ooVoo
ooVoo is a proprietary instant messaging client developed by ooVoo LLC for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X,[1] Android and iOS. It was released in 2007, and is similar to Skype and Apple's Facetime. Calls can be recorded in real-time and twelve-way video chatting is supported.[2] ooVoo provides real-time comments and warnings about performance and usage, and has a connection speed display that gives an indication of latency.
Features
ooVoo allows registered users to communicate through free instant messaging, voice, and video chat. ooVoo conferencing software enables high quality video and audio calls with up to twelve locations at the same time (six on video and six on phone), high resolution video and desktop sharing, and PC- or Mac-to-phone calls to landlines and mobile phones for a fee.
Free Features
- Video calls – Video chat between a total of six people at a time.[3]
- Web video chat – Browser-based video call allows the creator of the web chat to invite non-ooVoo users into the call via email, instant messaging, or social network.
- Video messaging – Video messages up to 1 minute long (5 minutes for a fee) can be recorded and sent to another user, to email, or shared on YouTube.
- Instant messaging – Multi-party text chat with its own instant messenger client. IM chat is supported at any time, as well as during a live video call.
- File sharing – Send large files (up to 25MB) to any ooVoo contact quickly and securely.
- Video call recording – Record and store video calls to share or reuse at a later date.
Paid Features
- Video conferencing – Allows users to start a group video chat up to six people in a call,[4] plus the ability to add in six additional phone participants.[5]
- Phone calls – ooVoo-to-phone calls to landlines and mobile phones to 70 countries worldwide.
- Desktop sharing – Allows users to share their screen live during a video call.
History
ooVoo was founded in 2006 by the entrepreneur Clayton L. Mathile, based on a technology developed at Arel Communications and Software (Formerly NASDAQ:ARLCF), a company that was founded in 1982 and specialized in remote e-learning and collaboration solutions.[6] On 13 March 2006, Arel Communications was taken private by its current management and relaunched as ooVoo.[7][8]
In June 2007, ooVoo's PC version was launched allowing high quality video chat from anywhere.[9] In February 2008, video call recording and phone calling were introduced.[10] In May 2008, ooVoo for Mac was launched, creating cross-platform capabilities for video chat.[11] In February 2009, ooVoo 2.0 launched, which included browser-based video chat rooms and video chat through a web link with no download required. The new open API lets developers build customized applications and widgets.[12] In May 2009, the first air-to-ground three-way video conversation was introduced. ooVoo 2.2 was launched in July 2009, and introduced business plans geared for multiple seats and desktop sharing. New pay-as-you-go options and international phone calling was also introduced.[13]
On 2 June 2011, ooVoo launched its social video chat service on the iPhone Platform, making its free HD Video chat service cross platforms, including: PC, Mac, Android and iPhone.[14]
As of October 2011, ooVoo has more than 35 million users worldwide.[15]
ooVoo for Business
ooVoo video conferencing can be used for online contacting web conferencing, web presentations, online training, and remote support. With multipoint video conference, teleconference, and a suite of additional features, ooVoo allows businesses to connect with colleagues and contacts and reduce spend and time on travel.
Accolades
- ooVoo won PC Magazine's Software Innovation "Best in Show" Award at the DigitalLife Expo in September 2007.[16]
- In March 2008, ooVoo won the "Webware 100" award for Communication.[17]
References
- ^ Muchmore, Michael (July 30, 2008). "OoVoo Goes High-Res, Adds Web Client". pcmag.com. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2326764,00.asp. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
- ^ http://www.oovoo.com/home.aspx
- ^ http://www.oovoo.com/home.aspx
- ^ http://www.oovoo.com/home.aspx
- ^ https://market.android.com/details?id=com.oovoo&feature=search_result
- ^ "Arel Communications & Software Ltd. - Company Profile". BusinessWeek. http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=401094.
- ^ "Arel Communications Announces Completion of Going-Private Transaction". BusinessWire. March 13, 2006. http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20060313005540/en/Arel-Communications-Announces-Completion-Going-Private-Transaction.
- ^ "ooVoo Communications, Ltd - Company Profile". Hoover's. http://www.hoovers.com/company/ooVoo_Communications_Ltd/cyhysi-1.html?CM_ITE=Factsheet&CM_PLA=Free&CM_CAT=Google&CM_VEN=Biz_Dev.
- ^ Josh, Glodman (June 11, 2007). "Do you ooVoo?". TechCrunch.. http://techcrunch.com/2007/06/11/do-you-oovoo/.
- ^ James, Lewin (Feb 6th, 2008). "ooVoo Introduces Real-Time Video Conversation Recording". Podcasting News. http://www.podcastingnews.com/content/2008/02/oovoo/.
- ^ "ooVoo for Mac". CNET. http://download.cnet.com/ooVoo/3000-2150_4-194013.html. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
- ^ McEvoy, Aoife M. (February 26, 2009). "ooVoo 2.0 VoIP Service - Review". PCworld.com/. http://www.pcworld.com/article/160316/oovoo_20_voip_service.html.
- ^ "ooVoo Launches the First 4G Mobile Video Chat Service That Simultaneously Connects Smartphone, PC and Mac Users". Mobile World. http://mobileworldcat.org/mobile/platforms/oovoo-launches-the-first-4g-mobile-video-chat-service-that-simultaneously-connects-smartphone-pc-and-mac-users.html.
- ^ Zimmerman, William (June 2, 2011). "ooVoo Launches its Social Video Chat Service on the iPhone Platform; Now In the Top 10 Free Apps on iTunes". Telepresence Options. http://www.telepresenceoptions.com/2011/06/oovoo_launches_its_social_vide/.
- ^ "ooVoo Expands Its Multi-Person, Cross-Platform Video Chat Service to More Than 200 Android Devices". Market Watch. Oct. 20, 2011. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/oovoo-expands-its-multi-person-cross-platform-video-chat-service-to-more-than-200-android-devices-2011-10-20.
- ^ "ooVoo Wins PC Magazine's Software Innovation Best in Show Award at". PRNewswire. Oct. 4 2007. http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/10-04-2007/0004675837&EDATE=.
- ^ "Webware 100 winner: OoVoo". CNET. April 21, 2008. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13546_109-9913461-29.html.
External links