Proud new parents are among the first to embrace a next generation service that has evolved standard written email to a more human and intimate way to communicate. Video email (or vMail) created by internet company Springdoo, is the latest technology being used by mums and dads to send baby’s first pictures, sounds and movements to friends and family scattered around the world.
Springdoo’s fun website (www.springdoo.com) allows users to very easily record video clips online, and email viewers a link that lets them watch the clip. All that is required is an inexpensive web camera, which can be purchased online for about the same price as a mouse. Just like the basic services provided by Skype and Hotmail, Springdoo is simple to use and provided for free.
New Zealand baby Sam Pratt cooed through his first recording session at four weeks old, much to the delight of family and friends in Australia, USA and the United Kingdom. While Sam also has his own website on which to post pictures as he develops, his vMails provide an emotional connection for those who are sad to be missing out on his early milestones.
Sam’s mother Gayle says that she loved using Springdoo to send a special message to his aunts and uncles who wouldn’t have a chance to meet him in person for many months; “with video we can send people a little piece of his personality, which gets them so much closer to him than a photo does”.
The great thing about sending images of Sam via Springdoo, she says, is that “people absolutely loved receiving my messages, and felt compelled to Springdoo me back. It made me realise how touching it is to receive a Springdoo. It’s a lovely gesture created especially for you, with warmth and emotion”.
Springdoo was designed to provide a more personal and human way for people to communicate over the internet. Industry commentators all say that video, launched by Springdoo in early June, is the ‘next big thing’ for internet users. Seasoned users say that using a web cam very quickly becomes a natural way to communicate with their peers.
Springdoo CEO Jason Kerr says that every day a new and innovative use for Springdoo is found, and that the service is used for both personal and business applications; “everyone loves thoughtful human contact, and our overuse of email has made us cold and impersonal. We are enjoying watching Springdoo improve the way people communicate”.
Springdoo plans to grow its business into a multi-million user service that 98 percent of its users enjoy for free. The company is actively pursuing opportunities with global marketing and media companies and continues to develop exciting product extensions.
