TokBox Introduces Desktop Client Video Conferencing

TokBox, a video conference company that focuses on simple to use and intuitive interfaces, has announced it will launch a new AIR application that will bring the company’s easy-to-use wep application to the desktop. Using Adobe’s AIR platform, the software will be cross-compatible and available for Windows, Mac, and Linux users.

The new TokBox client offers a very simple interface. TokBox users can access all of the standard features available in the web-based client, which include video Conferencing Calls, Instant Messages, and Video Mail. Beyond the simple interface, the client also improves on the TokBox experience by giving users instant notification whenever a contact initiates a chat with them, and also allows them to set their availability status so that others know when they can be contacted, similar to other instant messaging applications. The application also generates a standard TokBox link, so that users can invite their friends to the chat or video conference even if they don’t have the client.

The new desktop client will appeal to frequent users of the site, although this new product seems a bit counterintuitive to what makes TokBox special. What has made the original web-based product so popular is that it doesn’t require client-side software, as you often do with competitors like Skype or chat networks like AIM and MSN. The release of a desktop client pits TokBox even more directly against these massive networks, and makes it clear that the company isn’t satisfied with just solving a problem, but rather, they’re ready to face some serious competition.

The new client’s no-hassle setup and universal compatibility make it a strong addition to TokBox’s quickly expanding offerings, which include a a new Firefox extension that integrates with Facebook Chat, and integration with multi-chat client, Meebo.