Today’s remote work ecosystem has been flooded with video conference solutions, some of which are fantastically innovative and some of which are Zoom. uRLive belongs firmly in the former camp.
uRLive, a lightweight video call service, is basically like FaceTime for everyone. To use it, you simply click a link generated by another uRLive user–a link that functions much like an individual phone number, according to the creators–and you are instantly connected to that person via video call.
The main selling point of uRLive is its portability and general lack of software use. You don’t have to download an app, spend 10 minutes setting up and verifying account details, and then finagle a meeting time that uses your current email address, a one-time password, a lock of hair, and your exact GPS coordinates all to tell your boss that you’re doing what you’re supposed to; you simply click a link and the meeting sorts itself out.
This magical link can, of course, be shared at your discretion; however, it can also be embedded on your website or included on a digital resume, making it a stand-out way for clients or customers to reach out to you in a meaningful way.
uRLive is also the answer to the age-old problem of having to guide people through setting up a Skype (or Zoom, pick your poison) account because they “never thought to set one up before,” thus adding a substantial time sink to your meeting. Instead, you can send your uRLive link to the client in question and start talking within a few seconds.
There are a few different pricing options for this service, starting at $2 per month for a personal license that gives you your own link and page. If you want more advanced features like a chat widget for your website or a scheduling bot to take care of planning out your calls for you, you’ll pay between $20 per month and $100 per month depending on your needs and whether or not you plan on using uRLive for things like your company’s communication infrastructure.
uRLive is an easy-to-use relief of a service in an industry that is quickly going stale. If you’ve been looking for an alternative to the standard video conference options, this might be it.
Jack Lloyd has a BA in Creative Writing from Forest Grove's Pacific University; he spends his writing days using his degree to pursue semicolons, freelance writing and editing, oxford commas, and enough coffee to kill a bear. His infatuation with rain is matched only by his dry sense of humor.
