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September 2004

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Vonage counters AT&T CallVantage price drops

September 30, 2004

Carlos Arcila, a Vonage rep posted a comment on my blog saying as of midnight tonight the price will be $24.99 from $29.99. No doubt this may have something to do with AT&T's price drop in their CallVantage plan or it could be mere coincidence. Nevertheless, yet another drop in broadband voice service.

Here's the link to his comment within the blog entr: (some browsers have issues displaying this in MovableType unless you scroll down and then back up - very weird)
AT&T CallVantage Lowers Price" href="http://blog.tmcnet.com/cgi-bin/comments2.cgi?entry_id=339">VoIP Blog: Comment on AT&T CallVantage Lowers Price

So you can just use this link to see the comment: http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/tom-keating/voip/archives/att-callvantage-lowers-price.asp

Or just read the copy/paste job here:
Carlos Arcila:
Starting at midnight tonight, Vonage will upgrade all of our Local Unlimited customers to our market-leading Premium Unlimited Plan. All customers on the Premium Plan will recieve the new price of $24.99 automatically, and those on the Local Plan can now call unlimited across the 50 states and all of Canada for the same low price!
This is a reduction of nearly 30% on our Unlimited Plan since the beginning of this year!


AT&T CallVantage Lowers Price

September 30, 2004

Vonage sued by MP3.com founder Michael Robertson

September 30, 2004

Just the other day I was speaking with someone at SIPPhone and their market positioning. I didn't get a chance to speak with Michael Robertson (founder of MP3.com), and now the president of SIPPhone, but I plan to follow-up with Michael.

What I did hear from SIPPhone was very intriguing. I was told that Michael's aim is "to drive VoIP price-points down to ZERO, NADA, ZILCH, FREE!"

Wow!

AT&T CallVantage and Circuit City news

September 30, 2004

Skype debate

September 30, 2004

Was reading this debate on Skype:
Skype and five good reasons why you shouldn't cancel your other phone services just yet - The Unofficial Apple Weblog - apple.weblogsinc.com" href="http://apple.weblogsinc.com/entry/7391864753130518/">My gripe with the hype around Skype and five good reasons why you shouldn't cancel your other phone services just yet - The Unofficial Apple Weblog - apple.weblogsinc.com

I posted some comments there as well as Om's blog.

Basically, I think what Skype needs to do next is two-fold
1) change to open standards - i.e. SIP so they can terminate with more service providers and offer better interoperability. Although their architecture may not lend itself to this.
2) Work with hardware vendors, such as Linksys, Netgear, etc.

Linksys and Verizon to offer VoIP

September 29, 2004

Linksys, announced today that Verizon will use Linksys home networking adapters with Verizon's VoiceWing broadband VoIP phone service.

The Linksys phone adapter connects a customer's phone to the broadband network, similar to the Cisco ATA-186 or the Sipura SPA-3000. It converts analog signals into digital packets that travel over the Internet. It also offers various calling and call management features, but it's unclear from the news I read whether or not this is a standalone device or if it's included along with LinkSys's existing home broadband router product line.

Popular Telephony and QuesCom Deal

September 29, 2004

As previously mentioned, I'll be writing about Popular Telephony's Peerio for Internet Telephony Magazine. But in the meantime, I came across another win for Popular Telephony.

Here's the release:
POPULAR TELEPHONY AND QUESCOM to Deliver Complete Serverless Enterprise Telephony Solution

(Sophia Antipolis, September 29, 2004). Popular Telephony, the telecommunications middleware company and creator of Peerio™ – the innovative technology for server-free, peer-to-peer communications, and QuesCom, the leading European provider of GSM gateways for IP and ISDN environments, today announced that the QuesCom 400 GSM media gateway will support the serverless functionality of Peerio-based network, providing the essential call direction from IP to PSTN and vice versa.

George Bush vs John Kerry Debate

September 29, 2004

The George Bush vs. John Kerry debate tomorrow has me excited like a kid the night before Christmas. I just can't wait for tomorrow to be here. I'm so giddy these past two days in anticipation of the debates, it's like I'm waiting for the SuperBowl kickoff, or waiting for the tipoff of an NCAA Final Four game (especially when UCONN is in it).

Microsoft P2P VoIP plans

September 28, 2004

So what are Microsoft's P2P plans? And how does their P2P/peer-to-peer plans relate to VoIP?

The latest Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack (SP2) has advanced networking features installed, including a P2P feature, but it must be turned on by doing the following:

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Add or Remove Programs.

2.

Enterprise Adoption of Hosted IP Voice

September 28, 2004

Thought I would share an excerpt from an interesting research report released by IDC

Sept. 27, 2004--After years of hype, VOIP has made the shift from an emerging technology to a viable business solution. Although the consumer market has attracted the most attention from the press, VOIP is gaining accelerated business adoption. The market for hosted IP voice services among US businesses is expected to reach nearly $60 million by the end of 2004. IDC projects a compound annual growth rate of 282% to reach $7.6 billion in 2008.

Skype Niklas Zennstrom keynotes Internet Telephony Expo

September 28, 2004

Greg Galitzine recently blogged the fact that Niklas Zennstrom, CEO and co-founder of Skype, will address the audience at Internet Telephony Conference & EXPO in Los Angeles on October 6.

Skype has certainly helped make VoIP mainstream and they have built a loyal following. But can Skype match the hype? Can Skype become a truly killer app that brings traditional telephony service providers to their knees?

Popular Telephony and Logicom consumer VoIP phone

September 28, 2004

Longboard partners with Global IP Sound

September 27, 2004

Interesting news I thought I would share...

LongBoard Partners with GIPS Licensing VoiceEngine to Deliver Unbeatable Voice Quality for the LongBoard OnePhone Application

Combined Product Sets Quality Bar for Wi-Fi Voice Over IP and Provides Unique Solution to Carrier Customers

San Francisco & Santa Clara, CA - September 27, 2004 - Global IP Sound (GIPS), leading provider of embedded voice-processing technologies and LongBoard, a leading developer of compelling voice applications for carriers, today announced a partnership agreement under which LongBoard will license the GIPS VoiceEngine which is being integrated into the LongBoard OnePhone Application, currently in trials with some of the largest operators in the world.

"We strive to deliver highly-differentiated products to our carrier customer, and we know that superior sound and voice quality are critical components to our success," said Gary Tauss, President & CEO of LongBoard, Inc. "GIPS voice processing technology has enabled us to enter the market with an industry leading product and position, and to deliver voice quality that exceeds traditional PSTN phones, even under adverse network conditions."

The LongBoard OnePhone Application allows a user to seamlessly roam between Wi-Fi and Cellular networks. This roaming is transparent to the end user, without dropping or interrupting their voice call.

Classic Computer Technology Hobby

September 27, 2004

Remember the Atart-2600? How bout the TRS-80, the ColecoVision, the Odyssey, the Commodore 64? What about the Newton - the first “unofficial” PDA (though some would argue there were earlier PDAs). Sure, mentioning these dated, practically ancient technology probably dates me.

Yapper yapping away

September 27, 2004

I received a press release from Yapper International this weekend stating, "the Company has shortened their corporate domain address to www.yapint.com for ease of use."

Well, whoop-dee-do... Well tickle me pink, this is the greatest press release I have ever read!
The press release did mention the company merged with FoneFriend, which at least gave me some inclination as to where this VoIP company came from.

They seemed to come out of nowhere, started posting in the VoIP Forums, and then sending me releases.

VoIP Conference

September 24, 2004

A VoIP conference is one of the best ways to stay educated on VoIP. VoIP is hotter than ever. And I have to say, staying educated on the latest VoIP products, services, or VoIP standards is a full-time job (actually it is my job!) Fortunately, TMC's Internet Telephony Conference & Expo, the leading VoIP conference, helps keep me educated.

VoIP Conference

2005 no doubt will be a banner year for VoIP.

Satellite TV in your car

September 23, 2004

Just got this press release about a mobile satellite TV antenna that you can install in your car. One of the problems with moving a satellite antenna is losing the "lock" onto the satellite. Ever tried installing DirecTV yourself? I did, and it was a pain in the ass to get it to get a continuous tone, hold onto the dish, and drill it into my deck all at the same time.

Asterisk 1.0 released

September 23, 2004

Verizon VoiceWing Broadband and VoIP Double Play

September 23, 2004

Skibare shared this news release with me:
VoiceWing Plus DSL Equals New Savings for Verizon Customers

Basically, Verizon is offering a "double play" package of broadband ($29.95/month) and VoIP unlimited local and long distance ($29.95) for $59.90/month.

This is great news. But personally, I'm waiting for the "triple play" of VoIP, broadband, and cable TV (more than just Basic Cable) all for less than $60/month. We're getting there, slowly but surely.

AT&T forms VoIP Innovation and Interoperability Program

September 22, 2004


AT&T announced a VoIP Innovation and Interoperability Program - kinda reminds me of the TMC Labs Innovation Awards which covers innovative VoIP and call center products.

Andy Abramson's VoIPWatch has some comments on this here you should go check out: http://andyabramson.blogs.com/voipwatch/2004/09/att_launches_vo.html

Here's a snippet of the release:
AT&T today announced a VoIP Innovation and Interoperability Program designed to stimulate and foster the development, delivery and adoption of new applications, capabilities and devices to serve the needs of businesses and consumers utilizing AT&T's vast VoIP portfolio of services.

The program is based on proprietary specifications created by AT&T that have allowed, and will continue to allow, select vendors to test applications and equipment against these specifications to ensure compatibility with AT&T VoIP services as the company pursues the next generation of communication. To date, a number of industry leaders representing application developers, equipment and device manufacturers, and silicon manufacturers have been invited to work with AT&T to deliver new capabilities that will shape and scale the emerging VoIP market.

Sony PS2 smaller with Ethernet capability

September 22, 2004

Sony is going to deliver a much smaller PS2 that
weighs about two pounds or about less than half what the current model weighs.

Additionally, the new model, like the Microsoft XBOX will have an Ethernet port. So I guess finally PS2 will no longer be 1 step behind Microsoft in that feature-set. The Ethernet capability is huge, since it allows for fast online gaming with less latency/lag issues, and it allows for VoIP trash talking.

Xten in the Wiki Wiki Wiki room

September 22, 2004

Yapper VoIP device

September 21, 2004

Came across this new VoIP company in the VoIP Forums called Yapper. Reminds me of the Clapper. Clap on, clap off, the clapper!

Anyway, the thread claims "from what I understand www.yapinternational.com has an absolutley incredible new dial up voip solution...I ve been told it works great....and you dont even need a computer or broadband connection".

Nortel powers San Francisco Giants WiFi Stadium

September 21, 2004

Whoah, now this is cool! WiFi in the ballpark! Why is it that Silicon Valley has to be on the West Coast and they get all the cool stuff, including beta trials, WiFi deployments, etc.? Years ago, Rich Tehrani and myself discussed how one day sports arenas would have highspeed wireless access allowing you to surf the web, check other scores, or even watch streaming video of a replay of the play you just saw live!

Packet8 VoIP Prepaid Calling

September 21, 2004

Lingo Sets New Price Benchmark

September 21, 2004

Greg Galitzine brought to my attention some interesting news from Lingo. Apparently, Lingo is offering unlimited worldwide calling for an amazingly low price of $7.95/Month. This sets a new benchmark for Vonage, Packet8, Broadvoice, etc. to follow.

3Com builds Linux VoIP switch

September 20, 2004

Amway of VoIP

September 20, 2004

Another Disruptive VoIP product from VoIPUser

September 20, 2004

Came across this interesting VoIP-related blog entry:Tjardick's Weblog

He mentions VoIPUser which is offering FREE calling to not only SIP uers, not only IAX users, but also PSTN numbers in most countries. He says this is "disruptive". That's an understatement! Free phone calling simply by signing up with their service???

Dingotel New VoIP Player?

September 17, 2004

Came across this new VoIP company while lurking in TMC's VoIP Forums
(i.e. this thread titled wireless voip communication

I've never heard of them but they make some "mighty" claims against other leading VoIP software, including Skype.

Post some comments if you have heard about them or used their products.

Here are some of Dingotel's features from their website:

  • DingoTel™ frees you from the proximity of your computer.

     

  • Travel miles from your computer and talk worldwide and nationwide using 2way radios from Motorola.

Should Apple Acquire Skype article

September 17, 2004

Is VoIP Ready for Primetime?

September 17, 2004

I've started to regularly visit GeekNewsCentral - a blog on gadgets, technology, etc. The site often mentions VoIP. In a recent entry, they wrote: "I'm a fan of cable broadband service, and it seems that many online Americans share my opinion. I detest dial-up service, it makes teaching class a drudgery, and it's too slow for me to listen to my favorite radio stations.

Skype down?

September 16, 2004

Vonage Launches Mexico City Virtual Numbers

September 16, 2004

Cisco Bigwig Joins Skype Board

September 15, 2004

I read on The Street.com's website that BusinessWeek has reported that a Cisco Bigwig, namely Mike Volpi, Cisco's former strategy chief, has joined the board at Skype.

Skype's P2P VoIP business model doesn't exactly fit into Cisco's VoIP business model. Cisco wants to sell more hardware-based routers and using VoIP to leverage the sale of more routers. Skype is simply software that enables VoIP calling.

Skype McDonald's-like VoIP Minutes Counter

September 15, 2004

Remember before McDonald's changed to a static "Billions and Billions Served", McDonald's billboards would change every couple years and increase in number. "10 Billion Served", "20 Billion Served", "50 Billion Served", etc. etc.

Ahhh, those were the days, driving past a McDonald's and tracking the number of people served at McDonald's...

AT&T CallVantage Adds more Advanced Features

September 15, 2004

AT&T today announced another round of new feature enhancements for AT&T CallVantage Service including the availability of "Simple Reach Number," a new capability that enables subscribers to have up to nine additional telephone numbers for their service in any available area code. The new enhancements are the latest in a series of innovations the company plans to add to this popular new Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service.

"AT&T is moving quickly to deliver innovations that will bring consumers more features, better quality and greater value for residential broadband phone service," said Cathy Martine, AT&T senior vice president for Internet Telephony. "We have a pipeline of exciting new enhancements coming from AT&T Labs that will give AT&T CallVantage Service customers even more capabilities, convenience and control over their communications."

The Simple Reach(SM) Number feature enables AT&T CallVantage Service customers to add up to nine additional telephone numbers anywhere in the country where AT&T offers residential VoIP service.

Cisco vs. Juniper

September 15, 2004

I was just reading an article from BusinessWeek Online that discussed the battle between Cisco and Juniper.

It hits the nail on the head with what I said yesterday about Cisco and Juniper. (Cisco New Routers Everything But the Kitchen Sink)

Part of the article states: "Rather than concentrate strictly on the "big iron" used by phone companies and other carriers, Juniper announced on June 14 that it would start selling low-end "access routers" as well. These "J-series" models were aimed at Cisco's stronghold -- a $4 billion-a-year segment, in which Cisco enjoys a market share of roughly 90%.
Now, Cisco is fighting back.

iPod battery life improved via high capacity replacement

September 14, 2004

As an iPod lover, I just had to share this announcement about improved battery-life:

OWC AND NEWERTECH ANNOUNCE ULTRA HIGH-CAPACITY REPLACEMENT BATTERY FOR FIRST- AND SECOND-GENERATION IPOD MODELS

2100mAh replacement battery has highest capacity of any iPod battery on the market, with 70 percent more capacity than Apple stock battery

WOODSTOCK, Ill. - September 14, 2004 - Newer Technology, Inc. (NewerTech() and Other World Computing (OWC) today introduced an ultra high-capacity 2100mAh Apple iPod replacement Lithium-Polymer (Li-Polymer) replacement battery for all first- and second-generation iPod models.

The NewerTech battery is the highest capacity iPod battery on the market and provides 70 percent more capacity than standard Apple stock batteries. It is available immediately for $39.95.

"The sad truth about first- and second-generation iPods is that in many cases their batteries start to fade after about 18 months, and there's nothing worse for an iPod-user than to slowly become unable to access their digital music on-the-go," said Larry O'Connor, president of OWC.

VoIP plug and play box for traditional PBXs

September 14, 2004

I've said for years that there should be a turnkey "box" that you can simply plug into a PBX and turn it into a PBX with VoIP trunks (or IP Centrex if you prefer.) The box would "simulate" analog or T1/E1 trunk lines so the PBX simply sees the box as the Central Office (CO) providing trunk lines. Then an Ethernet connection on the box would hook up to some sort of broadband IP connection. All voice traffic would get packetized and sent across this IP connection and terminating on an ITSP's (Intenet Telephony Service Provider) network, such as Level3 or Global Crossing. Maybe the box would have expansion ports for a 2nd or 3rd T1/E1.

Cisco acquires Dynamicsoft

September 13, 2004

Cisco Systems Inc. has acquired Dynamicsoft Inc., best known for their Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) product line, for about $55 million in cash, including the assumption of about $3.8 million in debt.

dynamicsoft has always had a strong SIP core offering, as well as support for presence in 2G, 2.5G, and 3G networks, which is becoming increasingly important.

The real story behind the story is that Cisco still has been using their proprietary SCCP protocol (a version of MGCP – Media Gateway Control Protocol) rather than the industry standard SIP protocol.

While Cisco claims their lack of true SIP support hasn't hurt them, I say "yeah right".

Cisco New Routers - Everything but the Kitchen Sink

September 13, 2004

It seems everyone is talking about Cisco’s new routers that were launched today, so I may as well jump in with my comments as well. I’m going to take a more VoIP focused angle than the other news stories I’ve seen on Cisco’s announcement. I just got off a phone briefing with Cisco to discuss their new routers.
Essentially, today Cisco introduced what they are terming the new "Cisco Integrated Services Router Portfolio".

Telchemy VoIP Troubleshooter

September 13, 2004

Thought I would share this since there is certainly a need for more VoIP troubleshooting tools:

"VoIPTroubleshooter.com Provides Free Call Quality Information and Online Diagnostic Tools For Network Managers, Including an Open Repository of Speech Files

Telchemy Incorporated, the global leader in real-time VoIP Performance Management software, today introduced an updated, expanded and redesigned VoIPTroubleshooter.com(TM) Web site. Sponsored by Telchemy, the site contains information and online diagnostic tools for network managers to use when investigating and resolving VoIP-related call quality problems. The site also contains background information, published articles and other useful references/links about voice quality, VoIP Performance Management and packet statistics.
Live today, VoIPTroubleshooter.com includes over 60 pages of diagnostic information related to VoIP call quality. Two new features include: an Open Speech Repository, i.e., data base, and an IP Network Impairment Simulator.

CBS forgeries George Bush National Guard Service

September 12, 2004

I just read this article which is claiming the CBS documents about George Bush are fake.
Power Line: The sixty-first minute

What in the world is going on here? If it is proven that CBS has promoted the controversial Air National Guard documents as "fact" when in fact they are forgeries, then that's it - I'm packing up my bags and moving to Canada. I can't take this divisiveness in this country any more nor journalism that will taint the news to suit their agenda. Where has the brotherly love in the country gone?

Asterisk on Windows

September 9, 2004

Some hot news I've been meaning to share - Asterisk is now available on Windows.

Check it out:
Digium, the leading Open Source telecommunications supplier, and N2Net, a provider of mission critical communication hosting, announce the immediate availability of AstWind, a package allowing users of Microsof's Windows platform to run Asterisk, the Open Source PBX in a fully packet voice installation.
"AstWind allows Windows users to safely install and test the Asterisk PBX with the click of a button." said Gregory Boehnlein, Vice President of N2Net. "The possibilities are boundless! Prospective users can test the software and become familiar with it before deploying a full Linux system. Developers can maintain multiple environments for testing and PBX Administrators can create disaster recovery plans to backup existing installations."

Full release here:
Digium - A Linux Telephony Company

Skype PocketPC client

September 9, 2004

Andy
I knew there were rumors of a Skype client for PocketPCs, but Andy alerted me that Skype launched a VoIP client for PocketPCs today. He also offers some interesting analysis on what this could mean and how it could impact the carriers.

For example, he said:
Add Skype out to a new iPaq 6315 with WiFi and better voice quality. I just wonder how soon the wireless carriers like T-Mobile lock down the ports "for security reasons."

LOL!

VoIP, Inc Acquires VoIP Americas

September 9, 2004

I visited VoIP Americas office down in Miami just last year. They have some good engineers working there, including several brilliant engineers from Russia. I met with Albert Rodriguez, a really good guy who demonstrated VoIP Americas hosted VoIP model to me.

Basically VoIP Americas product allows entrepreneurs to get into the VoIP business and offer Vonage-like services by lowering the entry costs and providing all the features you need - billing, rate charges, administration, etc.

Lingo offers 7 digit dialing

September 9, 2004

As a Vonage user, one of my pet-peeves was having to dial a full 10-digits - even when dialing the local pizzeria, the local chinese restaurant down the street, etc.

I never understood why Vonage or any VoIP voice provider for that matter couldn't simply detect your local region based on your VoIP phone number and then simply pre-pend the area code for you, allowing you to dial a phone number without an area code. As a computer engineer, I know it's so simple to program it's ridiculous!

Well, Lingo now offers 7-digit dialing effective today.

IBM and VoIP

September 8, 2004

I recently blogged this: Tom Keating VoIP and Gadget Blog: VoIP, Where are you IBM?

Well, skibare shared a news release with me that indeed points to IBM at least "using" VoIP. When IBM will start offering a VoIP product or service still remains to be seen.

Check out the news release. I bolded the important part:

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Shares of Ptek Holdings Inc.
(PTEK) plunged Wednesday
after the company said one of its largest customers, International Business Machines Corp. (IBM), has found a new provider for certain teleconferencing services.

United Kingdom creates VoIP area code

September 8, 2004

The United Kingdom's telecom industry regulator has plans to push VoIP into the residential mainstream.

Ofcom, the United Kingdom's telecommunications regulatory agency, announced a new numbering system for VoIP.

A new prefix has been established, 056, that is not tied to any particular location and will allow people to switch from their existing phone number to a broadband number.

In addition, certain customers with regional prefixes of 01 and 02 may be able to keep their traditional-line phone numbers after switching to VoIP.

How VoIP Pioneers Can Survive the Coming Battle

September 7, 2004

The Fall of Vonage and Net2phone?

September 7, 2004

I recently discussed the possibility of the "Death Knell for Vonage, Net2Phone, Packet8, Broadvoice, Lingo"

This news story makes a similar analysis:
CableFAX's CableWORLD:Meet the System-Rock Hill, S.C.: Rockin' With a Five-Pack

One quote from this article says, "Sounds like no need for Vonage, Net2Phone or any middleman vendor here."

I still think Vonage, Net2Phone, etc. are here to stay - at least for a little while. But certainly the "triple play" bundled offerings that cable companies can provide does not bode well for ITSPs that only provide "voice".

Then again...

AT&T suckers the Cable Companies on VoIP broadband service

September 7, 2004

I've been meaning to comment on this Cnet article from last week:
AT&T won't mess up again - News - ZDNet

It's an interview with AT&T's David Dorman where he talks about AT&T's future direction with VoIP and their recent deals with cable companies.

Here's a quote that really stuck in my craw:
AT&T David Dorman:"It's a battle between the cable guys and the Bells. People talk about it being a duopoly. It's not a duopoly.

VoIP, Where are you IBM?

September 7, 2004

Dial-Up VoIP

September 7, 2004

In the VoIP Forums there has been a lot of requests for help in finding Dial-Up VoIP products.

While broadband has recently surpassed dial-up users in the U.S., (see http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/tom-keating/voip/archives/broadband-overtakes-narrowband-dialup-woohoo.html), there still are millions of dial-up users that would love to use VoIP over their dial-up connection.

Go check out these two VoIP forum threads that discuss dial-up VoIP products:
VoIP Forum Call Center Forum other Forums: Dial-Up VoIP Part 1
VoIP Forum Call Center Forum other Forums: Dial-Up VoIP Part 2

Skype certainly is one option that works pretty well over dial-up.

To really make VoIP over dial-up a common occurence, AOL, the largest dial-up provider in the U.S., if not the world, needs to offer dial-up VoIP.

Using PSTN Acces Numbers to dial SIP address

September 6, 2004

Packet8 VideoPhone review

September 3, 2004

To borrow a quote, "Beavis, this is the coolest thing I have ever seen".

I got a sneak peek at the Packet8 VideoPhone, which has an embeded RTOS (UNIX/OSIX compliant) and I was quite impressed! It supports CIF (352 x 288 pixels) and QCIF (176 x 144 pixels) resolutions, and it uses SIP. According to the specifications, it uses G.711, G.723.1 for the audio, although when I spoke to Packet8, they said the videophone also uses their own "flavor" of G.729a.

Hooking up the Packet8 VideoPhone was a breeze.

VoIP SPIT spam

September 3, 2004

Worlds's First Internet Television Network

September 2, 2004

Check out this release:
PRESS RELEASE: GET READY! THE NEXT REVOLUTION IN TV STARTS LABOR DAY WEEKEND!

wIPphone VoIP service offers unlimited numbers worldwide

September 2, 2004

wIPphone is offering unlimited numbers free of charge to select cities (over 900) in the U.S. and countries worldwide. Thus, you can for instance have the ever-popular New York number, as well as a number in California, or wherever.

There FAQ states:
Can I get a regular or toll-free US phone number attached to my wIPphone?

South Africa - Welcome to the VoIP Revolution Man!

September 2, 2004

Microsoft Media Player 10 - Apple iTunes killer?

September 2, 2004

Microsoft launched their new Media Player 10 today which they are positioning as an "iTunes killer". As a proud new owner of a 20gb iPod and iTunes user, we'll just see about that.

Microsoft did make some improvements to Media Player, including finally the ability to rip CDs to MP3 format - before you had to buy a plug-in or rip to Microsoft's proprietary .wma format.

They also finally decided to KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) their Media Player by having intuitive tabs that include: Now Playing, Library, Rip, Burn and Guide.

Nintendo DS offers WiFi VoIP gaming

September 1, 2004


It is being reported that the Nintendo DS has a headset port which will be used in conjunction with the built-in wireless 802.11b networking capabilities to offer VoIP chat. This will also enable gamers to use the Nintendo DS to make free phone calls or simply to talk trash while fragging your opponent.

Of course Microsoft Xbox Live already does this. But rumor has it the Nintendo DS will enable PSTN phone calls - not just gamer-to-gamer voice chat.

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