ooVoo Beta with Smileys available - Windows

There is a Beta version of ooVoo available for Windows users to download and try. This Beta has Smileys in the text chat.

Download here http://www.oovoo.com/Download.aspx?ban=WO

Go to bottom of the ooVoo download page for link.

Santa uses ooVoo

Look who was using ooVoo on Xmas day :)

Camtwist problems with ooVoo

I tried using Camtwist with ooVoo on my Macbook and ran into a problem I have never had before. I have used Camtwist on many occasions previously with no problems at all.

When in a video chat my cam was not visible to myself or the other parties and there was a message saying no cam installed.

I tried a number options including:

1. Test Webcam - Camtwist was working in the test

2. Video Message - Camtwist working in recorded message

3. Embedded Video Chatroom - Camtwist working

4. ooVoo Video Call - Camtwist not working at all

So far I have not found a solution but have contacted ooVoo. I must also say that this problem has only occurred since using ooVoo for Mac 2.2.0.89

CONFIRMED - Emoticons on ooVoo text Chat coming soon

I have it on good authority from ooVoo that Emoticons will be available in ooVoo Text chat in 30 - 60 days. This should please the many people that have been asking for this feature for ages.

ooVoo at Web 2.0 New York

ooVoo CEO Philippe Schwartz talking at last months Web 2.0 Expo in New York.

ooVoo 2.2.3.24 Windows update

Sorry for the delay as I have been away. There is a new update for Windows 2.2.3.24. Download here http://www.oovoo.com/Download.aspx

ooVoo 2.2.3.14 Beta Review

I have been using the new ooVoo Beta for Windows 2.2.3.14 extensively over the last couple of weeks. Overall everything appears to be working extremely well, nice clear video, excellent and improved audio (works great on laptops with no headset needed. All echo has gone).

There are a couple of minor issues I have found.

1. The removal of the "Test Wecam" option in the File menu. I used this option all the time before using ooVoo mainly to test lighting. Now you need to go File - Settings - Camera then test. Am I just being picky? Maybe an icon next to message history, downloads chat history etc might be suitable.

2. Video Message problem. I received an email saying I had a video message but nothing was showing up in ooVoo's menu even after 3 hours of being signed in. I did contact ooVoo and they sent me test video messages that appeared straight away, except for the one I had been notified by email about. I quickly logged into ooVoo on my Mac and all Video Message notifications appeared straight away. At this stage I am unsure if it a problem with 2.2.3.14 or maybe my PC is playing with my head. Investigations ongoing.

3. This has been a major issue with ooVoo on Windows from day one, everything defaults to IE when sending feedback, opening video messages in a browser etc etc. C'mon guys, alot of people don't use IE so let things open in whatever browser the user has as default.

Whether you are using the FREE or PAID version of ooVoo this Beta is worth trying if only for the improvement in audio. You can download ooVoo 2.2.3.14 Beta for Windows here. (use the download link at the bottom of ooVoo download page)

Emoticons on ooVoo

Is this image real or just a mock up?

Not sure how I missed this (unconfirmed at this stage) but it appears there will be emoticons available in text chats on ooVoo by the end of the year 2009.

Anyone that can confirm or deny this please contact me.

ooVoo Beta 2.2.3.14 - Windows

There is a new Beta 2.2.3.14 version of ooVoo available for Windows. Click here to download http://oovoo.com/Download.aspx?ban=WO (scroll page down).

I have been testing this beta for a few days now on both laptop and desktop PC's and can honestly say the audio quality has improved 100%. There is no longer the need to use a headset as the echo cancellation is working great.

Test machine 1. Laptop - Macbook 2.4ghz, Windows7 on bootcamp, iSight webcam, standard Macbook speakers & microphone.

Test Machine 2. Desktop - PentiumD 3.2, Windows XP Pro, Logitech Quickcam STX & built in mic, standard desktop speakers.

With the huge audio improvement and now no need to use a headset, I can see a huge benefit for any business user contemplating using ooVoo.

Go ahead and test drive the new ooVoo beta today, I highly recommend it.

ooVoo Video Test

ooVoo for Windows update

ooVoo version 2.2.2.19 is now available for Windows. Download here http://oovoo.com/Download.aspx?sc_lang=en

Lenovo Launches ooVoo Powered Video Conferencing

ooVoo today announced that Lenovo makers of high quality business laptops and desktops will have ooVoo Video Conferencing software pre- installed. Read more here http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS117139+26-Oct-2009+PRN20091026

ooVoo Windows Update

ooVoo has released an update 2.2.2.16 for Windows. Click Here to download.

Mac users testing out ooVoo 2.2.0.89

With the release of ooVoo 2.2.0.89 for Mac (the Snow Leopard fix) it was time to get a group of Mac users together and give it a hammering. The first thing that stands out is the main contact window has now caught up with the Windows version. The contacts interface has all icons next to contacts, help screen availability and once in a video chat you can now access Desktop Sharing albeit a trial but available on the business plan.

Stability - appears much more stable than previous versions with none of the participants I chatted too dropping out, even after 2 hours.

Sound/Voice Quality- I'm not sure if it's just me but sound quality has improved greatly. I was also using ooVoo on my Macbook, no headset and had no echo at all. (not in the above picture though)

Video Effects - now included in Mac version.

All in all everyone was very pleased with ooVoo, everything that we tried just worked without any problems at all.

ooVoo fix for Snow Leopard

There is now a version of ooVoo available that works on Snow Leopard. To download ooVoo for Mac or Windows click this link http://oovoo.com/Download.aspx?sc_lang=en .

ooVooSnow Leopard fix coming

News from ooVoo R&D, there will be version of ooVoo that is compatible with Snow Leopard released on September 14th. Currently ooVoo fails to launch on Mac's using Snow Leopard.

ooVoo problems on Snow Leopard

According to alot of people on Twitter, the current Mac version (unsure of pre-release at this stage) of ooVoo is not working. It will not sign in at all. Can I suggest any Snow Leopard users contact ooVoo immediately via the ooVoo Forums or submit a Support Request.

In the meantime please feel free to use the free 6 person ooVoo video chatrooms on Ratpack's Lair.

ooVoo 2.2.0.68 Mac Pre Release

I have just downloaded and installed the new pre release 2.2.0.68 Mac version of ooVoo and will be testing it extensivly over the next couple of days. A full review will be posted soon.

ooVoo for Windows update

ooVoo has released update 2.2.1.3 for Windows users. To download the latest release http://www.oovoo.com/Download.aspx

My ooVoo wishlist

Lately I have thinking of ways ooVoo could improve their excellent video chat software. I have come up with a few idea's and would love to get some feedback from other ooVoo users.

Adjustable Sidebar view - the sidebar view is handy but with most people now running widescreen monitors I think the option to drag the sidebar to a wider view would be a great idea.

Ability to view people in an embedded Video Chatroom before entering - instead of having to enter a username and then log into a video chatroom, why not be able to see who is there before logging in? I am sure this idea would help anyone decide if they wanted to enter the chat eg. a teen may not want to join a video chat with a group of 40+ year olds and vice averse. (another thought would be no audio until entering the actual chatroom)

Embedded Video Player - this would be a handy tool for people that stream "Live" video. If there was an option to have an embed code for a website/blog etc that was launched from the ooVoo client that allowed single person video (like an ooVoo video message) but still have the ability for the user to invite/add more people to the video chat, all the while showing "Live" stream of chat in the embedded player.
Note: ooVoo is the only program I know that has good video quality even on slower connections ie. 1500/256k this would allow people that can't use Ustream (384k upstream minimum required) etc to stream "Live"

Audio only option - yes I know ooVoo is known for video but why not include the option of having an audio only chat.

Moderation panel built into video chat - I have used the current web based ooVoo moderation panel and it works very well. I feel this should be built into any video chat and the person that initiated the chat has control.

I am sure I can add a few more items to my ooVoo wishlist in the near future but would like to hear your thoughts on anything listed so far.

ooVoo Video Chatroom

I have recently started a social network on Ning.com for former students and teachers of my old high school. So what has this got to do with ooVoo?

What better way to catch up with old school friends than video chat. I have installed an ooVoo video chatroom for all to use. The install was straight forward ( I have done this before on Ratpack's Lair), add a new page then just copy and paste the video chatroom code. The only modification I had to do was adjust the size slightly to fit the area, simple.

I highly recommend using an ooVoo chatroom. The participants don't even need ooVoo to use it and they work on PC and Mac.

World of ooVoo

Another fun world chat on ooVoo. From top left USA, Australia, UK, Japan, Australia, Australia.

Solving PC problem with "NEW" Desktop Sharing

Trying to talk somebody through fixing a PC problem (extreme novice) is hard at the best of times but today we used the new desktop sharing feature to guide the novice into solving his problems. It's so much easier when you can see the other users screen and what they are doing.

I could have used a program like Teamviewer and fixed the problem myself but that doesn't teach the other person. Make them fix it themself I say and with ooVoo's desktop sharing feature I could see and talk them through it all.

ooVoo Desktop Sharing - WOW!!!

WOW! Thats about covers the new desktop sharing that ooVoo has introduced. This is a screen grab of my dual monitors, on the left is desktop sharing in action (note this pic doesn't do it justice as the background is moving).

The desktop being shared is running live in real time. I will try and do a video shortly to show everyone how well this works.

Desktop sharing with ooVoo is available as a 30 day trial then is included in the new ooVoo business plan.

ooVoo takes on Skype, Cisco in video conferencing

Read article here

Here we go....

With the release of ooVoo 2.2.0.62 for Windows, I thought it timely to start the first post of my ooVoo Addict Diary. I have been addicted to ooVoo since first public beta way back in June '07 if my memory is correct.

I will be posting here about many of my ooVoo adventures, ooVoo news and updates, snapshots and maybe even some ooVoo video's. In case your wondering, I don't work for ooVoo, I just enjoy meeting new people and video chatting with them.

I've tried plenty of other video chat programs but nothing compares to the quality and features of ooVoo so far.