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Polycom Announces Industry’s First Group ‘Social Video Chat’ App Powered by Polycom for New HD Webcams from HP
Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
HP and Polycom collaboration supports video chats across Facebook, Skype, and gTalk social platforms
 
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Jul 10, 2012 : Polycom, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCM), the global leader in open standards-based unified communications (UC), today announced that its social video software application is currently shipping with the newest HP webcams – the HP Webcam HD models 3310 and upcoming 4310. The Polycom HD video software is the first group social video chat application that allows users to access their contact lists in popular consumer social platforms, including Facebook, Skype, and gTalk (Google video), and conduct HD video chats with their friends and family regardless of the applications the other participants are using or where they are.
 
Because the app combines contact lists from Facebook, Skype, and gTalk, users can see who is online and invite them to an HD video chat simply by dragging or selecting them. Participants receive the video chat invitation within their preferred messenger interface and they can simply click-and-join from within their browser – without downloading anything. The free version of the app supports HD video chat with up to three participants, as well as screen- and document-sharing so that friends and family can have face-to-face conversations while, for example, reviewing a map for their next vacation, looking at the seating plan for a wedding, or viewing a spreadsheet in a budget plan.
 
"Millennials have been raised on video and use video and social media as their primary tools to connect with friends and family," said Sudhakar Ramakrishna, Polycom President of Products and Services. "Collaborating with HP’s webcams, we’re bridging apps and media to make it easy for people to come together face-to-face in high-definition, even if one friend is on Skype and another is on Facebook. This is a big step forward for social media, as Polycom-powered technology is bringing islands of video chat together into a single platform."
 
"With HP's high-definition webcams and Polycom's HD video software, consumers can connect face-to-face with anyone, anywhere in the world, all at once on popular social platforms," said Jun Kim, Vice President & General Manager, PC Displays and Accessories Business Unit, HP. "Polycom HD video software combined with HP cameras makes it easy for people to instantly come together in crystal clear quality, regardless of the platform the participants are using. These are high-performance products that make it easier for people to connect and share no matter where they are."
 
The software application leverages technology from Polycom’s acquisition of ViVu in October 2011. ViVu’s innovative HD video chat software can be embedded into web applications such as enterprise, social, and vertical industry applications (e.g., healthcare communications, call centers for retail industry, or wealth management solutions). This technology gives Polycom a fast-track to embed HD video into web-based applications through an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) model to help bring video collaboration to a wide range of devices and applications.
 
Availability
Polycom’s software application works on PCs and Macs and is currently available for free with HP Webcam HD models 3310 and upcoming 4310. The basic version, shipped with the webcams on an accompanying DVD, features three-way video, desktop-sharing, and 15 minutes of video recording.
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Douglas Fearing- Co-Founder / President

A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.

Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.

Lois Fearing- Co-Founder/Accounting, Human Resources

A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.

Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.

Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.

Ehren Tresner-VP of Technology and Innovation

Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.

Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.

Ben Voeck-Director of Commercial AV

With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.

By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.

Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.

Chris Matson-Senior VP of Sales

Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.

Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.