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Tom Keating
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April 2012

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New Skype for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch Sports Ability to Move Video Preview

April 30, 2012

Some new features in the latest release of Skype for Apple iOS, including the ability to move your own video preview, app auto-restart if it crashes, improved accessibility, improved stability, some UI improvements and more. See full release notes in screenshot.

 



In related news, today gHacks revealed that Skype reveals remote and local IP Address of all online Skype users using a script. Yikes! Privacy zealots have at em'!

Ooma Telo installed - Ooo Look, Shiny Bright Blue LEDs!

April 26, 2012

I received the latest version of the Ooma Telo along with the Wi-Fi dongle for a product review. I'll have to ask Ooma for the Bluetooth dongle to test since that seems like a cool mobile integration feature. Ooma competes with magicJack and netTALK offering low-cost phone service leveraging VoIP.

I hooked up the Ooma Telo in front of my Cisco Wi-Fi router and in addition to having an eerily similar size, shape, and color they both sport bright blue LEDs. Ooo... Ahhh...

This is just a preview of my forthcoming review, so for now enjoy the blue. You know you like it...

 

Skype@Home Telephone Products Coming?

April 20, 2012

Today, Rich Tehrani wrote about Microsoft "working on Skype Everywhere Initiative" based on another Microsoft-careers.com job listing. Just a few days ago I wrote about a Microsoft job listing was pointing toward Microsoft and Skype building a HTML5 Web version of Skype.

Rich believes there are some good synergies with Microsoft and Skype that can result in a whole like of Skype at home phone products (Skype@Home?) including DECT 6.0 phones. The problem with DECT wireless phones over WiFi phones is you need a base unit, which adds to the cost. Wi-Fi phones can just connect to the Wi-Fi access point with no additional hardware necessary.

However, what if the next XBox 360 has a built-in DECT transceiver?



RingCentral Cloud Touch Platform - Configure Phone System from iPad, iPhone, or Android

April 18, 2012


Imagine being able to record prompts, configure IVR/auto-attendant, and remove a disgruntled employee's access to your phone system all while sitting on a beach - simply using your tablet or mobile device. That's exactly what RingCentral's Cloud Touch Platform does and they proudly claim this touch-enabled phone system configuration platform "Reimagines Business Phone Systems". They may just be right.

Founded in 2003, RingCentral (>1000 employees) is by far the largest cloud-based phone system with RingCentral's Naveen Gupta, Chief Product Officer, claiming "hundreds of thousands of paying customers". AT&T and Rogers resells RingCentral's platform, which partly explains their impressive customer base.

The RingCentral Touch platform enables businesses to setup, manage and use their phone system from a smart mobile device.




Google's Chrome Team Reveals WebRTC Roadmap

April 18, 2012

Google's Chrome team stated in their recent WebRTC roadmap that the main components of WebRTC are now stable and they will be releasing it to the 200M+ Chrome users later this year. However, they want developers to get a sneak preview of what will be in the first WebRTC release. I should mention that two days ago I discussed how Skype and Microsoft were working on a HTML5 web-version of Skype. I felt that HTML5 would be inadequate and any Skype web app would likely also use WebRTC.

Peter Lubbers, Founder of World's Largest HTML5 User Group, to Deliver Opening Address at DevCon5

April 17, 2012

Some exciting TMC news to share. TMC and Crossfire Media today announced that Peter Lubbers, Senior Director at Kaazing and founder of the San Francisco HTML5 User Group, will deliver the opening address at their DevCon5 – HTML5 Mobile App and Developers Conference next week in Santa Clara, California. DevCon5 takes place April 25-26, 2012 at the Network Meeting Center in Santa Clara, California. The address is scheduled for Wednesday, April 25th at 9:00am.

Admission to Mr. Lubbers’ presentation, “The HTML5 Connectivity Revolution”, as well as all other keynote and breakout sessions, is included with any DevCon5 registration plan.

While HTML5 is mostly about evolution, some of the features in the Connectivity and Real-Time area are, in fact, pretty revolutionary.


Cisco Extends SMB Product Portfolio With Several New Products

April 12, 2012

Cisco today launched a new portfolio of small business products, including wireless, routing, switching, and voice solutions. They are also extending and enhancing the Cisco OnPlus managed service.


                                      Cisco WAP121                                                        Cisco WAP321

The new wireless products include the Cisco WAP121 and WAP321 Wireless-N access points. Both products feature flexible mounting, PoE, IPv6, and QoS for video and voice. The WAP121 features 4 SSIDs, 2.4GHz, Fast Ethernet LAN and retails for $173.




netTALK DUO Wi-Fi Review

April 4, 2012

netTALK DUO Wi-Fi is the latest generation of their VoIP product which brings low-cost phone calling to consumers and competes directly with the popular magicJack plus product. I reviewed the original netTALK DUO last year and was very impressed. When I heard a new Wi-Fi version was in the works I was looking forward to checking it out. First the unboxing:

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