Messaging giant LINE Corp. has launched a new app called Popcorn Buzz, a teleconferencing app that allows users to talk to up to 200 people at the same time.
Described by the company as a “a revolutionary free group call app that allows up to 200 participants to simultaneously converse” the app offers powerful group call functionality which the company says is “perfect for just about any situation;” although we not sure how many LINE users would need to talk to 200 people at once.
While being able to be used by everyday LINE users, where the pitch for the new product gets interesting is that LINE is advertising it as an alternative to paid business-grade conference call services, placing it in the same market as Microsoft Corp.’s Skype, Google, Inc.’s Google Talk, as well as dedicated, paid conference calling services.
“For users that need to talk to multiple people at once, Popcorn Buzz accommodates both personal and business usage, all for free” the company notes.
Login comes in two forms: existing LINE users can log into Popcorn Buzz with their LINE accounts and immediately synchronize their friends list data, or non-LINE users can register a Popcorn Buzz account.
Once in, to set up a call a user sends out the call’s URL via email, text message or other format.
During a call, users are able to see who else is on the call, and a green dot lights up at the bottom right-hand side of the app indicating who is currently talking.
Wide in the new black
Most companies entering new spaces with news apps would come as a surprise, but not so with LINE.
The Japanese messaging company has been expanded into wider verticals now for months, having launched a taxi service in January, a discount grocery shopping service in February, then later launching the standalone selfie app B612 in April.
What perhaps makes what LINE is doing unique is that it’s bucking the trend for chat apps to become one-stop shops for various services (the taxi service being the exception,) and is instead launching new apps; whether this is a good move or an insane move will only be shown with time.
Given LINE needs to expand its overall share outside of its core markets (Japan, Thailand, Mexico, Spain, Columbia,) the out of the box thinking may play out well for them, particularly given the B612 selfie app already has nearly 50 million downloads on Google Play alone.
Popcorn Buzz is currently available for download on Android devices, with an iOS app said to be coming soon.