Intel agreements move SightSpeed into mainstream

Videoconferencing player SightSpeed today announced two major new agreements with Intel that will put its online video and VoIP service software into the hands of many more customers.

Under the agreements Intel will make SightSpeed’s software available to systems integrators who use Intel Desktop Boards to build computers and will bundle SightSpeed with Intel Centrino mobile notebook computers sold through Micro Center Computer Stores.

SightSpeed software is already pre-bundled with Web cameras sold at Radio Shack and WalMart, but the privately funded company doesn’t release its customer numbers.

“I can say it is significant, global and growing rapidly,” said Brad Treat, SightSpeed CEO.

The company enables consumers and small businesses to easily do video and VoIP conferencing using inexpensive Webcams and standard microphones, and also to send video e-mail messages. Its basic service is free, featuring 15 minutes of videoconferencing a month and unlimited audio VoIP conferencing. From $5 a month, customers get unlimited video and audio calling, plus 100 video mail messages, a personalized Web page and 15 minutes of multi-port videoconferencing. The premium service at $15 a month adds unlimited multi-port videoconferencing.

“Twenty-five percent of our customers are businesses, mostly small businesses,” Treat said. “They really like the multi-party conferences--they can bring four people from four locations together. And they like to use video mail to record and send a message as a marketing tool. It’s a much more personal message when you receive the short video clip from someone.”

The Intel announcements further cement a relationship that has been ongoing, he said.

“They have been a marketing partner to SightSpeed for over a year,” Treat commented. “They use SightSpeed already to show what you can do with a wireless computer.”

At a recent conference, Intel CEO Craig Barrett ran a live demonstration of video calling from a Lufthansa flight over Greenland to an auditorium stage in Anaheim, Calif., he said.

“Now they have begun directly distributing SightSpeed with computers,” Treat added.

SightSpeed software will be part of the Intel Centrino Mobile Entertainment Starter Kit, which will be included with notebook computers sold at Micro Center. Integrators will have three options for using SightSpeed through its inclusion into Intel’s Desktop Board. They can get 60 free days of using SightSpeed’s Multi-Freedom Plan, which is the $15-a-month offer, and then purchase the plan for a discounted $10.95 per month or $100.95 per year. Or they can purchase a full starter kit, which includes the Web cam and microphone, or use a trial offer with a pay-as-you-go plan.

“Because we offer a free service, customers can always try it out before they buy anything,” Treat said.