ooVoo releases long awaited video chat client for iPhone

The new ooVoo app offers free video calling to PCs, Macs, Android phones and of course other iPhones. There's also text messaging, and up to 3 people on audio or video calls. PC or Mac users can receive the chats in a browser, and the app supports 3G and Wi-Fi.

It's a boatload of features. The app came out earlier this month but released a version with bug fixes today. User reviews have been positive. ooVoo also offers some enhanced paid plans that include calls to landlines up to 500 minutes a month and up to 6 people on video or audio calls. The paid version is ad-free with a basic plan for US$9.99 a month. You can get more talk time, call recording and other features at $29.99 a month. You can get plan details here.

I think the free version has plenty of desirable features, and it further points out how far Apple's FaceTime is falling behind with Wi-Fi only calling and no calls to anything but an iDevice or Mac. Of course there are always apps like Tango, Skype and Fring, but the advanced feature set of ooVoo is worth a look and perhaps a download if it meets your needs. ooVoo Mobile runs on the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, but is not native on the iPad. It requires iOS 4.0 or later. Mac and PC versions can be downloaded at the ooVoo site. I haven't tested the ooVoo app extensively yet, but I'm planning on a feature by feature comparison of all the video chat apps for iOS soon.