CounterPath significantly updates Bria softphone for Windows, Mac

Vancouver-based telecommunications software company CounterPath today announced the availability of Bria 3.1 for both Windows and Mac OS, the latest edition of the company's desktop softphone capable of voice calling, high-definition (1280x720p) video calling, and instant- or SMS-based messaging.

Today's update improves Bria's usability in enterprise settings in a number of ways. Firstly, by including support for a much broader range of infrastructure equipment from major vendors like Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, and NEC. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, support for multiple accounts has been added, and users can now select on the fly which account to use for voice, IM and HD video calling.

"With Bria 3.1, we have enhanced the user experience and broadened the applicability of our flagship softphone," said Todd Carothers, vice president of product management, CounterPath. "Bria 3.1 proves that small and medium businesses, large enterprises, government agencies and other users don't have to compromise on call quality, video quality or usability when choosing to take advantage of all of the bottom-line benefits that multimedia softphones provide."

In June, CounterPath released a Bria iPhone application that can be integrated with the company's other desktop and convergence SIP solutions, and the company said it will be developing a white-label version of the software for carriers, OEMs and enterprise customers and hinted at versions of the software client for other mobile platforms.

Users who already have Bria 3.0 installed will be automatically updated when the new version of the software becomes available. It is expected to hit retail in mid-July and will be available at counterpath.com for $49.95 per license with volume pricing options.