It's been 11 years since Amazon first launched Amazon Web Services (AWS). The cloud computing and on-demand computing platform remained mostly non-specific for the vast majority of that time, but that is slowly changing and Amazon is starting to cater to specific niches within the business market. The latest of those is video and voice chat.
Today, Amazon launched Chime. It's a "unified communications service" which is meant to make having a meeting with lots of people around the world as easy as possible. In other words, it's a direct competitor with Skype and Google Hangouts, and a major blow to any company offering an expensive enterprise-focused meeting software/service.
Amazon Chime focuses on simplicity, stating that video and voice chat meetings can be started with a single click or screen tap. It's one app that works everywhere: desktop, laptop, tablet, and phone, and you can switch between them seamlessly if, for example, you need to leave your desk. There's also screen sharing, chat rooms, remote desktop control, the ability to record meetings, meeting URLs to make inviting attendees as simple as possible, and no more forgetting to attend because Chime calls you when a meeting starts.
Related
- Google Voice Gets First Update in 5 YearsGoogle Voice Gets First Update in 5 Years
There's three Amazon Chime plans, which vary in the features they offer. The Basic Plan is free, but limits meetings to two users either using video or voice calls and doesn't allow screen sharing. A Plus Plan unlocks screen sharing, chat rooms, and allows message histories of up to 1GB to be stored, all for $2.50 per user per month. Then there's the Pro Plan, which costs $15 per user per month. Pro is for larger businesses, offering meetings with up to 100 attendees, meeting recording, and conference room video system support.
While squarely aimed at business users, the free Basic Plan will allow two people to chat using Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android devices. And depending on how popular Chime turns out to be, there's nothing to stop Amazon expanding the subscription options with some more consumer-friendly tiers down the line.
Are you planning to buy a gadget for a tech-obsessed male friend? Easier said than done, we all know how difficult it can be to select one particular product o...
The former co-founder of Hyperloop One has made his grand return to the world of firing people across the country in vacuum tubes. Brogan BamBrogan has announce...
Contrary to the traditional belief that gaming is merely an addictive source of entertainment and diversion, recent research has proved that gaming has numero...
Timothy Twerdahl, who previously worked on the Fire TV, will be in charge of Apple TV product marketing.
The new MacBook, first released in 2015, makes a chime sound every time you plug the MacBook in, just like the iPhone and iPad. But the MacBook Pro and Air don’t–unless you enable this hidden feature.
Relax Amazon Launches Chime Video & Voice Chat stories
She's edgy, funny and 100 percent authentic.
Amazon Go, which lets you grab groceries and walk out, is a terrible template for the future of stores.
More than 200 people posted their thoughts on the suicide attempt through the anonymous chat App Blind.
This Amazon and eBay scheme is driving some entrepreneurs nuts.
Third party sellers and those who dropship will have to make changes.
If you've been looking for a way to power on your PC using just your voice, the search is over. The answer is a marriage between Alexa, Android and IFTTT.
The Google Home might not have the Echo's "skills," but there's still plenty it can do.
There are four live streaming options for what promises to be an historic World Series between the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians.
Wakey wakey.
The value of your clothing has nothing to do with the value of your work and ideas.
You wouldn't have to worry about counterfeit chargers thanks to an MIT chip.
It might be an ideal form of energy storage for solar and wind power.
Devote time to your side hustle while keeping your regular paycheck.
Gatekeepers can only say no. Try these techniques for gaining access to their bosses who can say yes.
Improve the way you improve your employees by making a plan for training and development.
Wireless competition has its benefits.
A CEO shares insights about why it's important to fire fast.
In other news, Tesla says it will begin Model 3 production by the end of the month.