Verizon to Shut Down BlueJeans, its Pandemic-Era Zoom Rival

Verizon, which had invested extensively in BlueJeans during the peak of pandemic lockdowns, has made a definitive decision regarding the video-conferencing app's fate. The lesser-known contender in the video conferencing space has reached its conclusion, as revealed in email communication to its user base by the telecom giant.

Shutting Down BlueJeans

In a widespread email notification, Verizon expressed the challenging choice it had to make in discontinuing its range of BlueJeans products. According to a report from The Verge, the company elaborated that the decision to retire this business-to-business application was motivated by the evolving dynamics of the market.

This transformation in the landscape can largely be attributed to the dominant presence of Zoom, which established its supremacy during the surge in COVID-19-induced video conferencing demands. While it continues to be a prominent choice for businesses, alongside rivals like Google Hangouts, it's worth noting that even Zoom's standing has shifted from its peak in October 2020.

Acquiring Blue Jeans

In the early stages of the COVID-19 lockdown, when the demand for seamless virtual connectivity surged, corporations found themselves in a race to discover effective ways to remain linked. 9To5Google reported that this catalyzed a notable reliance on well-established players like Google Meet and Zoom.

However, some enterprises, Verizon included, identified an unprecedented opportunity to venture into the expanding realm of video conferencing, which had suddenly become a dynamic market. In a strategic move during May 2020, Verizon stepped into the arena by acquiring BlueJeans, an application tailored for business-centric video conferencing, introduced in 2011.

This acquisition marked Verizon's ambitious stride to carve a niche in the virtual communication space, recognizing the heightened relevance of this technology during the global lockdown.

Initiating Collaboration

Fast forward to the onset of 2022, and we observe a collaborative initiative between Google and Verizon. This partnership saw the preloading of the BlueJeans app onto the Glass Enterprise Edition 2 smart glasses, a now-discontinued product, sold by Verizon.

This endeavor aligned with the vision of enhancing connectivity and communication in unique ways, leveraging the potential of wearable technology for virtual interactions. Building on this momentum, BlueJeans took yet another strategic leap by introducing a free tier in the present year.

This move effectively expanded its reach and accessibility, catering to a broader demographic of potential customers, marking BlueJeans' entrance into direct competition with the free-to-use services offered by established players like Google Meet and Zoom, which cater to consumers as well as businesses.

A member of BlueJeans' customer support team informed through a telephone conversation that the ongoing functioning of the service will remain unaffected for its existing user base, extending at least until December 2023. This assurance reflects the commitment to provide continued service to their current customers without disruption during the transition phase.

Interestingly, despite the forthcoming changes, TechCrunch reported that BlueJeans' website still proudly displays its tagline: "Nothing fits better than BlueJeans. Meet for as long as you want. Forever." This statement reflects the brand's historical promise of seamless and enduring communication.