New Plug-In Enables Group Voice, Video, and Sharing for Google Talk Users

While Delivering Immersive Ringtone-Like Video Effects

    CAMPBELL, Calif., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Santa Cruz Networks
 launched a Festoon update enabling Google Talk users to see who they are
 talking to. Continuing its overwhelming success as the most popular video
 plug-in for Skype with more than 2.75 million downloads and more than 40
 million video call user minutes, Festoon allows Google Talk users to talk to
 and see each other, share applications, and engage in immersive video
 experiences. Whether one-to-one or in large groups of up to 200, face-to-face
 communication is better and more fun with Festoon.
     "We are redefining the video experience for the digital lifestyle with
 unparalleled group communications and personalization," said Santa Cruz
 Networks CEO Itzik Cohen. "Festoon's overwhelming success has proven we're
 right on target, as the user base grows daily on a viral basis with no
 marketing. Like cell phone ringtones, Festoon's 'EyeCandy' enables users to
 uniquely express themselves with immersive video effects as they talk."
     Each day users from all over the world use Festoon to see each other while
 chatting, playing games, sharing pictures, or conducting business.
     "We are committed to making it as easy as possible for you to communicate
 with your friends using the client that you want," says Google.
     With Festoon, Google Talk users can securely conduct video voice calls in
 groups from 2 to 200 and share photos, spreadsheets, presentations, or
 applications with others on a call. Festoon offers high-quality group voice
 utilizing the industry leading GIPS audio codec used also by Google Talk,
 Skype, and AIM Triton. In future releases users will be able to download
 additional video effects and immersive experiences, access our library of
 camera personalities, wallpapers, and more.
     Festoon is available at www.festooninc.com for no charge thanks to
 sponsors. Festoon works on any Windows 2000/XP PC with a 800 Mhz processor or
 greater running Google Talk (www.google.com/talk). While not required, a
 headset microphone and a webcam are recommended. A quick video showcasing
 Festoon's EyeCandy effects can be viewed at:
 http://www.festooninc.com/festoon_qt.html .
     Santa Cruz Networks is working with all major presence networks to add
 group communications to Skype, AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Instant Messenger,
 and MSN Messenger.
 
     About Santa Cruz Networks
     Santa Cruz Networks is a California-based communication service company
 focused on developing the best possible real-time, on demand communications
 services through its worldwide network. Its communication extensions have been
 embedded in award-winning products and are used worldwide, serving hundreds of
 thousands of users, and delivering billions of user minutes. Our Investors
 include Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ), Geneva Venture Partners and a number of
 experienced Silicon Valley angel investors. For more information, visit
 www.santacruznetworks.com or www.festooninc.com.
 
 

SOURCE  Santa Cruz Networks