Sony Debuts Consumer Video Calling
Sony released the consumer version of its Instant Video Everywhere (IVE) product on Wednesday, hoping to gain a foothold in the fast-growing VoIP market by allowing its users to place unlimited free video and voice calls to other subscribers of the service.
IVE users can also place video and voice calls to traditional video or audio conferencing systems, as well as cell and landline phones for an extra charge.
In June, Sony along with partner GlowPoint launched a version of the IVE service for business users. Although the company has not given exact subscriber numbers, Sony said it had already delivered "millions of video usage minutes to thousands of users."
Subscribers will receive a personal number from which they can place or receive video calls. Features of IVE include multi-person calling, video voicemail, live video operators, and the IVE video portal that allows users to view previews of feature motion pictures and special promotions for new Sony products.
"The launch of the IVE service as a free, unlimited use service is a communications watershed moment for consumers--an instantaneous, easy-to-use application that brings people together by literally putting them in the same room," said Eric Murphy, vice president for integrated visual communications at Sony Electronics.
Calling other IVE users will be free. A premium version adds video voicemail, multi-party calling and access to live video operators at 99 cents per call for $9.95 USD per month.
The professional version, priced at $19.95 USD per month, adds the ability to connect to standards based videoconferencing systems, add non-IVE members to conference calls, and provides free access to live video operators and a video meeting room.
VoIP calling to landline and cell phones is available on both the premium and professional plans for a flat 8 cent per-minute fee. But the focus of IVE will be on its video features.
"With millions of Americans already using the Internet for voice-only communications, the demand already exists for something even better -- the ability to talk online while seeing each other 'face-to-face'," said David Trachtenberg, chief executive officer at GlowPoint.