CounterPath’s new software development kit (SDK) takes aim at WebRTC with the company’s claim that its updated software integrates faster and better than other technologies. But does it stand up to the telecommunications test?
Like WebRTC, CounterPath’s softphone client suite enables users to make Voice over IP (VoIP) audio and video calls, send instant messages and manage their presence on both desktop and mobile softphone applications. The SDK was designed to reduce time to market for in-house mobile app programming.
The advantage, says CounterPath, is the new SDK’s integration with telecommunications applications. The company claims it can ease typical integration issues, such as the need to deal with session initiation protocol (SIP) signaling and session description protocol (SDP) negotiation for in-house mobile app programming.
The CounterPath SDK enables programmers to integrate desktop, tablet and mobile softphone functionality into their applications without the need to directly handle SIP signaling, SDP negotiation, media engine/codecs, security and device management, offering the freedom from integration issues commonly experienced by other technologies, like WebRTC. WebRTC is a JavaScript API that enables multimedia communication through browsers.
CounterPath’s overall goal is to help companies hasten the rollout of SIP-based softphone apps for iOS and Android mobile platforms as well as Windows and Mac computer environments.
“The new SDK gives users more go-to market options for a complete solution that integrates with proven and accepted telco standards, products and networks where other SDKs and technologies such as WebRTC fall short,” said Todd Carothers, executive vice-president of marketing and products at CounterPath, in a statement.
The company invested in interoperability testing, and claims to have passed muster with major industry players that include Cisco, Avaya, Ericsson, Alcatel-Lucent, NSN, Huawei, BroadSoft, GENBAND, Metaswitch, Genesys, Digium/Asterisk, Mitel, Panasonic, Verizon and others.
The true test will occur, of course, as other companies begin to adopt the SDK.
The CounterPath SDK contains sample application code to speed up app development. It supports Windows, Mac OSX, iOS and Android environments natively. It is network-agnostic and has passed interoperability tests with vendors and providers such as Alcatel-Lucent, Avaya, Broadsoft, Cisco, Ericsson, Huawei, Mitel and Panasonic.
Edited by
Rachel Ramsey
