I've been playing around with PhoneGnome for a few days. Om has done a very extensive review.
It's a really clever device and it works without a lot of thinking on the buyers part. In many ways it reminds me of Mirra and is even simpler because you don't need any software to make it work. I like to call it Phone Plus. You don't need to sign up with a VoIP carrier. You just keep your existing phone line, add on the ATA they supply and get all the services you have been paying money for from your RBOC for free. VoiceMail, Privacy Manager, Caller ID.
It's also SIP based so you can call all your friends who are using SIP phones like Free World Dial Up. Gizmo Project, SipPhone and the rest as easily as you call on PSTN.
David Beckemeyer doesn't call the buyers of PhoneGnome users. He calls them owners. I like that approach. Right now future Gnomies can buy them only on his web site, but David's looking into retail too. With some sales success this could actually be the gizmo of the year.
Silicon Beat's Matt Marshall weighs in with some additional views.
Aswath Rao (He's too smart) who muses now and then about VoIP has some questions that both Om and I missed...
Om also points to some of the people behind the company.
Martin shares his usual wit and insight...
Tom Keating weighs in with commentary.
Engadget also makes some observations.
Voxilla's Carolyn Schuck has some added insight about the PhoneGnome concept and where you can buy it.
Dan Seto pontificates about the options PhoneGnome gives you.
PC Magazine has an early look, but not a review of the product.
Joi Ito, a long ago online pal and now Mr. Internet in Japan (I'm not surprised) chimes in with some sage insight....
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