Conversations should begin by video as simply as they do in person. The fact is they don’t. You have to give up your email address, set up an account and share personal information as well as download software before starting to talk.

Recently, we introduced Firefox Hello, the first global communications system built directly into a browser to help make things easier.

Today we’re simplifying the call process by eliminating some steps. After locating the Hello icon in the menu bar or customization panel, simply click the ‘Start a conversation’ button to create your first conversation. Now when you start a conversation, a window opens showing a self-view until the person you have invited clicks on the link and joins you. While you’re waiting for them to join, you can navigate away from this call window to a website. Hello will then notify you when another party joins the room. The Hello icon will turn blue and you’ll get an audio alert.



Demonstration of Firefox Hello

Each conversation uses a unique URL for two people to communicate more easily over video or audio. You can create multiple conversations and name them for different occasions, making it easier to go back to the people you speak to regularly without having to create a new link each time. This can all be done without the need for setting up an account or giving up any of your personal information. You might label one conversation ‘121’ for your weekly check-in with a co-worker and another ‘Family time’ for your regular family catch-up. Your saved conversations will always be there when you need them.



Conversation window in Firefox Hello

For those of you who want to contact someone directly, you just need to make sure both parties have Firefox Accounts. If your contacts have a Firefox Account and are online, then you can call these contacts directly from Firefox. You can sign into your Firefox Account on every computer you use, so you can be reached at home or at work. If you have a Google account, you can easily import your contacts to your Hello address book. Simply select ‘Import Contacts’ from the address book and then sign into your Google account to give permission.

Experiencing the Web Together

We’ve been developing Firefox Hello with our long-term partner Telefónica, and leveraging TokBox technology to help power the service, but this is just the beginning. As we look to expand Firefox Hello into a comprehensive tool for communicating over the Web, we’ll be testing new features like screen sharing and online collaboration so people can be more productive and get the most out of their video calls. This could include things like planning a vacation, shopping online or playing a game while on a video call together. The possibilities are endless.

So what are you waiting for? Why not say ‘hello’ to someone today! Here’s how to get started.

We hope you enjoy using Hello and look forward to sharing more updates with you soon.