Rich Tehrani and Andy Abramson are talking HD audio and video today. To say that they’re both effusive would be an understatement. Plus, there’s no denying that higher quality audio is a great improvement to a phone call.
Rich begins his post saying:
Circuit switched telephony technology is now half a century old or so and it is the predominant way much of the world communicates. It is the lowest common denominator for all digitized communications. While consumers would never accept 1960s technology from auto or computer companies (please don’t mention the airlines) corporations should look to the PSTN as antiquated and legacy.
This, of course, is the crux of the matter. Aside from a small number of enthusiasts, most consumers would quite happily accept old technology. In fact, unless told, they would probably never notice the difference.
In my world, I don’t see consumers clamouring for high definition audio and video. I see them clamouring for mobility, with all of it’s attendant audio quality problems. People put up with drop-outs, dropped calls, and more – all in the name of mobility.
Like Rich and Andy, I think audio quality is important. But we’re a definite minority.
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