Free Internet Video Conferencing

Free Video Conferencing: It Does Exist!

Where to get your free Web conferencing software...

Who says you have to pay out the nose for video conferencing services?  Sony and GlowPoint have gotten together to change that.  Video and voice conferencing wannabes can now use a version of Sony and GlowPoint's "Instant Video Everywhere" (IVE) conferencing service to improve their communication skills. And that's right, folks, it's free!

As long as you limit your phone numbers to those in the United States and Canada, you'll be able to make unlimited video and voice calls to other IVE users using the same IVE online conferencing service that Sony and GlowPoint currently offer to their corporate customers.

If that's not enough, you can now make VoIP calls as well.  VoIP, also known as "Voice over IP," will cost you a monthly fee, but if you like making calls to your friends on their cell or telephone numbers from the comfort of your own computer desk, you probably won't mind.  This could save you some money on long-distance services if your friends are in Indonesia and you're stuck in New Jersey.

Springing for Sony and GlowPoint's Premium or Professional plans ($9.95-$19.95) will offer some extra perks in the way of conferencing.  You'll be able to accomplish the following:

 Make calls to standard phone numbers or cell phones
 Carry on an audio or video conferencing calls with up to six people
 Utilize video mailboxes
 Record voice and video conversations

Want to know more?  Here's some answers to frequently asked questions on the Sony/GlowPoint IVE services:

What kind of equipment do I have to have to use the Sony/GlowPoint IVE services?
 Intel Pentium-III processor
 Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP
 Sound card
 Speakers
 Microphone
 Web cam
 High speed internet connection
 Headset with microphone (Not absolutely necessary, but it looks cool.)

 How do I access the Sony/GlowPoint IVE services?

You'll be issued a personal video number that works just like your regular phone number. Give this number out to the people you want to conference with.  With the IVE services, you'll also be able to receive calls from other IVE users, standard phone users, cell phone users or other video conferencing systems.

Do I need operator assistance?  I don't know how to dial a phone.

Sony and GlowPoint have an automated assistant named "Lisa", who will jump in to help if calls can't be completed or if you dial the wrong number.  She also gives handy info on how to make calls calls, contact operators or troubleshoot any problems you might have.

What's a video mailbox and why would I want one?

Are you kidding?  This is one cool feature.  How would you like to get your very own phone and video answering machine?  A nifty light will blink when you've got a message and you can even be notified of any messages by email if you choose.  And unlike the tinny-sounding recording an your old fashioned answering machine (you know, like the one where you sing "I'm not home, leave a message after the beeeeeeep…"), you can record your own video greeting.  You can even retrieve your messages from other computers.

Now that you're armed with most of the information you need for free video conferencing, you just need one more thing: the web address.  For further information, check out www.sony.com.

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