Product Overview of Linphone
Linphone is a comprehensive, open-source Voice over IP (VoIP) solution designed for real-time communications, including voice and video calls, instant messaging, and video conferencing. Developed by Belledonne Communications, Linphone is a versatile tool that caters to both personal and professional communication needs.
Key Functionality
- Voice and Video Calling: Linphone enables high-quality audio and video calls over the internet, supporting advanced codecs such as Opus for audio and H264, H265, and soon AV1 for video. It features dynamic adaptation of compression rates to network conditions and incorporates the latest audio/video quality standards like PLI and TMMBR.
- Instant Messaging: The application offers SIP-based instant messaging with features like file sharing (photos, documents, etc.), group conversations, delivery notifications, and end-to-end encrypted & ephemeral messages. It also supports one-on-one and group conversations, message forwarding, quoting, reactions, and voice message sending.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Linphone is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, ensuring seamless communication across different devices.
Advanced Features
- End-to-End Encryption: Linphone prioritizes user privacy and security by implementing end-to-end encryption for all calls and messages. This includes ZRTP for encrypted voice and video communication and robust encryption algorithms resistant to future quantum computer attacks.
- Conference Calls and Meetings: The application supports multi-party conference calls with up to 50 participants, featuring various display modes (mosaic, active speaker, and audio). It also includes meeting scheduling, invitations, and the ability to share screens or desktop windows during conferences.
- Contact Management and Call Handling: Users can manage their contacts effectively, record voice and video calls, and utilize call forwarding and transfer features. Additional functionalities include blind and attended call forwarding, management of multiple concurrent calls, and automatic answer for call centers.
- Customization and Integration: Linphone offers several customization options to personalize the user experience, including settings for audio and video quality, alerts, and call handling. It integrates well with other communication services and protocols, such as SIP-based instant messaging and chat services.
- Security and Authentication: The application supports multiple authentication methods, secure password storage with hashing algorithms, and Single Sign-On (SSO) using OpenID Connect and OAuth 2.0. It also features a trust verification mechanism to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.
- Push Notifications: Linphone is compatible with push notification services from Google (Firebase) and Apple (APNs), ensuring users never miss incoming calls or messages, even when the app is not actively in use.
Additional Components
- Liblinphone SDK: A cross-platform VoIP library that implements all SIP calling and IM features within a single API, allowing developers to integrate Linphone functionality into their applications.
- Flexisip Server Suite: A modular server suite with features like account and configuration management, call routing, chat, conferencing, and presence, making it suitable for deploying services with high user volumes and traffic.
In summary, Linphone is a powerful and flexible VoIP solution that combines high-quality voice and video calls, robust instant messaging, advanced security features, and extensive customization options, making it an ideal choice for both personal and professional communication needs.