Join me as I take a look at the stunning, clever, funky 3 Skypephone!
In a world where new ways of communicating are becoming ever more commonplace, it always had a bit of inevitability about it that VoIP (Voice over IP, internet calls to you and me), would take off. And it did, big time, with the monumental success of Skype. But it never realy took hold in the world of mobile phones, until recently, and the reason it did take hold was, once again, Skype. You see, they changed the rules of the game, with the fabulous 3 Skypephone.
There have been a few phones in the past that were "phones that have VoIP capability" or "phones that Skype in them", but this is the first true, proper Skype Phone, the first phone whose entire reason for existence, its entire purpose, is built around Skype (let's face it, the name should've given that away!) You can, of course, use the 3 Skype phone as a normal style mobile phone, as it has a built-in 2 megapixel camera, music player, even Facebook access, but... well, that's kind of missing the point. because while you can stick to doing that, and treat it like a normal moble phone, you're denying the phone its reason for living.
Skype - it's fantastic!
When you press the button in the middle of the 3 Skype phone, it takes you straight into the Skype messenger service. Here you can set up a new account, but the coolest thing in that regard, is that you can log in using your own existing details! That takes you straight into the service and once it's run a quick check to make sure your Skype phone is actually working, you'll be making VoIP calls before you even know it! So, would I buy one? Well, no, because I don't use Skype, nor do I actually have any friends (or ones who use Skype, at any rate, although some would say I just don't have any friends), but if I did... well, I'd be all over it like a shot!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
The 3 Skype phone - VoIP, Skype-style, in a mobile phone!
What is VoIP Technology?
You have probably heard of VoIP but do you know what it is ? VoIP basically stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. So what is it then ?
Withe the advent of broadband internet it has become possible to use this new VoIP technology to make regular phone calls through that internet connection. You must have a broadband connection though. Dial-up just won't do it. It is too slow.
The benefits of making the switch to Voice Over Internet Protocol phone systems are mainly significant savings in call costs, and superior call quality. For example, you can expect free continental US calling (including to Canada in some instances). It isn't like with cellphone companies where you have to wait until the evening or weekends to make free calls. If you have ever used Skype to make calls you will better understand what it means to experience amazing calling quality. It is much clearer than a phone as we know it.
As with your regular telephone service you get the usual standard features such as:
Caller IDCall WaitingCall Forwading
With a VoIP connection you can expect very favorable monthly rates starting as low as $6.99. A lot of businesses are catching up with this technology due to its associated costs.
Most VoIP providers require three main things to get connected, and these are:
TelephoneBroadband connectionHome Router
The good thing about using this service is that the person you are calling need not be a VoIP subscriber too. You can call anybody that has a telephone, be it a landline or a cellphone.
Do you make frequent international calls ? Voice Over Internet Protocol technology would be perfect for you then. Maybe you have family and friends abroad and you want to speak with them ocassionally, as opposed to sending text messages ? VoIP providers have you covered. Some providers offer free calls to countries such as Australia, France, New Zealand, Canada, and the UK, just to name a few. You need to check with the provider for more details. Rates to other countries, such as India for example, can start as low as 2 cents a minute. That is way cheaper than using those calling cards if you ask me. At least you don't have to worry about connection fees.
Some VoIP providers do not even require you to be a resident of the United States in order to use their services. As long as you fulfill the requirements mentioned above, you are eligible to start using voice over internet protocol phone systems
VoIP Services - A Beneficiary To All
VoIP Service is the latest form of establishing connectivity with people worldwide at a significantly lower cost. The services involving voice IP are getting more popular nowadays as people have come to realize that services related to IP Telephony give them the ultimate flexibility in connecting with others. It means that with a VoIP phone, you can literally travel anywhere and still remain connected just with an internet connection.
There are several reasons for opting for the voice over IP connection. The internet phone connection or VoIP so to say offer you mobility. With the broadband connection in hand, you can receive free internet telephone calls even if you are traveling outside your country. That would simply mean that if your telephone number is based in Paris and if you travel to Texas then the call that you receive will be regarded as local calls. This is a great plus point for people who travel a great deal and for business travelers. If you frequently make long distance calls, then Voice over IP is a good option for you. You can overcome the burden of paying high roaming fees on your mobile phones by availing some of the best VoIP Services.
Internet phone calls can be availed by purchasing a VoIP phone. This phone would cost just as any other phone. The next thing is to access the voice connection. You can avail this service at a tariff charge of $50 or so in a month. However, the price for the connection is likely to increases as you add on new features to you're the connection. There is also the option of selection as now a user can shop for low cost VoIP phone service. Large companies often come up with exclusive rates for VoIP services that may actually be the company's wholesale rate. So, availing the services of such companies is always beneficial for both parties - the user as well as the company. The user is benefited as they can access connectivity at low costs; and the company is benefited by being successful in their campaign to become a low rate service provider.
Using the services offered by VoIP, it is possible to set a business with the VoIP business service. This service ensures that regardless of what equipment you bring to use, the voice over connectivity works seamlessly with other networks.
To conclude, it can be said that a VoIP business service has become a reality with the introduction of low cost internet services. The IP telephony has made it easy for everyone to earn sitting at home without having to go out to an office for earning their livelihood.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
PC to Phone Calls
AdCalls features the best rate that you could ever get on PC to Phone Calls, FREE! By using VOIP (voice over internet protocol) technology combined with ads displayed on the phone dialer, PC Phone Calls is absolutely FREE! You will never receive a better discount long distance service provider than FREE PC to Phone Calls. Making a PC Phone Call is easy, clear, reliable and best of all its FREE! This Internet phone service allows you to call PC to Phone and PC to PC anytime. PC to Phone Calls can be made from anywhere in the world to phone numbers within the US and Canada only. PC to PC calls can be made anywhere in the world. All PC to Phone Calls and all PC to PC calls are 100% free.
There are no set up charges to call PC to Phone or PC to PC. There are no cards to use or gimmicks it is 100% free PC to Phone and PC to PC calls using Internet telephony voice over Internet protocol VOIP. These cheap phones calls still give you the clearest VOIP call on the Internet. Start saving on your long distance phone calls today by using this free PC to phone call service. Free PC to Phone calls has never been easier or more affordable. Download your PC to Phone dialer today and start making 100% free calls all the time.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Listing of free VoIP Softphone Applications
For a general overview we have categorized the listingsWe differentiate between applications that can be freely configured for any provider and softphones that are linked to a particular VoIP service provider.
For an extensive list of available softphone applications please refer to http://www.voip-info.org/tiki-index.php?page=VOIP+Phones#id192377.In addition we have listed a few messengers capable of Voice over IP.
X-Lite 3.0
Free Client, Good features
counterpath.com
Eyebeam
X-Lite Pro -with video feature - not free
counterpath.com
Global IP
Free Client, Many features
PC Phone
SJPhone
Beta test version -free
SJLabs.com
SIPPS
Encypted, Instant messaging
NERO.com
SNOM 360
Emulation of the Snom 360 Hardware for WIN
SNOM
MyJabber
With Jabber messaging service
MyJabber.net
SipEyePhone
Easy to configure, very reliable
eyepmedia
Firefly Softphone
Messaging Firefly with low bandwidth requirements
firefly
Twinkle Softphone
SIP Softphone for Linux
Twinkle Softphone
Openzoep
VoIP and IM engine based on SIP
Openzoep
PhonerLite
Free SIP Softphone, easy to use
PhonerLite
Express talk
Supports 4 lines,call transfer, Address book
Express Talk
Pre-configured clients
Globe7
SIP softphone powered by IPTV with PC to PC,PC to landline, free fax and real time video calling
Globe7
Babble
Messaging
Babble.net
Stanaphone
Pre-configured
Stanaphone
MPQ Phone
Pre-configured, Video conferencing
Cubus
Pulver Communicator
FWD Client with instant messaging
FWD
Skype
Pre-configured
Skype
click4netphone
Pre-configured
Click4.com
DingoTel
Pre-configured
DingoTel
PC2Call
Pre-configured
PC2Call
Wengophone 2.0
Compatible to MSN, Jabber, AOL, Yahoo
Wengo
Yahoo Voice
IM and now with soft phone, great rates
Yahoo Voice
Lycos Phone
See Globe7
MondoTalk
Pre-configured
Mondotalk
Gootec
Pre-configured
Gootec
Gizmo Project
Good voice quality,Conference rooms, complete
Gizmo Project
Messenger with VoIP
AIM
Instant messaging
AOL
ICQ Phone
Instant messaging
ICQ.com
MSN
Instant messaging
Microsoft
Google Talk
Instant messaging
Google Talk
IP Calls
Teamspeak
Professional conference software
goTeamSpeak
Ventrilo
Multiplatform conference software
Ventrilo
VoIPerized
Conference software
VOIPerized
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
VoIP Cell Phones:
VoIP-enabled cell phones are just entering the consumer market. In the United States, only T-Mobile's HotSpot@Home service allows customers to make cell phone calls over a VoIP network. HotSpot@Home relies on a device called a dual-mode cell phone.
Dual-mode cell phones contain both a regular cellular radio and a Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) radio. The Wi-Fi radio enables the cell phone to connect to a wireless Internet network through a wireless router. If you have a wireless Internet router in your home, or if you're sitting at a Starbucks with wireless Internet access, you can use your cell phone to make VoIP calls.
Here's how it works:
When the cell phone is in range of a wireless Internet network, the phone automatically recognizes and connects to the network. Any calls you initiate on the wireless network are routed through the Internet as VoIP calls. With HotSpot@Home, all VoIP calls are free.
If the phone is out of range of a wireless Internet signal, it automatically switches over to the regular cellular network and calls are charged as normal.
Dual-mode phones can hand off seamlessly from Wi-Fi to cellular (and vice versa) in the middle of a call as you enter and exit Wi-Fi networks.
Similar to dual-mode cell phones are Wi-Fi phones. Wi-Fi phones aren't technically cell phones because they only have a Wi-Fi radio, not a cellular radio. Wi-Fi phones look like cell phones (small, lightweight handsets), but can only make calls when connected to a wireless Internet network. That means all Wi-Fi phone calls are VoIP calls.
Wi-Fi phones are useful in large companies and offices with their own extensive wireless networks. And could prove to be the next big thing, with the expanding market for municipal Wi-Fi. [source: Dr. Dobb's Portal]. Imagine that your entire city was covered by a high-speed wireless network. That means cheap (if not free) VoIP calls wherever you go.
In England, a company called Hutchinson 3G (or simply 3) has partnered with the popular VoIP service Skype to introduce the 3 Skypephone. The Skypephone allows users to make free cell phone calls to other Skype users. The phone can also make regular cell-phone calls to non-Skype users for the normal fees.
Here's how it works:
To make a Skype call using the 3 Skypephone, you have to be on 3's cellular network.
To initiate a Skype call, find a Skype user in your phone's address book and press the big "Skype" button.
The call first goes over 3's cellular GSM network to a fixed Internet line, which then connects the call to Skype [source: mobileSift].
From your 3 Skypephone, you can make free VoIP calls to other Skype users whether they have a Skypephone or not. You can talk to Skype users on their PCs or using other Skype VoIP products.
The 3 Skypephone isn't currently available in the United States.