May 2010

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Skype over 3G on iPhone Arrives - with a catch

May 29, 2010

Today, Skype released a new Skype for iPhone application that finally allows Skype over 3G calls. Only one catch though. There will be a small monthly fee for Skype over 3G calls - even if the calls are Skype-to-Skype. That's a dumb move if you ask me. A jailbroken iPhone can make Skype calls over 3G with no fees through the use of an app called 3G Unrestrictor. I haven't upgraded to the latest version yet because I fear Skype may detect 3G Restrictor and block me from using this functionality any more. I hope they change their minds on this.

Also worth noting is they've added the wideband SILK codec.

Posted in VoIP

Tagged: 3g, iphone, silk, skype, skype for iphone, tmcnet, wideband : Related Tags: skype, calls, iphone

Silverlight on iPhone?

May 27, 2010

ZDNet's Microsoft blogging guru (guru-ess?) Mary Jo is reporting on a rumor of Silverlight coming to the Apple iPhone. This is based on a WSJ report that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer may make an appearance at the upcoming Apple World Wide Developers Conference. Some are speculating that Ballmer will announce some kind of add-on for Visual Studio 2010 to support development of iPhone apps using Microsoft's tool suite. But Mary Jo, who often has inside sources at Microsoft writes:

While that's possible -- after all, there's an add-on for Visual Studio 2010 that supports Windows Phone 7 development - I'm thinking something else may be afoot.

Posted in Apple, Home Entertainment, Microsoft, TMCnet

Tagged: apple, doj, ipad, iphone, mary jo, microsoft, netflix, steve ballmer, steve jobs, visual studio, xcode : Related Tags: visual studio, silverlight iphone, steve ballmer, studio compiling, streaming netflix, iphone

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fring Brings Video Calling to Android

May 27, 2010

fring, today announced mobile video calls over internet on Android devices. Just last year, fring announced iPhone/iPod video calling, which Rich Tehrani and I reviewed. fring also supports video calling on Nokia (Symbian S60) mobile phones. Time to go borrow TMC's Android device and try this out. I'll post the review when I get a chance.

fring's new android version is available for download here.

Posted in Android, Reviews, TMCnet, Video Conferencing, VoIP

Tagged: android, fring : Related Tags: video calling, internet android, fring, android, video, calling

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McDonalds Drive-thru Gets a Microsoft BSOD!

May 20, 2010

I was going through a Microsoft drive-thru when I saw the dreaded Blue Screen of Death on the McDonalds computer screen. Not good. Check out the video:

Part of the message reads:

A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO

BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO or BAD_FOR_YOUR_DIGESTIVE_SYSTEM?

Yeah, well, it may be bad for me, but I want my quarter pounder with fries and I want them now. This is fast food damn it, and I can't wait 10 minutes for the computer to reboot.

Posted in Personal and Humor, TMCnet

Tagged: bsod, burger king, mcdonalds, microsoft, quarter pounder, richard blumenthal : Related Tags: warning label, shoot myself, system config, coffee, mcdonalds, computer

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Goodbye Skype Business Control Panel Hello Skype Manager!

May 19, 2010

Skype today announced the launch of Skype Manager, a web-based management tool that replaces Skype Business Control Panel (BCP). I noticed the GUI has been slightly revamped, but essentially it's the same admin panel as BCP. It does have a new Dashboard feature and shows your monthly allocations as a graph. Of course, just like BCP, Skype Manager can also be used to set up and manage Skype for SIP , which lets you connect a SIP-enabled PBX to Skype.

Posted in Skype, TMCnet, VoIP

Tagged: bcp, david gurle, skype, skype manager, voip : Related Tags: skype manager, skype business, business control, manage skype, control panel, skype

Panasonic Activates Skype on Viera 2010 HDTVs

May 18, 2010

Panasonic has promised a Skype upgrade for their 2010 line of HDTVs. Well, today at 10:30 a.m. they activated Skype on your 2010 Panasonic VIERA CAST enabled HDTVs. So if you're one of the lucky few, fire up that bad boy and make some Skype calls!

They also announced the availability of Panasonic's Skype-enabled communication camera (TY-CC10W). In addition, today Panasonic released a cool ad / commercial featuring grandpa calling his family and using the TV remote as a phone. Hilarity ensures...

Posted in Gadgets, Home Entertainment, Skype, TMCnet, Video Conferencing, Video Hardware & Software, VoIP

Tagged: hdtv, panasonic, skype, ty-cc10w, voip : Related Tags: skype, panasonic, hdtvs

Google Buys Global IP Sound

May 18, 2010

Google has an offer to buy Global IP Solutions, for $68.2 million. Global IP Solutions (GIPS) was the company that powered Skype's adaptive codec to handle packet loss, jitter, etc. until Skype decided to develop their own codec. Google Talk uses GIPS, so certainly Google will save on the licensing fees if they pick up GIPS.

Posted in Android, Google, Mobile Phones, Skype, TMCnet, VoIP, Wireless

Tagged: 3g, adaptive codec, edge, gips, global ip sound, google, mobile phone, mobile voip, packet loss, voip, wireless : Related Tags: google android, adaptive codec, devices including, offer price, share price, google

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PhoneFlicks for iPhone adds Netflix ratings

May 17, 2010

Some new feature in PhoneFlicks, one of my favorite apps. Check it out:

Posted in VoIP

Sangoma and HP Partner on UC Platform

May 12, 2010

I saw a release a couple of weeks ago about Sangoma entering into an OEM relationship with a "major computer and networking equipment supplier", which really piqued my interest since I'm a Sangoma telephony card fan. The release however doesn't name the company.

However, it got me thinking that there are not many companies that sell computer AND networking equipment. The only two companies that came to mind are Intel and HP (which now owns 3Com now). I doubt Intel would ink a deal with Sangoma since Intel already tested the telephony waters with Dialogic which they bought & then sold.

That leaves HP.

I did some digging and a source told me that they saw a Sangoma logo on some HP hardware at the last VoiceCon show.

Posted in Microsoft, TMCnet, Unified Communications, VoIP

Tagged: 5400zl, 8200zl, hp, mcs, microsoft, ocs, ProCurve, sangoma, uc, unified communications, voip : Related Tags: computer networking, networking equipment, sangoma, intel

Samsung Bundles Boingo Wi-Fi With New Digital Camera

May 12, 2010

The convergence of wireless and gadgets continues. Who needs tethered cables to sync, upload/download, when you can do it wirelessly? Always hate having to plug my camera in to download pics to my PC. Well no longer!

Today, Boingo Wireless, announced that Samsung's new Wi-Fi enabled digital cameras will be pre-loaded with Boingo software, allowing customers to connect to 125,000 Boingo Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide for on-the-go photo and video sharing.

Posted in Digital Cameras, Gadgets, Home Entertainment, TMCnet, Technology and Science, Wireless

Tagged: boingo, camera, digital, hotspots, samsung, st5500, wi-fi, wifi, wireless : Related Tags: digital camera, boingo wireless, boingo samsung, camera users, boingo software, boingo

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Next Justin Bieber?

May 12, 2010

Ladies, meet the next Justin Bieber sensation. I know this blog is mostly about gadgets, man caves, and VoIP/telecom, which are all typically dominated by males. But I know I have a female audience as well - and this is for you. The 12-year-old Oklahoma kid, Greyson Michael Chance has become a YouTube sensation with his rendition of Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi". You'll be able to catch him on Ellen DeGeneres show tomorrow. And after you watch this video, you know you will be watching or DVR'ing it!

Now just don't say I never did anything for you ladies. You can thank me later.

via The Daily What

Posted in Home Entertainment, Internet

Tagged: Greyson Michael Chance, justin bieber, lady gaga, paparazzi, sensation, singer, youtube : Related Tags: justin bieber, michael chance, greyson michael, justin, bieber

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Panasonic announces Digium Asterisk certification for new TGP500 series SIP DECT-based phone system

May 4, 2010

Today, Panasonic announced Digium Asterisk certification for its new TGP500 series SIP DECT-based cordless phone system. These handsets sport wideband audio via its G.722 codec support making this a rare HD audio phone designed for both the home consumer market and the enterprise. Of course, if you use one of these products at home, you'll need a SIP trunking service provider that supports G.722 in order to have HD voice quality. Alas, Vonage, one of the most popular SIP-based providers has no plans for HD voice support.

Posted in Asterisk, TMCnet, VoIP, Wireless

Tagged: asterisk, cordless, dect, digium, KX-TGP500, KX-TGP550, panasonic, sip, voip : Related Tags: digium asterisk, phone system, asterisk certification, based, panasonic, phone

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VoIP & Gadgets Blog

May 2010