Recently Filed in VoIP

Can’t find a Nintendo Wii on any store shelves near you? Sign up for Comcast’s Triple Play service and get a Wii free. The cable provider announced Monday that between now and August 17, new subscribers to the Comcast Preferred Plus or Premier Triple Play package will get a complimentary Wii system. In case you’re not sure what package qualifies, here’s what Comcast says: “Comcast Preferred Plus and Premier Triple Play packages include: Comcast Digital Cable with On Demand and premium channels; Comcast Digital Voice,… View this story
AV Components • Set Top Boxes • Gaming • Gaming Systems • Networking and Communication • Cable • Internet • VoIP • Enhancements • Product News

Acer just announced the Acer Aspire one, a mobile “Internet device” that looks strangely like a laptop. Of course, it is a laptop. However, it’s a $379 laptop—and it includes plenty of extras to boot. Aside from access to your email, Facebook, and other web applications, the lightweight unit includes VoIP calling features, a webcam for streaming video, and more. “It’s an excellent introductory device for both students and others to browse the Internet and take advantage of online research, social networking, streaming video and… View this story
VoIP • Computers • Networking • Product News

It’s no secret that more people are ditching their landlines in favor of cell phones. According to Mediamark Research, the percentage of adults living in cell-only households has risen from 1.2% to the current 14.0% in the past seven years. In this article, we’ll look at the pros and cons of ditching your landline; whether cell boosters, which claim to boost cell phone signals, are worth the investment; and the validity of VoIP becoming the new landline. Ditching the Landline: The Good and The Bad… View this story
Networking and Communication • Telephones • VoIP • Info and Answers

You can yell at your control panels and touchscreens until you’re blue in the face—however, AMX systems may soon talk back. The company just announced that it will be adding the possibility for VoIP technology into its control systems. AMX’s has new Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Communications Gateways, which harness the power of SIP, VoIP—and possibly Greyskull. The end result is an AMX control system that includes two-way telephony. For instance, you can use a touchpanel as an intercom or even a full-featured IP phone.… View this story
Home Control Systems • VoIP • Networking • Home Control • Product News

Recovering from its recent legal issues, VoIP provider Vonage announced today it will begin shipping it’s first branded hardware, the V-Portal™ router. “With the V-Portal™, we are starting a trend of making innovative Vonage-branded products relevant and responsive to the way our customers communicate,” said Daniel Smires, Senior Vice President of Engineering. “The V-Portal™ expands upon what customers typically expect from a router, and is the closest thing to having a customer care agent with them in their home.” Similar to the Belkin N1 Vision… View this story
VoIP • CES • Networking • Info and Answers

Can I put you on hold? I need a fling a banana at someone… There’s no longer a need to put your ”Super Monkey Ball” addiction on hold for pesky phone calls. Sony just announced Skype support for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). For users, that would mean free phone calls to its more than 246 million members. For all other calls, Skype Credit is available for purchase. Other features allows users to create and manage contact lists, or show the members that are online and… View this story
VoIP • Gaming Systems • CES • Networking • Product News

Motorola had Ojo, a super-cool videophone, a few years back. I don’t know one person that has it—maybe because of its $700 price tag. DigitalFX is taking another route by offering its helloWorld.com VoIP subscribers a downloadable program to turn your computer into a videophone. Yeah, it’s not as cool, but it is free.  The service currently allows users to upload and share pictures, video emails, songs, podcasts and pretty much anything else you can find on the web. Another new feature will include unlimited… View this story
VoIP • Web Services • Networking • Product News

MySpace creepiness hasn’t been in the headlines lately. Enter new features for MySpace IM, which will soon allow users to call and instant message each other via Skype. Restraining order you say? No need to worry… the AP says that the new features will allow you to reach other MySpace users even when they’re not online. There is a “private” feature though, in case you are getting overwhelmed by calls from those not in your 2,000+ friend list. Users will need a Skype account. PC-to-PC… View this story
VoIP • Web Services • Networking • Product News

Ooma, Oprah… Oprah—ah, forget them. Instead of being a butt of some lame joke, this Ooma allows you to make free calls. Score! Just hook the Ooma Hub in between your phone and your web connection and it makes phone magic. Other features include an “instant second line,” three-way conferencing, enhanced call waiting, and everywhere access to voicemail. The hub comes in two flavors: Landline or non-landline. However, the latter doesn’t have traditional 911 support. Don’t start looking for your Silician grandma’s number; the service… View this story
Telephones • VoIP • Gadgets • Web Services • Enhancements • Product News

So I’m sort of angry at ThePudding.com—and it’s not just because it has nothing to do with pudding. Someone actually thought it was a good idea to develop a “free” phone service that listens to your calls to determine which ads would be good for you. Now I just have another reason to hate the phone. ThePudding.com says “Pudding Media is building a platform that opens new advertising real estate, allowing consumers to immediately receive and respond to offers related to topics they are discussing.”… View this story
VoIP • Web Services • Weird Stuff • Enhancements • Product News

Five years ago, broadband was a wonder and home networks a black art. Today, we’re blithely weighing 802.11 pre-N against HomePlug AV, or holding out for municipal Wi-Fi or Verizon FIOS. And new home buyers are opting for gigabit Ethernet backbones and IP-based home control systems along with their cork flooring and granite countertops.  Given how far we’ve come so fast, what will the next five years bring in digital home technology –- real flying toasters? For answers, we turned to three industry prognosticators: Jed… View this story
Networking and Communication • Ethernet • Fiber/FiOS • Internet • Routers and Switches • VoIP • WiFi • Networking • Info and Answers • Opinion/Soapbox

The number of companies providing broadband phone service—also called Voice over Internet Protocol, VoIP, Digital Phone Service and Internet Phone Service—has been growing steadily over recent years. The number of subscribers is also on the rise. There were an estimated 5 million VoIP subscribers in 2004 and some studies predict that number will reach closer to 60 million by 2010. Given the prevalence of broadband service to homes across the world, it is not a far stretch to imagine a day when the standard phone… View this story
Routers and Switches • Telephones • VoIP • Info and Answers