Microsoft

Asterisk USB Hub

March 31, 2008

No Asterisk fan can do without some Asterisk paraphernalia such as an Asterisk or Digium T-Shirt, Asterisk book, maybe even an Asterisk coffee mug from ITEXPO where lots of Asterisk happenings take place. Well now you can add an Asterisk USB hub to your collection of all-things Asterisk! This four-port USB hub in the shape of an "asterisk" was created by industrial designer Joel Escalona

He writes:

Some of these designs have been fortunate enough to be manufactured, others were just lucky to be prototypes or models and the less fortunate live within a render. So if at some point you are interested in finding out more about any of my projects or you want to produce, buy or distribute one, do not hesitate to contact me to ask for more details about any of my designs.

Posted in Accessories, Asterisk, Gadgets, ITEXPO, Linux, Microsoft, TMCnet, Technology and Science, VoIP

Microsoft Response Point SP1

March 24, 2008

Today, Microsoft released announced Microsoft Response Point Service Pack 1 (SP1), which adds SIP trunking support. Response Point Service Pack 1 (SP1), not to be confused with the recent release of Vista SP1, will be released this summer, available free via a simple download.
I spoke with Microsoft last week and they said they are partnering with several SIP-based ITSPs, which will enable Response Point administrators (or VARs) to easily add SIP trunks and move away from analog trunks. You simply use a VoIP account setup wizard in the Response Point Administrator, to connect with Internet telephony service providers (ITSPs) and add new VoIP phone numbers.

The other benefit is the ability to add local phone numbers.

Posted in Microsoft, Reviews, SIP, TMCnet, VoIP

New Communicator Add-in for Outlook

March 20, 2008

Last night I received an email from Microsoft allowing Microsoft MVPs to play with a new Communicator Add-in for Outlook. It's pre-release so playing with this new software is "invitation only". I tried to download the new version so I can include some screenshots, but Microsoft hasn't activated my Windows Live account yet. So stay tuned...

Posted in Microsoft, SIP, TMCnet, Unified Communications, VoIP

Microsoft & Aspect Software Partner on Unified Communications

March 18, 2008

Today, the Microsoft Unified Communications Group announced a a multi-year strategic alliance with Aspect Software to help deliver unified communications to contact centers. Aspect Software is considered one of the leading players in the contact center space, so this is huge news for Microsoft. The goal is to bring Microsoft's Office Communications Server (OCS) 2007 unified communications software to contact centers currently or planning to use Aspect Software products. Aspect has a huge footprint in the contact center space, so this strategic alliance will help Microsoft crack into this vital space.

Aspect will design its Aspect Unified IP contact center solution to interoperate with Microsoft’s OCS platform for software-powered voice and unified communications and will offer it as the leading option to new and existing customers.

Posted in Microsoft, SIP, TMCnet, Unified Communications, VoIP

Voice Mobility UCN Vmerge takes on Microsoft OCS

February 13, 2008

TMC President, Rich Tehrani today excitedly writes about Voice Mobility's UCN Vmerge a product that unites various communication technologies including voice, fax, and email. The kicker is they are leveraging several Google apps to develop their unified communications platform.

Rich writes:

Thanks to Voice Mobility, you can now integrate Google Apps with your unified communications system in your campus or corporate environment. As you may know, the Google Apps suite includes Gmail, Google Talk, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Contacts, Mobile apps and other collaboration tools all using the workplace or campus domain.
...
According to UCN spokesman Mike Seely, Voice Mobility's VP of Global Sales, this total solution is like deploying Microsoft Exchange server, Active Directory and Office Communication Server at a fraction of the cost. In fact, Seely compares this solution in the workplace and campus market to what Salesforce.com has done in the CRM space.

Posted in Microsoft, Mobile Phones, Unified Communications, VoIP, Wireless

Microsoft mashup of SOA and UC (Unified Communications)

February 11, 2008

We all know the big splash Microsoft made in 2007 with the launch of OCS 2007; for instance, check out my review. OCS is the "core" of Microsoft's unified communications strategy for the enterprise. But as we know, the enterprise is no longer an island simply containing a (IP-)PBX and phones. Today, the enterprise is looking to integrate their corporate communications infrastructure with the Web and perhaps more importantly the wireless/mobile world.

I was surfing today when I came across a fascinating post by ZDNet blogger David Greenfield.

Posted in Microsoft, Mobile Phones, VoIP, Wireless

Netflix Streaming via Vista Media Center MyNetflix plugin

February 11, 2008

Yesterday, I discussed some cool (free) video utilities for converting & downloading video on your Microsoft Media Center PC to your Microsoft Zune. Today, I just learned about another cool video application called MyNetflix for Vista Media Center. The plug-in's "Watch Now" streaming ability is perhaps the coolest feature. Simply using your Media Center remote control you can have the 10' experience of streaming Netflix movies on-demand from your sofa. I always have trouble returning my DVDs, so having the instant gratification of watching a Netflix movie on my 65" TV using my MCE remote control would be great.

Posted in Home Entertainment, Microsoft, Video Hardware & Software

DVRMSToolbox For Vista 1.2.1.1 Released

February 9, 2008

DVRMSToolbox For Vista 1.2.1.1 was just released. DVRMSToolbox is a very cool video converter utility for converting TV programs (in Microsoft DVR-MS format) on your Vista PC to .wmv for playback on the Zune video player. Even cooler it can auto-detect and strip out the commercials. With the proper profile setting it converts to a .wmv file with the proper settings such that the Zune software doesn't need to transcode the .wmv video file again (time-consuming). There's also a Windows XP version available that runs on Windows MCE 2005, the first version of Windows with Media Center Edition (MCE) built-in for capturing & playing bck TV programs, but that version is a little older.

Posted in Computer Software, Home Entertainment, Microsoft, Video Hardware & Software

Yahoo Overture Keyword Selector Tool Outage

February 1, 2008

Posted in Microsoft, News, TMCnet

Microsoft assimilates Yahoo

February 1, 2008

According the various news reports, including TMC's Greg Galitzine who also reported on the possibility last May, Microsoft is going to "assimilate" Yahoo. For non-Star Trek fans, that means the big powerful Borg (Microsoft) is going to take over (assimilate) Yahoo.

Greg writes:

Microsoft Corp. has apparently made an unsolicited $44.6 billion offer for Yahoo! Inc. in a bid to challenge Google Inc.'s dominance in all things Internet, specifically search and advertising.

The offer of $31 a share in cash or Microsoft stock constitutes a greater than 60% premium over Yahoo's closing price January 31.

Posted in Microsoft

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