Video Conferencing

fring Brings Video calls to iPhone and iPod touch

December 1, 2009

fring has done it again! A few weeks ago they brought video calls to the Google Android. Then last week they brought video calls to Nokia phones with promises that the Apple iPhone was coming soon.

Well, that day has arrived! You can now have video calls on your iPhone I installed fring on my iPhone and am about to test it.

Posted in Android, Apple, Gadgets, Mobile Phones, SIP, TMCnet, Unified Communications, Video Conferencing, VoIP

fring and Skype Video calls on your Mobile Phone

November 25, 2009

Just a week after fring released an Android version, fring has now announced video calls over your mobile phone's Internet connection. It supports both fring video calls and Skype video calls.Pretty cool to have a videoconference call using your cell phone.

Currently fring video is only supported on Nokia touch (such as X6, N97 mini,N97, 5800), N95, N95 8G and N82 devices. I'm told by a fring representative that iPhone support is coming - though with the iPhone's rear camera mount, it will be kind of tough to have a 2-way video conversation.

Posted in Android, Gadgets, Internet, Mobile Phones, SIP, Skype, Video Conferencing, VoIP, Wireless

Run Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Virtualized

November 13, 2009

According to Microsoft, Office Communications Server 2007 R2 can now be deployed onto Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V, or onto any virtualization solution that is a certified partner through the Server Virtualization Validation Program (SVVP) certified partners. Running OCS 2007 R2 "virtualized" is a hot topic, so knowing exactly how and which components can be virtualized is crucial so you're not banging your head against the wall wondering why it isn't working.

Well, the good news is that it supports the following workloads virtualized:

Presence
IM (including conferencing, remote access, federation, and Public IM Connectivity)
Group Chat

Today, Microsoft released a whitepaper which identifies which server roles are supported in a virtualized environment and it provides guidance for scaling users and workloads in a virtualized environment. Best to let Microsoft spend the time testing and determining the results rather than you doing all the effort.

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

Microsemi Launches Captain Marvel-proof PoE Midspan

October 21, 2009

Today, Microsemi is launching a new line of midspans which feature integrated lightning protection. This marks the first time a PoE midspan features lightning protection. As more and more PoE devices are used outdoors, including outdoor wireless Access Points (APs), outdoor security cameras, and more, having lightning protection is critical. One lightning bolt strike and it can wipe out your entire networking and IT infrastructure.

Posted in SIP, Sports/Outdoor Technology, TMCnet, Technology and Science, Unified Communications, Video Conferencing, VoIP, Wireless

Verizon Hub Bites the Dust

October 2, 2009

What an inglorious end to the Verizon Hub, which Verizon Wireless promoted as the greatest VoIP phone ever. Sure it was sexy, and sure it was gadgety - doubling as a Web tablet and digital phone frame, but apparently users just weren't buying. Not even a year after Verizon Wireless launched the Hub they have killed it.

Verizon Wireless said Sept. 30 it was discontinuing sales for its Verizon Hub. The Hub retailed for $199 and required a $34.99 monthly fee. Too high a price if you ask me.

Posted in SIP, TMCnet, Unified Communications, Video Conferencing, VoIP

Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 XMPP Gateway Launches

October 1, 2009

Microsoft today just released the Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 XMPP Gateway, which is available at no cost. That's right, it's free and is immediately downloadable. The XMPP gateway allows basic presence sharing and instant messaging (IM) with Cisco Jabber and Google Talk. OCS users can now instant message Cisco Jabber and Google Talk users.

The Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 XMPP Gateway can be downloaded here. Also, check out this video featuring Ashima Singhal (Senior Product Manager) and Albert Kooiman (Senior Product Manager) from the Communication Server team who discuss IM interoperability between different networks and show how the XMPP Gateway works.

Notice the different network icons (Yahoo!, AOL, Gmail/Google Talk)

Demo of Communicator client IM'ing a Google Talk user.

Some more good news - a PIC License will no longer be required for federation with American Online (AOL). Customers qualify for federation with AOL if they have Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Standard CAL or active Software Assurance on their current LCS/OCS license. Alas, customers who want Yahoo!

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

Cisco Buys Tandberg, but does Video Interoperability Suffer?

October 1, 2009

Cisco bought Tandberg, a video conferencing company for $3 billion. But is this good for the video conferencing industry or bad? Let's have a recap of Cisco's "openness" and adoption of standards.

First, Cisco was very late to adopt the SIP standard, finally embracing third-party SIP phones back in 2006. However, Cisco plays some serious licensing shenanigans that make it very cost prohibitive to use 3rd party SIP phones with Cisco CallManager.

Posted in Polycom, SIP, TMCnet, Unified Communications, Video Conferencing, VoIP

Polycom VVX 1500 Video Phone Quick Demo

September 29, 2009

Check out the quick video recording I made of two Polycom VVX 1500 IP video phones making a test video call. I used an iPhone 3GS to capture the video of the test call between the two phones. The iPhone's video recording quality isn't too shabby, but doesn't truly give you an idea of the quality of the Polycom's VVX 1500 touchscreen. (Note: The video phone was tilted far back, so it was aimed directly at the fluorescent lighting in the ceiling.

Posted in Asterisk, Polycom, Reviews, SIP, TMCnet, Video Conferencing, VoIP

Livestream Livepack Bonds Six 3G/EVDO modems for Ludicrous Wireless Internet Speed!

September 24, 2009

Livestream today is launching the world's first solution for wireless live streaming at HD quality by bonding six load-balanced 3G/EVDO modems over three carriers. Called Livepack, this unique solution enables you to have a roaming live video studio anywhere you can get 3G/EVDO connectivity. Livestream says it can stream HD video at far lower costs than traditional solutions such as broadcast trucks.â¨â¨ Of course, bonding six 3G/EVDO modems together has some other fringe benefits - like ludicrous wireless Internet speed! Wonder if you can tether the Livepack to your laptop and get super high-speed Internet access while on the road?

Posted in Gadgets, Internet, Sports/Outdoor Technology, TMCnet, Technology and Science, Unified Communications, Video Conferencing, Video Hardware & Software, VoIP, Wireless

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