Twilio takes on VoIP market with client software for PCs, mobiles and landlines

VoIP firm Twilio is looking to extend its web-based telephony platform with the addition of client software designed to allow users to connect through PCs, mobile phones or landline phone connections.

San Francisco-based Twilio offers developer tools designed to integrate telephony features directly into web applications.

John Sheehan, Twilio lead developer evangelist, told V3 that the firm's aim is to allow web developers to easily add phone features to existing sites and services.

"As a web developer there's a whole set of knowledge that you build over time, and traditionally telephony has been another set of knowledge. We look to bridge the gap between telephony and modern web design," he said.

The addition of the client software means that the service will extend to new devices, and allow Twilio to branch out internationally from its traditional markets in the US and Canada.

Sheehan claimed that building the Twilio Client platform into web applications allows companies to develop a clear roadmap for moving to VoIP platforms without the need to invest in a total switchover.

"We have expertise in traditional telephony as well, so we can bridge from the mobile and browser to traditional telephony devices," he said.

"Having that bridge to the telephony system is powerful because you can migrate. You don't have to switch all at once."