VoIP Blog - VoIP News, Gadgets

Streaming TV to PocketPC

Shhh, don't tell my boss, but I've always wanted the ability to stream live TV on my work desktop PC. You know for those times when the Yankees are playing the Red Sox in a day game on a work day, or there's a daytime NCAA game going on? Using ESPN's GameCast feature just isn't the same.

There are some sites that stream live TV for free,but you're limited to the channel that they stream. I want the ability to stream my home digital cable network which has 200+ channels!

There are tons of sites out there that explain how you can turn your PC into a Perdonsl Video Recorder (PVR) (ala Tivo or ReplayTV) but there are very few sites that explain how to stream live TV with the ability to remotely change channels.

I want the ability to hook-up a cable connection to my home TV and then access any of the channels remotely, i.e. with a web interface I should be able to remotely switch channels. And of course the channel I select is "streamed" to my PC.

Better yet, why not stream the TV video to a PocketPC? It's much more portable and therefore I can stream video wherever I can find an IP connection -whether it's WiFi, 3G, or 1xRTT.

Here's a cool HOW-TO Guide that demonstrates how to stream TV video (both live and recorded) to a PocketPC. Pocket PC Passion - Watching TV on your PPC in Style

Here's a screenshot for changing the TV channel:

I may just have to upgrade my home PC to handle the encoding. very cool stuff!

Texas Instruments predicts broadband & VoIP growth

i saw two releases from TI regarding broadband growth as well some interesting integration of VoIP onto DSL chipsets.

Check out this story on broadand growth:
Texas Instruments Predicts Continued Momentum for Broadband Business in 2004

Here is an excerpt from the second news release:
Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) today introduced two new DSL residential gateway reference designs that add Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and wireless home networking functionality. The new designs are based upon TI's AR7 DSL router- on-a-chip and combines key technologies of TI's broadband portfolio. These DSL, VoIP and WLAN technologies were designed to allow future system-level integration with platforms containing common hardware and software architectures. This design strategy made it possible to integrate the AR7 with TI's 802.11b/g platform and voice DSP with Telogy Software(R) into a single system that provides consumers with cost-effective VoIP and WLAN for their homes.
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So basically what this means is that TI will be offering a VoIP gateway device (DSL-based) similar to an ATA (analog telephony adaptor) but it will be built into future DSLAMs, DSL modems, etc.

What's ironic is that the phone companies are the ones who offer DSL service. So by bundling a DSL modem with built-in VoIP capabilities the phone companies are enabling DSL users to "jump ship" from traditional (more expensive) PSTN voice to (less expensive) Voice over IP. Of course, I'm sure the phone companies will figure out a good business/pricing model so they don't cannibalize their revenue.

You can check out the full release here: TI Brings VoIP to DSL

Cellphone GPS traffic monitoring

Zipdash - Mobile Map and Traffic App

In a recent blog entry, I talked about my desire to "integrate" GPS with tracking technology to be able to determine traffic speeds and re-route accordingly.

Well, who knew that just a few days later I would be watching TechTV and they would demonstrate a product that is very close to what I was looking for!

A company called ZipDash works with NexTel phones (with GPS option) and displays a map on the Nextel phone with color coded arrows to indicate the traffic speed (green, yellow, red). (I believe it's a Java app on the phone)

I mentioned in my blog that my "theoretical idea" of a P2P GPS traffic monitoring model would require users to have to "opt in" in order to receive traffic reports. Sure enough, ZipDash works on that principal. If you "opt in" to receiving ZipDash's traffic data, you must also let ZipDash track your cell phone location. Of course it is anonymous according to this quote from their website:

"Rest assured, the information we gather is completely anonymous. Nextel doesn't even allow us access to information such as your phone number. We don't ask you for personal information and we make protecting your privacy a top priority. "

It's only in California unfortunately. But this gives me hope that one day the New York/Connecticut Metro area will have it some day.

Here's the link to the TechTV show I saw:
TechTV - ZipDash - GPS & Cell Phone

Keyspan USB Server

Have you ever been frustrated by plugging and unplugging USB devices from your measly 2 USB ports (typically most PCs only come with 2 ports) I know I have constantly had to plug/unplug a USB printer, Canon PowerShot G3 digital camera, iPaq sync cradle, Plantronics USB headset, Intel videocamera, and more from my PC. I thought about buying a USB hub to add more ports, but I guess I'm just too damn cheap.

Actually I just couldn't justify spending the money on USB hub just due to the "laziness factor" of having to plug/unplug USB devices.

I did wish I could "share" my USB peripheral devices on the network so that my network of PCs (home & work) could share the USB devices without having to move them.

Well, my wish has come true with Keyspan's USB Server! This is cool stuff!

Check out the news release I received:
_______________________
Below find news from Keyspan as it ships its new USB Server which represents an entirely new product category that supports USB devices as a class rather than just USB printers.

Richmond, CA-- April 12, 2004 -- Keyspan, America's #1 brand of USB connectivity products*, announces it is now shipping its revolutionary USB Server that connects USB devices to a Mac or PC via a wired or wireless Ethernet-based LAN.

The Keyspan USB Server has an MSRP of $129 and is available to resellers from Ingram Micro, Wynit and D&H; and to consumers at CompUSA, CDW, and other leading computer products resellers.

Much like a USB print server, the USB Server enables attached USB devices to be used and shared by client PCs on a LAN. In addition to printers, the USB Server supports other USB devices such as scanners and multi-function printers.

The USB Server provides 4 ports for connecting to USB devices at Full Speed USB (12 Mbps). It connects to 10/100 Ethernet networks via an RJ45 connector and supports static IP, DHCP, and Apple's Rendezvous address assignment. Client PCs must be running Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Mac OSX 10.2.8 or higher.

"The Keyspan USB Server makes it possible to share USB printers and USB scanners across a LAN in a home office, small office or classroom," stated Mike Ridenhour, president of Keyspan. "Client PCs can be wired or wireless - providing a great way to print from a Wi-Fi-based laptop."

Morpheus goes after VoIP market

Morpheus used to be the leading P2P client and formerly one of my favorite P2P applications - that is before they were sued by the RIAA, then "revamped" their client and started bundling spyware. In any event, they've cleaned up their act a little and offer a decent P2P client app, that can access multiple P2P networks at once (i.e. Kazaa, eDonkey, iMesh, Overnet, Grokster, Gnutella, LimeWire, etc.). I haven't checked it out yet, as I am still partial to eMule Plus.

In any event, Morpheus has partnered with i2Telecom to launch a new VoIP service.

Here's the news release:
i2Telecom and StreamCast's Morpheus Global VoIP Solution Now Available

Some keypoints:
1) You have to buy Morpheus' VoiceBox for $49.95. oy! Another VoIP gateway box? I hope it's at least standards-based (i.e. SIP or H.323)
2) Their news release says "Unlimited free calling to other Morpheus Voicebox(TM) customers anywhere in the world"
3) If it's "free" Then what's this? "Unlimited Global Community calling plan for $6.95/month." Is it free or is it $6.95/month? Make up your minds!
3) Calls to all U.S. and Canadian telephones cost only 3.9 cents per minute.
4) They offer a "Vonage-like"service by offering "North America Unlimited Plan - additional $18.95/month."

Of course Vonage has both inbound & outbound phone number capabilities, i.e. they give you a real phone number. As far as I can tell te Morpheus/i2Telecom service is outbound only to telephony numbers. The only inbound service is via fellow Morpheus/i2Telecom users. Not very useful if you want grandma to call you!

And I should point out that P2P Kazaa founders Niklas Zennstrom and Kazaa co-creator Janus Friis announced a similar venture with Skype

In fact Skype is fast becoming a very popular VoIP client since:
a) it's free to call fellow Skype users and it doesn't require a hardware box like Morpheus
b) it works through NAT firewalls
c) the voice is encrypted.

Still, the Morpheus news bodes well for the Internet telephony industry.

I hate traffic! GPS to the rescue?

I hate traffic. No, let me rephrase that. I HATE traffic! Connecticut's I-95 corridor from Bridgeport to Greenwich is ranked as having traffic in the nation. I know for a fact that commuting on I-95 has knocked off at least 5 years of my lifetime - not to mention the years I have sat idling in standstill traffic, wasting gallons of fossil fuel, polluting the environment, and the increased blood pressure incurred by cursing that guy who just cut me off just to advance 3 car spaces in 5 mph traffic.

You know what I hate even worse? Those damn radio traffic reports! They're absolutely useless! Just when I thought I found a good radio station to give me a heads-up on traffic delays, I am always sorely disappointed. Here's a typical traffic report: "Thing are a little bit heavy by exit 30. There will be slight breaks in the traffic until you reach exit 25 with a slight slowdown caused by a fender bender over on the right shoulder. I-95 is pretty smooth sailing with a touch of the brakes by exit 40."

Basically, this traffic report tells me nothing. It's all generalities with no real indication if I should take an alternate route. In fact, this last comment "just a touch of the brakes" comment happened this morning on the way to work. It wasn't a "touch of the brakes" - try "just a touch of the gas pedal every 30 seconds!" since traffic was crawling.

Had the traffic report given me an "estimated speed" or some sort of "traffic jam factor" I could have taken back roads or an alternate highway. But alas, the only time traffic reports really help me is if there is a major accident.

Here's my solution. Why not use GPS technology combined with vehicle tracking? Already on the road there are millions of GPS units installed on cars and trucks. While most GPS units are one-way (no vehicle tracking), many do have vehicle tracking, such as OnStar which is installed on probably thousands of vehicles that could be used to calculate the average speed on any given road

Now, I know privacy advocates would probably scream bloody murder at the idea of letting someone "track" their vehicle, but there are ways around the privacy issue. What if the owners of GPS-enabled cars "opted in" to allowing a third-party traffic monitoring company track their vehicle anonymously to determine traffic patterns real-time? As an incentive, the GPS service provider (OnStar) could offer a discount if you opt-in to letting them track the speed/location of your vehicle. Service providers can "sell" the traffic data to radio stations for accurate traffic reports, or even back to the people they have "opted in".

Of course, "speeders" may be wary of letting someone track their speed, but I'm sure there is way of "anonymizing" the data and only keeping "realtime" data for 1-3 seconds (just enough to calculate average speed) before deleting it - this way law enforcement can't subpoena driving information. Actually, since each GPS waypoint is "anonymous", it won't matter.

The key would be to have the highest resolution for the most accuracy - that is lots of GPS "pixels" on the road map constantly moving and being tracked to calculate average speed most accurately. In the U.S., since there are thousands of FEDEX and UPS trucks that already have vehicle tracking installed, they certainly increase the "resolution" of traffic information across the entire USA. FEDEX and UPS could probably make a KILLING selling this information to a traffic monitoring company that provides integrated real-time traffic data to a GPS navigation device installed in a vehicle.

I should point out that there are GPS solutions out there that are already offering real-time traffic reports for a monthly fee, but there are 2 problems. One, the areas covered by the real-time traffic reports are limited to specific geographic regions and therefore has limited usability. Second, they charge a monthly fee. I think what the GPS providers need to do is offer traffic reporting for "free", get people "hooked" and then start charging. If it's "free", more people are apt to get and install GPS in there cars, and if they follow my idea about "opting in" to the "GPS tracking network", then that will increase the traffic monitoring "resolution".

Perhaps even a P2P (peer-to-peer) model may be in store for GPS? If you "share" your GPS data with other P2P GPS users, they have to share back to you, which in turn builds a huge P2P GPS network with accurate traffic information!

I'm sure this will happen some day. I just hope sooner rather than later. Now that I've moved, Route 7 is my new traffic nightmare. Did I mention I hate traffic?

WiFi VoIP using mesh networks

I'm a huge fan of WiFi. I just wish it was more ubiquitous. There are a plethora of technologies coming to market to help make this happen, such as "mesh networks" that will help improve WiFi network coverage.

The beauty of the "mesh" is that you can quickly create new wireless networks or extend existing WLANs without needing a wired connection to each access point (AP). Mesh-enabled APs are good at load balancing because they can choose the most efficient path for data.

Basically, think of your cell phone when you ae driving. You are "hitting" the most optimal cell tower (strongest signal typically) and as you drive along, the cell tower "hands off" the connection to the next most optimal tower.

The next extension of WiFi "mesh networks" is to add VoIP to it. This could in theory render cell phone carriers obsolete! Think about it. A SIP-enabled PDA or WiFi-enabled cell phone can logon to the Internet via the WiFi mesh network and make phone calls for FREE!

Of course, the mesh networks no doubt will charge something for the data/Internet access, but if you are like me and you want Internet access anywhere you go, and are willing to pay for it, then having voice access (via VoIP) is just icing on the cake!

Well I was intrigued to learn that there is a company that is providing VoIP using the SIP protocol across a WiFi mesh network.

Here's an excerpt of its features:
- Make and receive calls to any SIP compatible phone service
- Use wired or wireless devices over the mesh for full function telephony services
- Roam all over the mesh, using the same phone number
- Call to other Internet users for no charge

Check it out:
Meshed Voice over IP goes live with SIP routing :: LocustWorld :: The Information Revolution - mesh networking hardware and software

The LocustWorld MeshAP now supports standards based Voice over IP, with SIP routing capability at every node

Canada regulates VoIP

MSNBC - Canada leans toward regulating VoIP

Oh boy! We knew it was coming - the regulation of VoIP. For now it's our neighbors up north, but could the U.S. be far behind?

GPS Wish List

In my last blog entry, I mentioned I would discuss a GPS wishlist. First a backgrounder. I had to disable my Mitsubishi 3000GT's after-market alarm system (with an engine cut off switch) because both remote controls died.

One died because it got wet (fell in a lake) and the other just died for no reason. Of course the company went out of business, so I couldn't order replacement remotes.

The whole point of my spending $600 in 1995 was for piece of mind that this alarm had an engine cutoff switch making it harder to steal the car. So i was none to happy when I had to disable it.

I thought about installing LoJack but the car today isn't worth spending the amount of money that Lojack costs.

But it got me thinking. Why can't I just use inexpensive GPS technology to know if my car is being stolen? I already have GPS installed in my car via an iPaq Pocket PC, why not leverage that? I mean after all, FEDEX trucks and other vehicles already use GPS vehicle tracking technology. Wouldn't it be great if I could be sitting in a ballpark watching a game and if someone moves my car I would immediately receive a page, SMS, or email on my cell phone or PDA?

I knew the technology existed, but figured it would be prohibitively expensive. I did some preliminary research to see if such a product does exist for the common man.

I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that PowerLoc, the same company that makes my favorite PocketPC-based GPS software Destinator makes a GPS-tracking device.

They have 2 models - the VLD 101 and the VLD 201, with the same feature-set except the 201 has a motion sensor with alarm notification - exactly what I was looking for!

Other features include:
- Stolen Vehicle Tracking/Notification - Set and disable tracking parameters over the Internet
- Stolen Shutdown Service - Immobilize the vehicle's starter if your vehicle is moved or stolen
- Geofence Notification - An "invisible boundary" sets as a circle around the VLD. If the vehicle is moved outside of the Geofence, an SMS (Short Message Service) or e-mail emergency alert will be sent to the pre-determined recipients.

And here's an interesting one:
- Valet Button - Vehicle owner may press this button to set a 2-kilometer radius around the vehicle's current location. If the vehicle is moved outside of the set boundary, an alarm will sound. If it is not deactivated within16 seconds, an SMS or e-mail alert will be sent to the pre-determined recipients.

Unfortunately, the pricetag is $679. I assume of the reasons is that this product has a built-in cellular antenna that uses the nationwide Cellemetry network. I'm not sure if you have to "subscribe" to Cellemetry and pay a monthly fee as well.

As much as I love gadgets, and as cool as vehicle tracking would be, I'm too cheap to spend $679 for it. Call me cheap I guess. Alas, I will wait for the day for ubiquitous WiFi coverage. Then I can use my existing GPS receiver and existing PocketPC w/ GPS software for real-time vehicle tracking and monitoring over the Internet.

GPS Navigation Rules!

I’m a huge fan of GPS. I’ve got a Compaq iPaq PocketPC mounted to my windshield using a suction cub device connected to a Destinator GPS antenna (http://www.destinator1.com) and running Destinator 3.0 GPS software/maps. They license the same maps used by Mapquest from a company called NavTech. So whether you’ve cursed Mapquest for improper directions or thanked the Almighty for the convenience of Mapquest, will determine how accurate you think Destinator’s maps are.

Actually, in my opinion, the Destinator maps are quite good and they include POIs (Points of Interest) categories that include gas, restaurants, casinos, shopping, airports, and more. You can check out my review of their older 2.0 version here: http://www.planetpdamag.com/content/062602tk.htm
I'm actually running Destinator 3.0 (much improved) now. I should probably do another review, shouldn't I? Ok, maybe in a week or so I will.

What I really like about Destinator is the fact that it’s portable – I can move the GPS antenna along with the PocketPC to my Dodge Viper to my Mitsubishi 3000GT or to my wife’s Ford Taurus. Typically, in-car GPS units are $1500-$3000, so to install for my 3 cars would not be cheap. Destinator is only ~$300 for the maps and PocketPC software, and since I already owned a PocketPC, I basically got a full-fledged GPS navigation system for just around $300!

I do have a feature “wish list” for GPS technology that doesn’t exist – yet. I’ll talk about that in my next blog.

Microsoft adds VoIP to Windows CE

A new version of Windows CE is due this summer (Microsoft Watch) and with that release comes some cool embedded VoIP functionality.

Windows CE 5.0 integrates with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 for contacts and calendaring, adds multiparty audio conferencing, and provides automatic provisioning to SIP servers.

One nifty example of how the Exchange integration would work is that it will allow a user to look up contact information through an IP phone and know whether they are online via presence. With automatic provisioning, an IP phone running CE 5.0 could scan the network for its correct SIP address and access the right SIP server.

According to Balz Wyss, product manager in Microsoft's Embedded Devices Group, Microsoft is focusing on expanding its VOIP partners for Windows CE. At a recent VoIP tradeshow, it announced 13 new VOIP manufacturer partners focused on embedding Windows CE into IP phones and other devices.

According to Wyss, Vonage has a prototype of a PC-based soft phone built on Windows CE 5.0 that it plans to offer to its customers once the new OS is available.

Google goes after Hotmail

Wow, as a "free" Hotmail user myself, I was shocked to learn that Google is launching a "free" email service of its own that puts Hotmail's 2mb "free" limit to shame! No more deleting spam email on Hotmail every 30 minutes just so I can receive more email. You ever wonder if Microsoft purposely fills the spam folder or sells our hotmail addresses? ok, maybe that's just conspiracy talk. But I just may have to switch from my Hotmail to Google.

Check it out.
Google Gets the Message, Launches Gmail
User Complaint About Existing Services Leads Google to Create Search-Based Webmail

Search is Number Two Online Activity – Email is Number One; "Heck, Yeah," Say Google Founders
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - April 1, 2004 UTC - Amidst rampant media speculation, Google Inc. today announced it is testing a preview release of Gmail – a free search-based webmail service with a storage capacity of up to eight billion bits of information, the equivalent of 500,000 pages of email. Per user.

The inspiration for Gmail came from a Google user complaining about the poor quality of existing email services, recalled Larry Page, Google co-founder and president, Products. "She kvetched about spending all her time filing messages or trying to find them," Page said. "And when she's not doing that, she has to delete email like crazy to stay under the obligatory four megabyte limit. So she asked, 'Can't you people fix this?'"

The idea that there could be a better way to handle email caught the attention of a Google engineer who thought it might be a good "20 percent time" project. (Google requires engineers to spend a day a week on projects that interest them, unrelated to their day jobs). Millions of M&Ms later, Gmail was born.

"If a Google user has a problem with email, well, so do we," said Google co-founder and president of technology, Sergey Brin. "And while developing Gmail was a bit more complicated than we anticipated, we're pleased to be able to offer it to the user who asked for it."

Added Page, "Gmail solves all of my communication needs. It's fast and easy and has all the storage I need. And I can use it from anywhere. I love it!"

Today, a handful of users will begin testing the preview version of Gmail. Unlike other free webmail services, Gmail is built on the idea that users should never have to file or delete a message, or struggle to find an email they've sent or received. Key features of Gmail include:

Search: Built on Google search technology, Gmail enables people to quickly search every email they've ever sent or received. Using keywords or advanced search features, Gmail users can find what they need, when they need it.

Storage: Google believes people should be able to hold onto their mail forever. That's why Gmail comes with 1,000 megabytes (1 gigabyte) of free storage – more than 100 times what most other free webmail services offer.

Speed: Gmail makes using email faster and more efficient by eliminating the need to file messages into folders, and by automatically organizing individual emails into meaningful "conversations" that show messages in the context of all the replies sent in response to them. And it turns annoying spam e-mail messages into the equivalent of canned meat.
According to Page and Brin, Google will make the preview test version of Gmail available to a small number of email aficionados. With luck, Gmail will prove popular to them – and to the original user who sparked the idea.

Those interested in learning more about Gmail can visit http://gmail.google.com.

Cool! Online VoIP Quality Test

I discovered a company (Brix Networks) that can actually test your broadband connection for VoIP viability. They can measure latency, jitter, packet loss, and even do MOS scoring! Way cool!

Here are some details, with a screenshot below:

TestYourVoIP.com is supported by a VoIP performance management system from Brix Networks. The Brix System consists of distributed test points called Verifiers that communicate with, and are managed by, a centralized server application called BrixWorx.

Signaling Quality: Call setup performance
Delivery Quality: Call stream performance
Call Quality: Overall voice quality and call experience

Here's a screenshot of my test results on T1 line.
View image