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Viber

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 222.127.223.76 (talk) at 23:26, 10 February 2013 (→‎Lebanon Blocks Viber). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Viber
Developer(s)Viber Media, Inc
Initial releaseDecember 2, 2010[1]
Stable release
Android20.4.3.0[4] Edit this on Wikidata / 2 July 2023; 13 months ago (2 July 2023)
iOS20.4.0[5] Edit this on Wikidata / 4 July 2023; 13 months ago (4 July 2023)
Windows20.2.0[6] Edit this on Wikidata / 12 June 2023; 14 months ago (12 June 2023)
macOS20.2.0[6] Edit this on Wikidata / 12 June 2023; 14 months ago (12 June 2023)
Linux20.3.0.1[7] Edit this on Wikidata / 14 June 2023; 14 months ago (14 June 2023)
Preview release
Blackberry OS (beta)
2.2.14 (July 24, 2012; 12 years ago (2012-07-24))[2]
Windows Phone (beta)
2.10.0.0 (September 6, 2012; 11 years ago (2012-09-06))[3]
Operating systemAndroid, BlackBerry OS, iOS, Series 40, Symbian, Bada and Windows Phone
Available inEnglish, Arabic, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Hebrew and Portuguese.[8]
TypeInstant Messaging Client & VoIP
LicenceProprietary
Websitewww.viber.com

Viber is a proprietary cross-platform instant messaging voice-over-Internet Protocol application for smartphones developed by Viber Media. In addition to text messaging, users can exchange images, video and audio media messages. The client software is available for Android, BlackBerry OS, iOS, Series 40, Symbian, Bada and Windows Phone. Viber works on both 3G and WiFi networks.

Viber reached 160 million users as of February 2013.[9]

History

Viber was initially launched for iPhone on Dec 2 2010, in direct competition with Skype. A pre-release version for Android appeared in May 2011 but was restricted to 50,000 users; an unrestricted version was released on July 19, 2012. Viber for BlackBerry and Windows Phone devices were launched on May 8, 2012.[10] On reaching 90 Million users on July 24, 2012, group messaging service and HD Voice engine were added to both Android and iPhone applications. Applications for Nokia's Series 40,[11] Symbian[12] and Samsung's Bada platform[13] were also announced on the same day. Initially, the voice calling feature was only available for iPhone and Android applications, with a promise that voice would be added in upcoming versions for Bada, Symbian and Windows Phone applications, with no mention of either Series 40 or Blackberry OS. The limitation seems to lie in core of Blackberry OS and Series 40 which does not have easy support for VoIP apps.[14] As promised, on Sept. 22 2012 HD quality phone calls and hold group-messaging sessions were made available for Windows phone but only for Nokia users,[15] as part of exclusive partnership with Nokia.[16]

Features & Functionality

The actual functionality varies from platform to platform with iOS and Android being the first to receive new features. Viber includes text, picture and video messaging across all platforms, with voice calling available only to iPhone, Android and Nokia's Windows Phone although HD voice is planned for Windows Phone 8[17]. The application's user interface includes tab bar on the bottom giving access to messages, recent calls, contact, the keypad and a button for accessing more options. Upon installation, it creates a user account using one's phone number as username. Viber synchronizes with the phone's address book, so users do not need to add contacts in a separate book. Since all users are registered with their phone number, the software returns all Viber users among one's contacts.

Languages and localization

Viber is currently available in 10 languages and locales: English, Arabic, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Hebrew and Portuguese.[16]

Bugs

After installation of Viber on Nokia Symbian Phones such as Nokia 5230, 5233 etc., Viber doesn't update the contact list from the phone contacts and has no provision to do so manually. This has been a known bug and an issue of discussion in various Symbian and Nokia forums.

Company

Viber Media is a Cyprus based company[18] with development centers in Belarus[19] and Israel.[20] The company was founded by American-Israeli entrepreneur Talmon Marco.[21]

Lebanon Blocks Viber

As of December 2012, the Lebanese ministry of telecommunication has blocked Viber on all Cellular network and DSL due to it Israeli origin.[22]

References

  1. ^ {http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/11/viber-symbian-lumia-upgrade/}
  2. ^ Viber Media (July 24, 2012). "Viber". BlackBerry App World. Research In Motion (RIM). Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  3. ^ Viber Media (September 6, 2012). "Viber". Windows Phone Marketplace. Microsoft. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  4. ^ "Android: Viber - Safe Chats And Calls 20.4.3.0". 2 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  5. ^ "iOS: Version History 20.4.0 Jul 4, 2023". 4 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Viber for MacV 20.2.0". 12 June 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  7. ^ "viber.rpm". 14 June 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  8. ^ http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/11/viber-symbian-lumia-upgrade/
  9. ^ "Viber TruTower". Retrieved 2013-02-06.
  10. ^ Viber for BlackBerry® and Windows Phone 7 Now Available
  11. ^ [1]
  12. ^ [2]
  13. ^ [3]
  14. ^ Why Viber won’t have free phone calls on Blackberry App soon
  15. ^ [4]
  16. ^ a b [5]
  17. ^ "Viber's HD Voice Feature for Windows Phone 8 "Coming Very Soon"". Retrieved 2013-02-06.
  18. ^ [6]
  19. ^ Viber - Minsk
  20. ^ Top 10 iPhone Apps from Israel
  21. ^ Talmon Marco | Linked In
  22. ^ viber blocked in lebanon
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