Viber is here for Android (update at post 65)!!!

[BOZG]

Hi @BOZG

Thanks for your comments and questions.

Viber has 3 main advantages:

1. Viber's interface is very easy to use - it looks completely similar to the iPhone basic application, and this makes a huge difference for most users in the world. Simple elegance is what works.
2. Viber does not require login/password in order to log in, unlike the great majority of VoIP applications today, but instead it uses the user's original cellular phone number. This makes the registration process very quick, and helps users find other friends who have Viber very easily. This way more and more friends recommend each other to install Viber, and have free calls and texts.
3. Finally, Viber doesn't have to be open when receiving a call, thanks to Viber's support of Push Notifications feature. This means that Viber saves battery, and that users are always available to receive Viber's free calls.

Lastly - we believe that the service itself that Viber provides, in terms of call quality, functionality, etc., is a very reliable one, and users appreciate that and choose to install and use it on a daily basis all around the world (it's popular both domestic and international).

Sure, Viber still doesn't contain all the feature we'd like to see, but you have to remember that the app is still very young. It's constantly improving, and we guarantee you that with each and every version, new features (big or small) will be added.

Patience is needed

Thanks for the very prompt reply. As I said, I'm going to sign up for the Beta anyway.

I use Whatsapp at the moment and the integration with my phone number, push notifications as well as notifying me of who else uses it are certainly fantastic features which I'm glad to see Viber using as well.

One of the wonderful benefits of smartphones is that you don't just have to limit yourself to a single app so I guess I can give Viber a go and use Skype when necessary. Hopefully you can knock that piece of bloated software down a peg or two in the future!

One last question, is there any plans for desktop software in the near future?

 

[ViberMedia]

One last question, is there any plans for desktop software in the near future?

There are very general plans, but nothing concrete yet.
We are looking into the development of such version, and will announce (some time in the future) news on the matter.

 

[dmesg]

A Question to the Viber developers:

Why did you have to write your own iphone-like dialer? Wasn't it possible to add one more dial method to contacts, so any dialer can use Viber (similarly to what skypeout does)?

On iphone with its lousy dialer such implementation might be a good idea, but on android I prefer to use superior alternatives (dialer one, touchpal to name a few), and definitely not something so iphoney looking like what you did.

 

[ViberMedia]

A Question to the Viber developers:

Why did you have to write your own iphone-like dialer? Wasn't it possible to add one more dial method to contacts, so any dialer can use Viber (similarly to what skypeout does)?

On iphone with its lousy dialer such implementation might be a good idea, but on android I prefer to use superior alternatives (dialer one, touchpal to name a few), and definitely not something so iphoney looking like what you did.

It is something we considered before developing Viber-for-Android, but at decided that at this stage we keep the simple dialer.
Implementing advanced feature to Viber's dialer isn't as simple as it sounds. It doesn't mean it will never be added, it just means that currently, when it's still Beta, it won't be available yet.

Make a request (and have your friends do the same) at our official page. The more people join in, the faster features will be added to the app: Viber Beta Support

 

[janpetras]

Yeah, Viber needs a desktop application.

 

[john walker]

anyone heard if and when this might become available

 

[SamuraiBigEd]

Hi and welcome to the forums, you might want to try here, Android Applications - Android Forums where there will be many people willing to answer your question.

 

[lunatic59]

The official word is "soon". Not familiar with the developer so I don't know if that's a Google "soon" (release as fast as possible and let the chips fall), a Microsoft "soon" (promise it, and sell it, but somehow never manage to actually release it) or an Apple "soon" (serve no app before its time).

Welcome to the forums.

 

[ViberMedia]

Hi all,
This is a member of the Viber Development Team.

Viber application for Android is still at its Beta stage. We are still not sure when exactly it will be release officially.
However, you can subscribe to be beta testers here: Android Users and Testers
Once you subscribe, you need to wait (several weeks usually) for our invitation email, after which you'll be able to complete the installation and use the app on your device.

If you have more questions - feel free

Regards,
Viber.

 

[janpetras]

Hi @BOZG

Thanks for your comments and questions.

Look, we wouldn't want to compare Viber to any other specific app, but I'd like to note 3 of Viber's biggest advantages:

1. Viber's interface is very easy to use - it looks completely similar to the iPhone basic application, and this makes a huge difference for most users in the world. Simple elegance is what works.
2. Viber does not require login/password in order to log in, unlike the great majority of VoIP applications today, but instead it uses the user's original cellular phone number. This makes the registration process very quick, and helps users find other friends who have Viber very easily. This way more and more friends recommend each other to install Viber, and have free calls and texts.
3. Finally, Viber doesn't have to be open when receiving a call, thanks to Viber's support of Push Notifications feature. This means that Viber saves battery, and that users are always available to receive Viber's free calls.

Lastly - we believe that the service itself that Viber provides, in terms of call quality, functionality, etc., is a very reliable one, and users appreciate that and choose to install and use it on a daily basis all around the world (it's popular both domestic and international).

Sure, Viber still doesn't contain all the feature we'd like to see, but you have to remember that the app is still very young. It's constantly improving, and we guarantee you that with each and every version, new features (big or small) will be added.

Patience is needed

I already love it. Basically you just listed the 3 main lack of features or things I didn't like of Skype. That's why I dumped it.

Too big, sluggish, battery eater.
No push.
Force-close it to save battery? Login everytime.
I deleted it from my phone, and my computer, stopped paying, stopped using it. Told my friends to get me on my Gtalk id and I'm now using "FriendCaller" - its a really simple app BUT WITH A GREAT IDEA on how a voip should work, except it lacks push and makes you pay a tiny tiney bit of cash.

 

[ViberMedia]

A message only to those of you who are already testing our Beta version:
Please make sure you are using the latest version: 2.0.107157

Download it here: Viber | Android Beta

 

[ViberMedia]

A message only to those of you who are already testing our Beta version:
Please make sure you are using the latest version: 2.0.107157

Download it here: Viber | Android Beta

 

[janpetras]

I would rather release the beta in more stages, after all, people forgot what Beta actually means and expect the app to work prefectly.

I want Viber to have more betas, closed ones, until it resolves all problems and makes it work PERFECT.

After that, release it for the masses, so it has such a huge impact that people forget every other app out there. That's how you make it successful. Learn from LiveProfile for example.

Apps like Whatsapp, Kik, Qik, even BBM and many others were the standards for a long time. LiveProfile was launched and in 5 days it had more users than all of those (ok maybe not BBM) combined. over 3 million users in 5 days, now it's already.... over the top for any up to be able to catch it up.

Do the same with Viber, don't "f.uck" around.

 

[SamuraiBigEd]

Moved to Android Applications so more people could view the response.

 

[ViberMedia]

Hi all,

A message only to those of you who are already testing our Beta version of Android:
A new beta version has just been released - 2.0.108226.

What's new?
- GSM interruption problem has been resolved, and other bug fixes.
- Notification icon is back, and optional this time.
- Battery consumption has been improved.
- Viber is now integrated into Android's main contact list.
- Synchronization of Viber contacts has been improved

Download it here: Viber | Android Beta
Please make sure to report bugs here: Viber Beta Support

 

[ambientdroid]

Hi, I've been lucky enough to get in on the beta, unfortunately I only have a handful of iphone users that I can call.

For those comparing it to Skype, I personally think the Android Skype app is horrible. Viber has been implemented in a much slicker manner.

The great thing is that I don't need an account per se, it uses my phone number and the numbers of my contacts to find who I can call/message with it. Very easy, no logging in etc required.

I see the latest version has been integrated with the native Android contact list? The problem is that those of us that use alternatives (I use Contapps), Don't see a benefit from that. I would suggest working with the Devs of other Contact applications to try and get it integrated as seamlessly as possible, across as wider range of apps as possible. That could really be the key to the success of Viber on Android.

I'll echo what others have said (that you've no doubt heard a thousand times) and suggest that you need to develop something for PC/Mac or a webapp quick-smart. I live half a world away from most of my friends and family, most of whom don't own smart phones. To turn it into something I use all the time there needs to be a way to connect with those people, perhaps a login via facebook or something?

I know you don't like the comparison, but Skype dropped the ball a while ago and you now have a chance to pick it up.

You'd best do so before Google decides to make Google Voice available outside of the US.

Congrats on a nice app.

 

[janpetras]

Come on release it already. I don't get it why apps for iPhones get released first...

 

[ambientdroid]

Come on release it already. I don't get it why apps for iPhones get released first...

Up until recently there was a much larger user base.

Add to that, that there's only one line of products (different versions of the Apple iPhone), compared with hundreds of Android devices all with different hardware.

 

[John Huang]

What's Viber? Any description?

 

[ViberMedia]

@ambientdroid - could you explain your suggestion with contact apps? Do you have other apps (such as WhatsApp, for example) that do integrate with contact apps? How?

Viber for PC/Mac is a future plan of ours, but no official dates yet. We acknowledge the demand among users, and working these days to plan it.

@John Huang - Viber is a VoIP app that lets you talk and text over the internet.

 

[ambientdroid]

@ambientdroid - could you explain your suggestion with contact apps? Do you have other apps (such as WhatsApp, for example) that do integrate with contact apps? How?

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.contapps.android&feature=search_result

Basically it would be really handy to be able to see from within the contact page of which ever address book app you have, whether that contact also has Viber available. Then an option to call them using it.

The idea of contapps is that it as 'tapps' for each contact. Like facebook, twitter, google maps, google search, foursquare etc. They're kinda on pages within each contact.

But what I'd like to see is on the actual contact info page a marker indicating they have viber that you press to call. Much like how they have two icons now, one to call and one to text.

FYI, I sent a 'tapps suggestion' to the Devs, they responded with this email:

As you probably figured - we are debating among the development team which VoIP / Messaging service should be implemented first.


There are some obvious candidate, the ,most obvious is Skype since they have the largest number of users (so it'll be relevant to more of our users).
However, services like Viber are definitely picking up (some of us are in the Viber's beta as well) and we're seriously considering it, we're researching it a bit which means that it'll take some time, but we're definitely planing to integrate such services.


Thanks again for your great suggesting, I hope you like the latest update we've released yesterday... we're already working hard on the next one


Cheers from the Contapps team,
Lior
www.contapps.com
You're invited to join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

Might be worth getting in touch eh?

 

[ViberMedia]

Thanks for the time you put into this, we'll certainly look into your suggestion and try to contact them.

About integrating Viber in the main Android contact list - that's already done, and implemented in our latest Beta version. Have you installed it?

 

[ambientdroid]

Thanks for the time you put into this, we'll certainly look into your suggestion and try to contact them.

About integrating Viber in the main Android contact list - that's already done, and implemented in our latest Beta version. Have you installed it?

Yes I have, when I call someone (through the stock contacts app) who has viber it brings up the android preferences prompt with the dialer and viber (also skype in my case) as options.

Though there doesn't seem to be anything in the contact's info showing that they have viber. You just find out when you try to call.

 

[ViberMedia]

Thanks, we'll look into it.

 

[sflannery07]

Dying to start using viber, signed up about a month ago for the beta. Any chance of an estimation of when I'll get this sacred email?! Keep up the awesome work, haven't heard of any bad experiences on android so I'm looking forward to getting stuck in