TTconext – easy to use online presence software

TTconext in use.

System requirements:
Google Chrome 43 or Firefox 38
Camera (with microphone) needs to be connected

The Teletalker research resulted in TTconext – a link, which can be used to connect 2 places (e.g. two living rooms) audio-visually with a tablet, smart phone, laptop or desktop computer.
What makes TTconext different to other video connectivity tools (e.g. Skype)?

  • No registration or log in required
  • The video connection is intended to provide foremost a presence of the other location and is therefore audio muted by default
  • If a person would like to speak through TTconext , the person can press a bell to get attention
  • Only the microphone button needs to be switched on in order to be able to speak to each other

Instructions:

Ensure your device has Firefox 38 or Chrome 43 installed. Send your friend / contact or whoever you want to be in contact with the following link: http://teletalker-mdx.rhcloud.com/?pin=111
Tell them to go to this link and to accept the browser asking to take over the video camera and microphone. You do the same. Then you should be connected.

The browser ask you about taking over your camera and microphone

This is how Firefox asks you
to allow the use of your camera

Short cuts for use:
Key: Enter = full screen
Key: z = change viewing ratio
Key: h = show control window
Key: space bar = bell
Key: m = mute / unmute microphone

If you have any problems or question about TTconext, please email: Marianne@teletalker.org

The Teletalker – like a TV through which you can talk – is a tool for communication between all ages.

The intuitive interface facilitates social interaction for people of any age, but is made particularly easy for people with little online experience, which in most cases now are older people.

Where can you see it?

Teletalker booth at Middlesex University

Teletalker booth at Middlesex University,
London

Teletalker booth at Age UK Day Centre, Barnet

Teletalker booth at Age UK Day Centre,
Barnet, London

From 11th–15th June 2012, Middlesex University's entrance hall was connected with Age UK's community room in Barnet. The Teletalker offered a live visual connection between the two places. By touch people were able to activate the sound and communicate with the other person.

The Teletalker aims:

  • To be intuitive for older and younger people
  • To be a public window into a different place
  • To be a space to intereact with another person
  • To be curiosity evoking by design

Watch a video showing excerpts of the field research

How does it work?

Teletalker is an installation of two monitors with a live video link connecting two places. The monitors (and speakers, cameras and microphones) are housed in an attractive shell – similar to a 1930 TV – where no unnecessary cabling is shown. People can choose to ignore the Teletalker, look through and e.g. smile or wave to each other. Or they can walk up to it and place their hand on a sensor, which activates the volume, so that one can hear the sound from the other place, speak into it and if interested have a conversation with another person in the other location. It needs to be noted that Teletalker does not record the video transmission.

Design direction. 1930s design. Light resistant hand sensor to activate screen.

Who is behind the idea?

Marianne Markowski, PhD student at Middlesex University, investigates how to design online social interaction for older people. The journey of her research started with an initial design for a website, but this has now become something more physical.

Marianne is very interested in your opinion about the Teletalker, but also about this more general question:

What role do you think online technology can play in an older person's life and what form should it have?

Please email your thoughts to: Marianne@teletalker.org