Category Archives for Announcements

Even Better Looks on Larger Displays

This week, we have rolled out an update to the Gruveo web client that makes better use of the screen space on larger displays. Before the update, the maximum width of the call area was just 960 pixels, which looks really tiny on a large screen. The only other choice you had was to go fullscreen, leaving you no middle ground. Not anymore!

We now bring a new screen mode to Gruveo that is optimized for browser widths of 1240 pixels and more. In this new mode, the picture of the other person is bigger by 54% and the chat area is bigger by 65%. This means that you can see the other person better and read more messages at once.

Check out this side-by-side comparison (click image to enlarge):

Have fun on Gruveo, and remember that we love you no matter the size of your display!

Off to a Great Start

The Gruveo iOS app was launched just two days ago, and we already have so many news to share.

First, the story about Gruveo hitting iOS was published by TechCrunch, which immediately sent ripples all over the Internet. Thank you guys!

Next, since its release, the Gruveo app has been downloaded in 70 countries all over the world. People from 51 countries have already used Gruveo to make calls on their iOS device.

Over the past day, 32% of all calls on Gruveo were made using the iOS app, and we expect the growth of the app’s share to continue.

And finally, a great many people have discovered Gruveo for the first time over these days. Here is what some of them had to say:

We are humbled and honored by this feedback and are super charged to continue bringing our easy, secure video calls to people across the globe.

Thank you for being a part of it!

Introducing the Gruveo App for iOS

Our shiny new iOS app is finally here! Now you can make the world’s easiest video calls on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Download Gruveo for iOS right now:

As before, all you need to make a secure and anonymous video call is agree with the other person on a code and enter it in the app. Gruveo for iOS seamlessly connects with the browser application so you can talk to your friends on desktop and Android, not to mention other iOS users!

And here’s the kicker: Once you have the app installed on your iOS device, all Gruveo call links (such as https://about.gruveo.com/#banana31) will be automatically opening the Gruveo app for you. How cool is that?

Oh, and There's One More Thing…

We worked hard to bring Gruveo to your iPhone, iPad or iPad touch, and we need your help. Please take a moment and rate the Gruveo app in the App Store! It will make us all very happy 🙂

Here is the link once again: Click here for the Gruveo iOS app

Enjoy!

An Apology to Our French Users

Tomorrow, on October 14, the Gruveo app for iOS goes live. We couldn’t have been happier if not for one thing: The app will not be available in the French App Store at launch.

As we mentioned in a post a few weeks ago, France has very strict laws for importing encryption products. Gruveo is no doubt such a product because it encrypts all of your calls. Unfortunately, getting the permission from the French government to release the app in France is a lengthy and time consuming process, with no time frame guarantees.

Ironically, France is Gruveo’s 5^th biggest market, with almost 7% of the past month's calls having been made by our French users. We are thus very motivated to make the iOS app available in France as soon as possible. It’s just that it won’t happen tomorrow, and we are very sorry for that.

The Gruveo iOS App: What’s Inside

The Gruveo app for iOS goes live in just 5 days, and, as promised in the previous post, here are some highlights of the app’s features and capabilities.

Seamless operation with the web app. Easily call anyone, no matter if they use the iOS app or access Gruveo in their browser.

Mute camera/microphone. Don’t want the other person to see or hear you? Use the app’s mute buttons to mute your camera or mic.

Background mode. Easily switch to a different app while on a Gruveo call. You will still be heard and hear the other person, too.

Text chat. Send and receive text messages during a call, no matter what Gruveo client the other person uses.

Switch to/from loudspeaker. Make Gruveo use your phone speaker or headset, or force the audio output to the loudspeaker – it’s your call.

Works on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The single Gruveo app works on multiple types of Apple’s mobile devices.

iOS 6 friendly. No need to upgrade if you are still on iOS 6! Gruveo works on iOS 6 – all the way up to iOS 8.

We hope that this gives you a good overview of what you can expect next Tuesday. And if you have any other questions regarding the upcoming Gruveo iOS app, just ask in the comments below!