Group Call With 200 People? No Problem With Line Popcorn Buzz

The Japan-based company that offered the messaging app Line has launched another innovative app known as Popcorn Buzz globally on June 1 for the Google Play Store. The app allows Android users to engage in a free group call that includes up to 200 people at the same time.

Popcorn Buzz is free to download and is currently only available for Android. The communication app allows for easy conversation between family and friends, forming strategies between gamer buddies and more. The Line Corporation also claims that Popcorn Buzz is a great replacement for existing business-related conference call services. The company asserts that this new app could accommodate both business and personal group call services.

For Android users who are curious, just download Popcorn Buzz from Google Play. After the installation, choose a username and upload an identifying profile picture. To start a group call, simply send invites after creating a unique URL for the call. The URL can be shared via SMS, email or another communication method. Good news for existing Line subscribers is that they can use their Line account to log onto Popcorn Buzz and instantly synchronize their contacts list and get started making group calls.

Once the group call commences, users can see all the other call members' images and check who is speaking through the green dots that light up in the lower right-hand corner of current chatting users' icons.

Popcorn Buzz is currently available in different languages, including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and many more. The app can support calls over Wi-Fi, but additional fees may be charged if used with 3G and 4G networks.

Although initially offered on Android, an upcoming Apple iOS-compatible app is set to be released soon, and the company also promises additional features, such as interconnectivity with LINE groups, group video chat and other pending communication supports. Expect more updates since the app is new and would probably need stability fixes.

Microsoft's Skype is the nearest capable competitor of Popcorn Buzz, but it can only handle up to 25 callers on a single group call.

"With its release, Popcorn Buzz seeks to redefine the limits of smartphone communication in a way that has never been done before," the Line Corporation said in an official press statement.