Another quick guide from MakeUseOf, this time it’s on group calling and conference apps. The ones that are simple, quick to setup, free, and probably something you would want to use. What do you get? Make instant calls to a group of friends, video chat with play mates, schedule conference calls with colleagues, live brainstorming dashboard, etc. As usual, all apps are free and fairly simple to use. Enjoy!
MeBeam - Online Video Conferencing
Quick and simple way to setup informal video conference calls. Using Mebeam you can instantly setup video conferences with up to 18 people simultaneously. The cool thing about it you don’t have to register or install any kind of software, just create the conference room and share it with others. The only requirement is a working headset.
ooVoo - Video Conferencing on your PC
ooVoo is a free video chat program that lets you chat with up-to 6 people at the same time. Basically, it’s a video messaging program with powerful video chat capabilities. At the moment it’s only available to Windows users, but they promise to release Mac client soon. Check out ooVoo video demo.
Rondee - Phone Conference Calls
Schedule phone conference calls and invite as many friends as you want. Calls can be scheduled both from the web or phone. You can think of it as a virtual meeting space where you can invite and conference with a group of people using any US phone. To join your conference room, participant only needs to dial Rondee access number (619-276-6333) and enters his/her access code.
For complete features list go to Rondee: Phone Conference Calls
Foonz - Free Group Calls
Quite similar to the above Rondee, but you also get the option to send group voice messages and organize contacts into groups (i.e. family, freinds, work etc.). You get a separate number for each group. Again, works with any phone, both mobile or landline. Read more @ Foonz : Free Group Calls.
TalkShoe - Live Talk Shows and Conference Calls
Online community where users can host, participate, or just listen to live interactive talk shows and discussions. You can schedule live multi-person conference talks and invite interested people to join as participants or listeners. The below image shows the whole idea.
Thinkature - Real-time Collaboration Dashboard
Thinkature is an easy-to-use online brainstorming dashboard with conference support. Here you can create mindmaps, draw and discuss ideas with your teammates in real-time. You can invite as many people as you want. Here is the screenshot.
You can check out Thinkature video screencast here. Interested in other brainstorming applications? See our round up on Top Brainstorming Applications.
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Filed Under: Cool Websites ¦ Lists of tools ¦ Mobile Apps
Tags: chat, chat client, collaboration, conferencing, group calls, mindmaps, Mobile Apps, video chat, voice messages, VoIP
Thank you for the kind mention on your blog! I wanted to hook you up with access to the Mac version for you to try out — so please let your readers know that ooVoo for the Mac is available in Alpha over at http://oovoomac.smnr.us — let me know if you have any question… other that that, there’s a new version coming down the pike pretty soon. I will try to let you know when it is available.
Thanks for heads up. Just wondering, is it official Mac version ?
Hey Aibek,
I don’t know if I would call it the “official” version - it is only and Alpha version but the version was developed by ooVoo. They will be coming out with the beta version hopefully some time in the near future. In the mean time check out the Mac version and let us know if you have any feedback on it.
Thanks for the write up and for the questions.
Thanks, Saul. So, long story short, it *is* developed and published by ooVoo but it isn’t on the site yet because it is only the alpha version. However, it is supported by ooVoo itself in the ooVoo forums. So, check it out: http://oovoomac.smnr.us/ I guess the gang at ooVoo are interested in the version getting tested and well-used but they are also interested in not making it official as a wildly-available version. My team pretty much has access to this version as an exclusive for this online outreach, you being someone we think would really be able to use it. Does that do a pretty good job of explaining it?
The Beta ooVoo for Mac OSX is available (http://oovoomac.smnr.us/). We use it at work.