Vidyo announces dedicated iPhone and iPad app for on-the-go telepresence

Videoconferencing firm Vidyo has unveiled software for the iPhone and iPad as the company seeks to meet the growing demand for access to video calls on the go.

The VidyoMobile application can be downloaded from the Apple App store, and can be accessed by staff with the same desktop log-in credentials through their company's dedicated portal, the firm explained.

The software supports call quality of up to 720p HD resolution across end-points covering desktops, room-based systems and other mobile devices, and allows content such as documents and slides to be shared across the platform.

Vidyo sales director Fraser Dean told V3 that desktop videoconferencing systems have been a reasonable growth market, but that mobile use of video systems will increase rapidly as hardware capabilities improve.

"There are probably around 200,000 HD videoconferencing systems in use at present, but by 2015 it's predicted there will be some 200 million and this growth will come from the use of video software on mobile devices being used by enterprises," he said.

"The only thing that holds back the capabilities of these systems on mobile devices is processor power, and this is increasing all the time. Within 12 months it could well be possible to support 1080p and 60fps on mobile devices."

Dean also confirmed that Vidyo will launch VidyoMobile for Android devices including tablets in around six weeks' time, and that the application runs on all current versions of the operating system.

The software is also being considered for BlackBerry and Windows Phone devices, but nothing is yet scheduled.

VidyoMobile is free to download for existing customers, but has an activation fee of around £5 to cover the Mpeg licence fee Vidyo has to pay.