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ooVoo updates its iOS and Android apps with video messaging, filters and more
If you're an ooVoo user, you already know you can use it for four-way video chats, 12 simultaneous text conversations or simply catching up with your BFF one-on-one. Well, get ready for a whole lot more features, as ooVoo has just let loose a monster of an update for both iOS and Android that brings with it a fresh design as well. Arguably the most pertinent new feature to its core user group of millennials is the ability to send and receive video messages, or "ooVies" as the company likes to call them. Additional features include video filters, a customizable user profile page, speed dialing for five of your best pals and a "tap-tap-go" UI for calling a bunch of your mates at once. The app is also now available in twelve languages that include English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portugese, Russian, Turkish, standard and traditional Chinese, Korean and Japanese. We've barely scratched the surface of the app's latest goodies, so feel free to peruse the release after the break or download it from the links below to see what else is new.
ooVoo update lets you and a party of 11 watch YouTube together
Someone at ooVoo must like to party it up virtually, what with features like four-way video conferencing, 12-way chat and now the ability to watch YouTube videos with up to 11 of your internet pals. Oh-so-creatively called "Watch Together," the new feature is similar to what Google+ already offers with Hangouts but with a couple more people above G+'s max of 10. Chat participants can play any YouTube video directly in the application either by sharing the URL or by doing a keyword search for a particular clip. If you're at a loss as to what to watch, you can peruse a list of trending videos or an ooVoo-curated lineup. Anyone in chat can start, stop, pause and rewind the video, which could be good if you want to watch that awesome dance video over and over again. The feature is currently only available on the ooVoo PC app, though future mobile implementations aren't out of the question.
ooVoo updates its iOS and Android apps to support four-way video calls
First ooVoo opened up four-way video chats on Facebook, and now the video calling service is doing the same for its Android and iOS apps. The company just updates both applications so that you can view up to four video streams at once, though you can carry on text chats with as many as 12 people. That's true of both platforms, though the Android version is admittedly getting a few more changes. The newest version of the app brings deeper integration with Google services, plugging into the native Android address book to show missed calls, as well as a list of which friends are available to chat. To that end, Android users get not just the app, but also a widget that displays these tidbits at a glance. Rounding out the list of improvements, the updates introduce push notifications as well as the ability to text chat in the middle of a video call. %Gallery-162942%
ooVoo opens up 12-way chat on Facebook and the iPad, gives other apps a facelift
If there's some video chat corollary to Moore's Law, ooVoo is adhering to it. Almost a year to the day after announcing six-way calls, the company is expanding its offerings to include 12-way chats on both Facebook and ooVoo's iPad app. It would seem that on FB, at least, that means true 12-way, face-to-face conversations -- an obvious one-up to Facebook's native video calling app, which is powered by Skype. On the iPad, however, that 12-way claim comes with a substantial quid pro quo: while you can partake in chat with 12 people at once, you can only view up to four people's streams at a time. Moving on, folks using ooVoo on Android or the iPhone will notice some UI tweaks starting today, while people plugged into the desktop version will be treated to a more drastic overhaul. Rounding out the list of newsy bits, the ability to record and upload video chats to YouTube, Facebook and Twitter is now free. You can get your update on now at ooVoo.com, the Apple App Store or Google Play, and we've got one last screen shot after the break to help illustrate what's on tap.
ooVoo releases long awaited video chat client for iPhone
The new ooVoo app offers free video calling to PCs, Macs, Android phones and of course other iPhones. There's also text messaging, and up to 3 people on audio or video calls. PC or Mac users can receive the chats in a browser, and the app supports 3G and Wi-Fi. It's a boatload of features. The app came out earlier this month but released a version with bug fixes today. User reviews have been positive. ooVoo also offers some enhanced paid plans that include calls to landlines up to 500 minutes a month and up to 6 people on video or audio calls. The paid version is ad-free with a basic plan for US$9.99 a month. You can get more talk time, call recording and other features at $29.99 a month. You can get plan details here. I think the free version has plenty of desirable features, and it further points out how far Apple's FaceTime is falling behind with Wi-Fi only calling and no calls to anything but an iDevice or Mac. Of course there are always apps like Tango, Skype and Fring, but the advanced feature set of ooVoo is worth a look and perhaps a download if it meets your needs. ooVoo Mobile runs on the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, but is not native on the iPad. It requires iOS 4.0 or later. Mac and PC versions can be downloaded at the ooVoo site. I haven't tested the ooVoo app extensively yet, but I'm planning on a feature by feature comparison of all the video chat apps for iOS soon.
ooVoo brings its webcam wares to iOS with six-way video calling and more
If getting your family together under one roof feels like herding cats, then you might consider ooVoo Mobile as a far less painful solution. It's now available for iOS and supports (nearly) free six-way video chatting for you and five webcam-toting friends. The one catch is that someone in the conference must purchase a monthly plan, otherwise you're limited to three participants. We've already seen this app released for Android, and both versions feature: six-way conferencing, group texting, voice calls to other users, and -- if you're willing to purchase credits or a monthly plan -- outbound calling to landlines and mobile phones. Subscription prices start at $9.95 per month if you want to use the service to its full potential, but it seems there's plenty to enjoy without spending a dime. And if you're a cheapskate who's determined to have it all, perhaps you can convince someone else to foot the bill.
Yahoo! Messenger and ooVoo Mobile do video chat on Android, but only for a lucky few
Two video chats enter the ring, only one comes out. In this corner it's ooVoo Mobile, a portable version of the (somewhat) popular desktop video chat application that will let up to six users simultaneously swap bitrate over 3G, 4G, or WiFi -- but only if you have an HTC Evo or Samsung Epic. In the other corner it's Yahoo! Messenger, with version 1.3 adding video calls and similarly limited device support, though this time it's the myTouch 4G and the Evo getting the nod. So, Android owners, which of these is going to reign supreme? Or, are you going to tap out and stay cozy with Qik? Hit the Android Market now and place your bets. Update: We're told that Paltalk has also recently released an Android app to the Marketplace, giving you yet another way to say "hey."
Quanta teams with OoVoo on HD video conferencing box for your TV
Quanta, the OEM behind the OLPC and MacBook, just announced its move into home-based HD video conferencing. Quanta is teaming with OoVoo to produce the Quanta Video Messenger -- a 1,280 x 720 pixel / 30fps, multi-point-capable set-top box that plugs directly into your HDTV and home Internet connection (presumably via Ethernet or 802.11n, they don't say). OoVoo is also looking to integrate its wares in existing set-top boxes. The prototype STB is the size of a hardback book and does not currently include a webcam or mic -- those must be plugged into the device separately. They'd better bundle a webcam then, if they hope to generate mass market appeal across familial generations. Early tests of the H.264 video over an Internet connection capped at 512kbps upstream produced the occasional video sputter (when watching a fast moving object) in quality roughly equivalent to DVDs. Fortunately, Quanta and OoVoo have 9 months to sort out any issues as they don't expect to ship until "later this year" for a price meant to be "affordable to consumers." [Via MicroHoo News]
