VoIP Watch

Frustrated Phone Boy

I agree with Dameon on his frustration with VoIP/SIP phones but for different reasons. Every device requires a "genius" or IT type person to configure easily.

Even those with a Web interface. Someone needs to design a wizard like we have for Truphone on the Nokia handsets, but for desk VoIP phones that says:

1. Connect phone to your router for an IP connection

2. Identify your IP address (internal)

3. Press Configure

Until that happens the IP phones will always play second fiddle to analog telephone adapters and analog handsets in any location where the GEEK is not in residence full time or on call.

What's New In Andy's Bag of Devices?

I've become hooked on the Amazon Kindle. I'm actually reading more, scanning less and finding that my mega fast reading and comprehension capabilities that I always had (I was tested in 3rd grade to be able to comprehend a college master's degree text book) have never left me. What's more the form factor is such that when you use the Amazon "book" jacket that no one asks you to "turn it off" when you're on the airplane, though I do turn off the CDMA radio that works over the WhisperNet that Amazon, Qualcomm (yes Qualcomm) and Sprint assembled.

The Kindle is long lasting. I'm getting three to four days of life with it turned on, and it downloads fast. Books download under a minute and I can even load in MP3 files via an SD card or USB cable to listen to music. That makes me think we're looking at the next iPod and that Amazon will be a Music powerhouse.

While it has a Web browser and works with Google Mail and such, I wouldn't use it for more than that just yet. That said, I do see all kinds of business uses for it.

The second device I'm very happy with is the Iqua Sun Bluetooth Headset. It's very "Green" and doesn't ever need to be recharged. Well, sort of. Basically it has a built in solar panel that even incandescent and ambient light provides. Think of it as the "always charged" headset for the "always on" generation.

But the main reason I like it is the fact that it has exceptional noise canceling, superb acoustics and best of all, isn't as obtrusively visible as the highly regarded, but almost Borg like looking Jawbone. Honestly, I can't hear any difference.

VoIP To Be Taxed In Los Angeles

Users of VoIP in Los Angeles will see their phone bills rise by nine percent, according to a report from the Heartland Institute.

This has happened before and is an affront to a federal moratorium on taxing Internet based services. My guess is this ends up before the FCC and in court.

What will also be interesting is how both the telcos (Verizon and AT&T) plus the cable MSO's react to this. If they simply roll over and say, "sure, we'll just add it to the bill" or decide to fight it for the benefit of their customers.

New VoIP and Presence Applications for Symbian Series 60 Phones, New Phone from Nokia Too

Octro Talk is a new voip and presence application that works on Symbian Series 60 phones.

What's more interesting to me is that client Nokia has introduced the new 6300i that includes more than a SIP stack. They included a full SIP based VoIP client that is easily configurable. That means users of SIP based VoIP who are able to obtain their SIP credentials from the carrier can be totting around a VoIP phone that works over WiFi. The phone, which will retail for less than $300 doesn't have 3G capability.

A third company, Tpad has introduced a Truphone like clone that takes advantage of the stack already present in the N and E Series devices to create a full VoIP service.

Esme Dumps Her Dell, Office is Next

Esme Vos and I share alot of the same viewpoints. We both like posh hotels, fine dining, travel, wireless and on MuniWireless. Today when I saw her post about going non-PC, I couldn't agree more. This is more about going less Microsoft.

Basically as more and more of us live connected to the cloud and as Mac and Linux users figure out that first before the Windoze crowd wakes up, you'll find more of the tastemakers moving in that direction.

On my Asus eee PC I use Open Office, Thunderbird and Mozilla. On the Mac I'm using Mailplane and Google Mail for a cloned account of my Exchange server. At week five of my experiment I'm relying less and less on Microsoft Exchange. I'm even using Google Apps more each day.

Is It Yahoo or is It My Travel Router or is It I-Bahn

I have to do more testing, but Yahoo Messenger for the Mac's new beta finally includes Voice, just like the PC client has, after a L O N G almost two year wait.

Sadly I can dial, but no one hears me.

Mashable has more details.

Lypp and WebEx Collaborate

Pal Erik Lagerway (SipThat) informs us that the soft-launch of the Lypp and WebEx collaboration suite is out for the masses.

Drinking My Own Wine and Telling the World About It

Everyone knows that I don't just write about technology. I live it each and every day. Sometimes my wife Helene remarks that I'm always emailing someone, IMing with someone, or talking "on the computer."

The story that ran on VoIP News highlights both my clients and the software I use to "stay connected" the signature sign off of the KenRadio's "World Technology Roundup."

Hat Tip to Pal Jon Arnold was quoted too...

PulverMedia Update

Om Malik posts and postulates about what's the latest at PulverMedia. He pulled SEC filings that give an indication of what is going on that led to the body blow that the VoIP nerve center has suffered.

At the same time TMC's Rich Tehrani is reporting growth of staff and writers.

Nine Lives And Level3

Somehow a lot of folks seem to remain hopeful that Level3 will make it. I've been one of them, but over the last few months with all the changes, I'm beginning to have my doubts. So are pals Steve Smith and Ike Elliot.