With high speed internet becomes common household item and the cost and quality of web cams have improved significantly, video calls become very affordable. Most computers have speakers already and $20 investment would give you a very decent web cam along with a microphone. Calls are free.

How you use the video chat is only limited by your imagination; here are some examples:

• Interview university applicants and job applicants
• Tutor students remotely
• Hold virtual parties and tours
• Perform sales demonstration
• Paint portraits by artists
• Show off your new toys
• …

Let me know on how you use video chat.

With Google’s stature in the internet world, this would give additional competition to Skype and hopefully would force Skype to increase its customer service.