Inman

Twilio rolls out toolkit to voice-enable apps

Cloud communications company Twilio has launched a toolkit that allows mobile and Web developers to voice-enable any application, the company announced today.

With Twilio Client, developers can build applications that let users conduct voice conversations, including conference calls. The toolkit could also support call centers, office phone systems, and call tracking tools, Twilio said. Applications covering a wide range of uses could employ the "Skype-like" voice capabilities, including those dedicated to email, customer relationship management, gaming, entertainment, news, chat and social networking, the company added.

Applications using Twilio Client would allow users to communicate across a variety of devices and platforms including traditional land lines, and Web browsers, mobile phones, and tablets running Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android platforms.

Twilio Client is available as a free Javascript SDK (software development kit); Android and iOS SDKs are currently in beta, the company said. Voice connections through Twilio Client will cost developers one-fourth of a cent per minute, "but of course if they want to charge the consumer for their app, that’s up to them," said Jenna Britton, a spokeswoman for Twilio.

Last week, real estate search and marketing site Trulia announced the launch of a mobile lead notification system powered by Twilio called Trulia Instant Leads.