send it to me if I’m not registered to them or will they send me a video mail through SMS?
Sep 2, 2010Video mail thru the app is on our feature roadmap. Missed call notification will come thru SMS. You can also register at http://register.iwrelay.com/iphone/
Sorry, comments are closed.
9:14 am
There was 250+ people including myself packed in Hard Rock Cafe in Philly for the ZVRS’ VIP party. We, 251, of us witnessed that ZVRS did say that they will release iZ App on July 26th. They said it several times that evening and now they’re telling us that we, bloggers, fabricated it?!? That pisses me off.