As the world rearranges into virtualized societal norms, the most convenient and simplified interaction for businesses or socially has come from video-based apps. Extensive use of these conferencing apps is trending Post COVID-19 pandemic.
The convenience of these apps is defined by their rich-features: video calling, ability to share screens, and interact in real-time.
As these video conferencing applications become more specialized, a large number of distinctive productive and socializing features are being added to differentiate apps, especially by businesses. For those businesses poised to develop the next level of customer engagement with their video-conferencing app, the following discussion is a value addition.
Developing a video conferencing application framework for your business is very similar to that of any other application you would make for AppStore or Google Play.
The core technology is to deploy Publisher-subscriber exchange wherein WebRTC protocol is used to involve Voice Over Internet protocol technologies such as Signaling, TURN servers, and STUN creating P2P connection.
However, the biggest challenge is deciding on the strategy you need to take to develop the app:
Three strategies to develop a video conference application
The strategy choices present options to optimize scale, speed, convenience against independence, and safety. This creates a solution built from scratch to develop its data warehouse which contrasts with third-party solutions and supports proprietary code to fight security breaches.
1. On-premise – Peer-to-peer approach
WebRTC will use peer-to-peer for intermediaries for communication for direct, device to device for browser to browser, and encrypts media transport by default for a secure solution for real-time communication. Multi-party capabilities for additional burden application for failing certain circumstances will be significant.
2. On-premise – Media Server approach
Open-source options to build on-premise web conference applications with media server approach for building, signaling layer with STUN/TURN servers with the actual media server, and configuration.
3. Third-Party API providers
A host of solutions are developed by several developers with a supportive live video platform with global business, Vonage Video API ,MirrrorFly Video API, ToxBox OpenTok – richest set for live video features for market.
Type of Platform Section for developing Videoconference APP
1. Web-Based Application
This platform will allow the app to be opened or used from the browser of the user. The technology is a typical WebRTC which is a standard for communication applications but the limitation is the use of Codecs in the set for a specific WebRTC. An example is the vidyo.io JavaScript SDK which allows the browser to identify differences.
2. Native Application
Native video chat applications will need additional software to be downloaded and installed before your customer can use the application. The clear advantage is that the user can launch an app easily when natively installed over that of a URL.
Define Your Features of Video Conference App
Pre Call Video Preview: A pre-check camera setting for participants to review their appearance before they go live in the conferencing.
Chat: Online conversations/IM between participants with supported features for attachments and emoticons
File-Sharing: Supported for files to be shared
Multi -Party Video Conference: Support multiple numbers of users
Desktop Sharing: Allow participants to present or view the desktop or screen
Recording: Allow the conference to be recorded for further review or assessment
Filters/Icons: Use of various elements for categorization and special display features
Whiteboard: Ideal to present an idea, like a teacher so all other participants can view written elements on the whiteboard
Live Streaming: Of event as it happens without storing before distributing online
The following features will define technology and business requirements with the app
1. Backend Development:The right design wireframes must be used to ensure full functional features.
2. UI Design: will have to be incorporated in the design stage for the ultimate user experience since intuitively these are attractive for features and video chat apps to be confusing.
3. iOS and Android Compatibility: The app should run on both operating systems – iOS and Android and not be restricted to one platform.
Video conference app development has become a simple and efficient method to add features to your business applications. Simplified technology is easily available in the form of third-party APIs which form the bulwark of Video Conferencing API's that are popular right now.
Build best-fit communication tool for your company with these popular video-conferencing APIs that customize video-conferencing, live broadcasting, screen sharing, push notifications:
MirrorFly is one of the top video calling experiences, which is setting the new normal for top-quality video conferencing. It is an excellent platform to build powerful programming tools for video conferencing. Features available
The best feature perhaps is the ‘control’ available to manage the layout of the application such that each member can see and hear. Support any platform integration – iOS or Android, along with mobile integration and web application integration. Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) and Peer 2 Peer connections are easy to set up with this API.
Built for virtual conversations, meetings, conferences for businesses and enterprise entities, PubNub offers top-quality integration features, given its core WebRTC API.
Peer connections are established quickly with encryption and direct connection, allowing it to be Operating System-independent deployment. On iOS or Android, PubNub allows quick integration of voice and video calling on mobile apps, as per standard Telephony Calling Systems.
Known for its interactive text, video and voice building API, messaging apps and calling apps can be developed quickly. Characteristic features which will power your business communications include:
With this API or native SDK, data consumption can be optimized for very low. conferencing features ensures native solution and range of add-on features such as push notifications, social integrations, data streaming, audio chat, video chats has made ContusFly a hot favorite on the enterprise API circuit to build customized video-conferencing solutions.
With a single and fully customizable SDK and feature-rich APIs, ZEGOCLOUD helps developers integrate high-quality, scalable video conferencing API into mobile, web, and desktop applications for any device and operating system. Notable features are:
ZEGOCLOUD video conferencing API is a powerful tool that allows you to easily add video conferencing to your iOS, Android and Web app. To get started, you only have a few lines of codes, which are designed to minimize investment risk and accelerate time-to-market.
CometChat API optimized business communication is realtime chat and video calling functionality. This operates as a five-stage procedure to customize the ready-to-use features within the enterprise’s digital channels.
The features can be tailored to meet organizational needs. Cometchat features to aid businesses by first asking for target audience identification, along with feature list, tech stack, and shortlisting of product features, tech stack, design, app designing concluding with a budget and costing features. Thus, the end-to-end deployment of video conferencing platforms is offered by Cometchat for customized solutions.
Tokbox Now called Vonage, this API is built to help customize video chats easily. The strong features are security-enhancing, encryption, recording, and deployment of their own firewall using their own servers. The app itself is very popular, and allows mass participation of users supporting following features:
It has a library for core functionality to connect sessions, publishing streams for the session, and streams subscribing sessions. The core platform is WebRTC for video and text chat. For enterprises it has an OpenTok video platform, running on Java API.
Video calling functionality is built for proprietary Sinch Video Call integration. Easily a much appreciated SDK provider, Sinch dominates the Video Call API platform due to its advanced features which integrate current and new applications which support all platforms.
Hence, Sinch is optimized for cross-platform integration, on iOS, Android as well as Javascript. Other features include peer-to-peer support, adaptive software for any-platform use. Integrating WebRTC with SDK and APIs for video calling features will ensure businesses have a powerful platform for video conferencing experience due to Sinch’s integrated features.
A new age platform built using latest technologies, this video conferencing-enabled API supports enterprise communication. This West Asia-based application supports reliable SDK for video calls and API which supports market needed solutions for connectivity and device building.
Network communities and user engagement are built for a secure messaging apps.
If a well-established Chat SDK provider is what you need, then Quickblox API is the ideal platform for multiparty video conferencing, with features for creating sessions, getting callbacks, and more. The video conference community it supports has ten to twelve users at a given point of discussion. The primary technology it uses is webRTC and secures peer-to-peer connectivity.
Additionally, communication tools for app builders are also commercially developed by Quickblox. This is one of the most common APIs on social networking apps as well as enterprises with special features such as content settings, location, users, and ratings.
Vidyo Communications has built embedded video digital communications platforms using patented technologies for application, network, device, and environment wherein teams have the highest experience. This API is highly favored by the
Using its VidyoCloud with Feature-rich APIs, multiparty meetings, peer-to-peer connectivity, and advanced video conferencing features can be exploited by businesses for the best user experience.
Where you need video calling solutions for the entire sales team to small-sized core technology developers teams, Twilio video calling features will provide your platform-fit solutions.
What you get with Twilio’s APIs and SDKs are the following:
Covid-19 breakout has upturned the way businesses conduct themselves. Most have effectively made an effective transition by implementing Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and finding the ‘most useful’ solution to re-strategize for digitized enterprise processes and operations. Products and solutions which improve business performance are the need of the hour. Driving such transformation in the business communication lexicon are ready-to-implement Video Conferencing products such as in above list.
Developing a video conference application efficiently is possible and hopefully this article will provide you the insights you need to accomplish it…
Statista.com has tracked the high number of video conference app downloads from AppStore and GoogleStore for the following:
| Video conferencing App / Country | Hangouts Meet | Houseparty | Ms Teams | Zoom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 30 | 8 | 11 | 4 |
| France | 23 | 30 | 16 | 2 |
| Germany | 15 | 26 | 11 | 17 |
| Spain | 64 | 2360 | 15 | 27 |
| Italy | 140 | 423 | 30 | 55 |
The convenience of these apps is defined by their rich-features: video calling, ability to share screens, and interact in real-time.
As these video conferencing applications become more specialized, a large number of distinctive productive and socializing features are being added to differentiate apps, especially by businesses. For those businesses poised to develop the next level of customer engagement with their video-conferencing app, the following discussion is a value addition.
Developing a video conferencing application framework for your business is very similar to that of any other application you would make for AppStore or Google Play.
The core technology is to deploy Publisher-subscriber exchange wherein WebRTC protocol is used to involve Voice Over Internet protocol technologies such as Signaling, TURN servers, and STUN creating P2P connection.
However, the biggest challenge is deciding on the strategy you need to take to develop the app:
Three strategies to develop a video conference application
The strategy choices present options to optimize scale, speed, convenience against independence, and safety. This creates a solution built from scratch to develop its data warehouse which contrasts with third-party solutions and supports proprietary code to fight security breaches.
1. On-premise – Peer-to-peer approach
WebRTC will use peer-to-peer for intermediaries for communication for direct, device to device for browser to browser, and encrypts media transport by default for a secure solution for real-time communication. Multi-party capabilities for additional burden application for failing certain circumstances will be significant.
2. On-premise – Media Server approach
Open-source options to build on-premise web conference applications with media server approach for building, signaling layer with STUN/TURN servers with the actual media server, and configuration.
3. Third-Party API providers
A host of solutions are developed by several developers with a supportive live video platform with global business, Vonage Video API ,MirrrorFly Video API, ToxBox OpenTok – richest set for live video features for market.
Type of Platform Section for developing Videoconference APP
1. Web-Based Application
This platform will allow the app to be opened or used from the browser of the user. The technology is a typical WebRTC which is a standard for communication applications but the limitation is the use of Codecs in the set for a specific WebRTC. An example is the vidyo.io JavaScript SDK which allows the browser to identify differences.
2. Native Application
Native video chat applications will need additional software to be downloaded and installed before your customer can use the application. The clear advantage is that the user can launch an app easily when natively installed over that of a URL.
Define Your Features of Video Conference App
Pre Call Video Preview: A pre-check camera setting for participants to review their appearance before they go live in the conferencing.
Chat: Online conversations/IM between participants with supported features for attachments and emoticons
File-Sharing: Supported for files to be shared
Multi -Party Video Conference: Support multiple numbers of users
Desktop Sharing: Allow participants to present or view the desktop or screen
Recording: Allow the conference to be recorded for further review or assessment
Filters/Icons: Use of various elements for categorization and special display features
Whiteboard: Ideal to present an idea, like a teacher so all other participants can view written elements on the whiteboard
Live Streaming: Of event as it happens without storing before distributing online
Development of the Video Conferencing App: Technical Side
The following features will define technology and business requirements with the app
1. Backend Development:The right design wireframes must be used to ensure full functional features.
2. UI Design: will have to be incorporated in the design stage for the ultimate user experience since intuitively these are attractive for features and video chat apps to be confusing.
3. iOS and Android Compatibility: The app should run on both operating systems – iOS and Android and not be restricted to one platform.
Video conference app development has become a simple and efficient method to add features to your business applications. Simplified technology is easily available in the form of third-party APIs which form the bulwark of Video Conferencing API's that are popular right now.
Top 10 Video Conferencing API & SDK Providers
Build best-fit communication tool for your company with these popular video-conferencing APIs that customize video-conferencing, live broadcasting, screen sharing, push notifications:
1. CONTUS MirrorFly
MirrorFly is one of the top video calling experiences, which is setting the new normal for top-quality video conferencing. It is an excellent platform to build powerful programming tools for video conferencing. Features available
- Peer-to-peer calling
- Group conferencing
- live broadcasting
- best HD video quality
- Self hosted chat solution
- low latency technologies & Easy scaling
- Video encoders
- End-to-end encryption
The best feature perhaps is the ‘control’ available to manage the layout of the application such that each member can see and hear. Support any platform integration – iOS or Android, along with mobile integration and web application integration. Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) and Peer 2 Peer connections are easy to set up with this API.
2. PubNub
Built for virtual conversations, meetings, conferences for businesses and enterprise entities, PubNub offers top-quality integration features, given its core WebRTC API.
- Transfers metadata pre-call
- Extensile plugins
- End-to-end encryption
- Messaging broadcasting
- WebRTC signaling
- Push notification
Peer connections are established quickly with encryption and direct connection, allowing it to be Operating System-independent deployment. On iOS or Android, PubNub allows quick integration of voice and video calling on mobile apps, as per standard Telephony Calling Systems.
3. CONTUS FLY
Known for its interactive text, video and voice building API, messaging apps and calling apps can be developed quickly. Characteristic features which will power your business communications include:
- Video conferencing
- Video recording
- Live broadcasting
- Screen sharing
- cross-platform support
- SIP and VoIP calls
- End-to-end encryption
- Low latency
With this API or native SDK, data consumption can be optimized for very low. conferencing features ensures native solution and range of add-on features such as push notifications, social integrations, data streaming, audio chat, video chats has made ContusFly a hot favorite on the enterprise API circuit to build customized video-conferencing solutions.
4. ZEGOCLOUD
With a single and fully customizable SDK and feature-rich APIs, ZEGOCLOUD helps developers integrate high-quality, scalable video conferencing API into mobile, web, and desktop applications for any device and operating system. Notable features are:
- Extremely low latency
- High-quality video/voice effects
- Smoothness and high definition with FHD video frames in low-light conditions
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Crystal-clear voice with advanced denoise.
ZEGOCLOUD video conferencing API is a powerful tool that allows you to easily add video conferencing to your iOS, Android and Web app. To get started, you only have a few lines of codes, which are designed to minimize investment risk and accelerate time-to-market.
5. Cometchat
CometChat API optimized business communication is realtime chat and video calling functionality. This operates as a five-stage procedure to customize the ready-to-use features within the enterprise’s digital channels.
- Group video chat
- One-to-one chat
- Cross-platform performance
- End-to-end encryption
The features can be tailored to meet organizational needs. Cometchat features to aid businesses by first asking for target audience identification, along with feature list, tech stack, and shortlisting of product features, tech stack, design, app designing concluding with a budget and costing features. Thus, the end-to-end deployment of video conferencing platforms is offered by Cometchat for customized solutions.
6. Vonage
Tokbox Now called Vonage, this API is built to help customize video chats easily. The strong features are security-enhancing, encryption, recording, and deployment of their own firewall using their own servers. The app itself is very popular, and allows mass participation of users supporting following features:
- high-quality video/voice
- plug-and-play video features
- Seamless integration
- Video call encryption
It has a library for core functionality to connect sessions, publishing streams for the session, and streams subscribing sessions. The core platform is WebRTC for video and text chat. For enterprises it has an OpenTok video platform, running on Java API.
7. Sinch
Video calling functionality is built for proprietary Sinch Video Call integration. Easily a much appreciated SDK provider, Sinch dominates the Video Call API platform due to its advanced features which integrate current and new applications which support all platforms.
- Seamless integration
- Lightweight SDK
- Uses SaaS cloud platform
Hence, Sinch is optimized for cross-platform integration, on iOS, Android as well as Javascript. Other features include peer-to-peer support, adaptive software for any-platform use. Integrating WebRTC with SDK and APIs for video calling features will ensure businesses have a powerful platform for video conferencing experience due to Sinch’s integrated features.
8. Apphitect
A new age platform built using latest technologies, this video conferencing-enabled API supports enterprise communication. This West Asia-based application supports reliable SDK for video calls and API which supports market needed solutions for connectivity and device building.
- personal chats
- group presentation
- custom-built personal voice and video calls
- sharing multimedia
- meeting participants upto 100
Network communities and user engagement are built for a secure messaging apps.
9. Quickblox
If a well-established Chat SDK provider is what you need, then Quickblox API is the ideal platform for multiparty video conferencing, with features for creating sessions, getting callbacks, and more. The video conference community it supports has ten to twelve users at a given point of discussion. The primary technology it uses is webRTC and secures peer-to-peer connectivity.
- own video chat apps
- enables real-time chat
- push notifications
- audio calling
- Sophisticated Admin Panel
- Secure video calling
- End-to-end encryption
Additionally, communication tools for app builders are also commercially developed by Quickblox. This is one of the most common APIs on social networking apps as well as enterprises with special features such as content settings, location, users, and ratings.
10. Vidyo
Vidyo Communications has built embedded video digital communications platforms using patented technologies for application, network, device, and environment wherein teams have the highest experience. This API is highly favored by the
- healthcare industry
- Education industry
Using its VidyoCloud with Feature-rich APIs, multiparty meetings, peer-to-peer connectivity, and advanced video conferencing features can be exploited by businesses for the best user experience.
11. Twilio
Where you need video calling solutions for the entire sales team to small-sized core technology developers teams, Twilio video calling features will provide your platform-fit solutions.
What you get with Twilio’s APIs and SDKs are the following:
- Screen sharing
- live broadcasting
- workflow integration
- cloud recording
Conclusion
Covid-19 breakout has upturned the way businesses conduct themselves. Most have effectively made an effective transition by implementing Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and finding the ‘most useful’ solution to re-strategize for digitized enterprise processes and operations. Products and solutions which improve business performance are the need of the hour. Driving such transformation in the business communication lexicon are ready-to-implement Video Conferencing products such as in above list.
Developing a video conference application efficiently is possible and hopefully this article will provide you the insights you need to accomplish it…
