App Adds Videoconferencing to iOS Devices -- THE Journal

Smart Classroom Technologies

App Adds Videoconferencing to iOS Devices

By Dian Schaffhauser
06/05/15

Pexip's new app allows users to launch videoconferencing sessions on iOS devices. A company that enables schools to collaborate online through virtual meetings has introduced a new mobile app that lets users connect through their iOS-powered devices. Pexip Infinity video conferencing software provides video, voice and presentation sharing. One user is the Texas Education Telecommunications Network (TETN), a consortium of education services centers, school districts and the Texas Education Agency.

The company is now introducing a mobile virtual meeting room client for Apple iOS devices. The new Infinity Connect Mobile client lets users connect via video; if bandwidth is low or poor, they can link in via audio-only. The mobile app lets people initiate ad hoc meetings and invite, add and disconnect users and mute and unmute participants. A calendar integration feature lets users connect to a scheduled meeting with one click. The new mobile app will appear soon in the iTunes store.

Pexip said it would be making a software development kit available to allow developers to customize the look of the app for their users to aid in adoption.

TETN adopted the software in 2014 to support a growing distance learning network for teachers seeking professional development and for parents of students taking virtual classes who want to meet with their instructors.

"The Pexip Infinity platform was the perfect fit for our virtual meeting room and virtual auditorium requirements, allowing us to connect all students and teachers in Texas without the common barriers of previous technologies," said TETN Manager Lea Bentley Castillo at the time of the deployment. "Easy to deploy, easy to set up and extremely easy to manage and use, the solution provides unmatched interoperability across every system at the TETN — making it incredibly simple for anyone to meet." She noted that the licensing for the software is "far below the market rate."

Pexip works across multiple platforms, including Microsoft Lync and Skype. The company said an Android version would also be available soon.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

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