Money Matters, Simplified.
Voice chat coming soon on Facebook
by Jaspreet Kaur - September 15, 2009 - comments
Even non-Facebook users will be able to take part in chat as Vivox intends to offer free dial-in numbers that will allow anyone to call into an existing conversation, just like call-in phone conferences
Boston, September 15 -- An additional voice chat feature will soon be available on the popular online social networking site Facebook. Users will be able to enjoy high-quality voice conversations within a few weeks' time.
The latest technology will be offered by Vivox, a Boston-based company. Vivox already provides integrated voice service for socializing platforms like Second Life and EVE Online.
It will offer its service in closed beta and will permit Facebook users to have conversations in high quality sound with anyone on their friends list.
But to use the voice chat each user will have to download Vivox’s plug-in. Once it gets installed, it will gel almost flawlessly with Facebook, and will help users in one-to-one chat and large group discussions.
Major attractions of the Vivox system
The exciting part is that even non-Facebook users will be able to take part in chat as Vivox intends to offer free dial-in numbers that will allow anyone to call into an existing conversation, just like call-in phone conferences.
The Vivox system will also allow Facebook users to simplify their friends lists and chat only with the people they want to.
The success of voice chat still in doubt
As of now, nothing can be said about how many of Facebook users will go for Vivox’s technology. This is because not many people might want a service that requires a plug-in. Also, Facebook does not seem to be interested in promoting the new service.
However, social media expert, Gnomedex organizer Chris Pirillo, was overenthusiastic about the possibility of a full-fledged Facebook voice chat system. Pirillo said, “It is about time. I guarantee you this is going to bite into Skype.”
Vivox system already very popular
Elaborating on the positives of its technology, Vivox said that its technology is a cut above anything that is available today because of its scope and scalability.
Vivox system has already been successful on services like Second Life and EVE Online. Not only this, it is about to be built into a series of online Electronic Arts games, starting with Command & Conquer 4 Tiberian Twilight.
The company does not expect a flood of users to immediately start using its voice chat technology. But it is hoping that users will get hooked on to the service very soon.
Vivox revealed that it already has users amounting up to more than 15 million, and it would not have any problem in managing the hordes of new users that come in when the Facebook system becomes active.