Tech Tidbit Video: Appear.in

This week's Tech Tidbit video focuses on Appear.in, a website that allows you to set up a unique temporary video chat/conferencing room online for you to invite others to join you in a video conversation.  After you create a unique video chatroom name, send out the link to up to 8 other people for them to join the conversation!  You can also mute the microphone, disable the webcam, and share materials on your screen to the other participants in the chat.

The advantage of using Appear.in over using Skype or Google Hangouts is that it doesn't depend on anyone signing up for a Skype or G-Mail account...there is no registration or sign-in required...just create the unique URL address and share it out.  If you are using an iPhone instead of a laptop, you will need to download the Appear.in app from the iTunes store first.  (Unfortunately, the app doesn't appear to be in the Google Play store yet, but that may change in the future.)  You also cannot archive the video chat as yet.  However, this site seems to be a hassle-free alternative to more involved video conferencing tools.  Give it a try!

(Oh yeah, the screencast didn't pick up the audio from my friend when she conferenced in!  I could hear her just fine, but the mic didn't pick up the sound.  Otherwise, I would have included more of our conversation!)