In the ever-evolving world of remote communication, a new Mac app called Boom is taking video conferencing to the next level by allowing users to personalize their appearance and enhance their virtual interactions. Developed by former Shopify employees Robleh Jama and Krishna Satya, Boom is now available as a freemium product, offering a range of features that make video calls more engaging and informative.
Personalization Meets Functionality
Boom integrates seamlessly with major video conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. The app enables users to add customized themes to their video calls, including their name, designation, location, time, and weather. This feature is particularly useful for individuals who frequently communicate with people across different time zones, as it provides a quick and easy way to convey essential information without the need for verbal explanation.
The app also offers a variety of on-screen effects, stickers, and GIFs, allowing users to react and express themselves during calls. Additionally, users can adjust their video appearance with controls for brightness, contrast, saturation, shadow, hue, and exposure. These customization options extend to different presets for various appearances, ensuring that users can find the perfect look for their virtual interactions.
Boom also addresses the issue of a blank screen when the camera is not in use by allowing users to design an off-camera screen with a customized design.
A New Feature for Time Management
In a move to further enhance the productivity of video calls, Boom is rolling out a new feature to track meeting times. This addition is particularly beneficial for professionals who need to manage their time effectively during remote meetings.
The Birth of Boom
The idea for Boom was born during the remote work days at Shopify, where the co-founders realized that despite having high-quality hardware, the software available for video conferencing was still lacking in terms of customization and engagement.
“We realized we weren’t just knowledge workers anymore—we were all streamers now. We had the hardware: nice cameras, mics, our home offices doubling as broadcast studios. But the software? Still just vanilla Zoom, Meet, and Teams. That frustration with the existing tools is what sparked Boom,” explained Jama and Satya.
From Paid to Freemium Model
Initially, Boom was offered as a paid-only product. However, this summer, the company decided to tweak its pricing model to become a freemium service. Users can now enjoy the virtual camera, themes, and reactions for free. For those seeking more advanced features, such as premium themes, custom branding, and screen share features like presenter overlay and cursor highlights magnifier, the app offers a subscription model priced at $7 per month, $70 per year, or $199 for a lifetime license.
Future Developments
Boom is continuously evolving, with plans to launch a timeboxing feature later this month to limit specific discussion topics. In the next release cycle, the company is working on features such as an agenda tracker, dynamic polls, and quizzes, further enhancing the app’s functionality and user engagement.
An Independent Path
Despite the growing trend of seeking venture capital backing, the co-founders of Boom are committed to staying independent. “We’re pretty set on taking a more independent path and not going the VC route. Our goal is to make Boom so useful that it grows organically and profitably for 10+ years. If we can do that while staying indie, that’s the dream,” they said.
With its innovative approach to video conferencing, Boom is poised to become a favorite among remote workers and professionals looking to make their virtual interactions more engaging and personalized.
Views: 0