A mobile social discovery app, WhosHere, updated yesterday, adding free video chat to the universal iOS build. The app allows users connect with an new emphasis on keeping random hook-ups safe(ish). The developers say “the biggest problem in meeting people online today [is] knowing that the person you are speaking to is exactly who they say they are.”

Exactly how they propose to solve this problem and provide a layer of security is unclear, but I think the idea is that providing personal details like phone numbers, addresses and information about where you are located at any given moment is best done in a video chat rather than by email or SMS, so people can speak “face-to-face.” Some users complain there are a disproportionate number of men to women using WhosHere, so perhaps this move is intended to help remedy the imbalance ?

The service, clearly, is primarily for dating and casual connections, and gets tepid fan reviews, but if you’re already using WhosHere, video chat should be a welcome addition. Certainly it unleashes some, um, creative communication potential beyond simple safety concerns. If you’ve used this service or test out the new feature let us know what you think in the comments.

FREE!

WhosHere

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2008-07-24 :: Category: Social Networking

I was up fairly late last night watching an old episode of Law and Order SVU when one of those Apple spoof commercials from T-Mobile came on. In it, the too-cool-for-himself guy with the excessively yellow-orange hair, the Apple guy, was talking to his family via Facetime when he walked out of his Wi-Fi bubble. As you’d expect, he garbles and gadooks into what is assumed is a “lost connection” image while the half pretty, half odd looking Anne Hathaway knockoff explains that the T-Mobile MyTouch 4G can do video chats from anywhere with its mythical 4G network speed.

Skype then (covertly) launched their 3.0 update which allows for video chats over 3G. I was saying “a-ha!” when Mariska Hargitay was busting some young punk for kidnapping a girl after a party. I’m pretty sure she died, Ice T will sort out the mess I’m sure.

So yes, the iPhone now has the almighty capability of making video chats over its regular network, but the feature sucks up a whopping 3.4 MB/sec. It allows you to talk to your other Skype wielding buddies on any sort of device, and even works in portrait and landscape. Best of all, it runs fairly smooth even if both users are stuck on a 3G network, although nothing, not even Santa Clause, can make 3G work smoothly in certain areas.

With a feature as amazing as this, it comes as a shock that Skype didn’t publicize the launch more. The 3.0 launch could’ve been a big deal, like Super Bowl ad big, had they put some thought into marketing the update. Instead, the update released in the middle of the night, to no fanfare, while I was sitting up in bed watching Law and Order. Silly Skype. Maybe they were too upset about China’s ruling to make the service illegal in their closed off country to remember about this massive update.

Happy video chatting! Be sure to watch that data usage though, the gigabytes will fly by if you don’t watch out.

Note: The youtube video below is about as strange as it gets. Something tells me that Skype wants their service to be the next Chatroulette… if you get my drift.

[Data usage source: 9to5 Mac]

FREE!

Skype

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2009-03-31 :: Category: Social Networking

When Apple announced their FaceTime initiative with the launch of the iPhone 4, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that you would see the tech implemented in ways that Apple didn’t originally intend.  Though it was implied that Apple planned on opening up their FaceTime standards to the tech world, I think that it would be safe to assume that they were not about to sanction an in-house developed cross platform communication application.  Fortunately for us, Tango‘s got our backs with their new Tango Video Calls software.

Integrating a new system that is nearly as simple as FaceTime, this is the first program of its kind, even expanding video chat onto devices like the 3GS, which do not support FaceTime.  Here are some of the features they are promising:

• Free video calling to your friends and family around the world, wherever you are
• Call between iPhone and other smartphones on 3G and Wi-Fi
• Populates Tango Contacts automatically from existing phone contact list
• Invite friends and others by e-mail or text
• Switch cameras and swap screens to show what is around you
• Move between video to audio and back to video
• Simple and easy to use
• Create an account in less than five seconds – New profile not required

Interestingly enough, they neglected to note the ability for devices on the proprietary iOS platform to now video conference with those on Android based devices.  Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you, that is CROSS-PLATFORM communication!  Honestly, I am amazed that Apple hasn’t put the kibosh on this app for that reason alone, but as of late things seem to be more lax in the App Store review department (not that we are complaining).  Plus, if you are using Tango, that means you no longer have to deal with the pesky Wi-Fi limitations of FaceTime.

Really, when you do everything that Apple’s signature app doesn’t why wouldn’t you be successful.  It certainly won’t hurt matters much when you realize that it will cost you nothing to download this little marvel.  So what are you waiting for?  The future of communication is just a download away.

FREE!

Tango Text, Voice, and Video

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2010-09-29 :: Category: Social Networking