Abstract: The techniques disclosed herein enable a realistic, inclusive sense of physical presence for videoconference participants that is comparable to in-person communication. Multiple users are simultaneously provided with an immersive experience without the need for head-mounted displays or other wearable technology. Specifically, a real-time three-dimensional model of a scene at the remote end of the videoconference is received. At the same time, the location and perspective of each local participant is determined. Each local participant is then individually provided with a spatially correct stereoscopic view of the model. The sense of physical presence is created by changing what each local participant sees in response to a change in their perspective. The sense of physical presence is enhanced by enabling direct eye contact, clear communication of emotional state and other non-verbal cues, and a shared visual experience and audio ambience across locations.

Abstract: A methodology for automatic selection of a connection, on behalf of a device user, to a hybrid network for calls is provided in which a combination of a variety of inputs is utilized to populate a filtered list of available connections that is sorted by connection cost in which the least costly connection is at the top of the list. The methodology is executed periodically, or in response to event occurrence such as a call event, and the connection at the top of the filtered sorted list is utilized as the preferred connection for calls. Preferred status may be persisted until the next execution of the methodology when a potentially different connection is selected as preferred.