Paltalk

Paltalk Messenger

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Developer(s)	AVM Software
Initial release	June 1998
Stable release	Version 11.4 / May 22, 2014 (2014-05-22)
Operating system	Microsoft Windows, iOS, Android, BlackBerry
License	Proprietary
Website	http://www.paltalk.com/

Paltalk is a video group chat service that enables users to communicate via video, internet chat and voice. It offers chat rooms and the ability for users to create their own public virtual chat room. Paltalk is available in three formats: Paltalk Messenger, the regular version most users use, Paltalk Mobile, (iPhone, Android) the phone version, and Paltalk Express which is a Flash version of the software targeted at non-Windows users. It is proprietary software. While basic services are free of charge and basic software is free to download, fee-based memberships and paid upgrades to more capable paid versions are offered by AVM Software, the creators of Paltalk.

Paltalk appears to be profitable and had 5.5 million unique users in 2013.

Desktop (PC) Software

Paltalk's main application is "Paltalk Messenger" for PCs, but they also offer PaltalkExpress, a free web-based Adobe Flash and Java application which can be accessed via an Internet browser.

It has also been featured as one of the most popular communication apps in the Google Chrome Web Store. Paltalk Express delivers no PC-to-phone calls and no interoperability with IM services.

Paltalk has a widget called Paltalk Video Chat Widget that was released on May 12, 2009. It allows website visitors to view Paltalk rooms, both text and video. Users can now text-chat directly from the widget.

Paltalk Mobile and Tablet Apps

Paltalk has native apps available for multiple mobile platforms which allow users to publish webcam, audio chat, and text chat many-many or in private sessions.

Android:

• Tablet app
• Smartphone app

Apple (iOS)

• iPad
• iPhone

All of these apps are available from the relative app store Paltalk and on Paltalk's app webpage where Paltalk also state a kindle app is in the works.

Features

Paltalk allows users to create chat rooms where they can text, voice, and video chat. These chat rooms can host hundreds and in some cases many thousands of chatters in one conversion. Chat rooms can be accessed via downloadable PC software, A Flash version via their website, and their recently launched iOS, Android mobile, and tablet apps.

Paltalk users can also have private video chat sessions with up to 15 other users.

Awards and recognition

Paltalk has received many awards over the past decade:

• AlwaysOn 100 top Companies

• CNET Editor's pick
• The 2005 pulver 100

Patent Protection

Paltalk filed a series of patent lawsuits in 2009 against video game developers claiming they were infringing U.S. patents 5,822,523 and 6,226,686 "Server-group messaging system for interactive applications". Paltalk first brought a case against Microsoft, claiming Halo and Xbox Live violated its patent rights, and later settled out of court, despite Microsoft lawyers contending that Paltalk bought the patent for under $200,000.

Paltalk then moved on to Sony, Activision Blizzard, NCsoft, Jagex and Turbine, Inc., claiming that these companies are also violating Paltalk's patents whose damages range in the "tens of millions of dollars". This has sparked some controversy in the video gamer community as some of these companies are known for selling games for under USD $20, and Jagex provides a free version of RuneScape. In late 2010, Jagex successfully defended against such a lawsuit.

Controversies

In June 2013, it was revealed that Paltalk was targeted by the National Security Agency's PRISM surveillance program.

See also

• Comparison of instant messaging clients
• Patent troll