Online companies putting 'personal' back into technology

As much as I enjoy learning about the latest daily advances of technology, I am very aware of how we seem to be losing much of the human element in our day-to-day relationships.

Skype's latest marketing campaign focuses on that very point. They believe that social networks like Facebook and Twitter are “degrading humanity.” Interestingly enough, while they knock their competitors in their advertising they are using both of these social networks to promote their latest Facebook app.

The Skype Homotions app allows you the ability to replace the standard :) or :( with your own real-life expressions. You create your own new emotion photo gallery that can be put on your Facebook wall or used for your Skype instant message.

Why do they think this will be popular with online users? “Because nothing can replace the look on your face,” according to Skype blog post.

While I am not sure this new app will increase Skype users, it does show that online companies are aware that adding some type of human element back into our technology-laced lives, personal and professional, is important.