Tokbox
Encyclopedia
TokBox provides a free API
that allows anyone to add group video chat features to their own websites. Experienced programmers use the OpenTok API to build custom interactive video chat applications. More casual users can download OpenTok plug-n-play apps
that provide the same group video chat capability when users drop them into their personal blogs or websites.
TokBox was founded by entrepreneurs Serge Faguet and Ron Hose and is financed by Sequoia Capital
, Bain Capital
and Youniversity Ventures. As of 2010, TokBox has received $14 million in series A and B funding and is headquartered in the South of Market district in San Francisco, CA.
In 2011, TokBox changed its focus from running a branded video conferencing service to building the OpenTok API platform.
/ Facebook
/ MySpace
accounts.
OpenTok plug-n-play apps are downloadable widgets that allow users to quickly add group video chat functionality to their websites and blogs.
TokBox lists SlideShare
, eBuddy
, Bibbil, McKinney
, and PokerView as featured partners who use the API.
October – Launched www.tokbox.com
November – Launched multi-party chat and partnership with Meebo
July – Series B Funding from Bain Capital Ventures and Sequoia Capital
September – Launched the TokBox platform/ API
November announced the OpenTok API
Around 2007, one of the users had privacy issues—his friend was able to connect to his account—allowing his friend to view and hear him talk to himself. However, Tokbox seems to have addressed this issue now.
Application programming interface
An application programming interface is a source code based specification intended to be used as an interface by software components to communicate with each other...
that allows anyone to add group video chat features to their own websites. Experienced programmers use the OpenTok API to build custom interactive video chat applications. More casual users can download OpenTok plug-n-play apps
Software widget
A software widget is a generic type of software application comprising portable code intended for one or more different software platforms. The term often implies that either the application, user interface, or both, are light, meaning relatively simple and easy to use, as exemplified by a desk...
that provide the same group video chat capability when users drop them into their personal blogs or websites.
TokBox was founded by entrepreneurs Serge Faguet and Ron Hose and is financed by Sequoia Capital
Sequoia Capital
Sequoia Capital is a Californian venture capital firm located on Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park, California. The Wall Street Journal has called Sequoia Capital "one of the highest-caliber venture firms", and noted that it is "one of Silicon Valley's most influential venture-capital firms"...
, Bain Capital
Bain Capital
Bain Capital LLC is a Boston-based private equity firm founded in 1984 by partners from the consulting firm Bain & Company. Originally conceived as an early-stage, growth-oriented investment fund, Bain Capital today manages approximately $65 billion in assets, and its strategies include private...
and Youniversity Ventures. As of 2010, TokBox has received $14 million in series A and B funding and is headquartered in the South of Market district in San Francisco, CA.
In 2011, TokBox changed its focus from running a branded video conferencing service to building the OpenTok API platform.
Multi-party video chat
TokBox's OpenTok platform allows users to start a multi-party video chat with up to 20 people. The API does not require download for use and it is set up to allow the creator of the video chat to invite non-tokbox users into the call via email, instant messaging or by publishing the URL on their TwitterTwitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
/ MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
accounts.
OpenTok plug-n-play apps are downloadable widgets that allow users to quickly add group video chat functionality to their websites and blogs.
TokBox Platform & Partnerships
TokBox makes the OpenTok API available to partners who wish to add multi-party video chat to their own websites or applications.TokBox lists SlideShare
SlideShare
SlideShare is a Web 2.0 based slide hosting service. Users can upload files privately or publicly in the following file formats: PowerPoint, PDF, Keynote or OpenOffice presentations. Slide decks can then be viewed on the site itself, on hand held devices or embedded on other sites. Launched on...
, eBuddy
EBuddy
eBuddy is a privately held company which owns a browser-based web and mobile messenger service supporting various instant messaging services. eBuddy was launched in 2003 under the name e-Messenger, located at www.e-messenger.net, before rebranding itself in 2006 to eBuddy.eBuddy supports Windows...
, Bibbil, McKinney
McKinney (advertising agency)
McKinney is an independent advertising agency based in Durham, North Carolina. One of its most notable campaigns was Art of the H3ist for the launch of the Audi A3. The 90-day, interactive campaign earned Creativity Magazine’s Campaign of the Year , two Effies and a Cannes Lion...
, and PokerView as featured partners who use the API.
2007
August – Series A funding from Sequoia CapitalOctober – Launched www.tokbox.com
November – Launched multi-party chat and partnership with Meebo
2008
April – TokBox Version 2 launchedJuly – Series B Funding from Bain Capital Ventures and Sequoia Capital
September – Launched the TokBox platform/ API
2010
January rolled out its first set of paid features--$9.99 per month.November announced the OpenTok API
2011
February TokBox announced that as of April 5th, 2011 they will be discontinuing the TokBox video chat and video conferencing service to focus solely on their API, OpenTok.Controversy
TokBox was the subject of controversy when 50% of their engineering staff was fired in July 2009. This happened around the time TokBox changed CEOs. The VP of Marketing is stated as saying the firings were part of the CEOs new restructuring plan. None of the original founders are currently with TokBox.Around 2007, one of the users had privacy issues—his friend was able to connect to his account—allowing his friend to view and hear him talk to himself. However, Tokbox seems to have addressed this issue now.