In a twitter post today, the Indian Government said that the Say Namaste App is not a Government-made app. The handle read:
Claim: Firstpost, a web news portal, has reported that Government has launched a beta version of a soon to be launched video conferencing app #PIBFactCheck: Government has neither launched nor endorsed any video conferencing app pic.twitter.com/3Hr3bP2DcP
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) April 21, 2020
Not this app, but the Government has a program asking Start-ups to build a similar app.
What is the Say Namaste App?
Say Namaste or Namaste! is a video conferencing app launched by the parent company Inscripts. The company has launched products like CometChat and SparkChat. Inscripts is a Mumbai based company. Their first product was "Rate N Review".
The company blog reads: "‘Rate n Review’ was Inscripts’ first product, which enabled users to rate and review products. Since then, we have created products such as CometChat, Apptuse, SparkChat and ZenOpinion. CometChat is used by over 50,000+ sites worldwide."
Say Namaste is a recent development that still under beta development. The website reads:
Namaste is India’s very own videoconferencing software. Built for Web, iOS and Android, Namaste enables you and your team members to quickly start a new meeting and talk immediately!
Unfortunately, the app is still not available on Android and iOS. And even the website reads "Lakhs of Indians are currently using NAMASTE and hence you may face some temporary connectivity issues. Thank you for your support!"
It is similar to other video conferencing apps. Namaste! offers users with live calling and chat options. The app even allows inviting other users to a conference call using a meeting link and a code. To begin a new call, it will request for your camera and microphone access on the device. However, you can choose to turn off the camera and mute the audio once you're on a call.
It also lets you toggle between the screens and check out other meeting participants similar to Zoom.
But is Say Namaste a Zoom Alternative?
While Say Namaste may be new to users, it may be seen as a viable alternative to Zoom. Today, Zoom is the default video conferencing tool for many Indian users. It has been easy-to-use and has universal access. But lately, the service has a lot of problems. People are concerned about their security protection. This has also impacted consumers' confidence in the video conferencing app.
Both Zoom and Namaste are video conferencing apps. Like Zoom, you can share your screen, send links to people to join through a password, text chat simultaneously. You can turn off the video screen or even mute the video. It allows video conferencing up to 32 people, claimed a source. On the app, you can share images, audios, videos and documents as well.
It is still under development so we aren't sure how safe the app is. But if it turns out to be safe, it can be an alternative to Zoom. The Inscript team recently posted a twitter post of their video conferencing. It looks like Say Namaste.
Our Team connected over a Video Call in this lock down situation for a session of Pecha Kucha
Together we were able to build a story and also catch some fun pic.twitter.com/QOK9Mdcpdk
— Inscripts (@Inscripts) April 21, 2020