Saturday, September 26, 2009

Facebook gets vocal

Facebook users can now voice chat. Coming soon, the application will enable the social network’s 300-plus million users to make high-quality voice conversations with anyone on their friends’ list. The technology is being offered by Vivox, a Boston-based company co-founded by American-born Indian Monty Sharma. Says Sharma, “Each user will have to download a Vivox plug-in, which will help in everything from one-to-one chat to large group discussions.” The new technology will facilitate voice component for games and utilities too.

Netizens in Delhi have given a thumbs up to the news. “Wow! We can actually hear voices and talk? It would be great chatting while playing Scrabble or Solitaire,” said ad-man Arnab Chatterjee.

For most of the girls, it’s a great tool to filter their blind dates. “Hearing a guy’s voice before going on a blind-date would be a great help,” said Sheena, a college-goer.

However, some are of the opinion that it will further encroach upon people’s privacy. Says Ronit Bose, “Soon, we will have irritating voice ads popping up every now and then.”

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