C2Call (C2Call) lets you make web-based P2P VoIP phone calls direct from your browser whether you're using Linux, Windows, or an Apple Mac. The software is a Java widget that is loaded temporary from the C2Call web page into your browser each time you use C2Call. Using the C2Call Java widget I spoke with Martin Feuerhahn, Director of Actai Networks Pte Ltd Taiwan Branch. The voice quality was excellent and the latency wasn't too bad either considering I'm in Connecticut and he's in Taiwan!
In Internet Explorer when you first load the widget you'll see that the application has a digital signature that has been validated by a trusted source:
Actai Networks GmbH, the company mentioned in the above screenshot is the parent company of www.c2call.com. In Firefox the app just ran without showing the digital signature verification message. The client is just 1.1MB in size so it's fairly small.
The beauty of C2Call is that you can send a call invitation to anybody you want to talk to simply by sending an email invite directly from the www.c2call.com applet. The recipient can click on the link and can instantly talk to you. This is a really great viral feature that is especially good for non-technical people. For instance, you can invite your grandma to talk simply by emailing her. Unlike Skype which would require her to install the software, register a username, configure Skype, etc., grandma can just click a link and speak to you almost instantly. Here's a sample email invite being sent out to my boss and industry-leading VoIP pundit, Rich Tehrani.
The widget is SIP-based and importantly it uses the Speex codec, which gives the software its very good voice quality. So you're probably wondering how a Java-based VoIP app fares versus a Flash-based VoIP app, such as the Flashphone app I've written about. Well, for one if you decide to use an Adobe Flash-based solution, you have to use the Nellymoser codec, which is not a free codec. Second, Adobe Flash requires the use of a media server, which Martin claims is not as scalable as their true P2P (peer-to-peer) VoIP solution.
Another feature of note is that C2Call can traverse about 90% of firewalls using standard SIP technology. The official launch isn't for another couple weeks, but if anyone wants an invite give me a shout (Contact link above).
C2Call - New browser-based Java VoIP app
Windows Mobile 6.1 Update
Microsoft has announced plans to rollout an updated version of its Windows Mobile platform called Windows Mobile 6.1. The new updates include enhancements to existing features as well as some new ones. Features include e-mail, Web-access, instant messaging, traffic updates, photo capabilities, music and the ability to edit documents. One nice feature is a new zoom capability that lets you view an entire Web page or picture and zoom in up on a portion of a page. The new IE Mobile browser should help Microsoft compete with the "wow" factor of browsing on the Apple iPhone. It also features a new Getting Started Center designed to make it a snap to set up e-mail, Bluetooth devices, and Wi-Fi. Other major enhancements include Adobe Flash Support, H.264, and Silverlight support, as well as a new camera interface. You'll now be able to play YouTube videos (Flash). Lastly, they added the Microsoft Live search engine. Whoopie. Microsoft stated the updated software is scheduled to be available in late spring of 2008. The update announcement was made during the CTIA convention in Las Vegas.
Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth
Say hello to the new Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth Earpiece Collection! According to Plantronics, the Plantronics Discovery 925 "blends Distinctive VFrame™ Design with award-winning audio technology for the ultimate in Bluetooth performance."
Plantronics, Inc. today unveiled the Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece collection, a signature line of designer headsets for both men and women. Delivering exceptional audio performance, complemented by bold lines and distinctive finishes, the Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece represents a technical craftsmanship previously unseen in the mobile accessories category.
The revolutionary design of the Plantronics’ Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece provides outstanding incoming and outgoing audio clarity in any environment. Central to its performance is the unique VFrame™ design, structured to follow the contours of the face and draw the microphone closer to the mouth for a headset that is as much objet d’art as it is audio ingenuity. The signature elongated design, housing an extended microphone, enhances audio performance and connection range. Plantronics’ AudioIQ noise reduction technology adds to the Discovery 925’s performance by removing background noise while simultaneously adjusting the incoming volume – ensuring crystal clear sound on both sides of the conversation.
“When designing a Bluetooth headset, it is critical to fully understand the physical and emotional relationship between the product and the end user,” said Darrin Caddes, vice president of Industrial Design at Plantronics, Inc. “Similar to high performance watches or automobiles, our Bluetooth headset is designed to deliver a first-class experience - in this case to permit clear, wireless conversation without the distraction of background noise. It is equally imperative that the product expresses individual taste and style and is comfortable and easy to use.”
Plantronics’ inaugural collection of Discovery 925 earpieces includes a unique palette of colors for both men and women: Onyx Black, Alchemy Gold and Cerise Pink. Each earpiece is treated with glass beads and fire-blasted for a deep, enamel-like finish.
Features:
VFrame™ design captures your eye as well as your voice
Rechargeable case keeps you in charge
AudioIQ® noise control technology for clear calls
Three sizes of self-stabilizing eartips let you tailor the fit
Quick and easy set up with Bluetooth phones
Available in metallic and jewel tone colors
Enjoy up to 5 hours talk time or 7 days standby from a single charge
Each Plantronics Discovery 925 comes with a matching, soft textile carrying case that recharges and stores the earpiece. The Discovery 925 earpiece supports up to five hours of talk time, while the charging case provides an extra five-hour charge on the go. Self-stabilizing, custom-fit eartips create a light, perfectly balanced fit without the need for an earloop. Plantronics QuickPair™ greatly simplifies pairing with most Bluetooth phones.
“From the onset, our vision for the Discovery 925 was to deliver remarkable audio clarity from within a supremely comfortable and distinctive package,” said Renee Niemi, general manager and vice president, Mobile and Entertainment at Plantronics, Inc. “Plantronics leveraged the talents of its Industrial Design team to create the Discovery 925 as a true ‘tech-cessory,’ and bridge the gap between high-grade audio performance and high-fashion – a gap that has previously eluded most headset designs."
Introduced at an exclusive showing during the Spring 2008 New York Fashion Week, the Plantronics Discovery 925 has received rave reviews among fashion press, stylists and celebrities.
Here's a few more photos of the stylish Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece
Pricing and Availability:
The new Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece in Black Onyx (MSRP $149.99) will be available at major consumer electronics retailers, www.amazon.com and www.plantronics.com in April 2008. The Plantronics Discovery 925 in Alchemy Gold and Cerise Pink will be available in May 2008.
D2 Technologies Releases Mobile Handset Solution Powered by Google Android
D2 Technologies today released their mobile handset solution powered by Google Android.
D2's mCUE mobile convergence software solution combines a communications user interface with the company’s vPort MP VoIP software platform and is targeted towards OEMs and service providers to help deliver integrated Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) and Unified Communications (UC) functionality.
mCUE provides a complete embedded software framework for multi-mode mobile handsets for enterprise and consumer use, such as dual-mode cellular plus Wi-Fi phones. Its completely Java-based user interface framework for Linux can be ported to other GUI platforms.
“mCUE revolutionizes mobile communications by tying together the best aspects of PC-based communications, such as VoIP, instant messaging and presence support, with the roaming benefits of mobile cellular and connection speed and quality of in-building wireless,” said Doug Makishima, vice president of marketing at D2 Technologies. “It is a complete turnkey solution for multi-mode mobile communication devices.”
mCUE is interoperable with enterprise IP-PBXs and unified communications systems. Looking at the GUI and the feature-specs, this definitely seems like a pretty cool product that I need to get my hands on and test.
Check out the news today.
LAS VEGAS, CTIA Wireless 2008 (Meeting Room 355) — April 1, 2008 — D2 Technologies, the market leader in embedded software platforms that power IP communications, today announced that its mCUE™ converged communications client for mobile devices and handsets now supports Google’s Android, one of the industry’s first open-source mobile platforms. D2’s mCUE product line, coupled with Google’s Android software development kit, now enables OEMs to rapidly develop handsets powered by Android that offer a premium,
graphic- and media-rich user experience. The mCUE solution delivers device interoperability with enterprise IP PBXs, Unified Communications
(UC) systems and service provider networks, integrating all session types including voice, IM, SMS and email messaging through a converged presence-based communications user interface (CUI).
D2 is unveiling the integration solution at CTIA Wireless 2008, being held at the Las Vegas (NV) Convention Center April 1-3 (Meeting Room 355).
“This offering will give developers a complete turnkey solution for developing multi-mode mobile communication devices based on Android,” said Doug Makishima, vice president of marketing and sales at D2 Technologies.
“There is considerable market anticipation around Google’s Android platform, and our goal is to make it as fast, easy and affordable as possible for OEMs to deliver converged, unified communications devices to meet that demand.”
D2’s mCUE pairs an innovative, patent pending communications user interface with the company’s vPort MP VoIP software platform to address the needs of OEMs and service providers delivering integrated Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) and UC functionality. mCUE provides a complete embedded software framework for multi-mode mobile handsets for enterprise and consumer use, such as dual-mode cellular plus Wi-Fi phones.
Mobile devices with mCUE provide users with advanced presence-based and push-to-x control of cellular and VoIP calls, PBX extension feature activation, IM, email, SMS and other features typically only available on PC-based unified communications soft clients. Its revolutionary user interface, built on top of a multi-identity, multi-session, multi-protocol engine, enables users to simultaneously utilize multiple different communications services such as enterprise IP PBXs and UC systems, and commercial VoIM services like Google Talk, Yahoo!, MSN, AIM, and others.
Developed by the Open Handset Alliance, the Android platform is a Linux-based software stack for mobile devices that includes an operating system, middleware and key applications.
