Skype call it "ambient video"

The basic concept of the Teletalker i.e. providing a constant online window into the other space is not new, although the means to activate the volume is. On Skype's blog they call it "ambient video". Skype refers back how they have their offices around the world connected in this way, but interestingly the skype computer is not near the work place, but in the break out area near the water cooler - a place that invites for a chat. read full skype blog here

Conference proceedings: Age & experience - ludic engagement in a residential care setting

Authors: Blythe, M., Wright, P., Bowers, J., Boucher, A., Jarvis, N., Reynolds, P., Gaver, B. wrote "Age and experience: Ludic engagement in a residential care setting" for the Designing Interactive Systems conference in Aarhus, Denmark 2010
The article is about findings from a 2 years study at a residential care home where ideas for cross-generational engagement through ludic systems were developed. Huizinga introduced with his book "homo ludens" the idea that humans are essentially playful creatures. In this research ludic activities were explored which engage people's curiosity, diversion and humour rather than logic or labour effectiveness. For this they developed:
1. video window
2. projected portraitures
3. blank canvas
4. soundscape radio
In opposite to the notion of a "ticket-to-talk" - which could be an exhausting experience for the residents - they introduced the idea of the "ticket-to-be-silent". In this project two artists worked with the residents; one of them drew portraits of individual the residents. It was an opportunity to be part of the creation, but not having to talk. Those images were later exhibited in the local town.
I really enjoyed reading this article since the researchers describe how they constantly had to resist the urge to design something 'useful' and to think of ideas that are playful. The article also stresses the challenges working with the group of the oldest old where getting from one chair to another or having a conversation is exhausting. The concept of inter-passivity was also introduced to describe the 'passive' use of technology by the oldest old (which isn't passive, but the obverse of interaction) in those cross-generational uses. Particularly appealing to me was the idea of the video window - a camera set on top of the roof and the view was displayed in a picture frame in the room. Residents would not spontaneously comment how they like it, but complain when it was forgotten to be switched on the next day.

Article of the Teletalker research in the Age UK Barnet newsletter

(Instead of a button) I used a light sensitive receptor, which activated the volume by just touching the area i.e. covering the receptor, so no 'pushing strength' needed.