Archive for the ‘VoIP’ Category

Now that the iPod Touch has a built-in mic and two cameras, it very much is a WIFI-only iPhone. With apps like FaceTime and Skype, you don’t need to buy an iPhone if you plan on making calls from home or work. This is pretty much the perfect device for non-telcom users like myself. Throughout my week, I am away from WIFI maybe two or three hours. Frankly, that’s better than the cell reception I get.

The New Ipods

Apple iPod touch 8 GB (4th Generation) NEWEST MODEL

I don’t use AT&T and have absolutely no desire to switch.  Over the past few years I’ve gotten over being tied to a cell phone and it really seems like I have it for emergency calls but if I’m away from wi-fi it usually means I’m just busy and don’t really want to talk on the phone or the conversation most likely would be pointless because I’m not in front of my computer.

I’m going to be traveling out of the country for an extended period of time and really thing this will be a nice solution to being on skype while I’m away from my desk.  All my contacts numbers are either a skype in or google voice so we’re good to go.  I’ll let you know how I like it.

I’ll be away for a few months but I’ll be able to receive my phone calls from skype and google voice and have also obtained an international skype-in number that will make it easier for my new friends in the area to call me locally as well.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Apple updates iPod line (marketwatch.com)
• Apple Overhauls iPod Lineup (mashable.com)
• Why Apple’s FaceTime Is a Huge Opportunity (nytimes.com)

I love Skype.  Love, love, love  skype.  Did I mention that I love Skype.

The latest beta version of Skype for Windows supports HD-quality video (1280 x 720 resolution at up to 30 frames per second), which provides a perfect picture.  The equipment isn’t available yet but apparently soon (apparently Spring 2010).  I would love an HD Cam.

faceVision announced products for Skype and their cams look pretty nice.

I have had google alerts set up for GrandCentral for quite some time now and was jumping for joy when I heard the news late last night that they (Google) were finally getting things going.

I was fortunate enough to sign up for GrandCentral when in 2007 when they were still taking beta-testers and was able to secure two numbers (208-Idaho and 415 San Francisco).  I use quite a few of the features and the only issue (and it was a big one) that I had was that here in Boise quite a few people use CableOne (which personally I think sucks) as their tv cable, internet and phone service and CableOne VoIP users were not able to call my GrandCentral number.  There would just get “air” with no message, no nothing.  This really sucked since I had just, moved, just printed business cards and found out when my UPS mailbox office tried to call me for a Federal Express delivery and couldn’t get through.  In the long run I had a costly work-around with numbers forwarded, skype-in, a Voip line, and then I bought a MagicJack (more on that) etc., I was not happy since the last thing I wanted to do was to spend more on a service that started out to be, what I thought was cost-effective move on my part.

I upgraded my account today.  One of my accounts updated fine but the other one seems to have not gone through the process yet.  Upgrading was seemless and everything seems to have transferred over ok.  I have to change some web-buttons but they aren’t really used that much so it’s not urgent.

The transcribing is pretty good.  The process took about 5-10 mins to appear in my inbox.  The voicemail was there in my inbox but transcribing too a few minutes more.

Check out the results.

Voicemail:

Screenshot from GoogleVoice messages

I don’t like giving out my cell number but I do like being able to talk to people when I need to.  The main premise behind GrandCentral (and now GoogleVoice) is that you have one number that can follow you everywhere.  I like the “one number concept”.  I like being able to “screen voicemails”, I like being able to get messages online.  I like a lot of things.  So I’m very glad this is out there.  I would consider paying for this if they completely fix the issue of certain VoIP services not being able to get through.

The call widgets are interesting…not sure if people will use them.  I’d like to see a report on success stories.