The launch of in 2003 made video calling free and accessible to anyone with an internet connection. The true "explosion" happened with mobile:
: AT&T wowed the public at the New York World’s Fair with the Picturephone Mod I . Despite the "cool factor," it was a commercial flop due to its massive cost and the requirement that both parties own the expensive hardware. The Corporate Era (1980s – 1990s) VIDEO CONFERENCING
In the 1980s, video conferencing became a "big business" tool. Systems from companies like cost $250,000 upfront and another $1,000 per hour to run. The launch of in 2003 made video calling
: Germany launched the first public video telephone service, connecting post office booths between Berlin and Leipzig. The Corporate Era (1980s – 1990s) In the
: Steve Jobs introduced FaceTime on the iPhone 4, fulfilling his childhood dream of the futuristic calls seen on The Jetsons .
The COVID-19 pandemic turned video conferencing from a "perk" into a lifeline. Practically overnight, it became the primary way the world attended school, saw doctors, and went to work. This era also introduced "Zoom fatigue," as we learned that constant virtual interaction, while efficient, has its own unique mental toll. Video conference History - VAVS - JCU Australia