VoIP Blog - VoIP News, Gadgets
|
VoIP News, VoIP Opinions, my blog analyzes the VoIP industry and general technology. Gadgets are one of my favorite topics.- About Me and Picture Gallery - Got a News Tip? |
|
VoIP News, VoIP Opinions, my blog analyzes the VoIP industry and general technology. Gadgets are one of my favorite topics.- About Me and Picture Gallery - Got a News Tip? |
Just found out about a new USB/wireless headset device from PhoneRanger targetting the VoIP market. Sure, USB headsets are a dime-a-dozen, but this product is a bit different, which I will explain in a bit.
According to PhoneRanger, "PhoneRanger 2.0 was designed to meet the need for affordable wireless headsets that can fit within the typical work environment. PhoneRanger 2.0 consists of a lightweight rechargeable headset the rests on a docking station for recharging while not in use." They sent me an email announcing the product which promoted it as "a new wireless headset for Voice-over-IP, Podcasting and Internet Radio"
Using the 47-49 MHz band, the PhoneRanger 2.0 has a range of up to 10 meters and a single charged life of three hours. Here's where it gets interesting. According to the installation instructions you plug in the power line to any USB port and connect the voice lines to the PC’s soundcard and then just wear the wireless headset. So if I understand their explanation, essentially this device uses the USB port to charge the wireless headset piece when not in use. It's not entirely clear from their website if this is the case, but I don't see why you would need BOTH the USB port and the soundcard otherwise. I assume the soundcard is for the audio and unlike most USB headsets, this product merely uses the USB port for recharging the wireless headset when not in use.
According to PhoneRanger, "No batteries, no complicated Bluetooth pairing, just plug-and-play on Day 1" Further, "With PhoneRanger 2.0, you can listen to your DVDs, CDs or downloaded podcasts; or dial into your favorite music or talk radio program on the Internet; or load your Instant Messenger or softphone to talk to your online friends for free."
Sure, Bluetooth can be a bit of a headache for noobs, but the people using Skype or other VoIP softphone clients are usually pretty technically inclined. It's an interesting idea using USB for the recharging and the sound card for the audio, but I'm just not sure I'd be willing to give up a standard Bluetooth headset to use this device. I should also point out that typically sound cards have much more latency than audio travelling across a USB connection.
In any event, the PhoneRanger 2.0 is priced at $69.99 (US).
Global IP Sound (GIPS), a leading provider of embedded voice-processing solutions for the Voice-over-IP market, is releasing its VoiceMail Engine, which allows applications developers to quickly and successfully build a fully-functional and high-quality voicemail application for VoIP telephony systems. GIPS VoiceMail Engine is a server-based solution that provides the complete media framework to handle all the voice processing needed for a VoIP voicemail system, such as file recording, file playout, and DTMF detection.
In my opinion, this is a great extension to Global IP Sound's renowned VoIP codec, especially considering all the issues of DTMF errors/non-detection due to compression of DTMF/touch-tone digits. This is a bit higher up on the food chain for Global IP Sound - more at the application level than their codec which is merely an underlying technology. While more of a developer application than a turn-key application, it still is worthy of note. It should be interesting to see if Global IP Sound launches other types of VoIP developer applications or if they will move further up the food chain and offer a full turn-key VoIP application.
“Enterprise-class voicemail is a critical component in creating a VoIP telephony system that meets the needs and expectations of today's customers,” said Roar Hagen, Founder and CTO of Global IP Sound. “In addition to providing unbeatable and cutting-edge voice quality technology, GIPS VoiceMail Engine lets developers create a complete and feature-rich solution that will add value for customers. In short, GIPS VoiceMail Engine delivers the levels of quality and capabilities that will become the de facto standard in the VoIP industry.”
GIPS VoiceMail Engine allows VoIP applications developers to provide the robust voicemail functionality found in PSTN solutions, while delivering voice quality that exceeds levels found in traditional phone systems. This powerful and expandable embedded solution enables software providers to develop traditional voicemail features, such as recording greetings, and saving and forwarding messages, as well as more advanced features like accessing messages via email. GIPS VoiceMail Engine also includes key features designed specifically for VoIP communications, such as codec settings, DTMF detection, and support for .wav files.
GIPS VoiceMail Engine incorporates the state-of-the-art voice processing technology found in GIPS VoiceEngine and GIPS ConferenceEngine, which maximize quality by reducing the effects of packet loss, jitter and delay, clock drift and quality impairments inherent in VoIP communications. GIPS VoiceMail Engine also enables the flexibility to configure capacity in terms of mailboxes, recording time and simultaneous access parameters. Other features include volume control and automatic gain control.
GIPS VoiceMail Engine supports a broad array of platforms, including Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows XP, Mac OS X and Linux. It is compatible with any call set-up protocol, including SIP and H.323, and allows for the addition of external encryption technology for enhanced security.
Upgrading to MovableType running MySQL instead of the Berkeley database was certainly a challenge, but it was worth the effort (I include the MT upgrade steps below). I've been running the default Berkeley database for TMC's blogs, including my own. I knew that the Berkeley database was not very robust in terms of database recovery/disaster, rebuilding, or fixing corrupt table entries - at least not unless you compile the Berkeley tools written in C to run on Windows 2003 where TMC's blogs reside. There are several advantages to MySQL over Berkeley, including better user community support, better tools, better backup & disaster recovery options, ability to query or modify the blog tables directly using SQL statements, and better performance.
I had several problems upgrading to MySQL and thought I would share the solution so others don't go through the nightmares that I did.
 |
MySQL Server Instance Configuration |
 |
MySQL Multifunctional Database |
| |
MySQL Manual Number of Connections |
| |
MySQL Manual Number of Connections |
 |
IIS 6.0 CGI Timeout Problem Fixed |
Belkin may be a late-comer to the VoIP game, but lately they've been coming on strong in the VoIP space. Before Cisco bought Linksys, I always put Belkin, Linksys, and D-Link in the same group of competitors targeting the small-to-medium sized business and home within the networking space. I suppose even with the Cisco merger, Linksys products still target the SMB. I believe Linksys was one of the first to offer an integrated broadband router with a VoIP ATA port. In any event, Belkin seems to be taking VoIP seriously - Belkin has recently launched several VoIP products and today NetFabric and Belkin have announced a partnership to offer a bundled VoIP equipment and services solution for businesses.
Here's the release:
Danbury, CT & Compton, CA – April 7, 2005 – NetFabric Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Houston Operating Company (OTC:HOOC) and a leading developer of products that enable small and medium businesses to adopt VoIP services, and Belkin Corporation, the global leader in connectivity solutions, today announced they have teamed up to provide a total business solution designed specifically with the small enterprise in mind.
NetFabric Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Houston Operating Company (OTC: HOOC), is a leading developer of VoIP platforms and services that small offices need to achieve significant costs savings and benefit from the business efficiencies of IP-based applications. NetFabric builds solutions that allow small offices to adopt VoIP services while maintaining their legacy phone systems and, eventually, migrate to an all-IP infrastructure. Founded in 2002, NetFabric is based in
Belkin Corporation, the global leader in connectivity solutions, offers a range of innovations for the computer, electronics, and mobile consumer. With a diverse and far-reaching product mix consisting of home and enterprise networking, audio video solutions, KVM (keyboard/video/mouse) and peripheral sharing, power protection and cabling, as well as USB and FireWire® devices, Belkin extends its reach to Bluetooth™, cellular, PDA, iPod®, and other solutions for mobile computing. Belkin has introduced multiple types of messaging services that allow users to send or receive email, voice mail, faxes, and mobile text messages through one IP-based portal, from any computer and web-enabled device. Belkin products are available through www.belkin.com as well as through a network of major distributors, resellers, and superstores.
AOL finally launches their long awaited VoIP offering...Also, check out Andy Abramson's blog. He plans to write more about AOL's offering today and he has some AOL insights from yesterday as well.
DULLES, Va. --(Business Wire)-- April 7, 2005 -- America Online, Inc. Offers Phone, E-Mail and Instant Messaging In One Enhanced Communications Service Market Rollout Begins in Select Cities Across the U.S. *T
America Online, Inc., the world's leading interactive services company, today began the rollout of the AOL(R) Internet Phone Service, an enhanced Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service that offers current and new AOL(R) members a valuable new choice for all of their voice, e-mail and instant messaging communications needs.
Starting today, America Online will introduce the AOL Internet Phone Service in more than 40 markets across the United States, the first phase of a nationwide rollout that will continue to additional cities over the coming months. The innovative Internet communications service will offer cost-saving pricing over traditional telephone service and an enhanced suite of integrated voice and online messaging features.
Jon Miller, Chairman and CEO, America Online, Inc., said, "The AOL Internet Phone Service will uniquely combine advanced tools, competitive pricing plans and AOL's hallmark ease of use to allow mass-market consumers to take full advantage of the revolution underway in Internet voice technology. Our enhanced suite of features will provide not only cost savings, but also the opportunity to organize, access and direct the full range of online and offline communications -- including voice, e-mail, instant messaging and phone/address book -- with one convenient service."
With this launch, America Online is offering new AOL customers a special introductory package rate of $29.99 per month for the first six months for the AOL Internet Phone Service and the AOL service. This offer includes unlimited Local and Long Distance calling within the US and Canada plus unlimited access to the AOL service over a broadband connection. At the end of six months, the price of the package will be $39.99.
For the AOL Internet Phone Service alone, current AOL members can choose from three convenient price plans with introductory offer rates:
-- Local Plan: $13.99 per month for the first three months for unlimited local and regional calls and $0.04 per minute for long distance calls anywhere in the US and Canada ($18.99 per month thereafter);
-- Unlimited Calling Plan: $24.99 per month for the first three months for one flat fee for local and long distance calls within the US and Canada ($29.99 per month thereafter); and
-- Global Calling Plan: $29.99 per month for the first three months, including unlimited local and long distance calls within the US and Canada and low international rates ($34.99 per month thereafter).
As a limited time offer in conjunction with the first phase of the rollout of the new service, America Online is giving current AOL members who sign up a free wireless home network base station.
About the AOL Internet Phone Service
The AOL Internet Phone Service transforms an existing high-speed Internet connection into an innovative voice and data service with enhanced features, giving consumers unprecedented ease, control and convenience over their day-to-day communications. By transmitting telephone calls over a high-speed Internet connection, the AOL Internet Phone service will enable users to make and receive local, long distance and international phone calls at a lower cost than traditional land line phone services.
What sets the AOL Internet Phone Service apart is its suite of convenient features - many of which are not currently available with other telephone services - including unified voice, e-mail and instant messaging, enhanced voicemail and call management capabilities, online presence awareness, and more. Current features include:
-- Standard calling features on the phone, with Call Waiting, Caller ID and Voicemail, and Quick Codes including Basic Call Forwarding (*72/*73), Send Calls to Voicemail (*78/*79), and Cancel Call Waiting (*70).
-- Innovative call management features such as the online AOL Internet Phone Service "Dashboard," a central Web page from which users can easily manage their account settings, call handling and call forwarding preferences, call logs of incoming and outgoing calls, as well as access contact lists with click-to-dial functionality and their address book.
-- America Online's feature-rich, voice services - AOL(R) Call Alert, AOLbyPhone(TM) and AOL(R) Voicemail - are all integrated at no additional charge, making it possible to manage and retrieve both voice and e-mail messages, anytime, anywhere from any touchtone phone or Internet-connected computer, and to take calls on your home phone, mobile phone and computer.
-- Integrated online presence awareness options that make it possible to indicate how, where, when and whether phone contacts can be reached via instant messages.
-- Safety and security features, including AOL's Parental Controls to help parents manage their children's use of the service and turn off call alerts to specific accounts, as well as Call Blocking.
-- Full Enhanced 911 (E-911) calling coverage in all of the markets targeted for the initial rollout of the AOL Internet Phone Service. E-911 helps deliver a user's address-specific information in the event of an emergency.
-- Compatibility with most existing home networks and capable of enabling a home network if consumers don't already have one.
Additional enhancements and upgrades will be introduced in the months to come.
The AOL Internet Phone Service is simple to get up and running in just a few steps. After registration, customers will receive a Welcome Kit that includes an easy-to-connect telephone terminal adapter/broadband router, into which they plug an ordinary touchtone telephone and their cable or digital subscriber line (DSL) modem. To place and receive calls, a user just picks up the adapter-connected telephone and dials numbers as he or she normally would.
James Tobin, Vice President, Voice Strategy for America Online, Inc., said, "AOL sees integrated voice and data features as a natural extension of our leadership in Internet communications - and the voice, e-mail and instant messaging services the company already offers. With a network of millions of connected users, industry-leading partners, and a brand name associated with trust and quality, AOL is well positioned and has the technology to offer consumers a differentiated and enhanced VoIP experience - one that's focused on ease-of-use, quality, reliability and 24-hour/7-day a week customer care."
America Online is working with world-class partners to provide the proven infrastructure required to ensure success. Level 3 Communications is providing a managed VoIP infrastructure needed to deliver a service with a broad footprint in the markets targeted, as well as Enhanced 911 (E-911) capability and Local Number Portability. Sonus Networks is providing the VoIP technology that integrates with AOL's rich feature set to change the very nature of voice calls and make them a pathway not just for conversations, but also for a wide range of next-generation interactive applications.
America Online is also working with Linksys and NETGEAR, leading networking hardware manufacturers, to offer unique devices for the AOL Internet Phone Service that combine telephone adapter and home router technologies.
Availability
The AOL Internet Phone Service is being introduced to consumers in numerous markets beginning today, including: Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; Charlotte, NC; Chicago, IL; Cincinnati, OH; Cleveland, OH; Colorado Springs, CO; Columbus, OH; Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX; Denver, CO; Detroit, MI; Ft. Myers, FL; Hartford-New Haven, CT; Houston, TX; Indianapolis, IN; Kansas City, KS; Lafayette, IN; Laredo, TX; Las Vegas, NV; Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL; Milwaukee, WI; Nashville, TN; New York, NY; Norfolk, VA; Orlando, FL; Philadelphia, PA; Phoenix, AZ; Pittsburgh, PA; Portland, OR; Providence, RI; Raleigh-Durham, NC; Salt Lake City, UT; San Antonio, TX; San Diego, CA; San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA; Seattle-Tacoma, WA; St. Louis, MO; Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL; Tucson, AZ; Washington DC; and West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce, FL.
Over the coming months, the AOL Internet Phone Service will progress to additional cities across the United States.
None of the AOL Internet Phone Service price plans requires an activation fee, and the entire suite of AOL Internet Phone Service features - including the Dashboard, AOL Call Alert, AOL Voicemail and the AOLbyPhone service - is included at no additional cost.(a)
To learn more about the AOL Internet Phone Service, visit www.AOL.com, AOL(R) Keyword: Internet Phone Service or call 1-877-265-7732.
In my Vonage over EVDO blog I discussed how someone was able to make a VoIP call using Vonage over a high-speed EVDO connection. I also wondered how happy the cellular companies would be knowing that they are carrying voice over their data connection for the cost of a "monthly flat rate" data connection and thus no minutes used.
Well the answer may at least be partially answered by Verizon Wireless's chief technology officer, Dick Lynch, who outlined plans to launch "mass-market mobile VoIP" over the carrier's network. The services are expected to go live as early as 2008 or 2009. This amazingly fast timetable is made possible through Verizon's 3G EVDO (Evolution Data Optimized) network, according to Dick Lynch. He specifically mentioned the upstream portion (typically is slower than the downstream) will provide a "peak rate of about 1.8 Mbit/s."
Ok, so Verizon is planning on offering VoIP carried over their EVDO connection. My question still is, "Why wouldn't a user simply play for the flat rate EVDO data connection and then use a third-party VoIP provider instead of their cellular carrier?" For instance, if you use Skype over EVDO you could essentially make Skype-to-Skype calls for "free" over Verizon's EVDO data connection. So why would someone use Verizon's VoIP over EVDO? Unless Verizon plans on blocking third party VoIP providers from their network, Verizon's only alternative is to create such a huge incentive to use their VoIP over EVDO service that you wouldn't want to use a third-party VoIP service provider. (Note: The backlash from blocking third-party VoIP providers would be immense).
So what incentives could Verizon offer? Let me ponder a few... What if they integrate their residential broadband service Verizon VoiceWing with their cellular/EVDO service? What if you could access your VoiceWing voicemail along with your cellular voicemail all from your cell phone? What if they partner with Skype and "bundle" Skype on Verizon EVDO cell phones and take a small "cut" of the pie for any SkypeOut calls? (a small slice of pie is better than no pie at all!) . What if also as part of this partnership with Skype they charge a nominal 1 cent per minute for Skype-to-Skype calls and give Skype a 1/2 cent per minute "cut"? Of course Skypers would probably be in such an uproar over Skype "selling out" to Verizon and taking away the ability to make "free" Skype-to-Skype calls, that this may not be a viable option. In any case, it's going to be interesting to see how Verizon, other EVDO providers, or indeed any high-speed wireless service provider handle VoIP traveling on their network.
Verizon will spend approximately $1 billion over the next two years on its EVDO network. According to Verizon they expect customers to achieve an average throughput of 400-600kbits/s. Verizon will begin field trials in late 2006.
I just got like 15 alerts in my RSS reader about some press releases from Verizon all with almost the same exact title.
They read:
"Verizon Brings VoiceWing Internet-based Calling to Connecticut"
"Verizon Brings VoiceWing Internet-based Calling to Missouri"
"Verizon Brings VoiceWing Internet-based Calling to Alabama"
"Verizon Brings VoiceWing Internet-based Calling to Nebraska"
"Verizon Brings VoiceWing Internet-based Calling to Georgia"
"Verizon Brings VoiceWing Internet-based Calling to Mississippi"
After checking out all of their releases, they are essentially the exact same thing. The only difference is the text mentioning the area code you can choose for your number changes depending on which state is mention in the release. For example, the Connecticut release says, "can choose from 167 area codes, including 203 and 860 in
Connecticut." The other releases have the identical text except for this part about the area codes. (Click here for sample release)
Now here's the interesting part. Verizon VoiceWing works with any broadband connection (DSL, cable, etc.) so Verizon VoiceWing was ALREADY available in Connecticut, Missouri, Alabama, etc. Sure, maybe you couldn't get Verizon VoiceWing service with an area code in your state, but considering in-state calls are often more expensive than intra-state calls, who cares? You might be better off having your friends/family calling you with an out-of-state area code! Granted, there are some merits to having an area code in your own state, but me thinks this bonanza of Verizon press releases is a finely tuned, perfectly timed marketing ploy.
Well done Verizon marketing team! Pat yourselves on the back.
Now this is an interesting award (see release below)...Nimcat Networks, makers of a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) VoIP system for SMBs was named "Cool Vendor" by Gartner. Gartner is literally 8 miles from where I work, but I had no idea they had a "Cool Vendor" award. I may just have to create a TMC Labs "Cool Award". Speaking of awards, the TMC Labs Innovation Awards are coming up for Internet Telephony Magazine. I consider it one of TMC's most prestigous awards, if not "the" most prestigious award from TMC. The competition gets tougher each year and with so many new innovative products entering the VoIP marketplace, it gets tougher and tougher to select the TMC Labs Innovation Award winners, but it's a challenge I enjoy.
p.s. I reviewed Nimcat Networks product in the April issue of Internet Telephony.
________________________________________________
Ottawa, Canada (PRWEB) April 5, 2005 -- Nimcat Networks, the premiere provider of embedded, peer-to-peer (P2P) call processing software, announced today that it has been included in the list of Gartner's "Cool Vendors" in the Cool Vendors in Enterprise Network Solutions 2005 report by Jeff Snyder and Joe Skorupa et al.
"We are extremely pleased that a leading technology analyst firm like Gartner recognizes the value of our technology. We are honored to have been selected as a ‘Cool Vendor,'" said Mahshad Koohgoli, chief executive officer of Nimcat Networks, Inc. "Our technology is compelling, in part, because it is real. It is in use right now at customer sites in phones supplied by Aastra Telecom. We believe that our technology is very flexible and attractive to OEMs that want to build peer-to-peer functionality into their devices. We continue to build on our technological leadership by adding new applications and features."
Nimcat has introduced the next-generation architecture that leverages the increased processing power of VoIP chips and the emergence of standard communication protocols, such as SIP. Nimcat nimX - embedded, P2P call processing software - takes the intelligence usually found at the PBX and distributes it to end-user telephone sets. Call-control, voice-mail, auto-attendant , branch office and teleworker, among other key features, are all contained within and powered by the IP Telephone.
Nimcat has leveraged this architecture to properly address the telephony needs of the small-to-medium business (SMB). By eliminating the need for a "central" piece of equipment, Nimcat has developed a low-cost solution that is simple to install and maintain, and more importantly, easy to use.
Phones that contain Nimcat's technology independently recognize the other terminals on the network and instantly form a trusted, virtual exchange with the ability to interact with their peers, connect to the PSTN or any WAN VoIP channel. Users only need to plug a nimX-powered phone into their data network and it automatically configures itself, allowing calls to be made and received without any additional complex setup or centralized equipment.
About Gartner's Cool Vendors Selection Process
Gartner's listing does not constitute an exhaustive list of vendors in any given technology area, but rather is designed to highlight interesting, new and innovative vendors, products and services. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness of a particular purpose.
Gartner defines a cool vendor as a company that offers technologies or solutions that are: innovative - enable users to do things they couldn't do before; impactful - have, or will have, business impact (not just technology for the sake of technology) and are intriguing - have caught Gartner's interest or curiosity in approximately the past six months.
About Nimcat Networks
Nimcat Networks is the premiere provider of embedded, peer-to-peer call processing software. Its patented, Peer-Telephony-eXchange (PTX) solution operates within standard VoIP telephone sets, eliminating the need for costly PBX equipment. Nimcat's solution enables communications equipment vendors to create enterprise-class telephone systems that are easy to deploy, expand and maintain. The company has filed more than a dozen patents for its leading-edge technology. Nimcat's technology improves product margins, reduces development time-to-market and enables new distribution channel opportunities for telephony OEMs.
Today SMC Networks announced the newest in its EZ-Stream line of Home Entertainment Networking products, the new EZ-Stream 2.4GHz Wireless Multimedia Extender (SMCWME-G).According to SMC, the EZ-Stream 2.4GHz Wireless Multimedia Extender is a "high-end networked entertainment receiver that streams, plays and shares audio (including MP3 and Internet radio), pictures, video even premium music and movie content downloaded to the PC from major online content vendors all from the comfort of the living room couch."
It works via a wired or a wireless network for access to Internet resources on a networked PC, the SMC EZ-Stream Multimedia Extender provides access to music, photos and videos stored on a computer's hard drive via its link to entertainment devices, including televisions and stereo receivers, via high-quality composite video, S-video and digital-audio input connectors. Essentially, it is very similar to the Linksys MCX Extender that I reviewed, except that the Linksys MCX requires a Windows Media Center (MCE) PC and the SMC extender works with any PC. The fact that the Linksys MCX only works with MCE PCs is not a knock against the Linksys MCX since the MCX was designed specifically for Media Center PCs to include the ability to not only stream video or music wirelessly, but also pause live TV, and have the same menu interface as though you were accessing the Media Center PC interface directly. The SMC EZ-Stream Multimedia Extender does not have the ability to pause/rewind Live TV as far as I can tell.
SMC is demonstrating the SMCWME-G this week at the Retail Vision show in Orlando, FL.
Here's the news release:
SMC Networks Introduces Powerful New Wireless Multimedia Extender
SMC and Intel work together to enhance the home entertainment experience
IRVINE, CA April 5, 2005 SMC Networks (www.smc.com), leading provider of networking solutions for the SMB/e and all the way home, today announced the newest in its EZ-Stream line of Home Entertainment Networking products, the new EZ-Stream 2.4GHz Wireless Multimedia Extender.Available this quarter, this new SMC wireless multimedia extender was designed for the ultimate in performance and compatibility supporting 802.11b and 802.11g wireless networking standards, and built to the Intel Networked Media Product Requirements (NMPR) standard for interoperability. The new EZ-Stream 2.4GHz Wireless Multimedia Extender (SMCWME-G), which distributes entertainment media throughout the home with or without wires, is being demonstrated in booth #322 at RetailVision this week at the Hyatt Grand Cypress in Orlando.
The EZ-Stream 2.4GHz Wireless Multimedia Extender is a high-end networked entertainment receiver that streams, plays and shares audio (including MP3 and Internet radio), pictures, video even premium music and movie content downloaded to the PC from major online content vendors all from the comfort of the living room couch.Connected to the wired or wireless network for access to Internet resources on a networked PC, the SMC EZ-Stream Multimedia Extender provides access to music, photos and videos stored on a computer's hard drive via its link to entertainment devices, including televisions and stereo receivers, via high-quality composite video, S-video and digital-audio input connectors.Optimized for or demanding wireless applications like streaming video, SMC's EZ-Stream Wireless Multimedia Extender is at the center of the best performing home entertainment networking solution available, incorporating the latest in high-end wireless 802.11g technology for connectivity with 802.11b and g standards-based networks for compatibility, speed and bandwidth.
"Intel is committed to home entertainment networking with true interoperability.SMC's home entertainment networking solution, with the EZ-Stream 2.4GHz Wireless Multimedia Extender, demonstrates the same commitment," said Bill Leszinkse, Director of Intel's Digital Home Group."Wireless compatibility b and gand the company's commitment to Intel's NMPR standard for interoperability prove SMC's commitment.SMC's support for multiple wireless standards lets users optimize bandwidth on the network, while a PC based on a Pentium 4 Processor with Hyper-Threading makes it possible for consumers to enjoy even the most demanding multimedia anytime and anywhere they want."
Easy set-up and operation being as important as performance, the EZ-Stream 2.4GHz Wireless Multimedia Extender includes an EZ Installation Wizard that makes loading its Media Server software on the PC a breeze. User-friendly Web-based management provides additional easy set-up tools, and an intuitive TV user interface means users can do it all from the living room couch.Staying current is effortless, thanks to the Smart Box Management feature, which searches automatically for available firmware updates on power-up.
"SMCWME-G is a high-performance entertainment networking solution for homes and EZ-Stream combines the best in networking with the best in consumer electronics," said Moon Kang, SMC's Product Manager for consumer home entertainment products."Using a PC and SMC's Wireless Digital Multimedia Extender at the home entertainment center, be prepared for a change in the way consumers store, distribute, use and even purchase home entertainment content."
The SMC EZ-Stream 2.4GHz Wireless Multimedia Extender will be available in retail stores this quarter, priced to drive the networked home entertainment wave.See it this week at RetailVision, in SMC's booth, #322 at the Hyatt Grand Cypress, Orlando.
About SMC Networks
A leading provider of networking solutions, SMC puts its more than 30 years' experience to work for every product and solution the company produces.Leveraging strong industry relationships in combination with experienced and talented in-house design and engineering, SMC continues to bring to market a host of affordable, high-performance products. Headquartered in Irvine, California, U.S.A, SMC Networks supports its worldwide market through regional offices located throughout the United States and 20 other countries.For more information about SMC Networks or its products, visit www.smc.com, or call 800-SMC-4You (800-762-4968).
There is so much fodder for a joke involving Gold Gym's deployment of VoIP - such as imitating Arnold Schwarzenegger's accent or referencing Lou Ferrigno as the Incredible Hulk, but I will decline. Anyway, today Avaya announced that Gold's Gym is using Internet telephony to help the organization's U.S.-based locations eliminate costly outside conferencing services and transform their customer service operations. With new Avaya IP Office Solutions installed at each of its corporate offices, Gold Gym is now able to eliminate outside conferencing costs and to consolidate its formerly fragmented customer care team.
Here's the release:
Avaya IP Telephony Does the Heavy Lifting in Communications for One of the World's Largest Coed Health Clubs
Gold's Gym eliminates conferencing costs and transforms customer service with Avaya IP Office
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - A new IP telephony solution from Avaya Inc. (NYSE:AV), a leading global provider of business communications software, systems and services, is doing the heavy lifting in communications for Gold's Gym, one of the largest coed health clubs in the world, by helping the organization's U.S.-based locations eliminate costly outside conferencing services and transform their customer service operations.
With gyms around the U.S. and corporate offices in Falls Church, Va., Venice, Calif., and Austin, Texas, Gold's Gym faced significant problems with its former phone systems. In addition to being out-of-date and costly to maintain, they lacked important internal conferencing capabilities. As a result, Gold's had to spend $4,000 to $6,000 a month on outside conference services just to stay in touch. The company also lacked the communications capacity to realize cost savings by consolidating the nationwide team of customer care agents who provide members with information on club hours, membership status and exercise class schedules.
With new Avaya IP Office Solutions installed at each of its corporate offices, Gold's now is able to eliminate outside conferencing costs and to consolidate its formerly fragmented customer care team.
"IP Office fit the bill," said Kurt Koenig, director of information technology, Gold's Gym. "The built-in conferencing capabilities alone saved us enough to pay for multiple systems, and the contact center application matched our budget requirements, had the expansion capability we needed, plus every ‘bell and whistle' you can imagine. In particular, we like the PC-based ‘wallboards' that show which agents are logged in, how many calls are in queue and how long they've been waiting."
Sold and installed for Gold's Gym by Strategic Products and Services (SPS), a Platinum certified Avaya BusinessPartner, Avaya IP Office is an all-in-one, high-performance communication solution that brings together voice, data and communications applications in a single package especially designed for small and mid-size businesses.Avaya has sold more than 38,000 IP Office systems to small and medium businesses worldwide.
With IP Office contact center software, Gold's Gym customer care personnel formerly based in local communities around the U.S. are now located at the company's Falls Church headquarters and centrally support multiple locations. A completely customizable IP Office auto-attendant receives incoming calls to the company's national toll-free line and uses area codes to route members to the most appropriate agent-or to the company receptionist if no contact center agent is logged into the system. Comprehensive Avaya reports and real-time on-screen management tools measure call volume, calling queues, average wait times and a variety of other performance parameters established by Gold's to make certain club members get excellent customer service.
A built-in 64-port IP Office conferencing bridge has proved to be a real boon to the company by allowing local, regional or national teams to set up conferences on the fly. Also, with an optional Web-based IP Office Conference Center interface, the company offers online conference scheduling and new collaboration capabilities so participants can share files in real time and broaden the effectiveness of their calls.
Koenig says his long-term goal is to deploy IP Office to each local gym and to link the systems in a corporate network. That process is already underway with the first four gym-based IP Office systems now fully deployed.
"When we begin to route calls over our own network and a call between California and Virginia is local, not long distance, I expect a huge savings," he said.
About Avaya
Avaya Inc. designs, builds and manages communications networks for more than 1 million businesses worldwide, including over 90 percent of the FORTUNE 500. Focused on businesses large to small, Avaya is a world leader in secure and reliable Internet Protocol (IP) telephony systems and communications software applications and services. Driving the convergence of voice and data communications with business applications - and distinguished by comprehensive worldwide services - Avaya helps customers leverage existing and new networks to achieve superior business results. For more information visit the Avaya website: http://www.avaya.com.
About SPS
Established in 1988, Strategic Products and Services (SPS) is one of Avaya's largest authorized Business Partners and a leading provider of communications applications, equipment and services for voice and data networking solutions. SPS has local sales presence throughout the New England, Mid-Atlantic and Mid-Western states, and has implemented more than 30,000 systems across the U.S.SPS provides business communications solutions to customers in all market segments, from small businesses to large multi-national Fortune 1000 corporations.The company focuses on delivering systems that add value to an organization, with technical expertise in call centers, efficiency applications and Voice over IP (VoIP) solutions. For more information on SPS, visit www.spscom.com.
About Gold's Gym
Gold's Gym has been an authority on fitness since 1965, dating back to the original Gold's Gym in Venice, California. It was the place for serious fitness. Gold's Gym quickly became known as "The Mecca of Bodybuilding.'' In 1977, Gold's Gym received international attention when it was featured in the movie Pumping Iron that starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno. From that first gym in Venice, Gold's Gym has become the largest co-ed gym chain in the world, with more than 600 gyms in 43 states and 25 countries. To learn more about the company, please visit its website at www.goldsgym.com
Very interesting article about the potential for Russia to outlaw 2000 VoIP operators.
Here's a teaser, then go read the full article...
It's hardly surprising that Russians, businesses and individuals alike, spend billions of rubles annually on VoIP services, instead of using overpriced and obsolete national and international connections, offered by old-fashioned telecom mammoths.
So far those mammoths have been quietly ignoring the trend, but lately their attention had been drawn to the phenomenon, and their first reaction was to outlaw the local VoIP market outright, pulling the usual strings of state bureaucracy. The industry made a faint attempt at striking back, sending an open letter to President Putin. Sergei Rublev of the Moscow-based Lenta.Ru information agency reports on the latest developments:
Politics
Russian economists estimate the current turnover of the Russian VoiP services market at $300 million per annum. At the moment there are different firms working in the area: VoIP departments at huge telecom companies alongside smaller local providers. The recent conclusion reached by analysts is that bigger operators like Rostelecom or MGTS (the Moscow City Telephone Network that also entered the VoIP market last December) are trying to get rid of the smaller operators by means of administrative resources, or connections.
Representatives of VoIP-providing companies believe that the commercial abuse of administrative resources is obvious from a recent government resolution, dated March 28, 2005 that brought into effect an order from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications on electricity networks. The experts say that by setting unachievable liabilities and limitations the document actually prohibits the provision of VoIP services.
The problem was widely discussed by more than 700 participants of the annual Russian Internet Forum that took place near Moscow on March 23-24. In accordance with the traditions of a democratic society, the representatives of the VoIP-providing companies present at the Forum decided to ask for President Putin's help, and sent him an open letter dated March 31. The letter said...Continued
I wonder how much Microsoft "secretly" invested in this study. 
Mid-Sized Companies Not Interested in Linux -Microsoft Still Dominates, Study Says
London, ON - Most mid-sized enterprises are simply not interested in Linux, according to a recent study by Info-Tech Research Group, a leading technology research firm.A tiny 10 percent of mid-sized enterprises plan to evaluate Linux within the next three years and only a portion of these will actually adopt it.
"Just 27 percent of mid-sized companies currently have Linux installed and almost half of the respondents said they have no interest in Linux.The Linux advance into this market has stalled," says Frank Koelsch, Executive Vice President of Info-Tech Research Group."Microsoft still dominates this market and is the clear leader for mid-sized companies," he adds."Linux was initially hot, but interest has substantially declined.Companies are past the hype and taking a much more cautious approach towards Linux."
The study highlighted the divide that is occurring between large companies who are increasingly embracing open source, and smaller companies who remain Microsoft-centric.Of the companies who did not already have Linux installed, 48 percent have no interest whatsoever and a further 15 percent are not sure.
"An important consideration for any mid-sized enterprise evaluating Linux is that although Linux is free, the support for it is not," says Koelsch."For smaller organizations that already have a trained Windows-based support staff, adding Linux to the mix can add headcount, complexity and create havoc," he continues."Unless there is a compelling business reason to implement a Linux system, IT decision makers in mid-sized enterprises should stick to Microsoft solutions, even though they are not perfect either."
The findings and trend analysis are included in Info-Tech Research Group's annual "IT Priorities 2005" report.With over 1,400 companies responding, it is the largest annual survey of its kind.The study focused on mid-sized enterprises in the US, Canada and the UK.
With a paid membership of over 25,000 worldwide, Info~Tech Research Group is the global leader in providing IT research and analysis to the mid-sized enterprise market.It is North America's fastest growing full-service IT analyst firm.
PIKA Technologies adds to its VoIP portfolio with integrated SIP and unveils initiatives in host media processing (HMP) technology. I remember playing with PIKA voice and fax boards in the labs years ago as well as Rhetorex/Lucent/Octel boards, Dialogic boards (now Intel), and of course Natural MicroSystems boards. Well, PIKA is keeping with the times by offering VoIP boards and more importantly a powerful SDK for developing VoIP applications. In fact, to make development easier, on their website you can download sample applications, including a SIP Gateway application. The latest sample app is for developers interested in using SIP (session initiation protocol) with the RTP (real-time transfer protocol) streaming capabilities of PIKA MonteCarlo SDK 6.2. The app is designed to show you how to build a TDM/IP gateway using an implementation of the open source oSIP stack for call control.
According to PIKA, they chose SIP - oSIP specifically - for two primary reasons. "First, SIP has widespread industry acceptance as a VoIP call control mechanism (especially for devices such as gateways, etc.) and, second, oSIP is free to develop on and distribute (under LGPL). This makes it ideally suited for this particular sample application." It is worth noting that when using the PIKA RTP streaming capabilities, it is not a requirement to use SIP. Any standard or proprietary call control mechanism can be used since this functionality will reside within the application. Therefore, you can choose whatever type of call control you require.
Here's the news that PIKA announced today involving their new VoIP and HMP (host media processing) inititatives:
Ottawa, Canada - April 5, 2005 - For two decades, PIKA Technologies has delivered the functionality commercial application developers require to remain competitive in their evolving IVR, call center, custom IP/PC PBX, fax and logging solutions markets. The company announced today that an integrated SIP stack for VoIP signaling would be available to developers this June. The company also unveiled its host media processing (HMP) technology, which is slated for initial release later this year.
Session initiation protocol (SIP) stack
By way of PIKA MonteCarlo SDK, application developers gain access to reliable media processing building blocks for the converged TDM/IP environment. This June, a low-level SIP stack will be integrated into the SDK and will have a programming interface common to existing SDK functions. The flexible SIP stack will enable VoIP signaling in conjunction with real-time transport protocol streaming (RTP). It is a mechanism that enables IP-based solutions to make and receive voice calls.
The PIKA SIP stack will allow developers to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the converged network space; for example:
* In IP PBX environments, SIP-enabled VoIP allows developers to offer desktop functionality that was previously only available to customers willing to invest in expensive solutions that required proprietary digital telephone sets. Developers can now deliver this same rich functionality to the local and remote desktop in a model that will be affordable to small- and mid-sized businesses. This functionality will be particularly applicable to systems designed for use in call center environments.
* In IP PBX environments, developers can use media processing building blocks from PIKA Technologies to IP-enable call processing, automated attendant, voice mail, fax, and unified messaging. PIKA building blocks are also applicable for special purpose VoIP gateway applications. An IP-ready environment allows developers to take advantage of new revenue streams, and enables them to provide solutions to their customers that create operational and cost efficiencies.
* In IVR and voice portal environments, developers can link distributed branch offices via an IP based local or wide area network. Developers can offer their enterprise customers flexibility and cost efficiency.
PIKA Technologies will also include enhanced fax services in the next release of the MonteCarlo SDK. The enhancements will include high-density fax for pure fax as well as combination voice/fax environments in a single computer chassis. Savings can be realized on T1/E1 lines, in chassis space, and in support infrastructure and management. Developers can cost-effectively deploy and maintain large-volume fax and voice/fax environments reliably.
"We enjoy a steady, technical rapport with a global network of application developers. It is through in-depth technical discussions with knowledgeable developers that we learn how best to support them," explained Doug Petty, VP Technology and Operations, PIKA Technologies. "As a result, we are delivering an integrated SIP stack and enhanced fax for high density environments."
PIKA MonteCarlo SDK, Release 6.3, will be available for general distribution in June 2005. MonteCarlo 6.3 will enable SIP and enhanced fax services on PIKA digital T1/E1 boards and PIKA analog boards. To remove the typical complexity of moving from one release to the next, most MonteCarlo 6.1- and 6.2-based applications will run on 6.3 with a simple recompile only. Developers interested in beta trialing MonteCarlo 6.3, are invited to contact the sales manager for their region or visit www.pikatechnologies.com
Host media processing
Today, PIKA Technologies also unveiled its initiatives in HMP. In the early life of the company, as part of the product strategy, the design team made the architectural decision to power the call control stacks on the computer's host processor. They are now leveraging that knowledge and expertise as their designers enable current DSP-based media processing algorithms to run on the host as well. This is the next step in the company's product roadmap for converged TDM/IP and pure IP environments.
In a pure IP environment, PIKA Technologies' patent-pending technology, called AllOnHost(tm) media processing, will run on the host processor thereby eliminating the requirement for voice boards. The company is targeting to have AllOnHost technology in developers' hands later this year. PIKA Technologies' initiatives will give developers flexibility of choice for AllOnBoard(tm) (DSP-based) media processing, AllOnHost media processing, or a blend of both depending on application requirements.
See PIKA Technologies' reliable media processing building blocks at SUPERCOMM in Chicago, June 7 to 9, 2005. Talk with their technical masterminds about SIP, VoIP, fax and AllOnHost when you visit them at Booth # 72080.
Some news to share - another win for Global IP Sound - whose codecs are used in many VoIP applications, including Skype, Teleo, and others.
OptiMobile AB, a company within the field of seamless convergence of WiFi and cellular telephony, has licensed VoIP technology from Global IP Sound (GIPS), a leading provider of embedded voice-processing solutions for the Voice over IP market, to enable its patent-pending WBX wireless VoIP technology.
OptiMobile will integrate GIPS VoiceEngine Mobile into WBX, an innovative technology which guarantees automatic and seamless handover of ongoing voice calls between WiFi (VoIP over WLAN) and cellular networks. Virtual operators (ISP, MVNO, and hosting providers) can provide WBX enabled services to enterprises, municipal organizations and homes. This client/server solution connects the server to the virtual operator's network central, while the client is used in the mobile devices.
"Global IP Sound's products are widely recognized as the leader in terms of providing the highest call quality available for VoIP. We believe that our partnership with Global IP Sound will serve as quality assurance for users of WBX UniPhone and WBX enabled services," says Lars Edman, CEO of OptiMobile AB. "We are confident that the combined solution of WBX technology and VoiceEngine Mobile will be very attractive to the market place."
OptiMobile uses Global IP Sound's VoiceEngine Mobile PPC to provide end users industry leading voice quality for WiFi VoIP calls."Mobile users are becoming a critical component to any conversation about VoIP-and truly anywhere/anytime communication is quickly becoming the norm," says Gary P. Hermansen, President and CEO of Global IP Sound. "OptiMobile's WBX technology addresses the demand for a reliable bridge between WiFi and cellular networks. Meanwhile, GIPS VoiceEngine Mobile ensures the voice quality that's vital to the user experience. The end result promises to be a powerful and comprehensive solution for the emerging WiFi market."
VoiceEngine Mobile PPC empowers OEMs of mobile VoIP solutions to create PDA products that are both easy to use and that provide substantially better voice quality than previous generation products. Without in-house expertise, vendors can develop products that give the end user greater mobility, unmatched voice quality and enhanced ease-of-use features.
VoiceEngine Mobile manages all of the most challenging problems encountered in mobile IP applications, including packet loss and low delay.The comprehensive, packaged solution handles all of the necessary voice components for VoIP to let OEMs achieve superior voice quality even under adverse conditions.
Today, ZyXEL Communications announced the Prestige 974SW residential cable gateway designed for cable operators and telecommunications providers at NCTA.
The Prestige 974SW integrates a cable modem, router, switch and wireless access point all in one box. They threw just about everything into this box, so I'm a bit surprised it doesn't also include a SIP-based analog terminal adaptor (ATA) for VoIP functionality. In any case, the Prestige family of residential products also includes the Prestige 971R, a cable modem with an integrated router and the Prestige 971M, a standard cable modem. At the NCTA show, ZyXEL will also be showcasing their VoIP solutions such as a wireless VoIP phone and gateway, along with integrated wireless and security appliances.
While DSL technology has steadily improved resulting in an increased distance from the CO and increased bandwidth, for instance, ADSL2+ has 25Mbps downstream, the news about coax cable improving its throughput has been notably absent - until now. The Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) is announcing the successful results of its large-scale field trial at the National Show (see release below).
Conducted by MoCA's founders in 15 cities, the trial validated performance of 100 Mbps in real world condition over typical coax cable. Most highspeed broadband solutions over coax solutions, such as Charter's High Speed Internet max out at 3Mbps or roughly 33X times slower than MoCA. These results evidence MoCA's capabilities as both the highest-speed technology for home networking, and according to MoCA's founders, the only technology field-proven to be capable of transporting multiple HDTV streams.
MoCA's founders are Comcast, EchoStar, Entropic Communications, Motorola, Cisco/Linksys, Panasonic, Radio Shack, and Toshiba.
Here's the release:
MoCA Concludes Successful Field Trials for Home Networking of Digital Entertainment Using Coax
-- Large-scale tests validate performance of 100 Mbps in real world conditions
San Francisco, CA-April 4, 2005- Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) today announced a major step forward with the completion of successful field trials of the core technology to provide networking of digital home entertainment throughout the home on existing coax cabling in cable homes at NCTA - The National Show (Booth 6490 - CableNET). The field trials showed MoCA technology consistently delivered 100 Mbps of usable throughput under real world conditions throughout the home.
The large-scale trial, conducted by MoCA's founders in multiple locations, validated the capabilities of the MoCA technology as both the highest-speed home networking backbone technology and the only one shown in a large-scale field trial as being capable of transporting multiple streams of HDTV. In fact, these results show that even under field conditions, a MoCA network is significantly faster than the stated speed of many competing technologies under favorable lab conditions.
"The field trials demonstrated the MoCA technology provides a tremendous avenue for distribution of digital entertainment and broadband data throughout the home," said Yoshiaki Hirao, Director of Panasonic AVC Liaison Office.
Tests also showed that the core technology provides the level of performance necessary to deliver digital entertainment to every coax outlet in the home, with at least 100 Mbps throughput being delivered to 95% of coax jacks tested. The stringent level of testing makes sure that the high speeds delivered by a MoCA home network are consistently available throughout the home.
"We are pleased with the performance of MoCA technology under the real world conditions found in homes across the USA," stated Carl Vassia, Senior Director, Product Management, Consumer Entertainment Solutions, Motorola Broadband Communications Sector.
MoCA founding members performed multiple tests in over 200 homes and multi-unit dwellings to validate the MoCA technology will meet the requirements set in the Market Requirements Document approved by the MoCA Board of Directors. Entropic Communications' c.LINK technology, the core technology behind the emerging MoCA standard, was used in the field trials.
"The success of the field trials showed the MoCA technology will support the type of advanced digital entertainment services the cable industry envisions for the future," said Mark Francisco, Senior Director of Advanced Technology Products, Comcast New Media Development.
With the completion of the field trial, MoCA will now focus on finalizing technical specifications and a certification process for MoCA products.
"This large-scale field trial demonstrates that MoCA technology can deliver high quality digital entertainment throughout the home in real world conditions," said Ladd Wardani, President of MoCA. "The ultimate beneficiaries of this effort are the product developers, service providers, and end-users who can embrace the MoCA technology with confidence."
MoCA technology was developed from the ground up to address the key requirements for networking digital entertainment: high throughput, quality of service, security, and ease of use.By tapping into the vast amount of unused bandwidth available on coaxial cables installed within homes, MoCA's technology is the only one that can deliver multiple simultaneous streams of HD and DVD quality digital entertainment and high speed data to consumers without glitches or freezes. These field trials evidence the technology's ability to meet these important standards.
MoCA was founded in 2004 by Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO), Comcast (NASDAQ:
CMCSA, CMCSK), EchoStar (NASDAQ: DISH), Entropic Communications, Motorola
(NYSE: MOT), Panasonic (NYSE: MC), Radio Shack (NYSE: RSH), and Toshiba.
###
About MoCA
The Multimedia over Coax Alliance was formed to provide the solution for home networking digital entertainment without compromise. The mission of the alliance is to develop industry specifications and interoperability certification for delivering high bandwidth digital content over in-home coaxial cables. For more information on MoCA, please see www.mocalliance.org.
In my VoIP + Content = Revenue Generating Possibilities blog entry from four days ago, I discussed the Viseon VoIP phone, which has a 10.4" LCD display and the revenue generating possibilities for service providers by providing content to LCD displays. Well, Viseon has now signed up two major content providers, the popular Fox News Channel and Discovery Networks, which includes Animal Planet, Travel Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids, and Discovery Times Channel. As stated in my VoIP + Content = Revenue Generating Possibilities blog entry, providing content to VoIP phones could be the differentiating factor when the lowest price is no longer the key differentiator.
Here's the release:
VisiFone to Provide News, Information, and Entertainment Content
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (DCI) is the leading global real-world media and entertainment company.DCI's ownership consists of four shareholders: Liberty Media Corporation (NYSE: L), Cox Communications, Inc. (NYSE: COX), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder and Chairman.
ViseonMedia, a subsidiary of Viseon, Inc., focuses on providing information, entertainment and other relevant content to emerging, new digital home platforms, including the VisiFone, the world's first digital home telephone. ViseonMedia's mission is to efficiently deliver rich media content and targeted advertising directly to consumers through its network of broadband-enabled, interactive consumer videophones. ViseonMedia's target market of broadband videophone users is expected to make up a growing segment of the 18 million new U.S. VoIP subscribers by the end of 2008. ViseonMedia's offices are located in
Founded in 1993 with headquarters in Dallas, TX Viseon, Inc. (OTCBB: VSNI) is a leading developer and manufacturer of patented personal broadband communications solutions. Viseon products have been sold under various brand names around the world including Philips, VTEL, and Gentner. Viseon's mission is to work with carriers to enhance the consumer telephone experience by positioning VoIP as a premium service versus Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), and ultimately replacing the analog telephone by bringing digital telephony quality to the broader public. The target market for Viseon's VisiFone are the 150 million global consumers which are projected to switch to VoIP in the next five years. Other markets for the VisiFone include corporations, universities, and government agencies. Viseon holds broadband communication related patents in the
In October of last year, I wrote Red Sox or Yankees Evil Empire? where I pondered who indeed was the "true" Evil Empire - the Yankees or the Red Sox. I was surprised at the plethora of comments posted to this blog entry. In my last comment to this blog entry posted December 21, 2004, I said, "Enjoy your 2004 championship <Red Sox>. And if the Red Sox average continues, you only have to wait until 2090 for the next World Series championship."
Last night the rivalry was renewed at Yankee Stadium, which the announcers deemed "Game 8 of the LCS" , and which resulted in the Yankees crushing the Red Sox 9-2. During the game, I enjoyed one of the fan's signs that read "1918-2004-2090" which reiterated my December 21st comment that if the Red Sox hold true to form, their next championship will be in 2090 (86 years).
Apparently, some of my pro-Yankees comments weren't taken too kindly by at least one Red Sox fan as I see one "death threat" in the comments section of my blog posted last night threatening, "If i find out who you are and i see you on the street i will kill you." I guess he/she was sore loser last night and decided to Google "yankees evil empire" and low and behold came to my blog entry where his/her beloved Red Sox are deemed the Evil Empire by me.
C'mon, death threats? Get a grip. It's a game. It's the job of every fan to root for their favorite team and even make fun of the opposing teams' fans, but to make death threats? Red Sox fans are some of the most baseball savvy/intelligent fans in baseball and the best you can do is make threats? Considering the Red Sox are the reigning champions, I would have expected the Red Sox fans to taunt the Yankees as Game 7 chokers and razz the Yankees by stating "We are the champs." Instead I get this immature comment posted to my blog, which I will leave online just to show the maturity level of some baseball fans.
Instead of stating how "great" the Red Sox are, some Red Sox fans continue to say the Yankees suck. It's "Yankees suck" first and "We're the World Champions" second. The Red Sox fans may have a championship banner last year, but their attitude still hasn't changed. Maybe if the Red Sox get a few more banners they'll stop focusing on the Yankees and more on their own accomplishments. Ain't the greatest rivalry in all of sports grand?
