EQO
EQO (pronounced “echo”) is a downloadable mobile application that brings free instant messaging, low-cost mobile VoIP and free or low-cost text messaging to mobile phones from manufacturers such as Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, LG, Blackberry and HTC. EQO operates in more than 200 countries, and the application is available in multiple languages including English, Russian, Portuguese, Italian, German, Spanish, French, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Users can also invite friends to join the EQO network. EQO is partnered with platform and handset manufacturers including Nokia, RIM, Symbian, HTC, Samsung, Windows Mobile and Sony Ericsson.
Background
Colin Quon, Jeff Laporte and John Lieu founded EQO so that they could leverage the power of the Internet to make mobile communications more accessible to more people in more places. Learning from friends at Skype who single-handedly changed the way people talk at home and at work, EQO’s founders set out to change the way people stay in touch while on the go. EQO launched in February 2006.
Technology
EQO’s product design leverages VoIP, Instant Messaging, and mobile networking technologies to enable its solution to work even in low-bandwidth / high-latency wireless data networking environments. Call signaling and incoming messages are able to flow adaptively over SMS and/or wireless data networks, whereas voice communications are typically delivered over the existing mobile voice network. This allows EQO today to support even single-mode phones without wireless data plans over current generation mobile networks. The sending and receiving instant messages and checking the presence and availability of contacts, is seamless for users on mobile devices.
Features
- Mobile VoIP communication
- IM aggregation: live chat between MSN Messenger, QQ, ICQ, Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger, AIM and Jabber
- SMS and in-client messaging
- Real time presence indication
- Call history
- Mobile Roaming feature while traveling.
Major events
- 10/09/08 EQO downsizes from 35 to 12 employees
- 04/29/08 EQO Mobile EQO Mobile for Symbian OS
- 04/01/08 EQO launches mobile roaming feature
- 02/11/08 EQO Expands its mobile VoIP service globally
- 10/31/07 EQO launches EQO Mobile WinMO version
- 08/22/07 EQO Co-Founder Jeff Laporte Named Technology Review's Prestigious TR35 List of Top Young Innovators
- 05/02/07 EQO announces as a 2007 Red Herring 100 Winner!]
- 04/17/07 EQO Named one of Canada's Top "Up and Comers" by Branham Group
- 05/23/06 EQO Communications Launches EQO Mobile, Changing Global Mobile Calling Landscape