VoIP will allow users to user their broadband connection to make phone calls over the Internet. The widespread use of VoIP has caused a revolution in the phone industry. With the VoIP service giving users the chance to make phone calls over the internet it is easy to see why this has rocked the telecoms industry.
VoIP at present is becoming the most cost effective way to make long distance telephone calls. Before VoIP telephone service providers had a strong hold on lucrative and 99% of the time over priced long distance services.
Due to the introduction of Voip the long distance calling market has began to open to up to competition. The main reason for this is that most Internet users will begin implementing VoIP. The main reason being that VoIP is the most cost effective way to make long distance telephone calls.
VoIP Development Process
Over the last 10 year VoIP has been slowly developing. In the early days computer users were able to talk to one another through their computers. You were only able to do this if you had a voice enabled computer with good Internet connection and you would need to have a software program installed on your computer.
The main advantage to this was that it allowed user to be able to contact anyone from around the world for free aslong as they had the same setup as you.
The disadvantages to this system was that sound quality was never great, broadband was not being widely used and the user you were trying to contact would have to be online.
Today’s VoIP has made these problems a thing of the past.
The two things that were required to make VoIP technology appeal to the wide spread market have been accomplished.
Broadband is now a widly used internet service. This allows users to have a stable internet connection that can always be on.
Secondly the VoIP industry has been able to develop a simple and inexpenisve way of integrating the IP network (aka Internet) with a traditional telephone system.
What this means is that VoIP users are able to use their own telephone to call anyone else in the world who has the traditonal telephone connection.
Traditional telecom companies such as Qwest, AT&T and Bell have developed their own type of VoIP technology. This has given consumers a huge number of choices. Now anybody anywhere with a boradband internet connection is able to call anyone anywhere in the world who has a ordinary telephone connection.
Why VoIP Will Save You Money
The major advantage of VoIP is the low cost, with no significant decrease in voice quality.
1st, a VoIP subscriber doesn’t require a traditional phone line. Instead, you are assigned a phone number by your VoIP provider.
Prices for these calls can be as low as $9 per month. 2nd, virtually all VoIP subscribers will buy a “bundle” of services that includes unlimited incoming calls and unlimited long distance calls to anyone in a defined geographic area. As an example, VoIP unlimited calling plans to anyone in the US or even Canada will only cost around $20 per month.
Third, virtually all VoIP service providers offer free bundled features that virtually all traditional telephone corporations charge for. These include free voicemail, call forwarding, caller ID, call waiting, call waiting ID, three way calling, speed dialing.
VoIP provides better flexibility and portability
An additional important benefit is the flexibility and portability of VoIP phone service. With VoIP your individual telephone number is programmed into the converter that acts as a bridge between your internet connection and your regular telephone.
This has many important benefits. As already mentioned you don’t want an actual land line. Instead your telephone number is assigned to your converter (not to your geographic land line). So you are able to take your converter with you anywhere in the globe, plug it into any available broadband connection, and immediately you can employ your regular number to produce and receive calls.
This flexibility also lets you select a number in an area code where virtually all of your long distance calls originate. For instance, if many of your friends, family, business associates or even customers are calling from a specific city that traditionally involved an extended distance call for them, you may pick a number in that area code and immediately turn all their calls to you into local (free) calls for them.
The benefits of VoIP are many, and the savings can be incredibly important. So it’s no wonder that VoIP has turned into the hottest telecom technology of the decade. Informed consumers and businesses around the globe are adopting this technology at a phenomenal rate.
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).
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 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.
It seems new software comes out daily that enables you to run a VoIP application, such as Skype, on your mobile phone natively, through a bridged gateway, or using the Skype API. While Skype is certainly the most popular VoIP application, other software solutions exist that use the SIP standard. Still others provide SIP-to-Skype bridging capabilities. I thought it would be useful to have a rundown of the various solutions out there.
SoonR Talk - I broke the news about this first software application to enable VoIP on the Apple iPhone. It features a nice clean interface that emulates the Skype client look and feel, as seen in the screenshot to the right. The way it works is that the AJAX interface acts as a remote control for your computer where the SoonR service is installed along with Skype. There is nothing to install on your phone because SoonR Talk uses a browser that supports AJAX. You simply login into SoonR website.
Shape Services' IM+ for Skype - lets you run Skype on the iPhone with their IM+ for Skype application. IM+ for Skype, also works on the iPod touch. The beauty of IM+ for Skype is that it doesn't even require Skype to be running on your PC - it leverages the Skype API and servers run by the IM+ for Skype folks (Shape Services). You can find out more info in my Skype on the Apple iPod touch article.
SIP to Skype calls - Check out my article here for a how-to step-by-step guide that lets you deliver SIP calls directly to Skype. Essentially you can have a SIP DID number ring your Skype client. The workaround uses Net2Max.com's One Click Contact number (1CC number) to make this possible.
SippySkype - Java software that allows you to make and receive Skype calls from your SIP/VoIP adapter or SIP softphone. Basically it's a Skype/SIP Bridge/Gateway/Proxy. You'll need a SIP client on your mobile phone for this to work. But assuming your mobile phone can run a SIP client, you can make SIP-to-Skype calls.
iPhoneGnome, enables PhoneGnome calling from your iPhone. You can call other PhoneGnome numbers as well as anyone using SIP-based services, FWD, MSN, Yahoo, Google Talk, and any other numbers that you can call from your PhoneGnome account.
I should stress that there are non-Skype VoIP apps that run on mobile phones, many of which target the Apple iPhone, but not all. This next example, Jajah does support the iPhone, but they actually support any mobile phone.
Jajah - They have several mobile phone-to-VoIP solutions available. There's the JAJAH Apple iPhone and iPod Touch App. There's Jajah Direct, which allows you to simply dial a local access number to talk globally - no Internet or data access needed and you can skip having to dial from your PC using VoIP software (i.e. Skype). There's also the Jajah native SIP client. And of course there's Jajah Mobile Web (http://mobile.jajah.com) which gives you one-click access to their free or low-cost global calling service, directly from the browser, which works with any mobile phone with web access since no application download is needed.
truphone - truphone has native VoIP applications for several mobile phones. It currently works on many of the popular Nokia N-series (eg, N95) and E-series phones (eg, E90). truphone leverages the SIP standard for all of their softclients. Also, truphone supports the Apple iPhone and was the first to offer a true 100% native VoIP application on the iPhone. You have to jailbreak your iPhone to install it though.
Sipcall - This is an exciting new offering currently in beta. They offer a free Skype and SIP calling service called Hipsip that works from any mobile phone's web browser. You simply install their bridging software on your PC and then from your mobile phone you can access Hipsip and call any Skype or SIP user. The software will make a cell phone call to a local Hipsip number automatically. Hipsip converts the call to VoIP and bridges the call with the Skype or SIP user you dialed. (Hat tip to Markus Göbel for discovering this software and for the screenshot. Go check out his recent write-up!)
Talkplus - unique mobile phone service that leverages VoIP, identity management, scheduling/contact rules, and other advanced business/personal processes that make your mobile experience more productive while enabling privacy controls. TalkPlus gives cell phone users a 2nd virtual phone number with powerful accessibility and privacy rules while leveraging the cost savings of VoIP termination. TalkPlus's patented technology is network agnostic, and supports standard cell phones that support the BREW and JAVA platforms. They also support native clients for Nokia phones, Windows Mobile, Blackberry, and Palm. TalkPlus is also WAP compliant which virtually all mobile phones support. One interesting thing I talked about at ITEXPO with Talkplus CEO Jeff Black is that TalkPlus has built their own Skype gateway. In fact, when pressed further, Jeff mentioned they actually reverse engineered Skype's protocol. Although the Skype gateway isn't part of TalkPlus's launch today, Jeff explained that they have tested it in their labs and it's working very well.
iSkoot - lets you call your buddy list from your mobile phone without needing your PC. iSkoot software is simply a software download to your mobile phone to enable you to make Skype calls. Supported phones include Nokia Series 60 handsets: 6600, 6620, 6630, 6670, 6680, 6682, 7610, N70. They also support Motorola
RAZR, Treo, and Nokia Series 40 handsets. Windows Mobile and Blackberry phones are also supported. iSkoot Mobile Network allows consumers to place and receive Internet calls with their mobile phones without the need for PCs or Wi-Fi hot spots.
Mobivox - Mobivox allows you to make free calls to other Skype users as well as free calls to other Mobivox users. What's unique about Mobivox is they offer 3 ways of initiating a call using ANY mobile phone. First, you can call a local access number and VoxGirl asks you which number you want to dial. Using speech-recognition it will connect the call. Second, you can use web call back. Logon to your Mobivox account and click who you want to call and Mobivox will connect you both. Third, using SMS you can 'text' MOBIVOX the name of the person or number you wish to call. VoxGirl will call you back and connect you.
fring - It's a thin client that allows you to talk & IM via your handset's Internet connection to other mobile phones and PC-based services such as Skype, Google Talk, MSN Messenger, SIP and Twitter for free. It also unifies all of your various contacts across all of these IM/VoIP networks so you can use a single app to view presence and initiate chat sessions or voice calls. It works on Nokia and Windows Mobile phones. You can also share files using fring.
eqo mobile-to-Skype solution - Essentially, eqo acts as the "glue" betwen online communities such as LinkedIn, MySpaces, orkut, or Skype with mobile carriers such as T-Mobile, Cingular, Vodaphone, etc. Their architecture is a patent pending core IP that uses proprietary call signaling, that is P2P-based and cross device/network domain. It leverages mobile data (SMS) to control the signalling and the mobile voice network for the media stream to the mobile phone, so you don't need the Skype client running on your cell phone. Essentially, their software client is a J2ME application that resides on your cell phone and which keeps your buddy list synched with Skype. eqo did a good job at keeping the application small since it's only a 121k JAR file, most of which is the graphics for the user interface. Their latest client, which still runs on Java compatible phones, lets you make VoIP calls, as well as instant message across networks (MSN, Yahoo, AIM, GoogleTalk, ICQ, Jabber).
And there you have it. Several ways to VoIP on your mobile phone using both Skype and non-Skype VoIP solutions. What's your favorite mobile VoIP application?
PlayStation Portable or PSP will get Skype support soon. Whether it is good or bad for PSP owners is difficult to predict given the advantages and disadvantages of this communication software program.
The definite advantage that gamers of popular games on PSP will enjoy is that now more gaming community networks will be setup centered on a particular game with more prompt voice interaction. If the video conferencing feature of Skype is included then there will be more fun with gamers actually getting the opportunity to see the facial expression of their fellow players who so long was satisfied with their avatars.
Skype has been widely criticized for distributing bugs even fooling the seeming most secure firewalls. I hope PSP manufactures keep in their mind this problem before integrating Skype into their device.
The reason why Jajah is growing at a steady pace since inception is simply due to its continual effort to make the VoIP simpler. Maintaining that tradition, the Austria-based startup has introduced yet another sophisticated service, Direct VoIP.
As it seems, the Direct VoIP will enable Jajah customers to enjoy VoIP service directly without depending upon an intermediary channel. I mean VoIP without PC. Though, the service like this is not new in the market, Jajah Direct VoIP stands unique of its own.
With Jajah Direct, the customers can make and receive VoIP calls anywhere in the world without sitting before computers. They also don�t need internet connection. With an ordinary phone, they can VoIP calls.
The Jajah Direct is very simple. It provides VoIP service the way your mobile phone makes to other phones. To go with Jajah Direct, you need an access number using which you can call to a destination phone number upon hearing a dial tone. The first call is totally free.
Jajah Direct is cheap. The company charges a paltry 2.5 or 3 cents for a minute call. The service is available in 122 countries. However, the local number facility is now available in 10 cities in the US, nine cities in Europe.
If you recall in my December Yahoo! Messenger for Vista post, this version which was pretty much completely rewritten didn't have VoIP yet -- unlike the XP version which does have VoIP capabilities. Well good news my friends! I learned via Josh Jacobson, Senior Product Manager, Yahoo! Messenger for Vista on his blog that PC-to-PC VoIP (free calling) is now available as well as PC-to-PSTN (Yahoo MessengerOut?) It also features "Phone In" number so you can receive calls.
This latest beta of Yahoo Messenger for Vista will have cool voice visualizations for the product that leverage the WPF 3D integration. (see image right)
SMS will also be part of this next release, allowing users to send text messages from Yahoo! Messenger for Vista to a friend’s mobile phone for free.
The plan is to add Yahoo! Mail alerts to this next version as well. I'd like to see Yahoo! Messenger for Vista be able to make VoIP calls to Microsoft Live Messenger. They're both SIP-based after all and they already interoperate with IM. But then again, Yahoo! and Microsoft have been butting heads lately with Microsoft trying to acquire Yahoo and Yahoo playing "hard to get" wanting to be courted for more cash.
Anyway, you can download and try out the preview version available at http://messenger.yahoo.com/vista
Also, read more about the new features on the Yahoo! Messenger blog.
http://www.ymessengerblog.com/blog/2008/03/06/in-the-mix-with-yahoo-messenger-for-vista/
I love the Brits. I most admire them for their World War II toughness & fierce determination and can-do attitude against seemingly overwhelming odds. There is also something to be said for their "properness" and manners. Britain, a tiny island once held the mightiest navy in all the world and explored and colonized much of the world spreading for better or worse the English language and culture. Britain gave this world some of its greatest free-spirited explorers.
With this in mind, I never would think of the British as the type of people that sues McDonald's for spilling hot coffee like America's over-litigious society nor would I expect them to be granted a free government hand-out. But it appears Britain has lost much of that free spirit. Like the rest of Europe they have become more socialist than capitalist. Whether you agree or disagree in nationalized health care, we can all agree that Britain's nationalized health care system is a disaster.
So perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised that the British government has now issued an order to wrap their lampposts in padding because the Brits were walking into lampposts while texting. No doubt some probably sued and won millions complaining there was no radar-induced audible alert that they were about to bash their forehead into the post. Oy!
Let's assume there are 1 million lampposts in Britain and the padding costs $100 + $50 labor to install. That's $150 million to pad lampposts to protect someone from getting a bump on their head? C'mon! What a waste of British taxpayer money. Even if it isn't that much money, I still say Survival of the fittest. Let the dumb ones who walk into lampposts fall backwards onto a busy street and be weaned out of the human gene pool. Ok, that was a little harsh. Well, perhaps they can just fall all on their arse and it'll knock them sense into them to not text while walking or at least look up every few seconds.
Where have the Brits I have come to admire and love gone?
TomTom, today launched the new TomTom GO 930 and TomTom GO 730, where are updates to the popular 720 and 920 TomTom models. These new TomTom GPS units will feature TomTom's IQ Routes technology and Advanced Lane Guidance. According to TomTom the IQ Routes technology is based on actual average speeds measured on roads, rather than posted speed limits. Thus, the new TomTom GO range determines a route by considering all possible routes and then selecting the one that takes the least time based on recent historical data. This sounds eerily similar to my 2004 post where I said GPS units would one day use actual real world traffic data to calculate the optimal route. I actually stated P2P technology would be used to "share" GPS data amongst the GPS units. In any event, according to TomTom, in almost 50% of all trips, their IQ Routes technology results in a faster route.
In addition, the new TomTom GO series includes TomTom's Advanced Lane Guidance feature. Advanced Lane Guidance provides users with realistic representations of complex highway junctions and lane-specific visual directions.
TomTom IQ Routes Explained:
The new TomTom IQ Routes technology is based on actual average speeds on roads, rather than the posted speed limits. This intelligent routing technology is based on anonymous historical speed profiles of over 6.2 billion miles of driven roads, gathered over the years by millions of TomTom users. It takes into account all the factors that may influence the time it takes drivers to get to their destination, including traffic lights, rotaries, steep slopes and speed bumps.
The TomTom IQ Routes speed profile database continues to grow at the rate of over half a billion measurements per day, so the time and spatial accuracy of TomTom IQ Routes(TM) technology will continually increase. Drivers can be confident that they will always be given the
smartest route, incorporating detailed local knowledge. This allows for more efficient daily route planning, in particular when driving through urban and mountainous areas.
Other Features:
-- TomTom Map Share technology, enabling users to make updates and corrections to their own maps instantly and to benefit from improvements made by other users, completely free of charge. New Map Share features include the ability to change turn restrictions and
posted road speeds
-- Latest map guarantee so users always have free access to the latest map at time of purchase
-- Voice address input so that users can drive to millions of cities and street names by simply announcing the address of their destination
-- Clear voice instructions and text-to-speech to enable street names, places, traffic alerts and SMS messages to be read aloud as part of the spoken instructions
-- Enhanced Positioning Technology (EPT) for uninterrupted navigation even in tunnels or highly-built areas (TomTom GO 930 only)
-- TomTom RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver, as a compatible accessory, for detailed traffic information
-- Large 4.3 inch touch screen with new generation icons and an updated user interface to navigate drivers to their destination even more easily
-- Enhanced hands-free calling with high-quality sound system via Bluetooth(R) to allow drivers to keep their eyes firmly on the road while making phone calls in the car
-- Extensive safety features, including the 'Help Me' menu that gives drivers direct access to emergency services and roadside assistance
-- Built-in FM Transmitter to play music and navigation instructions seamlessly over the car stereo
-- New smart & fun extras to personalize users' devices, including recording your own driving instructions, view documents, exchange positions via SMS and Bluetooth(TM) wireless technology and select a favorite car icon on the screen
-- Free TomTom HOME software and content from the TomTom community to keep your TomTom device up to date at all times
-- Full range of accessories to match the design and finish of the updated GO range
Map Coverage
-- The TomTom GO 930 comes pre-installed with the most up-to-date maps of US, Canada and Western and Central Europe stored on the internal memory
-- The TomTom GO 730 includes new expanded map coverage, including the latest maps of the US and Canada
Availability
The new TomTom GO range will be available across North America and Europe starting at end of April 2008.
TomTom product technical specifications
-- 4.3" widescreen 16:9 format LCD (WQVGA: 480*272 pixels)
-- CPU 400 MHz
-- TomTom GO 930: 4 GB internal flash memory, TomTom GO 730: 2 GB
-- SD card slot
-- High sensitivity GPS receiver
-- Bluetooth(TM)
-- Lithium-polymer battery (up to 5 hours operation)
-- Dimensions: 118 mm x 83 mm x 24 mm- convert to inches 4.6 x 3.2 x 1
-- Weight: 7.7 ounces
Nuvio announced a trademark infringement lawsuit against Garmin today. The dispute is against Garmin's uber cool GPS mobile phone called the Nuvifone just recently announced and due out later this year. Nuvi claims they filed this lawsuit January 31st of 2008. Ok, I'll grant Nuvio that Nuvi is "close" in spelling. Ok GPS fans, what's wrong with this picture? Could it be that Garmin has been selling GPS units with the name "nuvi" for years! You may have seen the nuvi spelled with the funky two dots about the letter 'u', i.e. nüvi 350. If you Google "nuvi" you'll see Garmin owns this term. If you look at Google Images for "nuvi", once again, all Garmin products. So if Garmin has been using this trademark for years, why all of a sudden is Nuvio suing them?
The Answer?
Drum roll please...
Because the Garmin Nuvifone has generated a lot of media buzz (myself included) that while it isn't as rabid as the iPhone, it's still a pretty hotly anticipated product. Need I also remind you of the Cisco/Linksys lawsuit over Apple's use of the term "iPhone" which I covered here, here, here, and here. Cisco/Linksys already had a trademark on that exact same name. Unlike Nuvio which has a different spelling, the term "nuvi" is not exactly the same.
Now you could compare this with Apple's iProductName, where they pretty much own the letter "i" in front of computer-related technology (iMac, iPhone, iPod). Same goes for McDonald's. I can't launch a frozen pizza called the McPizza without being sued. But certainly Nuvio doesn't have industry-wide acceptance as the owner of the phrase "Nuvio" or "Nuvi". So I don't see how they can win. Seems to be patent extortion to me, but maybe my analysis is off. If so, tell me. But I'll include the news release below so you can judge for yourself.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nuvio Corporation, a leading provider of on-demand business phone service, today announced that it has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Garmin International, Inc. (NASDAQ: GRMN) in the U.S. District Court of Kansas. Garmin’s recently announced Nuvifone infringes on the prior Nuvio trademark which Nuvio uses on Nuvio phones and its telephony services.
Prior to filing the lawsuit, Nuvio attempted to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution with Garmin. No resolution was reached and Nuvio filed legal action to protect its rights.
“While we would have preferred to settle this without resorting to a lawsuit, we felt it was important to ensure that our customers and potential customers are not confused by someone abusing our legally protected trademark,” stated Jason P. Talley, Nuvio’s CEO. “Our customers commonly refer to our service as the Nuvio phone.”
Nuvio’s lawsuit alleges that Garmin knowingly and willfully appropriated Nuvio’s trademark. In addition to a determination that Garmin has infringed on the Nuvio trademark, Nuvio is seeking a permanent injunction that prohibits Garmin from using the Nuvi name.
Nuvio issued a cease and desist letter to Garmin on January 31, 2008.
As well as seeking a permanent injunction barring Garmin from using the Nuvio trademark, Nuvio has requested damages for past infringement.
About Nuvio
Nuvio Corporation, a provider of on-demand business communication solutions, distributes its products through direct, indirect and wholesale channels. Nuvio offers a reliable, stable communications platform providing unparalleled uptime for customers. Since 2003, Nuvio has provided PBX services for small to medium-sized businesses in a cost-effective manner. For more information, visit www.nuvio.com.
Just learned via TMCs' VoIP Forums that Click4PBX just announced hosted trixbox plans starting at $109/month (1-10 extensions) and going up to a maximum of $279/month (1-300 extensions). It's unclear from the website if that monthly fee is per extension or the total cost for each particular plan. I believe it is the total cost since the alternative (per extension) would be cost prohibitive. Not to mention the price would go down per extension as you scale up where as the plans listed increase in price as you increase the number of extensions. It just seems so cheap to only pay $109/month for up to 10 extensions. A more typically example for the SMB is 50 extensions and that's still only $139/month.
Actually, all Click4PBX is doing is hosting the trixbox software. Well, they are hosting the PC hardware as well and providing some failover redundancy I suppose. So there is some value in that if you are an SMB that doesn't want to maintain hardware & do periodic trixbox software upgrades.
In any event, with this solution all you need is DID numbers and SIP trunking termination services from Click4PBX's list of certified VoIP providers. Your IP phones connect directly with the SIP service provider, while Click4PBX hosts the trixbox management interface, which leverages FreePBX, a web front-end to several Asterisk-based solutions.
I'm very high on SIP trunking as you know, so it'll be interesting to see if more hosted trixbox or hosted Asterisk-based solutions come to market. We already have thousands of website hosting companies - could a plethora of hosted PBX providers be far behind?
I should add that Click4PBX also hosts VICIDIAL, a set of programs that are designed to interact with the Asterisk Open-Source PBX Phone system to act as a complete inbound/outbound call center suite. It includes predictive dialing capabilities, inbound, Outbound and Blended call handling and more.
SimplyWiFi is a new SIP-based WiFi phone based on Linux that not only lets you make free or low-cost calls, it also lets you IM/chat using the SIMPLE standard. SimplyWiFi is a small lightweight phone with a superb talk time of 10 hours and 250 hours stand-by time. The WiFi SIP phone features a 65,000 color 2.0" TFT-LCD with 176x220 resolution.
Wisecom Technologies' SimplyWiFi phone features the ability to make encrypted calls, manage your contacts and send instant messages. The WiFi features include all the usual suspects, including DHCP, authentication and encryption. It supports WEP (64/128-bit), WPA/WPA2 (Personal/PSK/Enterprise), Open System, and Shared Key.
I should point out that some SIP WiFi phones only allow you to connect to open hotspots with no encryption. Fortunately, SimplyWiFi has WiFi profiles allowing you to enter in your WiFi security key one time per SSID/WiFi network, save it, and then re-use the profile when you enter range of that WiFi network.
Features:
Phonebook records
Volume control for headset and dialtones
Brightness control
Support for strong security and ESSID authentication
Battery and signal level metering (RF and Battery indication)
Update via USB port
Extended stand-by time
Pixel-based full-color user interface display
Provisioning support
Support SIP and RTP/RTCP protocol
Instant messaging (SIMPLE)
Chat key
Caller ID
NTP time synchronization
Acoustic Echo Cancellation
Jitter Buffer Control
DTMF Transmission
Call mute
Call redial
Call transfer (depending on service provider)
Call history (Answered, dialed and missed calls)
Preconfigured speed dial (voice mail)
Silent ring (Vibrate mode)
Customized ringtones
Language support
Backlight keypad
SIP account management (multiple, locked and hidden)
Network profile management (multiple, locked and hidden)
Specifications:
VoIP Protocol: SIP v2 Session Initiation Protocol (RFC3261), SDP (RFC2327)
Voice codecs: G.711a/u, G.723.1, G.729a/b, G.726, ILBC
802.11b/g: DSSS, OFDM
Dimension: 46.7 x 135.2 x 18.8 mm, 1.84 x 5.32 x 0.74 inch
Weight: 106 g
Battery: 3,7V 1320 mAh Li-Polymer
Charging: USB/mini-USB cable or AC adapter with mini-USB cable
VoIP chip: AT76C902 (ARM7 + ARM9 +TeakDSPCore)
Display: 2.0", 176x220 pxl graphic 65K color TFT-LCD
Wisecom Technologies Ltd is now selling a Skype Certified gateway called SimplyExchange, which hooks up to your corporate PBX using four analog FXS ports. This is similar to the Actiontec VoSKY Skype gateway, though SimplyExchange is a much smaller unit than the 1U VoSKY gateway appliances. In any event, you simply connect 4 SimplyExchange analog FXS ports to 4 PBX FXO trunk ports, which will "Skype enable" your PBX. Alternatively you can connect to 4 telephones (or some to trunk ports and some to telephones)
Next, you configure your PBX by setting a hunting group number for the four trunk ports to a specific number, such as 8. This hunting group will be act as Skype lines allowing a corporate user to simply press '8' to get access the Skype network, as seen by these 2 diagrams:
Then you hook up the SimpleExchange gateway to a PC (via USB) running Skype and install their software.
After configuring four Skype IDs you'll see this in your System Tray - 4 SimplyExchangeExt icons, 4 secondary Skype account icons, 1 primary Skype account icon, and 1 SimplyExchangeCenter icon. Pretty cool seeing 4 green Skype icons in the System Tray!
Technically, you'll need 5 Skype IDs, since one of them is used as your "primary" Skype account which runs on your PC and communicates with these 4 secondary accounts. You just need to tell this primary account to other Skype users. When somebody calls this primary account, the incoming call will be distributed automatically to one free account of these four secondary accounts. You can obviously configure a SkypeIn phone number as well for inbound PSTN calling.
What's really cool is that the installation installs a local PostgreSQL database and a local web server on your PC so you can do some cool web-based management. The web interface keeps a call history, lets you view your contacts and has other capabilities. You can even import your Skype contacts using the web interface as seen here:
Features
Integration of Skype into existing PBX system
Supports 4 lines Skype call in and call out at the same time
Unique enterprise Skype account as hunt group with automatic distribution for all incoming Skype calls
Up to 16 digits Skype contact speed-dials
Centralizes all Skype activities to a single server - good for enterprise management
Web interface for contacts management and history/log check
Uses only one Windows account to handle 4 Skype accounts
Supports 4 inbound and/or outbound calls concurrently
Automatically finds a free line/port for the incoming or outgoing Skype call
Works with the existing PBX to provide other telephony features such as Call Transfer, Call Pickup,Call Hold, Call Waiting, Conference Call... etc. (PBX dependent)
February 21, 2008
I've railed against Skype's poor customer service in the past. I've received a few emails over the past couple months that go like this:
I am a Skype customer who signed up with one ISP email and now I have another. The old email is defunct and unaccessible by me. I forgot my password and when I want to get again, they say they will send me instructions for changing the password to my old email address. This does me no good. How can I contact these people directly? A phone number to tech support would be great. Thanks for your help.
Indeed if you forgot your password, they will email it to you by using their online form. But this particular customer changed email addresses, so how can he reset his password? When you try and Google for keywords "Skype customer service" the first Skype.com link goes here which states: "How do I contact Skype customer service for help with my service?"
Guess what the answer is?
To contact Skype Customer Support, please visit the help section on our website and report your issue through our support form
Simply choose the topic and subtopic that fits your issue the best and explain your problem.
Gee thanks. Way to provide customer support - only through the support form with no phone number. Hmm, a phone provider that has no phone number, how ironic. Ok, well maybe they'll let you submit a trouble ticket that lets you request a new password sent to a different email address that is not the same as the one you registered with when you joined Skype. Well, that won't work because someone could surreptitiously enter in their email address with your Skype username and gain access to your Skype account.
Well, after searching around Skype's website I found the answer if you lost your password and changed your email address:
I lost my password. How can I retrieve it?
If you have forgotten your password there is no way to retrieve it, but you can have a new password sent to you so that you can access your account.
If you entered an email address when you registered for Skype, you can request a new password by filling out this form and a new password will be sent to you.
If you do not receive the email check your Junk Mail folder, sometimes it is sent there by mistake.
If you did not enter your email address, you will have to register again as a new Skype user. If you have SkypeOut credit on your account and the retrieve password tool does not work please submit a ticket to customer support with your billing information.
They first suggest you sign-up with a new Skype username. That's not very helpful. What if I have dozens of people on my buddy list? I have to re-add them using a new Skype username? They then relent a little by allowing you to recover your password "If you have SkypeOut credit on your account" by submitting a ticket to their customer support with "your billing information." First off, what if I don't have SkypeOut credits, will you still help me recover my lost password or do I have to re-register with a new Skype username? Secondly, what billing information does Skype require? My billing address? The credit card I used? Can I just give the last 4 digits of my credit card because the Skype trouble ticket form is not encrypted?
Trying to reach Skype customer service just for a password reset is one thing, but now imagine if you are having a billing issue. I've received email complaints from Skype users that they were over-billed and had no way to speak to someone about their issue. Trying to interact via a 1-way web form isn't the best way to do business. At the very least, Skype should add an online 2-way real-time chat support.
The rivalry between Cisco and Microsoft has once again intensified, as Microsoft launched its Unified Communications portfolio to take a significant share of the VoIP market pie. Cisco has already admitted that Microsoft�s entry into the VoIP sector has already slowed down its sales cycle with customers are waiting longer to make a comparison between the portfolios of the two companies before proceeding to buy.
As for Microsoft's Unified Communications initiative, the company promises to treat voice as just another data type that can be routed around an office, much like an email. The new products include Microsoft Office Communications Server2007, Microsoft Office Communicator 2007, Microsoft Office Live Meeting, a service pack update of Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 and a Round Table, Ethernet-connected, 360-degree videoconferencing VoIP phone that will cost $3,000.
Microsoft's new initiative is to eliminate the traditional PBX systems that run office environments. As for Cisco, its CTO of unified communications has said:
There's a couple of extra conversation while we work through what does Microsoft actually have, what does Cisco have and what are the various ways they can work together.
Raketu has liberated its users from PCs. The Skype-killer has just launched a SMS-Text Driven VoIP service; the service essentially marks a new wave of mobile VoIP communication where the users simply need a mobile device to make VoIP calls without depending upon PC or internet connection.
It is indeed a unique proposition for Raketu to leverage their strong presence in MVoIP market. The SMS-Text Driven VoIP as it appears will enable users to make VoIP calls with their mobile phones which are capable of sending messages to other devices.
The users can make national and international calls without leaning over PC or internet connection. Previously, the Raketu customers used to do VoIP calls either from PC to phone and vice versa.
Greg Parker, President of Raketu elaborates,
Our new SMS-Text Driven Service represents a paradigm shift in the ability for users with just about any mobile phone to initiate free or low-cost calls right from their handsets.
The SMS-Text Driven VoIP service is free. It is available in forty countries. The company charges very low cost for rest of the world. The call rates are based on Raketu�s RakWeb calling rates. The customers who have registered for RakWeb can get 1200 free minutes per month under the SMS-Text Driven VoIP plan.
Vonage has ended patent battle with AT&T and agreed to pay $39 million over five years as part of the settlement. It is the third major settlement by Vonage. The first two settlements were with Sprint Nextel and Verizon.
The American telecom giant, AT&T had sued Vonage last month in the U.S. District Court of the Western District of Wisconsin claiming illegal use of their wide-area packet technology system by the VoIP pioneer.
Vonage, which has now more than 2.2 million residential customers, has faced massive loss in the third quarter on account patent disputes with telecom companies. It agreed to pay $120 million to Verizon and $80 million to Sprint Nextel last month.
The latest settlement was done as Vonage declared their third quarter results. The company has conceded net loss of $168.8 million. It spent more than $133 million in legal battles.
The wait is almost over. Huchison 3G or 3 has officially launched the keenly-waited Skypephone dubbed as 3 Skypephone in UK. Skypephone means built-in Skype functionality. Thus, as said earlier, the device must simplify the use of Skype VoIP. There is no doubt.
Other countries like Australia, Denmark, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Macau and Sweden will welcome the 3 Skypephone by the end of this year.
The Skypephone brings free VoIP calls for the Skype users in UK. The mobile operator is not charging. However, the customers can enjoy 4,000 minutes of free calls in a month on 3�s network. They can enjoy incoming calls beyond that limit. If the customers are outside 3�s network, then roaming charge is applicable. The phone does not work in USA.
With Skypephone, you can also make Skype Out calls. I mean Mobile to PC or Landline or any other phone. These calls are not free.
Features:
1.Candy-bar style
2.Color: white and black
3.2-megapixel camera,
4.MPHuchison 3 player
5.Bluetooth connectivity
6.16M bytes of internal memory
7.Micro SD memory card.
8.Price: Just $102
Is it new beginning for MVoIP?
MVoIP or Mobile over VoIP is a dichotomy (Read Vodafone, Orange). The mobile operators have always tried to maintain distance from VoIP. Huchison 3 has embraced Mobile VoIP. Who knows some other day, Vodafone may be romancing with VoIP!!!