HD videoconferencing arrives on tablets
Polycom has launched RealPresence Mobile, tablet-optimised software designed to plug into its telepresence products.
The software, which works in conjunction with Polycom RealPresence, allows Android tablet or Apple iPad owners, to carry out HD video calls while out-and-about, rather than needing to use a desktop or far more costly bespoke telepresence room installation, the company said on Tuesday.
"RealPresence Mobile is a significant step toward achieving our vision to make it possible for millions of people to use video collaboration as their preferred method of communicating — easily, reliably, and securely — no matter what network, carrier, protocol, application, or device they use," Andy Miller, chief executive of Polycom, said in a statement.
The software currently only supports the iPad 2, and Motorola Xoom or Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 devices on the Android platform, but a Polycom spokesman confirmed that it would be coming to other Android devices in future. The company also said it would support "other platforms" in future revisions.
Polycom RealPresence Mobile uses the RealPresence platform behind the scenes to manage sessions. The platform can support up to 75,000 devices and 25,000 concurrent sessions and can be deployed either on-site or in the cloud.
However, Polycom is not the only provider bringing high-definition videoconferencing to tablet devices.
On 6 October, videoconferencing specialist Vidyo launched its own iOS app that allows customers to take part in company conferences from mobile devices.
The system is also built on open standards, meaning it will work with Polycom, Tandberg — now a part of Cisco — and other H.323 and SIP endpoints, Vidyo said.
Unlike Polycom RealPresence Mobile, VidyoMobile currently supports iOS 4.x devices such as the iPad2, iPhone 4 or even the iPod Touch.
It is also testing VidyoMobile for Android tablets and smartphones. The Android beta is taking place now and VidyoMobile for Android will be available for "select certified devices" in November, the company said.
VidyoMobile supports conferences with more than 100 active participants, displaying up to four at a time on an iPad2. Participants are shown based on the active speaker, and the previous speakers, similar to the way in which Google + operates its 'Hangout' feature.