Grandmother's Guide to Video Chat

[Jung5659]

wait so you dont need computer?

[LeahNewYorkCity]

This is one of the only uninsulting disparagements of "grandma" that I've come across (check its google blog post). But most everywhere else, it's a different story. E.g., on google+, a circles how-to vid ends with keeping Aunt Ruth from seeing college pics. Fine. But how come not Uncle Hector? HOW COME IT'S ALWAYS THE OLDER WOMEN who need to be sidelined, or gently derided for their lack of online know-how? How come it's always "so easy your grandma could do it," rather than your dumb grandpa?

[VundaF]

Grandma is great.

[Filischi]

Great point megamanxu! I work on dfferent medias, and everything you said is correct about usability and smartphones. In the meantime I've seen what terrible disaster should generate a lovely granny without any knowledge of basic tecnology interactions. As said, i work with media, but I can't program them, i'm looking forward for interested developers. The original idea remains, if a great comporation (Google) could produce a dedicated device (Motorola?), I think the market should be giant!

[FpsDude619]

Skype is so much better

[megamanxu]

@FpsDude619 this doesn't slow down your comp by being a stand by application

[theBIGreekgeek]

Has anybody else notice that today in the anniversary of labor revolution google is celebrating the first world's fair?thumbs up so everybody can see!

[Filischi]

I love Google Video Chat, my grandma has used with me with another familiar that set up the video call for her.

Now she's living alone, with nobody that can prepare a pc for video chat, and she has no idea about how to use a PC (like the > of grannies), so she never, never could learn how to use a browser with plugin, simply because she don't have the background.

We need a STAND ALONE VIDEO CHAT ANDROID MOBILE for our grannies around the world!

Google please do it, you can!

with love, a user

[megamanxu]

@Filischi it's called the nexus s... lmao jk, but gtalk is auto enabled and set up in android already so need for a dedicated phone lol. or just buy her a chrome book

[Filischi]

@megamanxu Hi megamanxu, thank you for your answer!

The question is: a Granma really has the skills to interact with a smartphone? I got two grandmothers, and both can just use their simple mobile phone to do calls, and for them is impossibile to learn to send an sms or save a contact in the address book.

What I'd like to have is a smartphone that simply allows to do videochat with the contacts online. All other apps should be looked, to avoid acidental mistakes. What do you think about?

[megamanxu]

@Filischi smartphones have much simpler os layout than a computer, and you cant really mess up too much by clicking the wrong thing, and even if you do, you can always just click home and everything will be back to normal, unlike windows where u have to wait for the program to open then you will have to exit it to go out into the main os. also you can program the phone to only have one app, like skype, gtalk, or yahoo messenger. and all grandma have to do is click on the ONLY icon and she's done

[megamanxu]

and i think your idea of having a phone just to do that is correct, but you can now program, with a bit of knowledge, a smartphone to do just that, no need to wait for google to make a different android or phone to do it. you dont even have to lock the other apps, there are phones with custom android versions that will let you have basically only one app, and only one homescreen, and really there's nothing much to click when you have something like that, and nothing to mess up on.

[kindafunny3000]

Click here? WHERE? :P

[mariofan4523]

IIs there an easier way to accomplish this task? Even my dog's shaking her head, and my 12-year-old computer geek who introduced me to You Tube can't even figure it out.

[mariofan4523]

Great invention, when did this come along?

[h6oib]

Umm I can easily Use Skype

[abobeck]

I like Skype, but since this is being demoed with a Mac, people can just use iChat.

[Modernwarfare999]

ChatRoulette is better :D

[3rdEyeVision]

Lol, my grandma would be freaking out because every time it says "click here" she'd try to find the mouse to drag it only a fraction of a distance there and it would move on.

[randomstuffstudios]

It's called skype....

[HWGuyEG]

Parents couldn't follow this at all... grandmother could.

[Athaax]

this isn't really for old people. 

[rikvdoorn]

You need to restart your browser, this should only take 1 minute :-)

[0hateme]

WTF IS THIS?!?! |I

[mhaidarhanif]

You should read the last blog post in GMail's Blog. The real grandma really could make a video chat if you teach her.

[Eklucky4]

good

[rednalbad]

Linux - PLEASE!

[everythingsround]

@rednalbad For REALZ! How will ChromeOS even be released without essentials like this?

[mohitmayankismyname]

@rednalbad we want linux version, google...

so partial u r bcoming...

[MoJoSB]

Make all the cute videos you want, giggle is a thing of the past my friends...

[ruehlmedstud]

@MoJoSB care to explain?

[xFr0sTeDxFlAkEsx]

Me and my grammy actually video chat a lot. I'm surprised she even knows how to work the computer. :-P

[leanbarton]

You must have a tech-savvy grandmother. Few grandmothers I know would even understand this.

[amanda22989]

@leanbarton my grammy would never even see the video, or no how to play it, because she doesn't know what internet is!

[ipostic]

hmm....4 easy steps?? I heard much more than 4.... click here...check this...download this...restart this.. look here...click there... type here... click here.... look there... maximize here...... My grandma would be lost one second after the title :))))) I love Gmail and its services but this video is def not Grandmother's guide :)

[ipostic]

@ipostic ...sorry..it was 3 easy steps...lol :)

[mwq]

this video is too fast to understand my grandmother

[emr1028]

this is soooo much better than skype

[SeekLegend]

Better than Skype!

[kaylajb12]

lol this is so cute

[goodwood8]

Uhh... Skype kinda already exists. Sorry Google.

[11mrnet]

fallout 3 voise :)))

[ganderson4be]

Lol how sweet. Many good quotes in there.

[irucos]

Could you make a portuguese version of this video, please!

My mother would love! ;)

[iammuffinlover]

very cute made!

[LeaveItToGeorgia]

ahhh just like skype

[janleo48]

Ok.



[XSolistbey]

muzikkervani.de

[ha3haa3haaa3]

umm.. there's MSN or Skype.

[MitSelf003]

@ha3haa3haaa3 You unfindel!! Just wait until the folks from google hear about this!!

[sonicmonkey123]

Do you have a guide for grandfathers?

[koffypr]

Let's get cooking?! lol

[thomassoutar]

"damn i didnt click in time. now what"?!?! says my grandmother

[BoySluggo]

Google is racist toward Mexicans.

Simply google Mexicans and you get stereotype images of Mexicans.

Now google any other race, blacks, italians, Indians, french, arabs and you do not get any stereotype images. And when you report the images they do nothing about it.

[Bag0Bones]

WAY too many steps.. Get your grandson to download Skype and setup the PC.. Then you just need to leave the computer on and they can call you, single click to answer.

[nicolunacba]

It's using computer terms yet. It's confusing

[TheSimsCreedGuy]

Ever heard of MSN or AIM?

[x7RarA4tech]

WTF THAY ARE USING MAC?????!!!!!!!FUCK U GOOGLE FUCK U!111!!!1

[hurlykyler]

i hate bing google is better

[appleAddict240872]

face to face, from a bar? that sounds oddly iPhoneishley familiar...

[neilypatel]

@appleAddict240872 From afar.

[leo20789]

this is fun

[raggedyanarchist]

That's really cute.

[abuilizz]

The funny about Google video chat that it is available on the web based Gmail, but not in the Google talk application that it is installed alone on the PC.

[siriuslymessedup]

aw poor google :(

[24065894]

yet again, they ignore their own good google talk windows application, and build it into the gmail web application, just a shame!

[6b616e]

@24065894

web apps are future

[24065894]

@6b616e yes, but google talk is great, it would be pointless to have a webbrowser open for IM's, thats just not how such applications work (tray icon, popup windows with chats, etc). Its cool that you can _also_ do it thru a website if you are on a public pc thats not your own (or on an OS that is just missing tons of apps)

[zecanadablog]

Why have you deleted comments about the LOLTUBE hack?

[zecanadablog]

Why have you deleted comments about the LOLTUBE hack?

[BlackLeafSkate]

That grandma looked like Foster from fosters home for Imaginary friends LOL!

[yoanandchowdhary]

@TugaPipeJunior exaclty!

[perinouk]

How about conference chat for 3, 5, 10... people?

[ashleydovan]

wow..... no way!

[TheJonesRealm]

The one primary feature Skype has going for it is it's ability to launch and login at system boot so we don't have to call on the phone first and have Grandma open Gmail.

I'm still wishing for official word about when Google is going to update the Desktop client for Google Talk to include Video, group chat, emoticons, etc.

[chrmntuet]

well, i guess for those who already do have gmail, video chat is now possible. thanks for the guide though...it was helpful.

[yusefdoodie]

I'll wait for facebook to take this awesomeness

[EeyoreLve]

I'll stick to skype...

[wolfganggangwolfe]

and what advantages does it offer compared to other products?

[mourd014]

my grandma tried to do that, but once the webcam saw her it exploded.

[kittu999c]

its strategic to move put your mind in google video chat insted of other software. now google wil place adds in between your conversation

[iwouldlikesometea]

its much easer on an iphone, i even got mine free.

[GB982]

That's the way to explain it to a newbie, not an granny :)

[SkillsOrDie]

My grandma barely knows how to use the phone..

[Sjivje]

@SkillsOrDie WUHAHAHAHA mine as well xd

[djmccla]

I hope that when I get old I will still understand how to use the new technologies of then. Seriously, my grandma has to have me put the DVD in the player for her. I'm scared of oldness D:

[LustX]

Nokia did it in 2006. Video phone calls.

[euchenio]

Do they have internet in heaven ?

[petekosednar]

R.I.P. Grandma

[anuragiit]

Question: what is browser?

[leemarkin]

i don't think my grandma can do this, install webcam, microphone, and a plugin, and open browser, and click here click there..........

[olala5000]

bad

[xixxon]

my mom can't even do this

[Phantomlover1717]

Oh you've got to love all the ppl that say: "It's Chrome on a Mac!". Make it a bit more obvious Google! ;)

[beterhans]

The Plug-in is Not Available for LINUX......

[riverstrawslol]

my grandma doesn't even know how to click something...

[Phantomlover1717]

@riverstrawslol My grandma would put the whole actual mouse in the right corner if I said she had to do that to close the window ;)

And when she wanted to remove something from the screen, she takes some Tipex.

No just kidding.

[BardlyG]

Unfortunately Google voice and video chat is not available for PowerPC Macs.

[Tektj13]

@BardlyG Thats cause macs suk nuts XD

[veveak]

the future looks.....infernal

[D34dlySpork]

Why does the Browser look like Safari?

[spork24601]

@D34dlySpork It's Chrome on a Mac.

[Phantomlover1717]

@D34dlySpork But it does look a bit like Safari.... Wannabeees Google! XD

[asamson23]

@Phantomlover1717 It is Chrome on Mac

[Phantomlover1717]

@asamson23 I know right, but it's really a look a like.

[YOUCANNOTDENY]

@D34dlySpork Because it's Google Chrome installed on a Mac.....it naturally looks like Safari.

[MAFiA303]

I dont think my grandma would get this...

[dowdberry]

Sadly, google video chat plugin is not available for Linux. Yes, my Grandma uses Linux.... so does your grandma (at least for some part of her internet pipeline.)

[djduncs132]

Skype is like 10 times easier to setup and is way better anyway.

[izak1992]

GOOGLE IS THE BEST!

[xMetalWeirdox]

skype suckS!

[mondoman712]

my grandma has skype and she uses all the time. Techno Grandma

[ronaldl911]

@mondoman712 My Grandpa as well... and he is 82 ;)

[ImAllFact]

My grandma can't even open a computer, how the hell is she going to do that?

[TheSpazBunny]

I'd rather use MSN for this. Seems easier.

[DeepMaster123123]

easy^^

[metal17cloud]

Linux needs a plug-in for video chat in gmail!!!

[athlon866]

oh my god. this is so creative!

[GAGAKLEINALEJANDRO]

Grammy type fast. :O

[TugaPipeJunior]

I love how Google's videos are always joyful. :)

[baddspella]

she has tank arms ><

[souravmishra26]

Cute video! :)

[ReverseDFatE]

Oh, so it is just like Skype...

[IAMLOST]

This video is way too fast for any grandmother to follow.

[mhaidarhanif]

my grandma will be awesome! :)

[MTRadio]

google is shit just search on that nigga

[francispelletier]

VERY unfortunate that this is NOT GNU/Linux compatible

[tuxsbro]

I hate it when people rely on annotations to post links, put the links in the description too!

[shaolindreams]

my gran said whats youtube

[lucasarbiza]

I regret it is not available for Linux. My grandmother won't use, my mother and even I maybe. Anyway I liked this video help for grandmothers.

[lucasarbiza]

@joshuatzu Thanks for your answer. I believe you don't use Linux, because when a Linux user goes to the download plugin page what he finds is "Google voice and video chat is not yet available for Linux." I using both Google Chrome and Firefox (last stable releases of each) in a Ubuntu Linux 10.04.

[joshuatzu]

@lucasarbiza Lol, in my angst to correct others' errors I guess I actually missed my own! You are totally right; I just checked the link provided and it does indeed say that it only offers use with windows or Mac. However, to be fair to myself and maybe explain why I jumped the gun on calling you on jumping the gun, not providing linux support is rather odd for a Google release of this stature, and in general, browser plugins are cross-platform and not limited to certain builds.

[lucasarbiza]

@joshuatzu Ok. I agree when you say "is rather odd for a Google".

[BoogsterSU2]

Google Video Chat = Skype

[francispelletier]

@BoogsterSU2 Google Chat Video > Skype

[MegF142857]

We'll be needing the mask that Jane Jeston used.

[MegF142857]

@MegF142857 Oops... that's Jane Jetson (1960s cartoon character from a future with flying cars and robots)

[christiancsbsas]

Guía de la abuela de Video Chat

Dudo que ella será capaz de seguir esto, y mucho menos encontrar este video en youtube.

Dudo que mi abuela puede incluso encender el ordenador!

[vraciudude]

so does Skype and YahooMessenger without anal-probing me for "special ads" just for me.

[Araka5i]

I'm sorry, but I work with elderly, retired professors every day, and I know that there is no way any of them could possibly come even remotely near to being able to follow even the first 60 seconds of this. I applaud your efforts to include the elderly, but this isn't going to be very helpful to most of them, I don't think.

[pedro380085]

I doubt that my gradma can even turn on the computer!

[carole1801]

Are they really aiming this at grannies tho...the different approach entertained me, and I'm far from being a granny. Enterntainment means it stays in your mind...

[adrianet1967]

muy bueno

[bananax21]

i hope the plugin can be integrated with the google talk gadget so even if the gmail is closed. we can still video chat.

[tiagosan90]

yes, this is very good... but, I want new "google talk" please... this chat is very very good....

[RandomAtk]

1:27 granny is not that fast :S

[tannercrum]

wellllllll.... considering she's watching this video... chances are she's on the computer

[imnotboover]

way to fast

[Gustav403]

I dont like the mix of social stuff and private. Mail and videochat should be kept more seperate in my opinion.

[wezmaster]

My grandma gets confused with the volume and channel changing buttons on a tv remote. To be honest she might not even know what Google is.

[coijoi]

cool

[bookiegoodness]

uh........skype?

[legonecron92]

@bookiegoodness hasn't msn also done video chat for years

[asamson23]

@bookiegoodness It is more simpler to chat with Gmail, because you can chat and you can read you emails

[Sjivje]

@bookiegoodness Skype is so much better XD and easier XD

[mobspeak]

@bookiegoodness yeah skype is better

[6b616e]

@bookiegoodness

skype is closed source spyware, you idiot.

[salman6896]

i've been doing this forever and they just made a video ???

[techit4692]

lol great video