A new iOS and Android app called Sidecar promises to enhance mobile and WiFi voice calling with additional ‘smart calling’ features. Users can offer ‘See What I See’ video, photo sharing and location information during a voice call. An additional benefit is the ability to call any mobile telephone number in the US and Canada for free when using WiFi, even if the recipient isn’t using Sidecar. All Sidecar-to-Sidecar calls are free as well (except for any mobile data costs).
Rob Williams, the CEO of Sidecar, said “Until now, voice calling has sat in a silo by itself. People who wanted to do more than talk had to toggle back and forth between voice calls and whatever else they wanted to share with the person they were calling. Sidecar tears down these barriers and lets people easily share live video, location, photos, and contacts while they talk. The result is a more fun, engaging, and expressive conversation.”
US-based Sidecar was originally launched as SocialEyes in 2011 before changing its direction. The company’s founders, Rob Williams, Rob Glaser and Jeff McLeman, all previously worked at RealNetworks.