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May 2010

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Skype over 3G on iPhone Arrives - with a catch

May 29, 2010

Silverlight on iPhone?

May 27, 2010

ZDNet's Microsoft blogging guru (guru-ess?) Mary Jo is reporting on a rumor of Silverlight coming to the Apple iPhone. This is based on a WSJ report that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer may make an appearance at the upcoming Apple World Wide Developers Conference. Some are speculating that Ballmer will announce some kind of add-on for Visual Studio 2010 to support development of iPhone apps using Microsoft's tool suite. But Mary Jo, who often has inside sources at Microsoft writes:
While that's possible -- after all, there's an add-on for Visual Studio 2010 that supports Windows Phone 7 development - I'm thinking something else may be afoot.

fring Brings Video Calling to Android

May 27, 2010

McDonalds Drive-thru Gets a Microsoft BSOD!

May 20, 2010

I was going through a Microsoft drive-thru when I saw the dreaded Blue Screen of Death on the McDonalds computer screen. Not good. Check out the video:


Part of the message reads:
A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO


BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO or BAD_FOR_YOUR_DIGESTIVE_SYSTEM?

Yeah, well, it may be bad for me, but I want my quarter pounder with fries and I want them now. This is fast food damn it, and I can't wait 10 minutes for the computer to reboot.






Goodbye Skype Business Control Panel Hello Skype Manager!

May 19, 2010

Skype today announced the launch of Skype Manager, a web-based management tool that replaces Skype Business Control Panel (BCP). I noticed the GUI has been slightly revamped, but essentially it's the same admin panel as BCP. It does have a new Dashboard feature and shows your monthly allocations as a graph. Of course, just like BCP, Skype Manager can also be used to set up and manage Skype for SIP , which lets you connect a SIP-enabled PBX to Skype.

Panasonic Activates Skype on Viera 2010 HDTVs

May 18, 2010

Google Buys Global IP Sound

May 18, 2010

Google has an offer to buy Global IP Solutions, for $68.2 million. Global IP Solutions (GIPS) was the company that powered Skype's adaptive codec to handle packet loss, jitter, etc. until Skype decided to develop their own codec. Google Talk uses GIPS, so certainly Google will save on the licensing fees if they pick up GIPS.

PhoneFlicks for iPhone adds Netflix ratings

May 17, 2010

Skype Group Video Arrives!

May 13, 2010


Today, Skype released a beta of their new software which enables group video for up to 5 video participants. This was a key feature missing by Skype that for years Skype fans (including myself) have complained about. Of course, Sightspeed, now part of Logitech has had multi-party video for a long time.

Here's the kicker though from Skype's blog:
Group video calling is just one in a set of new premium features you'll see us roll out during 2010. We haven't set prices for these premium features yet, but rest assured that we're still absolutely committed to bringing you free voice and two-way video calling.
I bolded the relevant portions.



Sangoma and HP Partner on UC Platform

May 12, 2010

I saw a release a couple of weeks ago about Sangoma entering into an OEM relationship with a "major computer and networking equipment supplier", which really piqued my interest since I'm a Sangoma telephony card fan. The release however doesn't name the company.

However, it got me thinking that there are not many companies that sell computer AND networking equipment. The only two companies that came to mind are Intel and HP (which now owns 3Com now). I doubt Intel would ink a deal with Sangoma since Intel already tested the telephony waters with Dialogic which they bought & then sold.

That leaves HP.

I did some digging and a source told me that they saw a Sangoma logo on some HP hardware at the last VoiceCon show.





Samsung Bundles Boingo Wi-Fi With New Digital Camera

May 12, 2010

The convergence of wireless and gadgets continues. Who needs tethered cables to sync, upload/download, when you can do it wirelessly? Always hate having to plug my camera in to download pics to my PC. Well no longer!

Today, Boingo Wireless, announced that Samsung's new Wi-Fi enabled digital cameras will be pre-loaded with Boingo software, allowing customers to connect to 125,000 Boingo Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide for on-the-go photo and video sharing.

Next Justin Bieber?

May 12, 2010

Panasonic announces Digium Asterisk certification for new TGP500 series SIP DECT-based phone system

May 4, 2010


Today, Panasonic announced Digium Asterisk certification for its new TGP500 series SIP DECT-based cordless phone system. These handsets sport wideband audio via its G.722 codec support making this a rare HD audio phone designed for both the home consumer market and the enterprise. Of course, if you use one of these products at home, you'll need a SIP trunking service provider that supports G.722 in order to have HD voice quality. Alas, Vonage, one of the most popular SIP-based providers has no plans for HD voice support.
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