Tom Keating : VoIP & Gadgets Blog
Tom Keating
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| VoIP & Gadgets blog - Latest news in VoIP & gadgets, wireless, mobile phones, reviews, & opinions

Wireless

wireless, WiFi, WiMAX, 3G, 4G, EVDO

ITEXPO Named Top 50 Fastest Growing Tradeshow

January 19, 2011

TMC's ITEXPO was named one of the fastest growing trade shows by Trade Show Executive in their Fastest 50 Awards. I've been with TMC since 1994 - right out of college and I've seen this company grow from 15 employees to over 65 employees. It's been an amazing ride. TMC's ITEXPO has had some stellar companies participate over the years, including Asterisk, Avaya, Cisco, Microsoft, Packet8, ShoreTel, and Skype.

TMC CEO Rich Tehrani said, "Much thanks goes to all of TMC's readers as well as our sponsors, attendees, partners, vendors who supply us decorating services, audio/visual, etc and of course the tireless TMC team who works around the clock to over-deliver for customers.

Zipring VoIP Phone Service Launches

January 18, 2011

Erik Lagerway, who has worked at CounterPath (X-lite fame), blogged for TMC, and has other VoIP street creds to his name launched a new venture today called zipring. It kind of reminds me a bit of Google Voice, but I really need to delve into this further and see exactly how this compares. Might even be similar to the new TELTUB service I reviewed yesterday. Anyway, I thought I'd share the news:

Zipring Integrated VoIP Phone Service Launches for Consumers: Works with Every Phone and Mobile Device

Zipring delivers new open standards phone service unlike any other phone on the market



Skype acquires Qik

January 6, 2011

Some interesting news from Skype - they have acquired Qik, a provider of mobile video software and services that enable individuals to capture and, instantly share mobile video. Qik has 60 employees, and is headquartered in Redwood City, California and has an office in Moscow, Russia. The transaction is expected to close in January 2011. Terms of the acquisition will not be disclosed.

Skype Video For iPhone!

December 30, 2010


Skype Video for iPhone is here! You can now make video calls from your iPhone with the latest update from the Apple App Store. Rich Tehrani and I tested it this morning on his iPhone 4 with my iPhone 3GS (only rear-facing camera).

The video quality was pretty good. I estimate between 5-12 fps over WiFi. After awhile my 3GS started going black for a few seconds and then would turn back on.


Apple iOS vs. Google Android

December 28, 2010


There was an interesting discussion of iOS-vs.-Android news that began with this report by Seth Weintraub for Fortune. He explains in the article the downward spiral cost of creating smartphone components and the end product smartphone as well. He also says Apple could be in big trouble as Android activations surpass iPhone because of the lower cost of Android phones. Seth writes:

Cheap smartphones could change the way carriers price contracts here in the U.S.




Skype for Android Update - Supports Samsung Galaxy S & SD Card

December 16, 2010

Skype is on an update roll. Last week they released an update for Nokia/Symbian phones. Now they just released an update for Android devices that allows you to move the Skype app to external storage to free up precious local storage on the phone. This release also adds compatibility with the Samsung Galaxy S. Only catch is that you'll need Android 2.2.

Skype may be on an update roll, but there is NO truth to the rumor that they are releasing a video-enabled Skype app for iPhone or Android for some video chat action.

Tru Rates Now Available in Australia

December 14, 2010

Some news I wanted to share from Tru (also known as Truphone)... Tru, (dba Truphone), has expanded its local rates and local number proposition to Australia. Starting today, both business and pre-pay customers of Tru’s GSM service in the UK and US will benefit from paying only local rates instead of roaming rates for all calls and texts to and within Australia, as well as local data rates when roaming within the country.

In an industry first, Tru’s network now offers customers the option to have three local mobile numbers for the UK, US and Australia on one SIM card, allowing friends and business contacts based in those countries to reach them wherever they are without paying the cost of an international call. 

Obihai Mashes Up Mobile, Landline, VoIP & Social Networking

December 10, 2010

Obihai Technology released their OBiON application for the iPhone. In some ways Obihai is very similar to the very hyped Ooma product, which Rich Tehrani likes, but I was initially not a fan of until they changed their business model. Obihai was started by the founders of the creators of the very first analog telephony adapters, the Komodo Fone 300, which was used by VOnage.  A Little VoIP History: I got one of the earliest prototypes of the Komodo Fone 300 ATA device, which I reviewed for Internet Telephony Magazine back in 2000.

Skype Updates Nokia App

December 8, 2010

Skype today has released an update to its Symbian client, which adds support for the new Symbian phones, including the Nokia N8, Nokia C6, Nokia C7 and Nokia E7. It includes support for SILK, Skype's wideband audio codec, for high audio quality, even when users are on a low-bandwidth connection.

In addition they claim the new version makes it easier for users to add contacts, navigate, add a profile photo, set one's mood message as well as recommend the application to friends who also use Symbian handsets.

Via Skype 'The Big Blog'

Plantronics InstantMeeting - New Conferencing Mobile App

December 8, 2010


Plantronics tomorrow officially launches their InstantMeeting mobile conferencing dialer app. The app automatically recognizes upcoming conference calls in your calendar and then when the time comes it can automatically dial the conference phone number and enter in the conference ID and PIN - essentially "one touch" conference bridge dialing. There is a free trial version that provides 20 free calls, and a premium version that costs $2.99 for unlimited calls.

Certainly useful if your a supreme multi-tasker who works until the last possible second before dialing the conference bridge - perhaps even dialing late. This app can shave off some seconds and reduce the stress.


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