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Align: An extensible video chat platform that lets you build custom meeting apps

34 points by bweitzman 6y ago

lillianw 6y ago
cool!
bubbabish 6y ago
Love the design here. Good work.
rikvanmechelen 6y ago
Don't be me, keep scrolling. It definitely took me a hot second to realize i should scroll down.
jsomau 6y ago
Cool. What are you planning on exposing in the SDK? Will it simplify the process of sending data between the clients? Will you be able to get raw access to the audio and video data to create filters? What apps are in development or available now to use?
- bweitzman 6y ago
  The SDK gives developers a functional interface to responding to user interactions in the different touchpoints of a meeting app. These include things like a toolbar button, a sidebar view, and a video overlay. When responding to these interactions, the SDK assists apps to perform a few key side effects, things like mutating a shared state or sending an event to another client. The SDK handles all of the connections and consistency there so developers can focus on the unique value their apps can add. We're currently working on a way to access raw audio + video, but it will likely not be available in the initial release of the SDK. Some of the apps that are available right now include * an agenda to keep your meetings organized * a handraise app with a built in queue * an airhorn for blasting people who talk too long * a minesweeper game you can play while you wait for meetings to start * A shared youtube watching experience that anybody can pause or fastforward.
rikvanmechelen 6y ago
I like the idea of an extendable video chat, I think google (and maybe Zoom) is doing it for corporate. It's nice to see this for personal use. One extension i'd like is a "spacially aware" video chat where you can move around. i.e. you could only clearly hear the x people around you, and have the rest as background buzz. This would mimic real life gatherings more. Is that something that you could do with this platform?
dab32952 6y ago
love it

34 points by bweitzman 6y ago

lillianw 6y ago

cool!

bubbabish 6y ago

Love the design here. Good work.

rikvanmechelen 6y ago

Don't be me, keep scrolling. It definitely took me a hot second to realize i should scroll down.

jsomau 6y ago

Cool. What are you planning on exposing in the SDK? Will it simplify the process of sending data between the clients? Will you be able to get raw access to the audio and video data to create filters? What apps are in development or available now to use?

bweitzman 6y ago
The SDK gives developers a functional interface to responding to user interactions in the different touchpoints of a meeting app. These include things like a toolbar button, a sidebar view, and a video overlay. When responding to these interactions, the SDK assists apps to perform a few key side effects, things like mutating a shared state or sending an event to another client. The SDK handles all of the connections and consistency there so developers can focus on the unique value their apps can add. We're currently working on a way to access raw audio + video, but it will likely not be available in the initial release of the SDK. Some of the apps that are available right now include * an agenda to keep your meetings organized * a handraise app with a built in queue * an airhorn for blasting people who talk too long * a minesweeper game you can play while you wait for meetings to start * A shared youtube watching experience that anybody can pause or fastforward.

rikvanmechelen 6y ago

I like the idea of an extendable video chat, I think google (and maybe Zoom) is doing it for corporate. It's nice to see this for personal use. One extension i'd like is a "spacially aware" video chat where you can move around. i.e. you could only clearly hear the x people around you, and have the rest as background buzz. This would mimic real life gatherings more. Is that something that you could do with this platform?

dab32952 6y ago

love it