Future calls. Visualizing an IMS based future.

Future calls. In case you didn’t notice there is a word play in the previous sentence. I have used the word “calls” both as a verb and as a noun. Clever, right? 😉

This post takes a closer look at how the future would look like with regard to calls.

Our world is getting more interconnected and more digitized. We view this digitized world through either smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TV etc. So these days we can browse the web through any of the above devices. Social applications like Facebook. Twitter, LinkedIn or utilities like Evernote and Pocket are equally accessible through any of the devices at any time and at any place.

While we are able to use these devices interchangeably why is that we always receive calls only through phones (mobile or landlines).  Would it be possible to switch calls between these devices?

In fact this is very possible and is included in the vision that IP Multimedia Systems had set for itself. While IMS is yet to take off, it is bound to get traction in the not too distant future.

Assuming that this is going to happen, here is my visualization of how a typical day in the future (possibly 2015/2016) would look like.

Here is an imagined scenario

Akash is joined to a conference call at 8.00 am, while at home. When he answers his smartphone he gets a notification “Nearby devices 1) Laptop2) Tablet 3) TV. Choose device to handover to”.  If he chooses the tablet, laptop or TV the call would be seamlessly transferred to this device.  When the call appears on his tablet, laptop or TV there could be another notification “Do you want to add video to the call? Choose Yes or No” the call would automatically be upgraded to a video call if the far end also has this capability. Lets assume that Akash completes this call.

On his way to the office he receives another call on his mobile. When Akash answers his smartphone he is again notified regarding the devices nearby 1) Laptop 2) Car dashboard. Now Akash can just command his smartphone to receive the call on his car dashboard if he is driving his car. If he is being driven he can handover the call to his laptop. When he receives the call in his laptop he could receive a popup, “Do you want to add video and/or data to this call?” If he chooses to add both video and data he can videoconference while also whiteboarding with his colleagues.

He can then continue the call on his smartphone while walking to his cubicle.

The transition between devices will be seamless.

This handover of calls between devices and also the switching back and forth from voice only to voice, video and data (whiteboarding) is bound to happen in the not too distant future.

So keep you ears and eyes wide open.