ooVoo

NY-based video chat provider ooVoo has launched version 1.5 of their software today. We initially reviewed ooVoo back in May. The easiest way to think of ooVoo is: video IRC for chat with your friends.

ooVoo 1.5 combines the highest quality video chat available online (adjustable to up to 30 frames per second), video conversation recording and calling to landline and mobile phones, beginning with worldwide calling to the continental U.S. and Canada. I could see using this for interviews on CN. While I understand the phone piece is only available in the U.S. and Canada, I assume the video piece could be used worldwide - would be a great application for the soldiers overseas to call their family and friends. The soldier calls home, records the call with say their spouse, and then the parents could watch it later on. This is similar to an app we reviewed in December named SeeToo.

Some of the other updates include: ability to import friend lists from almost all of the social networks and webmail apps along with support in 15 languages.

If you compare ooVoo to new video chat startup Seesmic, ooVoo seems to have the edge. With Seesmic, you record a clip, upload it, then I record a clip, upload it. The odds are we are both sitting at our computers at the same time but we can't talk in real-time. Compare that to ooVoo which allows for real-time chat, so that when we are both here, we can chat together and have a real discussion. In addition, multiple people can participate in a group chat at the same time.

I wonder if ooVoo has considered the adult entertainment industry as a potential offshoot.

Review of Startup Videos Opportunity: ooVoo by Patricia Handschiegel and Allen Stern.

Patricia & Allen's review: ooVoo's presentation looks very professionally done, maybe a tiny bit too much because the people in it look a little oddly digitized or photoshopped (which I admit threw it off a bit for me). It might just be the stark white background in contrast to the characters. I notice that all of the talent they used are older – it appears that they think (or know) that the early adopters of their site are in the 28-35 demographic, but I think using a few different ages would have broadened it a bit (unless it was intended).

The people in it also all look very hipster young professional – again, maybe mixing it up a bit with a variety if they’re not specifically targeting that age/audience unless intended. In viewing the presentation,

ooVoo is a service which basically allows you to hook up your web cam and "talk" with another person as if they were in the room with you. I have seen these type of programs before and from the video, I didn't understand what the differentiator was from using Skype for video conferencing. It appears more "consumer-friendly" than many of the other video conferencing programs, but a more clear and defined message in the presentation would help. It’s cute, quirky and well done, but I don’t think it gives a good understanding of what it is or how it differs from the handful of other sites like it in the market.

Come inside for the submitted video pitch...