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September 2007

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Grand Cinema C3X 1080 Projector or Ferrari?

September 28, 2007


SIM2 just released the Grand Cinema C3X 1080p Projector. I don't know whether to project this thing or drive it - damn thing looks like a cheery red Ferrari. SIM2's Next Generation Grand Cinema C3X 1080 3-Chip DLP is one of the first to utilize Texas Instruments DLP Product's latest DarkChip chip to integrate superior contrast plus benchmark-quality 1080p video display with the functions and features required to power today's sophisticated home theaters, all within the dramatic industrial design for which SIM2 is justly famous. It delivers astonishing performance from its compact design.

SIM2's new Grand Cinema HT30000 HOST system pairs a surprisingly compact projector showcasing the stunning cabinet designs for which the company is famous, with a discrete outboard video input processor that connects via SIM2's proprietary, three-line optical-digital High-Definition Optical Signal Transfer (H.O.S.T.) system, which is able to link the two over distances up to 750 feet (250m).

It includes 2 x HDMI-HDCP compliant digital inputs, one S-Video input, one composite video, one RGBS-YCrCb (RCA) input, and one RGBHV input.




Cool 360 Degree Electrical Outlet

September 28, 2007

Who doesn't hate it when you try and plug two large A/C adapters into an electrical wall outlet, only to be frustated that you can only fit one? Not only do you have to install a bulky 6 outlet power strip just to connect two A/C adapters, but having a power strip on the floor of your living room doesn't exact pass the WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor). Trust me, I've tried. Most of us need to power up our laptops, cellphones, and a plethora of other devices, so being limited to one outlet just plain sucks.

trixbox training in London

September 28, 2007

Fonality is offering world-wide training sessions as part of their Fonality trixbox Open Communication Certification (FtOCC). The next class is being held in London, UK from October 9-11 at the Sheraton Skyline Heathrow Airport hotel.

The offical name for the class is the FtOCC Administrator Certification course and it covers the following topics:
  • trixbox CE and Pro installation and administration
  • Common troubleshooting issues
  • Asterisk® configuration files
  • Management tools including FreePBX, HUDlite and more
  • Dial plans, call routing
  • IP Telephones / Softphones
  • The ins and outs of VoIP
  • E1/PRI/BRI and basic analog configuration
  • Building your VoIP integration business
If you're interested in finding out more about the London class you can check it out here. Note, you'll get a $50 discount if you use this link.


VoIP over HSPA in Shanghai is 100% end-to-end IP using IMS

September 28, 2007

Huawei Technologies today announced that it has successfully completed commercial technology testing for ‘VoIP over HSPA’ in Shanghai in conjunction with QUALCOMM. They claim it is the industry’s first VoIP service display with an ALL IP end-to-end solution that is based on a commercial chipset and IMS-based system platform. Being 100% end-to-end IP is part of the beauty and promise of IMS and apparently Shanghai is leading the way. I'm in the process of testing/reviewing a carrier-class IMS testing tool from Navtel Communications that Huawei might find useful.

Portable GPS vs. in-car GPS

September 28, 2007

The debate of whether portable GPS units are better than in-car GPS units has raged for a few years now. I've always been a big proponent of portable GPS units, ever since I installed Destinator1 on a PocketPC 5-6 years ago. It was a heck of lot cheaper than spending $2,000 for an in-dash navigation system in my car. Well, Marketwatch apparently came to the same conclusion that portable GPS units often trump in-dash units in an article written today.

According to the article, Consumer Reports gives the highest marks to the Garmin Nuvi 660 at about $700.

Technorati outage

September 27, 2007

Gizmo offers VoIP on Blackberry with Free Calls

September 27, 2007

Gizmo just announced a beta version (Gizmo for Mobile Beta) of their software for BlackBerry devices. The Gizmo Project gives you IM and VoIP to not only fellow Gizmo users but also Yahoo! Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, and Google Talk users. You also get free calls to other Gizmo users.

Alas, outbound calls to phone numbers are terminated using Gizmo Project's paid services (similar to SkypeOut). Assuming of course you actually believe in paying for voice minutes on your cell phone. 

Vonage Wins Verizon Appeal

September 27, 2007

Digium Acquires Switchvox

September 27, 2007

Switchvox, a provider of Asterisk-based solutions, has been acquired by Digium, the founding company of the open source Asterisk software solution. This is the second recent acquisition since Digium also recently acquired Astricon. Switchvox, with 1400 Systems Installed and over 66,500 handsets deployed, is an interesting acquisition for Digium. At first I was taken aback by this announcement since Switchvox took the open source Asterisk GPL code and added their own proprietary code.

FonCloud new Voice 2.0 app?

September 26, 2007

FōnCloud appears to be a new Voice 2.0 application in the works. Shai Berger, one of the founders of FōnCloud, happened to post a comment to my Proof is NOT in the Pudding Media.com post where I was very negative about speech-recognition word spotting to push ads to users. I wasn't familiar with Shai or FōnCloud so I thought I'd check out www.foncloud.com, but it simply says "coming soon". I headed on over to Shai's blog and noticed he called his blog "Call the Cloud".

VoIP Tradeshow Testimonials

September 26, 2007

Tradeshows are always a fluctuating business. What could be the greatest tradeshow in the world one year, could be a disaster the next - or worse gone forever. Comdex anyone? As part of the TMC team, I strive as best I can to make sure TMC puts on a great IT Expo show, whether it's recommending speakers, moderating panels, or covering the plethora of news that inevitably comes out of Internet Telephony Expo.

So it is extremely nice to read Rich Tehrani's roundup of testimonials from the Los Angeles show from some very happy exhibitors.

100% VoIP on the iPhone

September 26, 2007

Truphone has announced true VoIP on the iPhone over WiFi. It's unclear from the announcement what sort of application runs on the iPhone. I assume it's a Flash VoiP softphone of some sort. They also announced VoIP Facebook integration! Oh the irony, I just blogged this morning about VoIP and Facebook integration, as well as native VoIP on the iPhone in this same post using Flash or Adobe AIR (future).

This from the truphone blog...

Truphone will today give the first public demonstration of a Voice over Internet Protocol over Wi-Fi phone call on the Apple iPhone.



Skype Could Trump Facebook in Social Networking

September 26, 2007

Facebook is the most popular social networking site right now. Putting aside some of my anti-social networking views for a moment (due to tons of LinkedIn, Facebook, Myspace email invites I get), why isn't Skype the #1 social networking application? Just to compare, Skype has over 220 million registered accounts and 9 million concurrent users as of January 2007. Facebook on the other hand claims 39 million active users as of August 2007.

It's tricky to compare their "active" user base numbers, since Skype users may shut down the Skype application or turn off their PC at the end of the day.

Another VoIP Provider Bites the Dust

September 26, 2007

Ixia Launches ixLoad Bulk VoIP SIP Testing Tool

September 25, 2007

I'm always getting requests for information on good VoIP testing tools. Well, I just came across some interesting news that hit the news wires about a new bulk VoIP testing tool.

Ixia (NASDAQ: XXIA), a leading, global provider of IP performance test systems, has announced the IxLoad(TM) SIP solution, the first VoIP test platform to provide both functional and bulk VoIP testing. Ixia's VoIP test solution provides an environment of real-world triple-play traffic that accurately models live network environments. Using Ixia's test platform and the IxLoad SIP 3.40 solution, a single test chassis emulates millions of realistic call scenarios — surpassing the scale of most network appliances.

In the past, network equipment manufacturers and service providers used test equipment to perform either functional or stress testing, but not both.



Vonage vs. Sprint - Court Decision Reached

September 25, 2007

According to Reuters, a U.S. federal court has reached a decision on Sprint Nextel Corp's patent infringement lawsuit against Vonage.

A Vonage spokeswoman could not provide further details on the decision and a Sprint representative was not immediately available. Trading in Vonage shares was halted on the Nasdaq early on Tuesday afternoon after sliding 7.7 percent to $1.81.

So let's see. Stock shares halted, Vonage couldn't provide details, and Sprint wasn't immediately available.



Jack Bauer arrested for DUI

September 25, 2007

Jack Bauer (aka Kiefer Sutherland) was arrested on a DUI charge earlier this morning in Los Angeles after the police noticed he made an illegal U-turn. He tested over the state's legal blood alcohol limit of .08 percent. C'mon California police, don't you know Jack Bauer is still getting over his drug addiction problem from 24's Season 3 where he went deep undercover and had to use drugs? Cut him some slack, will ya?

Besides, this season Jack moves to New York City, so perhaps he was simply "role playing" as an alcoholic since he will be so far away from his daughter Kim Bauer.

Toshiba gigashot A100F 100GB Full HD camcorder

September 25, 2007

Toshiba announced their gigashot A and K video camcorders. The gigashot A100F features a 1.8-inch shock-resistant 100GB disk with 1/3-inch CMOS sensor. It features full HD video (1,920 x 1,080 or 1080i) recordings at 60fps with 16bit/48kHz Dolby digital stereo audio.

It uses high-quality MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video and will give you about 12 hours of video recording at the highest quality setting and around 23 hours in standard mode. You can also take 2 megapixel still photos.

Both the gigashot A and K series feature SDHC expansion, 3-inch LCD, 10x optical zoom, HDMI mini and component out, and USB for PC connectivity.


Toshiba brags that its 78.1 x 135.4 x 79.0-mm measurements make it the world's smallest "Full HD" camcorder with a built-in hard disk drive.






Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones

September 25, 2007

Apparently Steve Jobs has had enough of the hackers unlocking all those iPhones or AT&T got to him, because the next Apple iPhone update will "brick" unlocked iPhones. In a terse statement, Apple said, "Apple has discovered that many of the unauthorized iPhone unlocking programs available on the Internet cause irreparable damage to the iPhone's software, which will likely result in the modified iPhone becoming permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iPhone software update is installed."

Don't you mean unauthorized iPhone programs on the Internet cause unlimited freedom and choice in choosing a wireless carrier? Ok, I get that Apple has an exclusive deal with AT&T in the U.S. and has to try and honor that contract, but c'mon, I have yet to hear of any unlocked iPhone causing "irreparable damage".

GIPS Click-to-Talk Lite released

September 24, 2007

Global IP Solutions (GIPS), today announced its Click-to-Talk web-based VoIP solution, Click-to-Talk Lite, is available free to download on their GIPS developer community website.

Like all click-to-talk solutions, you simply click on an icon, banner, web link, etc. and then a call is initiated to a company’s customer service agent. The difference according to GIPS is that its development platform allows for easy CRM integration. It's unclear however, how Click-to-Talk Lite differs from their full-version Click-to-Talk version, other than the fact that the Lite version is a "free" download.

snom launches snom m3 IP cordless DECT Phone

September 24, 2007


snom technology AG, developer and manufacturer of Voice-over-IP (VoIP) telephones, today announced the launch of its new IP DECT phone for VoIP users, the snom m3, which is now available on Amazon. Looking at the product shots, it certainly seems very aesthetically pleasing and is snom's first cordless phone offering. No mention of voicemail functionality, which would make this multi-handset device even more killer. Personally, I hate hosted voicemail since you can't screen the call. Though I do like the ability to play hosted voicemail via a web-browser.

The Proof is NOT in the Pudding Media.com

September 24, 2007

According to the NYTimes, Pudding Media.com today announced their new service (ThePudding)which offers free calling in exchanging for eavesdropping on your phone calls and then sending you advertisements based on keyword wordspotting using speech recognition. Is it just me, or this just plain creepy? Ok, I get that Gmail analyzes your email and automatically provides advertisements based on the content of your email, but there is just something wrong about receiving advertisements based on what a computer thought I said or what the person I'm speaking with said.

According to Pudding Media, they provide complementary revenue streams to operators of mobile networks, voice-over-IP networks, voice-over-IM networks, Web widgets, and traditional carriers. Pudding Media stated, "Using demographic data, location information, or our patented VoiceSense™ technology, we provide tools for effective targeting and delivery of ads for voice services"

Besides the creepy aspect, this is going to be inaccurate as all hell.



Atacomm VoIP Distributor Bites the Dust

September 24, 2007

Atacomm, a well-known distributor of VoIP equipment bites the dust. I was aware they were in trouble for  several weeks actually. I had several Atacomm customers/resellers ask me if I knew what was up with Atacomm since they weren't receiving Atacomm equipment that they paid for. I was hesitant to post gossip about Atacomm's pending doom and potentially put the final nail in their coffin.

Pizza Hut goes VoIP

September 21, 2007

Pizza franchises live or die based on their ability to answer the phones as quickly as possible. If the customer has to wait on hold too long - or worse gets a busy signal, then the customer is going to hang-up and call another pizza restaurant.

So how do local pizzerias increase their call handling efficiency? Most have 2-5 analog lines deployed. Assuming it's $20 per line/month, over-provisioning by adding several additional lines that will probably only be utilized during peak load isn't very cost-effective.

Dataprobe iBootBar Review

September 20, 2007

Ratings Score Installation Documentation Features Usability Performance Overall You Mr. Administrator think you know it all. You think you've got all the bases covered and you scoff at disaster recovery.

Well... Pop quiz, hotshot.

Bluetooth GPS fits on your keychain

September 20, 2007

One problem with portable Bluetooth GPS units is you probably keep forgetting it in your car or last location you used it. If you are traveling and need GPS functionality, you're screwed. You'll have to stop at a gas station, buy a map, and read directions the old-fashioned way. Blech!

Top 3... make it Top 5 Common VoIP Myths

September 20, 2007

Steve Brown from Network Instruments, a relatively new blogger has a post describing common VoIP myths. He only has 3 though, so I'll add a couple which I'll continue with number 4...

#4) VoIP's main purpose is to save on long-distance charges. It's all about the almighty dollar. (or yen, pound, rupee, Euro, etc.)
While that may be true for residential VoIP, for business VoIP there are many more reasons, including converged applications, lower TCO due to easier moves/adds/changes, simple 3-4 digit dialing between multiple sites, and more.

#5) VoIP calls have poorer voice quality than traditional landline calls.
With proper QoS in place, VoIP calls can actually have SUPERIOR voice quality than traditional landlines since landlines use G.711 which maxes out at 64kbps and is usually limited to 300 Hz to 3400 Hz frequency range.





Skype + Mouse = MouseFone

September 19, 2007

Apparently converging Skype with USB mice seems to be a trend. You've got the Sony VAIO VN-CX1/B Skype mouse, the BeyondTel VM-01L optical Skype mouse, and now the Skype MouseFone ASG-143 from Sysgration.

So using this device how exactly do you pretend to talk your wife or girlfriend when you're really checking email, and surfing the web? With the mouse being used for voice, you're forced to use the keyboard and keyboard shortcuts to navigate around the desktop and all those keystrokes are sure to give you away. "Are you listening to me?

USB 3.0 Standard Coming

September 19, 2007

USB 3.0 connector prototype

Intel, Microsoft, and other industry leaders have formed the USB 3.0 Promoter Group to create a superspeed 4Gbps USB 3.0 standard that can deliver over 10 times the speed of today's USB 2.0 connection. The current USB 2.0 version has a top data-transfer rate of 480 megabits per second. Others involved in the technology include HP, NEC Corporation, NXP Semiconductors and Texas Instruments Incorporated, and will target fast sync-and-go transfer applications in the PC, consumer and mobile segments.

Fortunately, USB (Universal Serial Bus) 3.0 will backward-compatible with current USB devices.

Digium Wins InfoWorld ''Best of Open Source Software'' Award

September 18, 2007

I missed Digium's announcement yesterday that its popular Asterisk VoIP telephony platform had won the InfoWorld "Best of Open Source Software" Bossie Award for 2007. According to the news release, Digium is the only open source VoIP provider to make the list.

"Asterisk is indeed taking the VoIP world by storm," said Mark Spencer, CTO and founder of Digium. "Receiving this industry recognition from IDG and InfoWorld is not only a win for Digium, but the entire open source telephony community as a whole. Digium is committed to taking Asterisk to even greater heights and developing new ways for businesses all over the world to experience cost savings and flexibility never before possible with proprietary VoIP solutions."

Kudos to Mark Spencer and his team at Digium!



VoIP on the Nintendo DS Video How-To Guide

September 18, 2007

Handwriting Recognition Keyboard - Cool!

September 18, 2007


Windows Tablet PCs already have handwriting recognition software, but alas our poor mortals with Windows XP or Windows Vista are forced to continue pecking away at our carpal-tunnel inducing keyboards.  Well, today I learned that A1Pro has a cool new USB keyboard that combines... uhhh well a keyboard of course, along with a touch-screen pad for handwriting in your text data entry. Or at least I think it does handwriting recognition.

Rich's IT Expo News Roundup

September 18, 2007

PIKA launches PIKA Appliance for Asterisk

September 18, 2007

PIKA Technologies Inc., today announced the release of its PIKA Appliance for Asterisk. The PIKA Appliance for Asterisk. According to PIKA, "This unit provides developers with an out-of-the-box embedded computer that allows them to deploy Asterisk with a rich set of traditional and next-generation telephony features, optimized for the SMB environment. "

It includes KSU-like features including power-failure transfer, audio input for music-on-hold and audio output for paging.

Web-based GUI comes to Frontrange HEAT

September 18, 2007

Users of the popular Frontrange HEAT software, a help-desk service & support CRM solution, have been clamoring for a web-based front-end interface for some time. Well, NetworkD informs me through blood, sweat, and tears they've added an HTML interface to HEAT via their iNferndo product and are leveraging AJAX for real-time screen updates. Oh and by the way, HEAT supports VoIP through integration with Frontrange's relatively new FrontRange IPCC voice applications platform, making HEAT a great solution for multi-site centers or even home-based agents since they can leverage low-cost VoIP calls.

Mark Reed from NetworkD writes to me, "We were promised over the last few years by Frontrange that they would develop a web-based front-end for HEAT and they never delivered. Finally we heard from their development manager that they gave up on trying to provide that functionality so NetworkD stepped in to create that for them.

Use Tor P2P - Get Arrested

September 17, 2007

A German blogger has a posting about how the police came knocking on his door, arrested him and confiscated all his computer equipment. The crime? He runs a Tor server, a sort of P2P anonymous proxy server that allows people to anonymously surf the Web, download files, and unfortunately download child pornography with relative impunity. Well, impunity for the downloaders using the P2P Tor server, not so anonymous for the Tor server admin.

Technorati RSS Feeds Problem

September 14, 2007

Internet Telephony Expo Recap - And SIP Trunking has Arrived!

September 14, 2007

I'm back from Internet Telephony Expo and thought I'd recap the show and offer my observations. First, the show was very well attended, especially the first day. A picture, or in this case, a video, is worth a thousand words, so check out the jam packed exhibit hall on Day 1. (Click to Play)


If you want to check out some other video footage from IT Expo, go here.


VoIP on the Nintendo DS!

September 14, 2007

VoIP the greatest thing since sliced bread

September 14, 2007

Just came across a TMCNet article from September 11th that claims, "One of the greatest gifts of technological invention is VoIP telephony service."

VoIP one of the greatest gifts of technological invention? Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle. Right up there with the light bulb, automobile, electricity, TV, the Internet, and nuclear power? Much as I love VoIP, me thinks not.

Relatedly, OneStopClick claims that research by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has found that in the last four years the number of firms allowing employees to work from home and link back into the office has risen from one in ten to nearly one in two (46 per cent).



Trixbox training session resounding success

September 12, 2007

IT Expo Car Raffle Winner

September 11, 2007

Fonality Picked The Overall IT Expo Best of Show Winner

September 11, 2007

In addition to blogging, reviewing VoIP products, and managing TMC's IT department, I'm one of the judges for Best of Show at Internet Telephony Conference & Expo. I should mention that TMC has created several categories that exhibitors can apply and possibly win. However, in my opinion there was ONE single overall Best of Show Winner at TMC's IT Expo in Los Angeles. One booth stood above them all. The Best of Show booth was without a doubt the Fonality booth where they had several chairs to demo their trixbox offerings.

Quick IT EXPO Video

September 11, 2007

Selecting an open source VoIP solution for the SMB Market session

September 11, 2007

Just got out of moderating a session about selecting an open source VoIP solution for the SMB market. It was very well attended and the debate pretty lively. Here's who was in the IT Expo session: Chris Vuillaume, VP BusDev/Channel - Fonality; Avery Glasser, Director of Product - Junction Networks; Chad Agate, Co-Founder and CEO NeoPhonetics, and Bill Rich (representing Pingtel / SIPFoundary), Sr VP Business & Corp Dev - Bluesocket 

I asked a series of questions to the panelists and often panelists would disagree with one of the other panelists. The session went long and one of my fellow TMC'ers had to give me the "hook" to end it.

Gary Hermansen leaves Global IP Sound

September 11, 2007

Gary Hermansen, CEO of Global IP Sound (GIPS), has left the organization. Jon Arnold told me the news at the IT Expo Bloggers Dinner last night while we were discussing GIPS. I mentioned to Jon how I had a fairly heated discussion with Gary last year about Skype potentially dropping GIPS as the voice engine / adaptive codec of choice. Gary was displeased that I "pondered" that Skype might drop GIPS in favor of a competitor's solution.

Vocalocity hosted VoIP session

September 11, 2007

Bloggers dinner

September 11, 2007

IT Expo Excitement Builds!

September 7, 2007

Skype on the Apple iPod touch

September 5, 2007

In my previous Apple iPod touch post I forgot to mention that since the Apple iPod touch supports the same Safari browser as the iPhone, this enables you to run AJAX applications over its built-in Wi-Fi wireless connection. Thus, you can even run a VoIP application such as Skype on the Apple iPod touch using SoonR, the very first Skype for iPhone solution that I broke the news back in July. It leverages AJAX within the Safari browser. Another recent solution is IM+ for Skype, which should also work on the iPod touch.

Google Promotes Blogs and Videos

September 5, 2007

Google has been integrating video clips into the search results, but now it appears they've added another option to quickly search for videos or blogs with that keyword in mind. I was doing a search on "multi-touch" when I noticed a blue toolbar area on top that had two clickable links - Blogs and Video. Before if you wanted to search the blogs, you had to click the 'more' drop-down box and then choose Blogs - a bit tedious.

Below is a screenshot of Google's home page with my search on 'multi-touch'. I drew red circles and put red text for the important parts.

Apple iPod touch

September 5, 2007


Apple unveiled the iPod touch, essentially a "phoneless" iPhone featuring all that glorious iPhone multi-touch UI functionality but without the AT&T contract.  The iPod touch features WiFi wireless connectivity which not only lets you browse the web using its built-in Safari browser, but you can also purchase iTunes on-the-go. And yep, you guessed it, just like the Apple iPhone you can play YouTube videos on the first-ever Wi-Fi iPod. Alas, still no FM tuner damn it!

The iPod touch measures just 8mm wide and has a 3.5 inch widescreen touchscreen display. If fact, the touchscreen features the same multi-touch functionality as the Apple iPhone.


Gartner says Communications-as-a-Service (CaaS) Revenue Future Looks Bright

September 5, 2007

Gartner, which is a stone's throw from TMC's headquarters is forecasting that worldwide Communications-as-a-Service (CaaS) Revenue will total $252 Million in 2007. The market for communications as a service (CaaS) has started relatively slowly as providers determine how to define, package and market service as a value-added Internet protocol (IP) telephony offering, according to Gartner. Worldwide CaaS is projected to total $251.9 million in 2007, a 37.6% increase from last year. The market is expected to total $2.3 billion in 2011, representing a compound annual growth rate at more than 105% for the period.

Gartner defines CaaS as IP telephony that is located within a third-party data center and managed and owned by a third party.

Free Conference Calling on Facebook

September 5, 2007

DigitalLife Is Coming to Town!

September 4, 2007

Just as surely as August rolls into September (unfortunately ...), DigitalLife is just around the corner! In a few short years, it has become best consumer electronics and entertainment event on the East Coast. (Maybe in the U.S.?)

Open to the public at the start of the holiday buying season, DigitalLife features the latest in home entertainment, video gaming, digital photos and movies, the mobile lifestyle, wireless services, music and movie download services, eCommerce, broadband content, and much, much more.

More than 200 exhibitors, from biggers like Microsoft, HP, Dell and to start-ups you've never heard of -- but very often with cool cool products.

VoIP Supply Thanks TMC & IT EXPO

September 4, 2007

Garrett Smith from VoIPSupply.com has a nice post thanking TMC for our efforts in promoting his company and helping to make them one of the leading VoIP distributors in the U.S. Garrett writes, "As i was sending out meeting requests for the upcoming Internet Telephony Conference and Expo, I got to thinking about what a positive impact the event has had on VoIP Supply and for me personally." He goes on by saying, "While I can’t give all of the credit for VoIP Supply’s or my personal success to TMC, I would like to thank them for providing a venue for us to connect with the industry, build relationships and grow our business. So to Nadji, Rich, Dave, Tom, Greg, Anthony, Joe and the rest of the TMC crew I say thank you for all of your hard work and dedication and for treating this wide-eyed wet-behind-the-ears kids from a unknown company like a “somebody” from day one."

It certainly is nice to hear how TMC has helped VoIP Supply be successful and to hear some historical background. Speaking of history, I'm reminded of how TMC was the 1st company to launch a VoIP magazine (Internet Telephony Magazine) in 1997 and was the 1st to write a VoIP product review back in 1996 - if you can believe that!

XML Contest for VoIP Phones

September 4, 2007


Some interesting news from snom. Today, they announced the launch of its XML contest, "eXtreMeLy snomlified!” Beginning today, and continuing through Oct. 22, this contest calls on the VoIP programmer community and snom partners to de-velop innovative XML-Minibrowser applications for the snom 3xx series of phones. I should mention that snom's CEO, Christian Stredicke, will speak on the topic of "Securing Open Source Enterprise VoIP” from 3:30-4:15 pm PDT on Sept. 11 during ITEXPO West 2007 which is less than a week away.

In any event, currently the snom 3xx series of phones, which consists of the snom 300, 320, 360 and 370, have a permanent XML-Minibrowser. The XML contest not only serves to provide working data screens that will work ideally on several snom 3xx series phones, but it will also give momentum to unknown programmers in the community.


Chris Lyman joins the blogosphere

September 4, 2007

Chris Lyman, CEO of Fonality, provider of Asterisk-based solutions, such as trixbox, just stated a blog last week. Chris is not only insightful and knowledgeable of the VoIP industry, he's very opinionated too, which makes for interesting reading.

He's off to a great start with some great posts. One of my favorites is CC your A$$ where he rants about corporate email where everyone CC:'s (carbon copies) just about everyone in the company.

Microsoft XBox 360 - No Linux for You!

September 4, 2007

Radio iPod coming?

September 4, 2007

Tomorrow, Apple is set to launch a radio iPod - according to vnunet.com who cites a reliable source. The source stated that the new iPods can receive digital radio and includes a "buy now" feature to allow the user to download and buy tracks as they are being played.

While this is certainly a very cool feature and allows for "splurge" instantaneous purchases, I still can't believe the iPod doesn't yet offer an analog FM/AM radio feature. When I work out at the gym with my iPod, I can't tune into the audio on the TV screens, which transmit over the FM radio spectrum. While the treadmills have an audio headset jack, once you leave the treadmill, you can't listen to any TV broadcasts.

Sony takes on Apple

September 4, 2007


Sony must be reading my blog, since just last week I suggested Sony take on Apple by offering a universal multi-media device that does gaming, mobile calling, video playback, MP3 music, and GPS navigation. I jokingingly called this hypothetical Sony device the Sony PlayStation Multimedia Video GPS Phone - or Sony PSMVGP for short. I knew Sony would be the perfect company to take on Apple and especially that juggernaut known as the Apple iPhone, when I said, "Sony, an expert in electronics, TV screens, and gaming, is the perfect company to take on the Apple iPhone."

I explained last week, "Sony If Sony were smart, they'd come out with a Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) with built-in GPS, GSM cellular service, and wireless Internet functionality. This hypothetical device would blow away the Apple iPhone.


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