Say Namaste!
A new video conferencing application is floating around called ‘Say Namaste’, introduced by a private company from Mumbai - Inscripts.
This application was brought forth after the caution against the cyber vulnerability of using the popular video calling app ‘Zoom’ came to the surface. The video conferencing platform ‘Say Namaste’ is currently available under beta development and there is no information when it will be available with the stable release.
Inscripts is a web application and software development company headquartered in Mumbai, India. ‘Rate n Review’ was Inscripts’ first product, which enabled users to rate and review products. Since then, they have created products such as CometChat, Apptuse, SparkChat and ZenOpinion. CometChat is used by over 50,000+ sites worldwide.
About the app ‘Say Namaste’:
It is an online tool that can be accessed by visiting saynamaste.in/ on your web browser. The developers have launched an iOS app but there is no update on the Android version. The platforms claims that it has “crossed 100,000 users and 25,000 meetings in less than 48 hours.”
Anuj Garg, CEO of Inscripts told: "We have developed this underlying technology, we have expertise in this, why don't we just go build our own app? That was the genesis. So, the team went ahead and built a web app that they started using to communicate internally. One of us suggested Namaste and it immediately resonated with everyone.” While talking about where the name came from; According to him, this was the first time the team used its own product as a customer.
Features of the app:
The Say Namaste app allows users to make video conferencing call using the meeting link and code. Users can visit the Say Namaste website and there one can create a meeting or join the existing meeting. When you create a meeting, it gives you meeting links and code so that other people can join the video call.
Furthermore, one can mute audio and video during the meeting in this web-based application. Users can also toggle between the screens and check for other participants. Additionally, one can use Chat feature to talk to other participants and one can also send files during the interactions.
The website also provides a feedback form to users at the bottom of the page so people can submit their queries or suggestions on the new tool.
How to register:
- Go to saynamaste.in.
- You will have two options: create a new meeting and join the existing meeting.
- Choose the option depending upon your need.
- Creating a meeting id allows you to create a meeting ID and send it to people who have to have the meeting with.
- If you have received an id, you can select join a meeting.
- This will require you to enter your name, the meeting ID, and the meeting code sent by the host.
The USP of the application:
- As per the company, Say Namaste is a secure, private & encrypted 1:1 and multi-party text, voice, and video conferencing solution.
- The video is not end-to-end encrypted just like what we get on apps like Zoom. Apple’s Facetime is a more secure video chat platform and comes with end-to-end encryption for video.
- The fact that its entire Say Namaste infrastructure, as well as all data transmission, is on servers located in India, ensures that the data is stored locally.
- The product has been developed keeping in mind local sensibilities and offers multiple regional languages which will help reach out to a wider audience.
Anuj Garg has told to a daily news website: “We use A256 bit encryption for all our data transmission and all user data is encrypted in-transit and at-rest. To ensure the security of video conferences, we do not store any conversations or videos on our servers.”
How secure is the app?
Since data security is key for users the company says that the app is compliant with GDPR. Also, while the developers are fully compliant with ISO 9001:2015 certification they are also looking to be SOC 2 and ISO 2701 certified.
For enterprises, the company is looking to enable “directory indexing of email addresses by organisations, which can then restrict video call sessions to only a list of pre-selected email addresses, to keep intruders out of the call.”
Inscripts is still testing out the SMS OTP access and says it will be launched as part of the premium offering.
Telling more about the User Interface, Anuj said: “Especially for a video chat interface, the design must be clean and self-explanatory, so that a user can perform the desired action without having to spend too much time understanding the platform or clicking on several steps before finally landing at the right page.”
The app download:
Users can access the tool on their laptops or desktop computers without having to download or install any installation. Users can join a meeting by visiting their website at- (https://www.saynamaste.in/ ) on a browser. It is expected that an app version will be launched on Android and iOS platforms next week. Once it's out, it should be available on Google Play and the App Store for download.
- Lastly, we must inform you that some rumours are now circulating on the internet, stating that the Government of India has officially launched its video conferencing platform called Say Namaste- is absolutely not true.
Due to the current traffic on the website, one may find the functioning- a little slow. The official website states, “Lakhs of Indians are currently using NAMASTE and hence you may face some temporary connectivity issues. Thank you for your support!”
