The last 3-4 years have seen a remarkable surge in the number of people working in a remote setting. This has made online video conferencing apps such as Zoom very popular. In 2023, Zoom has locked in 300 million daily users. It also generated a revenue of $4.5 billion.
So, entrepreneurs and business owners of all sizes are using video chat apps. This is because it lets them save cash and get opportunities. However, building one can be tough. In this blog, let us look at the process of building a video-conferencing application. We will also take a look at the features and steps along with the back-end technology. Let us begin.
How Do Video Conferencing Apps Work?
First, let us understand, in short, what video chat apps –
Imagine meeting face-to-face without leaving your seat! Apps for video conferencing make this possible. It allows people in different locations to connect virtually using a computer, internet, microphone, and webcam. It captures video and audio. It then shrinks the data size for efficient transmission over the internet. After this, it expands it back to the other end for smooth viewing and listening.
Let us look at some of the essential features that video communication apps like Zoom offer-
- Screen Sharing
Screen sharing is an essential feature in a video meeting app like Zoom. It allows the participant to show their computer screen to other members in the meeting. This can help the speaker convey their ideas better.
- Chat
Zoom wouldn’t be complete without the built-in chat and video calling API function. This seemingly simple feature is very important. It enhances communication during virtual meetings. Participants can use the chat to send messages or have private conversations without interrupting the flow of the video call. It can be mainly beneficial for people who can’t use their microphones.
- Virtual Hand-Raising
Meetings in a group video conference app can get noisy as many individuals are on the call. Zoom offers a feature called virtual hand raising. When a user presses this button, all the other members get notified. This ensures that people get a chance to voice out their opinions without getting disturbed.
- Polls
Polls allow the members to vote in a video conference web app. The poll results are automatically mailed to the host after the session is over.
- Mute Participants
In a group online conference app, the “mute participants” feature allows attendees to join a meeting without a microphone. This helps to lower background sounds during the call. It also ensures a smoother and more attentive meeting for every member.
- Record Meetings
A video conferencing Android app like Zoom offers a record meeting function. This feature allows the host to capture the entire conversation. These recordings can then be utilized for multiple purposes. It can also allow attendees to revisit key points later or create a record of important decisions or discussions.
- Encryption
Security is very important for video conferencing apps. Encryption plays a critical role. If you are creating a video application, you need to implement 128-bit encryption. This utilizes a 128-bit key to scramble and unscramble video calls between participants. This encryption helps safeguard your messages sent by video conferencing API, making them indecipherable to anyone without the proper key.
The Important Elements of Making a Conferencing App
Developing a video conferencing app like Zoom can be a challenge. Many factors have to be considered when you build a video chat app. Let us see some of the basic ones.
- Back-end Development
The back end of a conference video app is the core. If you are hiring developers, you need to bring in experts who are skilled in building the server from scratch.
- UI Design
The UI design is the face of your application. So, it must be made to attract users. This can create a good impression for your video conference app for Android.
- iOS and Android Compatibility
You need to make a video conferencing app that is open to both Android and iOS devices. This expands the target market significantly. Fortunately, developing for both platforms is becoming increasingly simple. You can leverage Swift to create iOS apps. Meanwhile, WebRTC provides a framework for building an Android video conferencing app.
The Cloud Network
A cloud conference video call app eliminates the need for expensive setups. This makes it a friendly and affordable solution. The technology also allows users to conduct live video calls with anyone possessing an internet connection.
A cloud group conference app like Zoom relies on data centers. They are strategically placed around the world. These interconnected centers are managed by cloud computing systems. This ensures smooth global connectivity.
The Video Architecture
While making a video conference app, you need to ensure that it can handle the video’s requirements. Let us look at 4 features that differentiate the cloud-native and back-end technology in Zoom.
1. Application Layer Quality of Service
One of Zoom’s key advantages is its ability to fine-tune the quality of video for each individual device and network connection. This is achieved through a clever technology called Application Layer QoS. It analyzes factors like bandwidth limitations and device capabilities. This allows Zoom to optimize the data streams for each participant.
2. Multimedia Routing
Zoom’s magic behind managing audio and content sharing during calls lies in its multimedia routing system. These servers act as traffic controllers. They ensure that the audio and any shared content streams are efficiently delivered to all participants during a meeting in a multiple video conference app.
3. Distributed Architecture
A video conferencing SDK like Zoom does not rely on a single central location for its servers. Instead, they have data centers scattered around the world. This clever design is called a distributed architecture. The main benefit is reduced delays in communication. This means no matter where you are in the world, you can experience good video quality during your Zoom meetings.
4. Multi-Bitrate Encoding
A web conference app like Zoom utilizes a technique called multi-bitrate encoding. This essentially means the video stream is compressed into numerous versions with various resolutions. During a call, Zoom automatically delivers the most suitable version to each participant. However, it is based on their internet connection speed. This eliminates the necessity to constantly encode and decode the video stream.
To Conclude
Video conferencing apps like Zoom have changed the way we communicate. Apart from Zoom, there are a lot of best video conferencing apps for Android that offer these services, like Google Meet and Microsoft Teams. If you are looking to build the best video conference app, you need to integrate essential audio and video features. Apart from that, you also need to encrypt your app and design the UI. This can leave your users satisfied with your services.
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