[Updated: 6PM] -- Movial is shipping a new version of its mobile video communications software that offers high-definition (HD) PC-to-PC, and PC-to-mobile video-conferencing. In addition to releasing Movial Communicator PC 7.2, Movial announced it has partnered with Cypriot telecom carrier Cyta to offer Communicator-based video-calling services.
Version 7.2 of Movial Communicator PC adds 1280 x 720 HD resolution, and supports H.263 and H.264 video codecs, as well as IMS and IETF based SIP telephony standards, says Movial. Movial's site links to an amusing YouTube clip (below) of a Cyta advertisement that shows full-screen laptop calls presumably made using the technology.
Movial says the video technology has been improved to reduce CPU and bandwidth utilization, enabling users to run multiple applications simultaneously. The technology is also touted as offering tight lip-sync of video and voice.
Other new features in Movial Communicator PC 7.2 include group chat, file transfer, avatars, and IM, SMS, and MMS messaging. The software is said to be based on the latest Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) specifications for mobile devices, and version 7.2 is said to be "aligned" with Movial's mobile client, Communicator Mobile 6.0, presumably enabling it to set up video calls with cellphones running the mobile version. Additional Communicator features are said to include contact list management, multimedia sharing, and push-to-video.
Helsinki-based Movial also offers Linux-compatible IP communications clients including a "Social Communicator" module for mobile and desktop social networking, and the previously mentioned Communicator Mobile. Communicator PC also supports Linux, but the Linux version of the 7.2 release won't ship until next year, says the company.
Cyta, which claims to be the largest telecom provider in Cypress, is offering Movial Communicator PC 7.2 with its broadband telephony service bundle, says Movial. However, according to the quote below, it appears that the services will not initially integrate the PC-to-mobile capability.
Stated Lefteris Christou, head of Convergent Services and Hosted Applications at Cyta, "We are now able to provide our customers with the highest quality video calls from PC-to-PC in real time and PC-to-Mobile in the near future."
Availability
Movial Communicator PC 7.2 is available now to OEMs for Windows, with a Linux release due in 2009, says Movial. The company sells to its hardware OEM customers, including HP, as well as a long list of carriers that offer Movial software. More information may be found here.
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[Updated: 6PM] -- Movial is shipping a new version of its mobile video communications software that offers high-definition (HD) PC-to-PC, and PC-to-mobile video-conferencing. In addition to releasing Movial Communicator PC 7.2, Movial announced it has partnered with Cypriot telecom carrier Cyta to offer Communicator-based video-calling services.
