3Com and White Pine announced a partnership to combine their videoconferencing offerings.
3Com has selected White Pine's CU-SeeMe software-based video client as its multipoint video chat software to be used with its Big Picture video phone products, the company said in a statement.
The partnership intends to provide users with scalable Internet video conferencing and collaboration opportunities, 3Com said.
Combined with White Pine's MeetingPoint conferencing server, CU-SeeMe software makes multipoint group conferencing and operability between users of H.323-compliant with many clients. These clients include Microsoft's NetMeeting, Intel's ProShare and PictureTel's LiveLAN, 3Com said.
The companies are co-marketing and developing fully compatible hardware and software desktop videoconferencing offerings in order to expand their reach into the consumers, businesses and educational marketplaces, 3Com said.
In related news, 3Com announced the availability of Enhanced IR update, which gives users a wire-free connection between the palm sized devices made by its subsidiary Palm Computing and Ericsson's infrared-capable mobile phones.
Application data including e-mail, memos and address information can be transmitted across Global System for Mobile Communications networks without the need for fixed wires, 3Com said.
When downloaded onto a PalmPilot Professional edition or Palm III, the Enhanced IR update software adds the IrComm communications protocol to the device, which "beams" communications between the Palm device's IR port to the mobile phone, 3Com said.
RELATED LINKS
Review and buyer's guide: IP videoconferencing
We review three models and provide specs on several more, plus a discusion of where the market's heading and what to consider. Network World, 9/21/98.
Videoconferencing on the cheap
Texas ISP rolls out low-cost service. Network World, 7/3/98.
