On July 22, 2010, TokBox posted the following message to its blog page informing users that TokBox video messaging (as we have known it) is gone. TokBox is changing its emphasis to “live” video meetings and conferences. Here is part of what TokBox said about the change.
As we started listening to users and working out how we could make TokBox the simplest group video conferencing service on the web, we realized we’d have to make some difficult decisions. One of those was to remove stand-alone video messaging functionality and instead to integrate video messaging more deeply in to our video conferencing experience.
We realize that many of you have enjoyed sending video messages in the past, but hope that you can appreciate that they do not play a role in our larger mission of being the simplest group video conferencing on the web and we hope that you will continue to enjoy real-time video conferencing.
Thoughts About Losing TokBox Video Messaging: Sheer Disappointment!
Click the start option (>) to view a short video commentary about TokBox’s decision to drop video messaging from its hosted services. I am terribly disappointed with their decision. View my comments. Reply to this post, if you like.
Strengths of TokBox Video Messaging
TokBox Replacement Strategy
Rick Lillie (CalState San Bernardino)
August 10, 2010 at 12:06 PM
Have you tried snapyap?
August 10, 2010 at 2:00 PM
Hi John,
Thanks for your post comment. Yes, I’ve looked at snapyap. I created an account and tried sending a test video message. The screen is similar in design to SightSpeed, but not quite like TokBox. As a test, I sent a video message to myself.
I do not like the way the video email message is received. The email message includes too much text and in my opinion is not very professional looking.
I clicked on the link in the email. The video message did NOT display. Rather, the follow-up screen wanted me to login or register for an account. It also wanted me to download the latest version of Flash player. I already have the latest version of Flash player installed on my computer. I was surprised by this requirement.
To the best of my knowledge, neither TokBox nor SightSpeed requires a “nonmember” to join in order to view the video message. I prefer the approach taken by TokBox and SightSpeed where I am given a URL link that I can include in the text of an email message to someone. When the email is received, simply click the link to access/view the email message.
The Snapyap website is not very informative. I want to know the time limit for a video message. I know that the Snapyap interface includes a “Private Message” checkbox, but there is no explanation anywhere about what this means and whether there are any limitations. The “Help” screen includes almost no information.
In my opinion, TokBox video messaging is (was) the “best of the best,” especially for distance teaching and learning. As I stated in my commentary, I wish TokBox had made its video messaging feature a for-pay service rather than turning it off.
Perhaps, with Skype entering the live, video-conferencing market, TokBox will discover that it’s approach to video messaging gave it a unique market niche. I hope so.
Rick Lillie
CalState San Bernardino