Cross-platform messaging app Imo will no longer support third-party instant messaging networks starting March 3rd instead focusing on video chat . Co-founder and CEO Ralph Harik explains why.
In 2007, Imo launched a then-innovative way of accessing instant messaging networks, and these could all be done from a central interface. While desktop clients were the norm, Imo started to support Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk, AIM and other networks through its web interface. The service even supported Skype for a time.
The service was free to use, and users also had the benefit of being able to store their chat histories across networks. Imo has since also released mobile apps for Android and iOS, which offered the same cross-network compatibility.
Recently, Imo has branched out into becoming more of a social messaging platform. The network earlier launched its Broadcasts feature, which enabled users to interact with public messages across other users within the same vicinity. Imo has also branched into video calling, with support for webRTC, which does away with the need to install third-party add ons for users who ran Chrome, Firefox and Opera.
The service was free to use, and users also had the benefit of being able to store their chat histories across networks. Imo has since also released mobile apps for Android and iOS, which offered the same cross-network compatibility.
Recently, Imo has branched out into becoming more of a social messaging platform. The network earlier launched its Broadcasts feature, which enabled users to interact with public messages across other users within the same vicinity. Imo has also branched into video calling, with support for webRTC, which does away with the need to install third-party add ons for users who ran Chrome, Firefox and Opera.
Imo to drop third-party networks to focus on own video-chat service
Today, Imo has announced it will no longer support third-part networks as it focuses on its own chat and video-conferencing platform.
In the company’s official statement, Co-founder and CEO Ralph Harik said the company’s goal is to build the fastest and most reliable voide and video service.
“Our goal in 2014 is to create the fastest and most reliable messaging, voice and video call service for users worldwide, and by focusing our expertise and time on these goals we hope to continue offering the best service possible to our users,” he said. “In order to deliver on that promise, we’re continuing to focus on innovation, as evidenced by recently becoming the first consumer messaging app to incorporate WebRTC.”
In an interview with VR Zone, Harik shares that the company wants to provide the best user experience. “It’s difficult to do this if we don’t have control over networks,” he said, adding that dealing with different networks comes with constraints, including the varied privacy settings in accepting invitations, as well as difficulty in dealing with networks with no documented APIs.
Harik said Imo was willing to deal with these complications. “Howevever, we want to provide the best service to our usersm and the only*way to be the best is focus on our own efforts.”
On whether the move is a reaction to the recent acquisition of chat services WhatsApp and Viber, Harik told VR Zone*that this is simply a coincidence. The company has been refining its chat network and building up its video-chat technology for some time now. Thus, “the decision to focus on its own network and drop third-party IM networks was not something done hastily.”
The San Francisco-based company wants to be on as many platforms possible, which is why the desktop focus remains to be based on the browser. “Our goal is to be ubiquitous and be accessible on as many platforms as possible,” said Harik. “Our effort is currently focused on video calling, and we want to make browser-to-mobile and mobile-to-mobile video calling seamless.
In the company’s official statement, Co-founder and CEO Ralph Harik said the company’s goal is to build the fastest and most reliable voide and video service.
“Our goal in 2014 is to create the fastest and most reliable messaging, voice and video call service for users worldwide, and by focusing our expertise and time on these goals we hope to continue offering the best service possible to our users,” he said. “In order to deliver on that promise, we’re continuing to focus on innovation, as evidenced by recently becoming the first consumer messaging app to incorporate WebRTC.”
In an interview with VR Zone, Harik shares that the company wants to provide the best user experience. “It’s difficult to do this if we don’t have control over networks,” he said, adding that dealing with different networks comes with constraints, including the varied privacy settings in accepting invitations, as well as difficulty in dealing with networks with no documented APIs.
Harik said Imo was willing to deal with these complications. “Howevever, we want to provide the best service to our usersm and the only*way to be the best is focus on our own efforts.”
On whether the move is a reaction to the recent acquisition of chat services WhatsApp and Viber, Harik told VR Zone*that this is simply a coincidence. The company has been refining its chat network and building up its video-chat technology for some time now. Thus, “the decision to focus on its own network and drop third-party IM networks was not something done hastily.”
The San Francisco-based company wants to be on as many platforms possible, which is why the desktop focus remains to be based on the browser. “Our goal is to be ubiquitous and be accessible on as many platforms as possible,” said Harik. “Our effort is currently focused on video calling, and we want to make browser-to-mobile and mobile-to-mobile video calling seamless.
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