TokBox

These days it seems harder then ever to keep in touch will all of our friends and family members.  Many of us have turned to the internet to keep in touch, but trading emails seems so impersonal and catching up on phone (especially long-distance) can quickly get expensive. TokBox is a new service that lets you talk with your friends over live video.

TokBox is free and simple to use; you simply sign up on tokbox.com and they provide you with a link. When you want to talk with someone, simply give them the link - they click and you chat. Another great thing about TokBox is that you can put it on your social network profile, blog, or personal webpage. Anyone can come to your page and see a "Push to Talk" button. They click it and connect to you in real time using live video and audio. With nothing to download, no costs or prepaid minutes, and complete privacy control, TokBox solves a number of the problems we all have staying in touch. Plus – video is so much more fun than simply talking.

Here's what MotherTalk reviewers are saying about TokBox:

Big Blueberry Eyes says: "We used Tok Box with thegrandparents and it was really easy to use. I like that there wasn'tanything to download. You just click on "call anyone" and then"invite/add friends." If they're not already on your friend list youclick on "share URL" and it sends a link to that person's email. Whenthey click on the link it connects and you're chatting! The otherperson doesn't even need to sign up and make an account."

Cutie Booty Reviews says: "TokBox is so convenient – I just send an email from Tokbox to my familyand friends with my user info. Once they sign up calling me is just aclick away. If I am away from my computer a video message can be leftfor me to view later. After trying TokBox this weekend, I can tell youthat it will be getting a lot of use in the Cutie Booty household."

Just a Mom's Take on Things says: "It’s hard sometimes to keep in touch the way I’d like – and to beable to share and show them how much the girls are growing and how muchthey’re learning. However, staying in touch will get just a little bit easier, now that I’ve discovered Tokbox!"

Seven Dogs and a Baby says: "Go check out Tokbox for yourself I promise its pretty cool and the perfect place to start for those of you who have webcams but just don't know what to do with them yet."

A Bookworm(mom)'s Diary says: "TokBox is free and easy to use; you simply sign up on tokbox.com and theyprovide you with a link. When you want to talk with someone, simplygive them the link - they click and you chat or you can click on theirname from your buddy list and call them directly. With nothing to download, no costs or prepaid minutes, and complete privacy control, Tokbox solves a number of the problems we all have staying in touch."

Mom Giveaways and Review says: "My favorite part though was how easy it was to import your friend’slists. You can import from four different instant messaging services. Iquickly uploaded my AIM and Windows Live Messenger friends."

Mama(e) in Translation says: "That she was able to get registered and that we quickly got in touchwith each other as soon as we were both connected to the site is adefinite advantage of ToxBox over the other services. It is quite easyto use, even by people who are not as experienced internet users likemy mother."

The Rogers Family says: "Being far away from family and friends just got a little bit easier. You must check out TokBox, a free (yes, I said free) online service where you can send video email messages and make video calls."

Our Seven Qtpies says: "The fun thing is that you can also add Tokbox features to your websites, like facebook, and see people through the chats there! It is easy to set up and easy to use. Youcan make videos to post on your website or blogs. Video conferences arenow simple. You can make video cards to send to family and friends,like talking through the belly of a turkey."

Dawniemom Review says: "With nothing to download, no costs or prepaid minutes, and completeprivacy control, TokBox solves a number of the problems we all havestaying in touch. Plus – video is so much more fun than simply talking!"

Lisa Reviews says: " When I found out about Tokbox,I was pretty excited to try it out.   Now, this is super easy to use. I tried it out with a few people, and they were all impressed with theclarity of both the image and the audio." 

Riding with no Hands says:  "To sum it up, I really like TokBox.The interface is so easy to use, and the fact that there’s nothing todownload is a huge selling point. Now my mom can see her granddaughtersLIVE from her computer at work."

Knitty Reviews says: "Before we moved, my in-laws gave us a web camso that we could have H call and say hello. I don't know if you'vetried to wrangle a toddler in front of a computer before, but it's lessthan successful. How fun, then, to have the ability to get themto say a few words in a video email? That's just one of the optionsavailable with the program TokBox."

Moogies World says: "It's really simple to use (both of my girls, 10 and 12 tried it) andthe best part about it is that it is FREE. I lurvs me the free stuff.All you need to do is point your browser to TokBox and sign up. You then immediately get a link, and you can share it with others so they know how to contact you."

Secret Burning says: "My daughter went on to create some silly dancing videos, which she cansend to people in our family via email. They will receive a direct Weblink to her videos and can marinade in the cuteness without having todownload a huge file or set up an account."

Rockin Mama says: "Jason’s parents don’t see as much of us or my son and they would like. We talk with them on the phone all the time but that’s not enough forthem.  They want to see their only grandchild.  Because we both havewebcams we’ve been video chatting which has helped them feel moreconnected to us and my son."   

Dirty Little Secret says: "But I wish my in-laws would get the internet because I’d love for them to use it. It’s called Tokbox and it’s a FREE way to have video chats and calls with anyone. You can even do conference calls. And did I mention that it’s FREE?"

Mom's Favorite Stuff says: "TokBox works with many of the popular chat programs,like AIM, Yahoo, Google Talk and MSN messenger. We have found it to beone of the easiest to set up as it automatically detects our camera andmicrophone."

Life of a Home Mom Says: "I plan on using this even more if the hubby does get sent overseas.I think he'djust love this feature. I will be using it a lot more now though, oncethe kids see this they'll probably want to call their Aunt J, cousinsand grandparents. Another thing I love....it is FREE, no long distancebills for anyone."

Momsational says: "So instead of staring at a photograph when you miss someone thisholiday season, or anytime throughout the year, head on over to TokBox.com so you can see your family and friends on your computer whenever you want!"