By Evan Koblentz
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
CallWave today said its Fuze collaboration service is now in beta mode and can be accessed from mobile phones, using technology from CallWave’s acquisition of WebMessenger for $9 million last month.
Customers user Fuze through a PC’s browser software or through a mobile device’s downloaded client. Initially the mobile support is for Apple’s iPhone, Research In Motion’s BlackBerry devices, and Windows Mobile phones. A version for Symbian phones will be ready in a few months, officials said.
Fuze will cost $49 per month for unlimited conferencing and up 15 attendees per meeting. In an unusual move, the beta version is not free. Instead, CallWave is charging $29 per month for the first year.
Its unique features include the ability to start conferences from a mobile phone and a “fetch” option for mass-dialing conference participants, instead of forcing participants to call the conference. Some high-end phones like the upcoming BlackBerry Bold will also have videoconferencing options in Fuze.
Fuze is not currently available through any third parties, but CallWave is starting to talk to carriers about that, officials said.