Showing posts with label Oovoo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oovoo. Show all posts

Monday, February 27, 2012

Skype vs Oovoo for Video Conferencing

When reviewing an article about how cell phone preferences are changing from Blackberry to iPhone and Android in Washington DC, I noted that there was an increasing demand for the use of Skype and Oovoo video conferencing apps.  The article noted that Blackberry is great for text-based messaging, but many of us prefer audio and video.  The article sparked my interest to compare Skype (which I have used for years) with Oovoo.  A brief comparison of what the two apps have in common is noted below. Both:
  • Have a free version
  • Allow video conferencing
  • Can be used with Macs, PCs, the iPad, and mobile phones
That is about where the similarities end. The free version of Oovoo also allows users to record and send video messages to friends with video calls or emails.  With Oovoo, you can send files up to 5 MB in size. You can also embed a video chat room in a website and do 6-way HD video conferencing with the free version.

Using Skype, you now can do desktop sharing (such as I use with http://join.me) with one person with the free version.  Oovoo allows that feature only with their premium version. 

Like Skype, Oovoo has the potential to enhance the teaching/learning experience when working online.  There was a comment by a voice music teacher for a blog comparing the two apps, noting that her students preferred Oovoo. I will have to experiment with the stability of a 6-way video conferencing call.  It certainly opens new opportunities for web conferencing.