ooma has officially unveiled their new hardware at CES for the rest of the world to see and they’ve dubbed it Telo. It’s a cordless handset to go along with their VoIP service. → Read More
A couple days ago we received a press release for a new service named CallingAmerica, which permits you to make free VoIP calls to U.S. phone numbers using only your web browser. Offered free of charge, users are required to look at advertisements for about 10 seconds before calls are connected (AdBlock Plus worked just fine to suppress the ads, by the way). → Read More
The executive branch of the European Union is investigating whether wireless carriers there are illegally blocking VoIP calls from being carried over their networks. You know you can’t use Skype-like applications over 3G using your iPhone? If the Commission gets its way, that practice would end, one would assume. It’s like this: the European Commission doesn’t like it when companies screw you, the consumer, over. So since it suspects, apparently, that the wireless carriers are, in fact, screwing you, it’s launched the investigation. The Commission sent a questionnaire to several unknown wireless carriers asking them a whole host of questions about what “tools” they use to manage their network, including the restriction of VoIP. → Read More
It’s hard out there for a VOIP solution. Skype rules the desktop and Vonage rules the den so where does an upstart like VoxOx belong? The product, founded by a group of voice networking ninjas who wanted to create a desktop-based VOIP and chat solution with full IM and social network integration. Think of it, then as a cross between Adium/Digsby and Skype with a little Grand Central thrown in. → Read More
After 6 months of not-quite-official availability for those of us with jailbroken iPhones, Fring, a free mobile Voice-over-IP service (VoIP), has made its way to the App Store. With that, a day that some said would never come has arrived: Skype calls can now be made on the iPhone, no hacks required. Beyond the Skype functionality (which I imagine would be its most popular use), Fring also lets you chat (and call, where appropriate) friends over MSN, GoogleTalk, AIM, Yahoo, Twitter, ICQ, and of course, Fring’s own service. → Read More
Where in God’s name is Skype for the iPhone? The best Mr. Malik could get out of Skype CEO Josh Silverman was a “stayed tuned.” Great, thanks. Maybe while we’re waiting, while we’re staying tuned, one of them there indie developers creates an absolute hit of an iPhone VoIP app, leaving no reason for us to keep waiting for a Skype app. Then what, Skype? I do like how Skype is all, “we need to be available on all cellphones, and not just limit ourselves to one platform.” Fair enough, but when that one platform is the iPhone, it makes sense to put a few resources into coming out with a app as soon as possible. And yes, perhaps Apple (or AT&T here in the U.S.) is playing hardball, doesn’t want you to use Skype over 3G, or have the app be able to run in the background. That’s fine. Just release your app as Wi-Fi-only, get your blue little icon on millions of iPhones, and build an audience. → Read More
Good luck trying to use VoIP app Sipgate on your iPhone in Germany, since a court there just effectively banned it. T-Mobile, which is Germany’s exclusive iPhone provider, had argued in court that the application encourages users to jailbreak their iPhone. By jailbreaking the iPhone, users would be violating T-Mobile’s terms and conditions, apparently punishable under pain of death. Any German readers—look at me, pretending we have German readers—willing to shed some light on this? Like, does T-Mobile there have so much influence that it can convince courts to rule against some dopey iPhone app? Seems a bit harsh, no? → Read More
The promise of VoIP has a tendency to sometimes fall short when it comes to simplicity. After all, a VoIP solution is supposed to replace the standard landline telephone — one of the simplest communication devices of all time. Ever seen an old person work a landline? They rock those things, no sweat. IPEVO’s ST4RT (pronounced “Start”) attempts to blend the simplicity of an old school telephone headset with the convenience of VoIP. Is the ST4RT an advanced, feature-packed, powerful handset? No. It’s a $15 piece of plastic with a volume knob that plugs into your headphone jack and your microphone jack. You hold it up to your face, sound comes out near your ear, and you speak into a little mic located near your mouth – just like the telephones of old. Hallelujah. What a concept. When you’re all done, you can wrap the cords around the handset and be on your merry way. → Read More
Jajah, a popular VoIP service provider, has teamed with eMobile to release a new mobile telephony service on a handheld device that operates purely over a cellular data network. While the service is only available in Japan (don’t cancel those voice plans yet), it may well serve as an preview of things to come. The service is available to users of the Sharp EM·ONE Ultra Mobile Device, which is a handheld computer about the size of a Sony PSP. While the device lacks a radio for voice calls, it does support the HSDPA high speed data network. In partnership with eMobile, Jajah has developed a software client for the Windows Mobile 6 platform that turns the data-only device into a viable portable phone. The initial release of the client last year allowed for outbound calls, but users of the mobile device were unable to receiv incoming calls (they didn’t have an assigned telephone number). Users pay $5 a month for a Direct Inward Dialing number (DID). This is what phone networks will eventually become – simply VoIP over data. The shame is that we are unlikely to see such a device in the USA any time soon, as the network owners here are unlikely to give up their extreme margins on voice and text messages in exchange for data-only. They are also well-served by strict FCC rules that protects their markets, as well as controlling spectrum. Again Japan leads us by years with Mobile technology – when will the USA and Europe learn? CrunchBase Information Jajah Information provided by CrunchBase → Read More
Starting July 2nd, existing T-Mobile customers will be able to add unlimited VOIP home phone service for $10 extra per month, plus a one-time outlay of $50 for a T-Mobile-branded Linksys wireless router with built-in VOIP functionality. The router has two SIM card slots inside and, as such, can handle two separate phone numbers. You’ll get an additional number on top of your current cell phone number or you can port your existing landline number over if you have one. The offer is available for individual mobile plans running $39.99 and up per month or family plans over $49.99 per month. The VOIP service requires a broadband connection and includes unlimited local and nationwide calling, voicemail, call waiting, and caller ID. → Read More
Well look at that. We’ve seen flexible keyboards and we’ve seen keyboards with VOIP phones attached to them, but here’s a flexible keyboard with a VOIP phone. Now that, my friends, is convergence. This product, like the USB air purifier from earlier today, is also from Brando, who says in broken English… USB Internet Phone Flexible Keyboard, which is strong, silent and indestructible, is made of a high quality silicone material. It is also storable and portable that users can bring it everywhere. Its ultra-slim and lightweight design can be used for travel, school, or any other working environment. Built in Dial Pad, Microphone and Speaker. It is designed for Skype phone. Now you just pick up the Skype phone and dial to make Skype calls to your friends all over the world as simple as traditional calling. Its flat design also offers an easy typing that prevent your wrists getting stress. I would hope that the phone part can detach from the rest of the keyboard, but there aren’t any photos on the product page suggesting such a feature. There are also two USB ports on the left-hand side of the phone — they’re just USB 1.1, though. So it’s actually a flexible keyboard, a VOIP phone, AND a two-port USB hub. What a rush! Product Page [Brando] → Read More
Despite the nasty rumors going around about eBay selling Skype, the VoIP provider is poised to introduce an unlimited international calling plan that will cost $9.95/month. The 34 countries included are Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and most of Europe. This new plan will, of course, include calls to domestic land-line phones and cell phones as well as calls made to cell phones in Canada, China, Hong Kong and Singapore, but no other countries. Maybe I’m missing something here on the latter half about cell phones, but $10/month for unlimited international calling isn’t too shabby. Do any of the other reputable VoIP services offer a deal such as this? → Read More
Boy, if only these guys had "user-created" somewhere in their mission statement. It’s already a Web 2.0 smorgasbord. If I understand it correctly, the idea is that you and your friends all sign up and register your phones with the site. Then, when you want to call someone in jolly old England or jolly old Moscow, Jaxtr acts as a middle man, calling you both from local numbers where you are and running your conversation through their servers. Sounds pretty sweet. To be honest I’m not much of a phone-talker, but it would be nice to talk to my brother in India on my regular phone instead of worrying about whether my neighbor is going to shut off her Wi-Fi randomly like she always does. → Read More
We’ve reported on Fring before at CG so there’s not much need to go into details about what they do, but if you’re new to the game then check here for details. Today, Fring launched an iPhone app that runs on jailbroken devices and seems to work pretty well based on the video provided by Fring. Free VoIP calls and IM on your iPhone. Sounds good to me. Grab it here. via TC → Read More
This commercial for Cablevision’s “Triple Play” (cable TV, broadband and VoIP) offends me. It offends me not because it belittles my proud (?) heritage, but because it doesn’t go far enough in making Hispanics look like shiftless, VoIP-loving, beach-going, party-throwing, tiny-car-driving maniacs. (Have you been to Queens lately? Not too far off the mark.) I mean, I often wear a white suit while holding two platinum telephones and watching the latest fútbol match. Well, I actually do watch soccer from time to time, but that’s a coincidence. How does Cablevision, my former cable provider, get away with this ad without Some Group threatening to boycott? → Read More
San Francisco, CA
