VoIP You

Keep in Touch: The VoIP Feature of the Week

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 06:47:23 -0600

You live in Texas. Your best friend lives in New York. Your other best friend lives in Seattle. Your traditional weekend gatherings are a thing of the past, and it seems like it's getting harder and harder to stay in touch. It's expensive enough to make a long distance call to just one of them, let alone both, and trying to fit in calls during everybody's "anytime" minutes is impossible, unless you feel like talking in the middle of the night or at the crack of dawn.

There's an easier way than relying on traditional phone services. All three of you can get together to get updates on who is dating who, who got promoted and to make plans for that long overdue reunion with my people conference calling. And it's not just for friends -- once you see how easy it is to use at work, you'll find your productivity levels sky rocketing:

"Use it for business calls, or maybe just to get together with some good friends from all over the country without having to eat bad airplane food. With my people conference calling, we've made it easy for you to chat with up to two of your people at once."

The conference calling feature is fast and easy to use, and requires you to know nothing more than how to push a button and dial a phone number:

1.While on the first call, depress the flash button.

2.Listen for a dial tone.

3.Dial the other party's number.

4.When you are ready to add the original caller, depress the flash button again.

Put the IP back and VoIP and catch up with your two best friends. Or just complain about something on TV together, like you used to do when you were in the same room.

Daily VoIP Links for 2006-06-27

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 05:33:26 -0600

[Daily post from my people] Keep In Touch

"The conference calling feature is fast and easy to use, and requires you to know nothing more than how to push a button and dial a phone number"

South Florida Sun-Sentinel: VoIP makes phone system hurricane-resistant

"When Hurricane Wilma struck South Florida last October, most business owners had to struggle to survive without telephone service. Not Stephen McWilliam. "

Digital Common Sense: All Your Data Are Belong to Us

"Shamelessy copied straight from David Isenberg, because it’s the most clear, succinct and accurate representation of what AT&T says."

Fractals of Change: Price – The Cost of Complexity

"There are still people who think that Internet access pricing should be more complex."

ZD Net EXCLUSIVE: AT&T CEO's political donations to net neutrality opponents

"I found several donations, most of them to Net Neutrality opponents."

Alec Saunders .LOG: Going the Way of the Dodo

"Inflight data and voice services seem to be really hitting a wall these days."

Tehrani: More on NSA

"Here is more on the NSA showing how much of the agencies’ resources were being used for surveillance. None of it is surprising to me. "

Daily VoIP Links for 2006-06-26

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 06:39:59 -0600

[Daily post from my people] European Vacation

"As VoIP continues to grow in popularity here in the States, it's easy to overlook what's happening with the technology elsewhere."

Alec Saunders .LOG: For 30% of us, the Top Peeve at Work: Ringing Cell Phones

"In More Companies Tell Workers to Silence Cell Phones, USA Today reports due to the productivity impact, more companies are telling workers to silence cell phones on the job, and in some cases banning the devices outright. "

The Jeff Pulver Blog: 900+ People Joined our Celebration at Galina for the Israeli Hi-Tech Industry on June 22nd

"On Thursday night June 22nd at Galina located in the Port of Tel Aviv, over 900 people joined our “Summer Party” for the Israeli Hi-Tech Industry."

ZDNet.com: To save Net Neutrality, here's why The Torrents must die- and then be reborn

"To me, though, the specter of The Torrents used for illegal, or illegal purposes doesn't mean that we have to allow a bunch of file-swappers to gum our Internet up for the rest of us."

Tehrani: Don’t Block My Voice

"I received this letter from Consumer’s Union. It seems like a worthy cause. I get lost of e-mails from Consumers Union on a variety of different causes. I don’t always agree with their causes but if the following is true, it is very scary."

Lifehacker: Weekend Project: Make walkie-talkies out of old cordless phones

"Voltron the Space Commander would look way more intimidating with a cordless in the treehouse."

European Vacation

Fri, 23 Jun 2006 14:20:55 -0600

With the World Cup in full swing, it's a good time to turn our attention to other parts of the globe. Americans are, after all, prone to looking inward most of the time. Since the Cup Finals are in Germany, let's focus on Europe for today. As VoIP continues to grow in popularity here in the States, it's easy to overlook what's happening with the technology elsewhere. But businesses and many consumers in America will be directly affected by VoIP in Europe, and the development of the technology as a whole is linked to a number of European companies.

Studies that were taken as late as October of last year showed that Europeans were not taking to VoIP technology as quickly as many thought they would:

"In fact, less than half of the European organizations surveyed have spent anything on IP telephony, and less than a third expect to increase spending this year. Indeed, Velez notes that while 32% of companies surveyed are evaluating or piloting VoIP, and there will be twice as many deployments this year than in 2004, some 40% of respondent still have no immediate plans to adopt the technology." (From Information Week)

As more affordable options have become available, things have started to turn around for European VoIP, but other studies suggest that VoIP interest and spending peaked quickly and that it will simply drop off over the next several years:

"International callers from Europe will spend more than $31 billion on Voice over the Internet Protocol (VoIP) bypass this year. Since EU telecommunications companies have brought their international rates into line with actual costs, the attractiveness of VoIP as an arbitrage opportunity has already peaked and will gradually diminish." (From Insight Research)

Despite the number, don't be quick to write off the long-term future of VoIP. Numbers seldom account for innovation, and innovation is what will drive the technology forward. Whisperings out of France have already started to prove this point:

"VoIP is gaining momentum in France with a large number of cell phone users keen to use Wi-Fi convergence technology to make cheap VoIP calls on their hand-held sets...Remi Thomas, an analyst with Cheuvreux is optimistic about the growth of VoIP market as it saves a lot of money on user's mobile phone bill. It seems that France is going to be the leader in wireless convergence, preparing ground for the dual-mode handset industry." (VoIP Now)

VoIP in Europe and the U.S. might not follow the exact same trajectory, but businesses and everyday phone users on both sides of the ocean are starting to realize that the technology simply offers them more options and a way to save some money.

Enjoy the soccer (or football) games.

Daily VoIP Links for 2006-06-23

Fri, 23 Jun 2006 05:57:37 -0600

[Daily post from my people] Video Stars: The Jeff Pulver "Save the Net" Contest

"This week, Jeff Pulver announced the winners of his Save the Net video contest. We’re very pleased to announce that we made the list of the 'top runners-up.'"

Alec Saunders .LOG: “When I Invented the Web…”

"So begins Tim Berners-Lee’s short piece arguing for net neutrality. He applies Occam’s Razor to the arguments being made by the big media companies, and service providers, finds them wanting, and reduces the case for net neutrality to this simple statement."

Marketplace: Phone bills may be going up

"Internet phone calls have been cheaper than regular landline calls until now. But those bills may rise after the FCC approved a new plan today to fund phone subsidies."

Lawrence Lessig: Net Neutrality - the dark other side

"This is sleazy stuff, and it forms the real basis for being concerned about the games the network owners would play if free to play games. The really striking part of this (to me, a constitutionalist) is how the legislative branch keeps passing laws that the executive branch just ignores. And why ignore the laws? Corporate influence. That’s what this case reeks of."

VoIP & Gadgets Blog: FCC approves new VoIP taxes

"Well, the FCC voted unanimously yesterday to require all voice over Internet Protocol services that connect to the public-switched telephone network (PSTN) to contribute to the Universal Service Fund."

The VoIP Weblog: Counterpoint - VoIP USF is Slippery Slope

"This fee, which was originally designed to tax the access lines of the cities in order to provide access for the rural areas, is supposed to apply to the LINES in service, not to the voice application itself."

/Message: Tim Berners-Lee on Net Neutrality

"Tim Berners-Lee simplifies the yowling in Washington about Net Neutrality."

Tehrani.com: Dog Dials 911

"No, seriously – a dog dialed 911 and saved someone’s life."

Video Stars: The Jeff Pulver "Save the Net" Contest

Thu, 22 Jun 2006 13:28:03 -0600

This week, Jeff Pulver announced the winners of his Save the Net video contest. We’re very pleased to announce that we made the list of the “top runners-up.” Now, Pulver doesn’t have our name attached to it, but we swear it’s ours. You can check it out by visiting The Jeff Pulver Blog and clicking on http://67.15.182.229/nn.html.

Make sure to view the grand prize winner and the other runners-up, as well. Everyone has a unique take on the net neutrality situation and the power of the Internet in general, and you’d be amazed how much you can get from a simple image of traffic signs clogging up a forest, from a variation on gaming favorite Halo, or from some classic undercover animation.

Here’s what Jeff had to say about the contest:

“While I was pleased with the quality of the top submissions, I still have grave fear that we are losing the battle for the hearts and minds of the legislators and policymakers. They do not see what the Internet could be if we are afforded the best policy framework to innovate on the open Internet.”

In order to keep fighting, Jeff has introduced Round II of the Save the Net video contest, so if you missed out the first time, or if you just want to keep putting interesting videos out there, make sure you submit an entry. You can get all the details at http://www.pulver.com/savethenet/.

Daily VoIP Links for 2006-06-22

Thu, 22 Jun 2006 06:01:27 -0600

[Daily post from my people] Feeling nostalgic

"It's great to remember the little things that brought you joy as a kid, but don't get so nostalgic that you miss what's out there now. Let your old phone line take its place on memory lane with your copy of Thriller and your old cassette Walkman."

Therani: VoIP Developer Event

"Here is a letter being sent out on the upcoming VoIP Developer show."

VoIP Now: VoIP gaining momentum in France

"VoIP is gaining momentum in France with a large number of cell phone users keen to use Wi-Fi convergence technology to make cheap VoIP calls on their hand-held sets."

Digital CAD: Internet Rules Change Carries Potential To Impact VoIP

"The House of Representatives defeat of an amendment to the omnibus Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement Act could have a profound impact on the development of voice over IP telephony, said independent service providers."

BetaNews: FCC Adds Fees to VOIP, Cell Phones

"The Federal Communications Commission voted Wednesday to increase the amount that cell phone providers must pay into the Universal Service Fund (USF), while also requiring VoIP providers to contribute for the first time."

Engadget How-To: Wiring VoIP to your phone jacks

"In today's How-To, we're taking the diagonal cutters to the Ma Bell umbilical cord and hooking up our voice over IP adapter so we can use our old phone jacks. No soldering irons or caustic acid required. This time."

The VoIP Weblog: VoIP and E911 services

"It really is up to the user to make sure that their emergency contact information is correct and up-to-date."

Feeling Nostalgic

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 06:17:53 -0600

As you get a little older, you start to look back fondly on the items that played a major role in your youth. For some, it might entail digging up old tapes and thinking about those times before the digital revolution when hearing the constant whir of a cassette (audio or video) was commonplace. Others (if they're not afraid to date themselves) might even stroll down memory lane with some old albums or even the dreaded 8-tracks. It's nice to reminisce for a bit, before of course you turn towards your computer to download your favorite new song, turn on the DVD player, and settle back for some crystal clear sound and visuals.

Don't be sad, but the good old analog phone is about to go the way of the cassette and other obsolete technologies. Cell phones have replaced landlines for many, and now VoIP has started to take the phone to the next level. To quote the people at Modem Central:

"To be honest, analog modems stink. Analog phone lines stink. We've been using them because nothing better has been available, but that's changing."

In the near future it will be harder and harder for the giant telcos to convince consumers that the phones of the past still have purpose. Even the venture capitalists have pictured the fall of analog voice in their minds:

"'In the next 10 years any analog voice call will become digital,' said Edward Sim, managing director at Dawntreader Ventures..." (From Siliconvalley.com)

It's great to remember the little things that brought you joy as a kid, but don't get so nostalgic that you miss what's out there now. Let your old phone line take its place on memory lane with your copy of Thriller and your old cassette Walkman.

Daily VoIP Links for 2006-06-21

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 06:07:54 -0600

[Daily Post from my people] The Features are coming, the Features are coming

"As VoIP continues to grow, it's clear that its newest features will reach into virtually every area of entertainment and affect the way people do business."

Napa Valley Register Online: VoIP heats up while Net neutrality simmers

"VoIP has competitive advantages, but its main disadvantage is a dilly: It requires a technology comfort zone, if not downright know-how."

TechRepublic: VoIP: Are you ready to throw the switch?

"During this 16-minute podcast, TechRepublic technical director George Ou and section editor Bill Detwiler explore business cases for and against VoIP."

Digital Common Sense: The Broadband Scandal

"For those of you who haven’t heard what Bruce Kushnick has to say, his $200 Billion Broadband Scandal book is available for free download in PDF for, until Monday, June 26, 2006."

Russell Shaw: Fresh details: alleged NSA facility at AT&T NOC said able to intercept VoIP calls

"In a newly posted piece on Salon.com, two former AT&T network engineers state that an AT&T NOC (Network Operations Center) in Bridgeton, Mo. houses a 20 by 40 foot, secret room where it is thought that National Security Agency operations can be performed."

Russell Shaw: Biggest need in the VoIP space: Web-based, carrier-neutral universal VoIP phone directory

"This service has been tried in baby steps, but there's so much more to go. And such an upside, that I cannot believe this wouldn't be a huge hit."

The Features are coming, the Features are coming

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 06:17:15 -0600

In mid 2005, In Stat conducted a research study to grasp what people really wanted out of their phones. After chatting with cell phone users and some of the first everyday folks to truly embrace VoIP technology, the researchers put together a "big trend" outlook for 2005 to 2010:

* 42% of the respondents were very or extremely interested in voice activation for their wireless phones.
* More than 4 in 10 were very or extremely interested in buying a wireless phone with built-in Wi-Fi for voice and data.
* Just 12% had an interest in buying a wireless phone capable of receiving TV broadcasts

In Stat also discovered that:

"...end-users think about...location-based services, phones that act as your wallet for mobile payments..."

Well, we've already started to see some of these predictions come to fruition. Voice activation and speak to dial, while not available everywhere, have become features on some cells and VoIP services, and watching TV on your iPod has clearly begun the on-demand television in your pocket- in the car-on a plane-etc. revolution. But what else is out there? What else are people looking for in a phone? You can already use it to find love, escape a bad date, and get sports scores, so what does the future hold? Ken Camp knows what he's looking for:

"Want to win my business in the next generation? Based on the plethora of phone calls I got yesterday, give me Caller IQ. I'll pay for that!"

Others just want VoIP to change the way we play video games against our friends across the country and the way we shoot videos here at home:

“‘The next generation of MMO and persistently casual games invite new methods of communication between players and the worlds they inhabit. We have enabled 3D positional voice communication in our platform to further extend the options for our Developers." (From Videogame Net)

A little green puppet once said:

"Difficult to see. Always in motion the future is."

He's right, of course. But as VoIP continues to grow, it's clear that its newest features will reach into virtually every area of entertainment and affect the way people do business. Now, if we could just get a phone that enables you to get paid twice as much for doing half the work, we'd really be onto something.

Daily VoIP Links for 2006-06-20

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 06:05:46 -0600

AT&T offers broadband by itself / Unpublicized DSL service won't save subscribers much

"AT&T quietly rolled out standalone DSL broadband service for the first time this week, giving consumers the choice to drop their home phone land lines."

The Jeff Pulver Blog: The effects of being profiled in the Wall Street Journal…

"Being in the WSJ also has the effects of a one-sided high school reunion. So far I have been contacted by two people I haven’t spoken to since the early 80’s, as well as a few others from my prior life living in the world of spreadsheets, financial analytics and real-time market data."

The Jeff Pulver Blog: "Save the Net" Viral Ad Contest Winner Announced

"While I was pleased with the quality of the top submissions, I still have grave fear that we are losing the battle for the hearts and minds of the legislators and policymakers. They do not see what the Internet could be if we are afforded the best policy framework to innovate on the open Internet."

VoIP Now: FCC needs to implement E911 for VoIP providers with effect

"Although FCC ruling make it compulsory for the VoIP providers to provide E911 to their customers, Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) have still some problems, a 911-solution vendor executive explains."

Techdirt: Forget Net Neutrality: Just Take The Networks Away From The Telcos

"Slowly, but surely, people are starting to figure out what's really going on with the network neutrality debate."

Techdirt: In Case You Weren't Clear On How The Telcos Screwed Everyone

"It's yet another reminder on why actually trusting the telcos on anything they say is a unlikely to do you any good."

Gizmodo: USB Air Conditioned Shirt

"When it comes to USB powered gadgets, this doesn’t just take the cake, it takes the entire bakery and then burns it down for the insurance money. The USB shirt has two fans on the left and right sides of the back, taking in air to cleanse all the sweat off your spare tire."

Daily VoIP Links for 2006-06-19

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 06:01:51 -0600

Russel Shaw: Ted Stevens' forthcoming net neutrality "compromise" : what a joke

"This bill does nothing to ensure Net Neutrality. All it does is say in effect to consumers, well, if you think your ISP is slowing down your Google, well you have the right to complain to the FCC."

Luca Filigheddu: What about the VoIP bubble?

"These few lines just to say that VoIP can demonstrate that is not a bubble, but the trick is to work VERY HARD to create new business models and innovative initiatives, without thinking that VoIP can bring money from nothing. VoIP is a new technology that can be used to create value. Let's work (everyone involved in the VoIP scenario, starting from the VCs) to do that, not just to speculate on it."

Los Angeles Times: Proposed Fees May Hike Cost of Net Calls

(Registration required) "If approved, those rules could drive up prices for Internet calling, which allows customers to make cheap or free calls worldwide using technology similar to the way e-mail is delivered. That, in turn, could hamper the industry just as it is getting started."

NetworkWorld: VoIP regulations test nations around the globe

"Governments around the world are wrestling with the impact of VoIP on telecom regulation. Some treat VoIP as just another way to deliver telephony services (and subject to all the taxes and regulatory constraints of legacy voice). Others view it as an emerging technology that has to be carefully nurtured, and therefore protected from taxes and regulatory constraints."

Jeff Pulver: Next stop Tel Aviv

"While I'm scheduled to speak at VON Israel on Tuesday morning, I am planning on spending a good portion of my time on-site meeting with start-ups. My hope is to discover "the next big thing" in communications, someone and/or something beyond the current blogosphere hype surrounding 'Voice 2.0', 'Telco 2.0' and 'Communications 2.0.'"

Alec Saunders: ITAA Comes Out Against VoIP CALEA

"A group of Internet pioneers, including Vint Cerf, has authored a paper critical of the FCC CALEA requirement for VoIP."

Baseball Players Using iPods To Scout Opposing Teams - Gizmodo

"This is an interesting use of the iPod: scouting opposing baseball teams. Instead of having to watch game tapes on a TV in the locker room with the other sweaty guys, players can take their videos on the road and study them anytime—including right before gametime."

Daily VoIP Links for 2006-06-16

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 06:02:27 -0600

The PhoneBoy Blog: More Bandwidth is the Solution for Net Neutrality (and QoS)

"I was reading the June issue of VON Magazine when I ran across David S. Isenberg's article on the back page. He quoted tesimony of Gary R. Bachula, Vice President of Internet2, that was given before the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation in February 2006 on the subject of Net Neutrality. Now Gary has to be a smart guy--much smarter than I am, and he comes to the conclusion that, at least for practical reasons, Internet Service Providers would be better served by adding more bandwidth instead of attempting to ration it."

Russell Shaw: U of Pa. profs and Dave Farber: how can you be that clueless on net neutrality?

"The gist of these arguments appear to be that net neutrality might indeed be important, but the Internet is changing too fast for any new laws that could be passed at this point to endure."

silicon.com: The home phone as we know it is dead

"The research found that 27 per cent of consumers are keen to use their mobile phone in place of their home phone on a regular basis, while 17 per cent of users would consider switching to a more expensive broadband package if they can save money on calls with VoIP."

MRT: NENA: Don’t let details delay VoIP 911 service

"A panel at this week’s National Emergency Number Association conference discussed the myriad issues facing public-safety answering point managers as they work to deploy 911 services to callers using voice-over-IP handsets. Among the advice dispensed was that officials shouldn’t let “rules of engagement” get in the way of provisioning such services as soon as possible."

Susan Crawford: Net neutrality today -- playing the "safety" card

"All the incumbents familiar to us in internet policy questions -- law enforcement, Hollywood, and the telcos -- share an interest in deep packet inspection. They all want to protect their existing, old-world business models."

City Stages, Birmingham's World-Class Music Festival

This is where will be this weekend--enjoying great music at the my people stage . We'll see you on Monday!

Daily VoIP Links for 2006-06-15

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 06:16:54 -0600

[Daily Post from my people] Quick, Get Your Dad a Gift

"Here's a tip: your dad has more ties than he needs, and no one wants to get socks on a holiday. Why not make your dad's life a little easier...or at least get him something cool?"

The Jeff Pulver Blog: The Internet Tax May Be Creeping Up on Us in the Guise of Imposing the Universal Service Fund on Internet-delivered Voice Applications

"I have to reiterate that many, if not all, of the current regulations do not make sense in a world where voice is an application riding on top of broadband transmission services. The current Universal Service Fund ("USF") contribution methodology, which requires service providers to determine whether its revenues are derived from intrastate vs. interstate or international services, telecom services vs. information services, or even customer premises equipment ("CPE"), is one of the many regulatory schemes that no longer work in a geographically irrelevant, converged, IP-enabled world."

Digital Common Sense: CallerID the next generation

"Want to win my business in the next generation? Based on the plethora of phone calls I got yesterday, give me Caller IQ. I’ll pay for that!"

Fractals of Change: Internet Neutrality – Tough Issue

"If the telcos have their way, the Internet in the US COULD become as innovation-free as the phone networks and as content-challenged and inflexible as the cable networks."

IP Democracy: The missing 11th amendment and net neutrality

"Maybe a growing appreciation for the value of “freedom from monopolies in commerce” can help explain the fact that the NRA is among those who support network neutrality. Perhaps there’s a sense shared by many on the “left” and “right” that it’s not just the government that can exert too much power to restrict individual freedoms, but also large corporations that enjoy great market power AND great political power, the latter achieved in large measure through “investing” some portion of the economic surplus acquired via economic power in political lobbying, campaign contributions and access to mass media, which have historically been relatively few, expensive and powerful political megaphones."

CRN: Residential VoIP to boom to 44 million users

"Trends driving VoIP adoption will be mobility, simplicity, and a need for on-demand telephony, the report says. Simple setup requirements will make consumers more comfortable with the technology, and the ability to access IP telephony not just at home, but while traveling will be a driver as well."

Quick, Get Your Dad a Gift

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 11:07:01 -0600

Father's Day is quickly approaching, and if you're like many Americans, you're dragging your feet. Sure, this is the man that raised you and no gift you get will ever make up for all he's done, but you have to at least give it a shot. Here's a tip: your dad has more ties than he needs, and no one wants to get socks on a holiday. Why not make your dad's life a little easier...or at least get him something cool. Here are a few gadgets that will make work and play a bit more fun:

COOL-IT USB BEVERAGE CHILLER

"The CoolIT USB Beverage Chiller is the only way to keep your drink cold while you're at your computer. And it looks cool on any desktop...With the USB Beverage Chiller at your side, you can keep your beverage chilled and stay at your computer longer. Just seconds after plugging the chiller into your computer's USB port (no external outlet needed), the coldplate chills to 45 degrees Fahrenheit, the perfect temperature for keeping your beverage chilled..." (From Perpetual Kid)

DiskGO! USB 2.0 Flash Drive plus Ink Pen

"The DiskGO!(tm) USB Flash Drive Plus Ink Pen offers easy data storage and transfer built into the convenience of a sleek, executive style ink pen. This Ink Pen is no bigger than your standard executive style pen but it writes a lot more! Store MP3 files, PowerPoint Presentations and important spreadsheets on this USB 2.0 device." (From Edge Tech Corp)

Of course, many dads are practical people who just want to save a little money. If you've moved out of the house and across the country (or even to a neighboring city), you can help dad save money on long distance and get far more out of his phone by giving him his very own VoIP line.

There are still a few days left to shop, so get out there and find the perfect gift. And to all the dad's, Happy Father's Day.