As video conferencing usage continues to explode, so does the variety of applications.

Inspired by a recent news story, the thought crossed my mind: what if Sony Video Conferencing could help fight crime? Far-fetched?  Perhaps not-- the result of this pondering follows.

7 Ways Sony Video Conferencing Can Save Your Stuff

1.       1080 High Definition 10x optical zoom PTZ camera

No need to squint, you’ll be able to pick “the perp” out of a lineup in no time. Even catch what brand of gloves they were wearing.

2.       Bright-Face Technology

Less-than-ideal lighting? Not a problem with Sony’s Bright-Face technology.  It provides optimum facial lighting for a brighter, clearer picture, down to the freckle.

3.       Memory Stick Recording

Easily record the live video or capture still images directly from the codec onto a Sony Memory stick.  Share by email, upload to YouTube, or take the media files directly to the police station.

4.       Multi-Point Calling

Need a witness? Connect with a neighbor or co-worker to watch the events unfurl by hosting a quick multi-point call.  Encourage your neighborhood watch headquarters to add a video conferencing system as well.

We have a lot to be thankful for this past year: Our health, family and friends, Fortune magazine finally announcing that Verizon’s getting the iPhone– you fill in the blank. Regardless of what it is we’re thankful for, the holidays are a good time to reflect on all the blessings and great people around us, and to remember and thank those who afford us the freedom to celebrate – sacrificing their time with family and friends, and sometimes their lives to serve our nation.

One exciting perk of video conferencing is the chance to reconnect families who are miles apart due to deployment. Organizations like the Freedom Calls Foundation have been incredibly generous, and do a great job of bridging the gap during the holidays.

Recently, I saw an article highlighting an event  with a unique twist. It was an evening of wine tasting that was hosted by the owners of the winery themselves –and simultaneously attended by more than 800 people in more than 30 locations across the US.

Using video conferencing to broadcast and interact in a one-of-a-kind experience, Winestyles, a national wine retailer was the organizer of the event. Michael Mondavi, founder of Folio Fine Wine Partners, led participants through an engaging wine-tasting experience, sampling and learning about six different wines grown at his vineyards.

Sometimes the most illustrative stories happen in your own back yard.

One of our sales team members, Susan,  recently endured a crazy ordeal getting to a meeting in Philadelphia. The face-to-face meetings I often have with Susan take place with a simple touch of a button using our Sony video conferencing system. But the irony and reality of it all is that our sales team, while in the VC industry, spends a lot of time in the field and on the road explaining the benefits of video conferencing to those that don’t yet have the video conferencing technology in use at their organizations.  If nothing else, the following events that unfolded proved to the clients she met with why video conferencing is a much-needed investment.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics claims “Americans make more than 405 million long-distance business trips per year.”  I’m sure you have a travel “horror story” that could have been avoided by holding the meeting from the convenience of your office video conferencing system.  Leave a note and share your story below!

Everything changes, life evolves, and technology plays a huge role in our advancements. Of course, new generations will never know the difference about what life was like before x, y and z. They will just roll their eyes when you tell them stories about rotary phones and 8-tracks.

CNN recently chronicled the communication skills of 2-year-old Ella, and how her visits with the grandparents, as well as play dates with peers, have gone digital. Ella comprehends that grandma and grandpa aren’t IN the computer, but loves the regular banter and smiles that would otherwise require a 5-hour trip.

If you’re like me, you enjoy people-watching at the airport, especially in line for the security check point. Taking sweaters off, putting sweaters on -- digging for loose change or forfeiting a toothpaste tube that's dangerously large buried at the bottoms of their carry-ons. I never know the travelers in line, but it's amazing how much you can absorb just by the looks on their faces.

That guy who has gone back and forth through the metal detector four times but is still smiling. Or the lady to his left who seems to have a fear of flying. She's anxious, sweating, and probably hoping the TSA agent finds some excuse to keep her on the ground.