Friends at Iotum just released a beta version of their first application for Facebook.
Application to do what? Conference calls among Facebook users. You can install it from this link.
Here is a brief description by Alec Saunders, Iotum’s CEO:
1. The conferencing application feels nearly identical to the Facebook Events application. Our goal was to model a conference call exactly like an event, except that it takes place over the telephone. By integrating with the Facebook portal in this way, conferencing becomes a natural extension of Facebook, rather than a separate application.
2. To make conferencing easier to use (after all, who hasn’t scrambled looking for a dial-in number and PIN), we send you the dial in number by text message before the call, and we use your mobile phone number as your personal identifier. In fact, if you’re calling from your mobile line, our software simply uses your caller ID to validate you and puts you automatically into right conference room. And there is an added benefit. In 60% of calls today, at least one person is missing. Often, it’s simple forgetfulness. Our text message acts as a reminder.
3. The application also takes advantage of the Facebook integration to allow you to post an agenda, and see who is already on the bridge (a bit of AJAXy magic we did allows that to be refreshed without you having to reload the page…). In future, we’ll do more Facebook integration, with features like a wall to allow notes to be captured, and recordings and documents to be posted. Plus, we’ll add more features allowing for live interaction with users, based on the AJAX work we’ve done.
4. You can operate the conferencing service in two ways – either as a standard scheduled call, or an unscheduled “instant” call. We think instant calls have the potential to change how people use conferencing, and make it much more useful for quick ad-hoc calls to arrange an activity amongst multiple people, or to manage unexpected events and crises.
I’ve been involved in the beta testing but unfortunately non-US phone numbers are not allowed yet. In the near future presence information provided by the Iotum Relevant Engine will be available, making the overall user experience much easier. Good job! I look forward to trying it out…
facebook, iotum, luca filigheddu
This post was written by
Twimbow CEO, blogger, , geek, early adopter, italian, san francisco, twitter addict, piano player, taekwondo, love gadgets, proud dad and husband.
Why I run my blog on Thesis Wordpress Theme
Thesis gives my blog a very professional look with very clean, easy-to-read layout and SEO friendly design. Take a look at my post explaining why I chose Thesis for my blog. Get your Thesis Theme today!
embracing Facebook whole-heartedly by creating a voice conferencing application for the business-friendly social networking site”. Like us, Ted sees huge value in Facebook for business use as well as personal networking. Luca Fillighedu expressed disappointment that we’re only offering North American numbers. Perhaps you can help us fix that, Luca! Gary Kim offered the view that just as RIM defined the market for email in your pocket, someone will do the same for conference calls in your pocket. We’re aiming squarely at that space, Gary.
[...] had the opportunity to talk about it already in this blog and now they even added a new feature like recording. In addition, I also [...]
[...] While I have not tried it yet but only setup a new call for test purposes, it seems still far from Iotum Free Conference Call application in terms of [...]
[...] Squawk Box is the daily podcast on technology, Web 2.0 and IP Communitations (and much, much more) conducted by Alec Saunders and organized thanks to Iotum’s Free Conference Call for Facebook. [...]