VoIP & Gadgets Blog

Digium|Asterisk World Expands At ITEXPO - Dec 01, 2009

Dell Inspiron Zino HD - Coolest HTPC Ever - Nov 13, 2009

What??? No More Exploding Laptop Batteries? - Nov 12, 2009

TMC & Digium Announce Educational program for Digium|Asterisk World - Dec 15, 2008

Let's See How Crazy Black Friday Gets This Year! - Nov 12, 2008

TMC Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary for ITEXPO! - Oct 30, 2008

Wow! A Quick Boot PC -- About Time! - Oct 27, 2008

TMC & Digium Announce Registrations open for Digium|Asterisk World - Oct 20, 2008

Alienware Comes to Best Buy - Oct 17, 2008

TrackBacks | Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: Moving a Data Center

No, Gremlins Didn't Eat TMCNet's Web Servers

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:00:20 -0500

Starting tomorrow around 7am, TMC will be shutting down its entire data center and moving it to a world-class building about a mile away. So when you see www.tmcnet.com, blog.tmcnet.com (several blogs), and various other tmcnet.com domains going offline, no worries. Gremlins aren't chewing the wires and we're not under a DDOS attack. We'll be back up soon.

It's a major undertaking with months of planning and tomorrow is that culmination of planning as well as several man-hours building our new data center. Major props to Larry Szebeni who is the best MIS/IT support person I've had the privilege of managing in at least 4 years - perhaps ever. Larry has a great attitude, is a team player, and goes far above the bare minimum. I had one support person who showed up at 8am and left at 5pm every day even if there was something critical that had to be done that day, which basically meant I had to do it. Larry's done a superb job of planning various aspects of the new data center, ordering new equipment including racks, switches, new PCs, several 54" TVs, and more.

That said, hooking up our entire data center falls to Larry, Vahid Hashemian, and myself, since we're the only ones who know the ins and outs of our servers. Thus, this "could be" somewhat of an extended outage. Definitely will be a Friday all-nighter with pizza, Coke/Diet Coke, and maybe a few beers. Lastly, here's a shot of our new building:

Tags: data center, gremlins, larry szebeni, tmc, tmcnet Related tags: support person, tmcnet, center, larry, several, planning

Follow me:

Related Entries

Moving a Data Center - Jan 31, 2010

TMC Celebrates 25 years - Aug 07, 2006

Digium|Asterisk World Expands At ITEXPO - Dec 01, 2009

TMC & Digium Announce Educational program for Digium|Asterisk World - Dec 15, 2008

TMC Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary for ITEXPO! - Oct 30, 2008

TMC & Digium Announce Registrations open for Digium|Asterisk World - Oct 20, 2008

ITEXPO VoIP Conference Testimonials - Feb 14, 2008

ITExpo Prizes - including a Mustang Convertible! - Jan 18, 2008

TMC's Greg Galitzine Interviews Dialogic's Jeff Dworkin - Jan 16, 2008

Internet Telephony Expo Draws More Countries - Jan 16, 2008

TrackBacks | Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: No, Gremlins Didn't Eat TMCNet's Web Servers

VoIP on iPad - Yes!

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:03:13 -0500

Yes, it's true - you can do VoIP on the new Apple iPad. The iPad sports WiFi, 3G, speaker, and a microphone - all you need to do VoIP. But the real kicker is that Apple just modified their iPhone/iPad SDK to ALLOW VoIP over 3G. Yes, my friends, now you too can hold a massive 9.7" screen to your head - bulkiness and radiation be damned!

The pertinent part of the SDK is as follows:

3.3. 23 Because some mobile network operators may prohibit or restrict the use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) functionality over their network, such as the use of VoIP telephony over a cellular network, and may also impose additional fees, or other charges in connection with VoIP, You agree to inform end-users, prior to purchase, to check the terms of agreement with their operator, for example, by providing such notice in the marketing text that You provide accompanying Your Application on the App Store.

9. Third Party Terms of Agreement: You must state in the EULA that the end-user must comply with applicable third party terms of agreement when using Your Application, e.g., if You have a VoIP application, then the end-user must not be in violation of their wireless data service agreement when using Your Application.

So Apple is basically saying to developers "feel free to create VoIP over 3G apps, just make sure you state in the EULA that the end user must not violate any third party agreement, i.e. a carrier saying you can't do VoIP over 3G". But most users ignore EULAs anyway, so even if the carriers "ask you not to do VoIP over 3G" the carriers would be hard pressed to punish their users for using VoIP over 3G. Why? Because at least in the U.S. the FCC would be all over them.

Holding the iPad to your ear for phone calls will be mighty tough unless you use your Bluetooth headset. I'm hoping they put better echo cancellation and larger speakers so you can just use speakerphone mode. I grade the iPhone's speakerphone mode a solid B- which is not good enough. I'm also still waiting for Skype to release an 'official' version that supports VoIP over 3G. Granted my jailbroken iPhone supports Skype over 3G, but not everyone likes to be "breaking the law... breaking the law..."

Also check this out via PR Newswire:
Apple Lifts 3G VoIP Restrictions, iCall with 3G Support Available Immediately

iCall VoIP services for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch are now available for use over 3G networks such as AT&T wireless.

GREENWICH, Conn., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Apple Computer, Inc. has updated the iPhone developer SDK to allow VoIP over cellular networks. iCall is the first and only VoIP application that functions on the iPhone and iPod Touch over cellular 3G networks.

iCall is a market leader in desktop and mobile-based desktop calling platforms, including its highly popular version for the Apple iPhone. Until today, restrictions imposed on developers prohibited VoIP functionality on any 3G network.

VoIP on the iPhone has been the source of many debates with companies such as Google being denied access to the platform and the FCC inquiring as to the restrictions in the Apple App Store; iCall is one of the few VoIP applications that has been permitted by Apple to operate on the iPhone platform.

With the latest revisions Apple has made to the iPhone developer agreement and Software Development Kit, iCall for the iPhone and iPod Touch now enabled unrestricted free local and long distance calling over 3G data networks. iCall with support for VoIP over 3G networks is now available in the App Store for download. iCall is the first and only VoIP application available for the iPhone platform that allows use over 3G networks. iCall for the iPhone and iPod Touch may now be downloaded from the App Store at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/icall-free-voip/id293837001?mt=8&uo=6

iCall CEO Arlo Gilbert is quoted as saying, "I applaud Apple's decision to allow iCall to extend its functionality beyond Wi-Fi and onto the 3G networks. This heralds a new era for VoIP applications on mobile platforms, especially for iCall and our free calling model. I hope that now more developers will begin using our VoIP as a platform to integrate VoIP into their applications."

About iCall, Inc.:
iCall is a privately held company providing a free and low-cost VoIP calling platform that is currently available for your desktop PC, iPhone and iPod Touch. iCall saves consumers money on phone calling through ad-supported calling.

iCall was founded in 2005 by Arlo Gilbert and Andy Muldowney with the goal of providing low and no-cost calling services to consumers. In January 2006, iCall first released its iCall Free Calling desktop application. iCall's free calling network now boasts over more than 4 million unique downloads.

In addition to consumer products, iCall offers wholesale VoIP solutions and a developer platform through iCall Carrier Services. iCall's private network carries over 350 million minutes of voice traffic per month to destinations around the globe.

Tags: 3g, apple, ipad, iphone, voip Related tags: networks icall, third party, terms agreement, iphone developer, apple iphone, icall

Follow me:

Related Entries

AT&T ~~Grants~~ Denies Us Mobile VoIP Freedom - Oct 12, 2009

AT&T Grants Us Mobile VoIP Freedom - Oct 08, 2009

Next-gen iPod touch Features Mic, Video, and VoIP? - Jul 21, 2009

Skype on iPhone works over 3G - Mar 31, 2009

New Nimbuzz VoIP app for the iPhone and iPod touch - Mar 19, 2009

Nokia runs Skype on Wi-Fi and 3G - Suck on that iPhone! - Feb 17, 2009

AT&T Wants to Kill The PSTN - Dec 31, 2009

fring Brings Video calls to iPhone and iPod touch - Dec 01, 2009

Vonage Launches Vonage Mobile for Apple iPhone & Blackberry - Oct 05, 2009

Siphon SIP App for iPhone Works over AT&T's 3G network? Holy Toledo! - Sep 17, 2009

TrackBacks | Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: VoIP on iPad - Yes!

Comments on this Entry:

(Ward Mundy on Jan 28, 2010 6:32 AM)

But where's the camera?

Rock Out to the Asterisk Song

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:34:45 -0500

GM Voices, creator of professional voice prompts for companies has just released "The Asterisk Song" with patriotic Asterisk lyrics such as "It ain't no punctuation." For true Asterisk patriots, "asterisk" aka "*" can not be used in a sentence unless it has something to do with the open source Asterisk platform. Sure an "asterisk" is used to reference a footnote at the bottom of the page, but it's just a tiny "asterisk" in superscript form. There is only one "big" Asterisk and it looks like this:

Asterisk, the open source platform (as if I had to clarify) has changed the entire lexicon of how this word is used. It has taken over Shift-8 on the keyboard. Admit it, everytime you hit Shift-8 you think of Digium's Asterisk platform. Pure marketing genius! Well played Mark Spencer. Well played!

Or was it the crafty Linux penguin that came up with Asterisk? He's a sneaky one.
Tom Keating (Left) Mark Spencer (rmiddle), crafty Linux penguin (right).

I'm thinking about starting my own company and taking over a keyboard symbol by calling it something like 'Dollar Sign'. Nah, too tough of a nut to crack. People love their money. Maybe I could call my new company "Sharp" after the sharp (#) key? Damn, that's already taken. How bout "At" after the @ symbol? Too close to AT&T. I know! I could call it "Caret" (^)! Wait a second, that's also a vegetable. Well, there is that cool wavy 'tilda' (~) symbol, but that sounds too close to Atilla the Hun. I kind of like "Slash" (/), but in addition to already being taken by an ~~Aerosmith~~ Guns N' Roses guitarist it also denotes "cutting" something (slash the deficit, woman was slashed). Not good.

My favorite choice would probably be "Backslash" (\). It sounds kind of close to "backlash" and has a rebellious, anti-establishment tone to it. It's also beloved by IT geeks since it's use in Linux extensively, regular expressions, changing directories in Windows, and as an "escape character". It's also the mirror image of "slash" (/), reminding Star Trek geeks of Mirror, Mirror, one of the greatest episodes of all time.

We have a winner! When I start a tech company, I'm calling it Backslash. Enjoy using the backslash character while you can, because soon, I'm taking it over - and the world. Bwahaha!

In the meantime, check out the Asterisk Song:

via Rich Tehrani

Tags: aerosmith, asterisk, asterisk song, open source, star trek, voip Related tags: asterisk platform, linux penguin, crafty linux, asterisk, company, slash

Follow me:

Digium CEO Danny Windham to Deliver Keynote Address at ITEXPO East 2010 in Miami - Nov 09, 2009

Asterisk Training Courses at ITEXPO - Aug 17, 2009

Digium Launches Support Services for Asterisk - Mar 31, 2009

TMC & Digium Announce Registrations open for Digium|Asterisk World - Oct 20, 2008

Voice Over IP slot car racing! - Sep 11, 2008

Interview With Asterisk Founder, Mark Spencer - Jun 26, 2008

Asterisk With Office Communications Server 2007 - May 27, 2008

Druid 1.2.0-3 Launches - May 13, 2008

Shoretel Rumors - May 01, 2008

TrackBacks | Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: Rock Out to the Asterisk Song

Comments on this Entry:

(james.body on Jan 26, 2010 7:33 PM)

Ah - takes me right back to http://www.truphone.com/moo !

(Ed Haskell on Jan 27, 2010 12:04 PM)

Hey Tom,

Slash was guitarist for Guns & Roses...not Aerosmith. C'monnnnn! But while you're at it, why not use the Ampercand (&) for your company name. It's right next to asterisk and implies "More to come...always more" which is perfect corporately. I want it...you can't use that! It's MINE!!

(Tom Keating on Jan 28, 2010 12:27 AM)

Whoah! My bad. How did I screw that one up? I'm a huge fan of both bands. Had a mind fart I guess.

Skype Outage Problem Yesterday

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:49:40 -0500

I received word from various sources that Skype was having problems yesterday morning. So while in the press room at ITEXPO I fired up Skype, sign-ed in and was able to use it. Hmm. No problem here. I let it go until later that evening when I met with a Skype executive at Andy Abramson's Bloggers' Dinner. He told me there was a 3.5 hour sign-in issue causing some users to not be able to logon.

That's the same problem (sign on issues) that happened in 2007. August 16,2007 outage redux? No Windows Update to blame this time.

You can read a brief explanation on the Skype heartbeat page.

Tags: skype, skype outage, voip Related tags: skype, problem

Follow me:

FREETALK Partners With Jazinga To Create FREETALK Connect - Jan 21, 2010

FREETALK Connect Unveiled at ITEXPO - Jan 21, 2010

Calliflower Adds Skype Calling - Jan 21, 2010

Skype Brings 720p to HDTVs and PCs - Jan 05, 2010

Google Voice VoIP in 2010? - Dec 30, 2009

Cool Skype for SIP Upgrades, Enhanced Inbound Routing and more - Dec 09, 2009

Nimbuzz for Blackberry Launches - Dec 03, 2009

Rebtel Adds Skype Calling - Dec 03, 2009

Skype for SIP Beta Now Open! - Dec 02, 2009

TrackBacks | Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: Skype Outage Problem Yesterday

Truphone Brings Wi-Fi Calling To Nexus One

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:42:05 -0500

At ITEXPO I learned from Truphone's PR team that they released a new Android application updated to operate on Google's new device.

Here's the news:

Hot on the heels of the release of Truphone's VoIP enabled Truphone for Android application earlier this month, Truphone, the next generation global mobile operator, today announces that it is the first company to provide Wi-Fi calling on the Nexus One device from Google.

Following collaboration with Google, Truphone is pleased to announce that from today, Truphone for Android is compatible with the Nexus One. In addition to compatibility with the Nexus One, the update (version 3.0.2), ensures compatibility with the T-Mobile Pulse, meaning that Truphone is now Wi-Fi compatible with a total of five Android devices.

Karl Good, Director of Applications for Truphone said, "Google has been very helpful in working with the Truphone team to allow us to provide our award-winning solution to the growing number of Nexus One owners. Once again it is a testament to Truphone that we are the first to be able to offer this technology to consumers."

Truphone for Android (version 3.0.2), is available now as a free download in the Android Market

Tags: google, nexus one, T-Mobile Pulse, truphone, voip, wireless Related tags: liberty phones, truphone android, tansee iphone, android application, transfer contact, truphone

Follow me:

Packet8 MobileTalk Launches - Nov 19, 2007

Google buys Grand Central? - Jun 25, 2007

D2 Technologies, Beceem & ECS Extend VoIP over WiMAX to Android Smartphones and MIDs - Dec 02, 2009

fring Brings Video calls to iPhone and iPod touch - Dec 01, 2009

VoIP in Google ChromeOS - Nov 20, 2009

Mashup Google Wave, Skype, and Asterisk = Ultimate Coolness - Nov 05, 2009

AT&T ~~Grants~~ Denies Us Mobile VoIP Freedom - Oct 12, 2009

Google Voice + Gizmo5 = Free Inbound & Outbound Calls - Jul 27, 2009

Microsoft Blocks VoIP on Windows Marketplace for Mobile - May 06, 2009

TrackBacks | Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: Truphone Brings Wi-Fi Calling To Nexus One

Carrier Peering Federation Enables HD Voice and HD Video

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:00:34 -0500

One of the more interesting bit of news coming out of ITEXPO is that XConnect is not only offering "High-Definition (HD) Voice Peering Federation", but they're also offering a free one month trial. Their federation service for carrier peering let's you carry both HD voice and HD video by passing codecs across carrier networks.

Importantly, there is now a bridge server as part of Asterisk that assists in HD transcoding. So if 3 of us on a call and if only 2 of us have HD voice phones, Asterisk can transcode it so 2 phones that have HD stay on HD, while the 3rd phone goes down to G.711 or another non-HD codec. Normally, with Asterisk or other IP-PBX solutions it goes to the lowest common denominator, but that's no longer the case with Asterisk.

However, that only helps with internal HD calls (extension-to-extension). Once you make an outside call then your carrier has to support HD. Further, if your carrier has to hand the call off to another carrier to terminate the call, you need both carriers to have a peering agreement to allow the HD codec to traverse their network. Lastly, for HD to work across networks, the entire call path including the endpoints themselves must also support high definition

Well, that's where XConnect comes into play. At ITEXPO XConnect announced they are bringing to market the first carrier-based HD Federation which will enable scalable, secure All-IP interconnection, using ENUM technology, to enable cross-network, end-to-end HD traffic between service providers.

The trial, open to qualified operators, waives sign-up and monthly fees for its April-June duration. Multiple providers using the G.722 wideband codec will be able to test the interoperability, scalable interconnection, reliability and support of XConnect federation services.

Trial participants will form a private peering community under the Private Alliance feature of XConnect's Global Alliance, which combines ENUM-registry and multimedia interconnection hub services. Supporting multiple protocols and codecs, the Global Alliance enables new IP services, including HD voice, to be delivered across networks.

I'm told they will also support HD video as well, so you will be able to make high-quality HD video calls from your HD videophone across carrier networks to another HD videophone endpoint. This could finally be the critical step to enable videoconferencing across different companies and finally ditch boardroom H.323 videoconferencing systems once and for all. Of course, that presumes the video endpoints all use the same HD video codec. Don't get me started on video interoperability.

For more information and sign-up, check out www.xconnect.net/hd-trial.

Tags: carriers, enum, g.722, hd video, hd voice, interoperability, peering, video conferencing, voip, XConnect Related tags: carrier networks, itexpo xconnect, peering federation, carrier peering, global alliance, carrier

Follow me:

Related Entries

Skype Brings 720p to HDTVs and PCs - Jan 05, 2010

Tandberg Enhances Movi, But Will Cisco Slam the Video Interoperability Door? - Dec 08, 2009

Blabbelon Launches HD VoIP for Video Games - Nov 03, 2009

Mitel Series X Collaboration, Unified Communications Solution Unveiled - Sep 23, 2009

Aastra Launches HD VoIP Audio called Hi-Q & Takes on Polycom - Sep 03, 2009

Skype Video Calls on Google Android - Jun 19, 2009

Microsoft Roundtable is now Polycom CX5000 Unified Conference Station - Mar 30, 2009

Polycom VVX 1500 Media Phone Game Changer? - Mar 09, 2009

UCSniff2.0 launches - Mar 06, 2009

TANDBERG PrecisionHD USB Camera Sports 720p HD Video - Feb 06, 2009

TrackBacks | Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: Carrier Peering Federation Enables HD Voice and HD Video

FREETALK Connect Alliance Formed at IT EXPO 2010

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:32:21 -0500

Andy Abramson (aka Mr. Harem of VoIP/Communications clients) told me that the new FREETALK Connect Alliance formed at ITEXPO has received a lot of interest from various companies looking to join in addition to the 14 charter members that have already joined.

Here's the news announcement:

FREETALK Connect Alliance Formed at ITEXPO 2010 with 14 Charter Members;
Open Alliance Members Will Offer Products and Services that Leverage
FREETALK Connect, Voice 2.0 Applications and Cloud-Based Services

Members will offer innovative products and cloud-based services that interoperate with FREETALK Connect via Asterisk, Skype, SIP, Skype for SIP, or PSTN

FREETALK® and 13 other companies today announced the formation of the FREETALK Connect Alliance, an open alliance of companies that will provide innovative applications, products and services to expand the capabilities of the FREETALK Connect communications system. The alliance is open to companies that offer products and services which build on the capabilities of the FREETALK Connect, "Voice 2.0" in concept, and can interoperate with Asterisk, Skype™, SIP, Skype for SIP or the PSTN.

The FREETALK Connect simplifies set up, enabling small business users that are not tech savvy to use it quickly and simply, without formal training. Supported telephones are plugged into the company's network and the FREETALK Connect auto-detects and configures them. An on-screen wizard then guides the customer through a few business-related questions that help configure the company's communication system and enables Skype calling from every supported desktop phone in the office. Adding users and administering the system after installation is just as easy.

The FREETALK Connect Alliance opens the door for many new developers, service providers, including cloud computing and Internet communications providers to offer new and innovative applications, products and services for businesses of any size. These will be available later this year in the U.S. through the FREETALK Connect Store (http://www.freetalkconnect.com) and the Skype Shop (http://skype.com/shop), both of which are operated by In Store Solutions.

The charter members of the FREETALK Connect Alliance include:

•    AbbeyNet/Sitofono (Italy)
•    Cloudvox (USA)
•    FlatPlanet Phone Company (Israel)
•    FREETALK (Spain)
•    IfByPhone (USA)
•    In Store Solutions (Hong Kong)
•    Iotum/Calliflower (Canada)
•    Jazinga (Canada)
•    Skype (Luxembourg)
•    Tatung (Taiwan)
•    Thomas Howe's Light and Electric (USA)
•    Voxeo (US)
•    Voxygen (UK)
•    Voxbone (Belgium)

"The FREETALK Connect Alliance members are building an entire ecosystem of products, applications and services around the FREETALK Connect communications system," said Andrew Hansen, B2B manager at FREETALK. "The Alliance's products and services build on, and powerfully leverage, the strengths of each other, and the market reach of the extremely affordable, fully featured and self-configuring FREETALK Connect."

Companies that want more information about this alliance, or want to join the FREETALK Connect Alliance should contact FREETALK at alliance@instoresolutions.com.

Tags: andy abramson, calliflower, cloudvox, flatplanet, freetalk, Ifbyphone, jazinga, skype, thomas howe, voip, voxbone, voxeo, voxygen Related tags: freetalk connect, connect alliance, products services, engine marketing, search engine, freetalk

Follow me:

FREETALK Connect Unveiled at ITEXPO - Jan 21, 2010

Calliflower Adds Skype Calling - Jan 21, 2010

Ifbyphone Acquires Cloudvox - Offers Flexible Cloud Telephony - Jan 20, 2010

Happy 5th Birthday Skype! - Aug 29, 2008

Skype Outage Problem Yesterday - Jan 22, 2010

Skype Brings 720p to HDTVs and PCs - Jan 05, 2010

Google Voice VoIP in 2010? - Dec 30, 2009

Cool Skype for SIP Upgrades, Enhanced Inbound Routing and more - Dec 09, 2009

Nimbuzz for Blackberry Launches - Dec 03, 2009

TrackBacks | Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: FREETALK Connect Alliance Formed at IT EXPO 2010

FREETALK Partners With Jazinga To Create FREETALK Connect

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:36:19 -0500

In case you were wondering how FREETALK Connect came about, it's a collaboration effort between Jazinga and FREETALK. Jazinga was launched in September 2008 as an easy 15-minute IP-PBX install that is also easy to manage. FREETALK creates a few Skype-related products including the Everyman Skype headset, which I reviewed.

Here's the news announced at ITEXPO...

FREETALK Partners With Jazinga To Create FREETALK Connect

Companies Collaborate On Skype-enabled Small Business Communication System Featuring Set Up In Less Than 15 Minutes

As the result of a new partnership announced today at ITEXPO East 2010, FREETALK and Jazinga have created the FREETALK® Connect, a full-featured unified communications system that is the first to feature Skype for SIP and Skype for Asterisk functionality.

FREETALK and Jazinga collaborated in designing the FREETALK Connect, featuring a do-it-yourself (DIY) technology approach that can be configured in less than 15 minutes, enabling users who are not tech savvy to use it without formal training. This new class of DIY communications system allows anyone with basic knowledge of computers to install and maintain the office phone system. SIP, Skype and traditional PSTN phones can be plugged into the network, and the FREETALK Connect auto-detects and configures them. An onscreen wizard guides the user through setup. Adding users and administering the system after install is equally simple.

Further distinguishing the FREETALK Connect is its intelligent routing capabilities. Incoming Skype calls, as well as SIP, PSTN and IAX2 calls, can be routed to any local or remote Skype user, SIP, analog or mobile phone. Additionally, the FREETALK Connect enables users to set up "Find Me, Follow Me" features, and provides a unified mail box that consolidates messages from voice mail and email into one mailbox.

Some of the key features from the Jazinga platform found in the FREETALK Connect include:

•    Callback / Dial-around
•    Access to Skype Buddy lists
Auto Attendant / IVR
•    Paging
•    Call Parking
•    Remote Extensions
•    Music on Hold
•    Conferencing

The FREETALK Connect also has an easily configured and updated:

•    Managing routes to users, telephone services, and applications
•    Providing SIP/Skype telephone service management
•    Router management (networking, port forwarding, DNS, DHCP)

"Jazinga's products consistently ensure call integrity by integrating quality of service and prioritizing voice traffic on the network into an affordable, simple product," said In Store Solutions COO Craig Smith. "There was no question that FREETALK wanted to partner with Jazinga to develop the FREETALK Connect, because it continues our goal of working with the best providers to distribute outstanding products around the world."

"FREETALK Connect is designed for small businesses with between 2 and 49 users, an undersold market that desperately needs UC functionality," said Randy Busch, CEO of Jazinga Inc. "As a result of our partnership with In Store Solutions, the telecom technology playing field is much more level between larger enterprises and their smaller competitors."

The the FREETALK Connect is marketed through Skype Shop, which is operated by In Store Solutions. The unit initially will be available to registered U.S. Skype users beginning in March.

For more information about FREETALK Connect PBX or to order a unit, visit
http://freetalkconnect.com.

Tags: freetalk connect, ip-pbx, itexpo, jazinga, skype, voip Related tags: freetalk connect, freetalk jazinga, store solutions, partners jazinga, communications system, freetalk

Follow me:

FREETALK Connect Unveiled at ITEXPO - Jan 21, 2010

Cool Skype for SIP Upgrades, Enhanced Inbound Routing and more - Dec 09, 2009

Skype for SIP Beta Now Open! - Dec 02, 2009

Skype For SIP Marries Skype and IP-PBXs - Mar 23, 2009

Skype for Asterisk Launches - Sep 25, 2008

Jazinga IP-PBX Launches - Sep 23, 2008

HUD 3.0 for trixbox CE and any other Asterisk IP-PBX! - Sep 23, 2008

ITEXPO West 2008 a Resounding Success - Sep 18, 2008

VoIP is Dead, Long Live VoIP! - Sep 17, 2008

TrackBacks | Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: FREETALK Partners With Jazinga To Create FREETALK Connect

FREETALK Connect Unveiled at ITEXPO

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:52:53 -0500

So much news coming out of ITEXPO that I missed some interesting news from yesterday. One bit of news worth sharing is from In Store Solutions which introduced FREETALK Connect, a communications platform that enables Skype calling for SMBs. Using FREETALK Connect, companies can make free Skype-to-Skype calls and can view and manage Skype contact lists using their supported office phones.

Importantly, the system can also receive inbound voice calls from users of Skype around the world. They can also participate in the Skype for SIP open beta, which will enable them to take advantage of Skype's low-cost global calling rates for calls to landline or mobile phones around the world from their desktop phones.

I'm hoping to see a demo of the system with Andy Abramson and Andrew Hansen today. Jim Courtney seemed to be a big fan of FREETALK Connect from my discussions with him in the ITEXPO press room yesterday.

According to In Store Solutions, "The FREETALK Connect simplifies set up, enabling small business users that are not tech savvy to use it quickly and simply, without formal training. Supported telephones are plugged into the company's network and the FREETALK Connect auto-detects and configures them. An on-screen wizard then guides the customer through a few business-related questions that help configure the company's communication system and enables Skype calling from every supported desktop phone in the office. Adding users and administering the system after installation is just as easy."

"Simply put, this product enables Skype calls from every employee's desktop phone (or handset) in a small business, and it gives business owners all of the advantages of Skype's low-cost global calling rates and free Skype-to-Skype calls," said Andrew Hansen, FREETALK's Manager for B2B. "This quickly adds up to incredible savings."

Designed for offices with between two and 50 users, the FREETALK Connect offers true unified communications functionality, including Find Me, Follow Me; a unified voice mailbox; automated attendant and auto call distribution. Further distinguishing the FREETALK Connect is its intelligent routing capabilities. Incoming Skype calls, as well as calls over SIP, the PSTN and IAX2, can be routed by the FREETALK Connect to any local or remote Skype user, SIP endpoint, analog or mobile phone.

"FREETALK and Skype are dedicated to developing solutions that break new ground, like the FREETALK Connect," said Perry Teevens, director of business development & strategic partnerships for the Skype for Business team. "This solution addresses the needs of the many Skype users who have been asking for a simple way to use Skype in their small- and mid-size business environment."

Beginning in March, the FREETALK Connect will be available for purchase in the U.S. via the Skype Shop, (http://skype.com/shop) from In Store Solutions.

Tags: andrew hansen, andy abramson, freetalk connect, iax2, in store solutions, jim courtney, pstn, sip, skype, voip Related tags: freetalk connect, skype calls, enables skype, store solutions, calling rates, skype

Follow me:

Related Entries

VoIP in Google ChromeOS - Nov 20, 2009

Future of SIP to Skype Gateway in Doubt? - Feb 04, 2008

FREETALK Connect Alliance Formed at IT EXPO 2010 - Jan 21, 2010

FREETALK Partners With Jazinga To Create FREETALK Connect - Jan 21, 2010

Google Voice VoIP in 2010? - Dec 30, 2009

Skype for SIP Beta Now Open! - Dec 02, 2009

fring for Google Android Launches - Nov 18, 2009

ShoreTel Lands 1st 'Skype for SIP' interoperability - Sep 09, 2009

flaphone, the Flash Web-based SIP-to-SIP & SIP-to-Skype VoIP App, Adds New Features - Jun 18, 2009

50% of Mobile Voice Traffic Will Use End-to-End VoIP by 2019 - May 05, 2009

TrackBacks | Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: FREETALK Connect Unveiled at ITEXPO

Calliflower Adds Skype Calling

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500

At ITEXPO Iotum announced their Calliflower hosted conferencing and collaboration platform added support for Skype calling. Calliflower, a web-based conferencing and collaboration platform can now be reached from any Skype-enabled PC or phone as well as from traditional PSTN phones. I spoke with Alec Saunders, CEO of Iotum in the ITEXPO press room and asked him how he was connecting to the Skype cloud. He told me they were leveraging Skype for SIP. One of the challenges he told me is that Skype for SIP required SIP endpoints to register, which wouldn't work well for Calliflower. However, as I wrote in my December 9th article, "Cool Skype for SIP Upgrades, Enhanced Inbound Routing and more", Skype added IP authentication. Specifically I wrote:

The upgrade will also add IP authentication, which is critical to businesses that do not support registrations. According to Skype, "For SIP enabled PBX's and SIP gateways that do not support registrations, you can now change your authentication settings in your SIP profile to a fixed IP address/port. Based on your IP address we will work out the best settings for your SIP enabled PBX when using Skype for SIP."

Well, that's exactly the piece of the puzzle that Calliflower needed to leverage the Skype for SIP "cloud" to reach Skype usernames, including a Calliflower Skype username(CalliflowerSkype), which bridges the Skype network with the Calliflower switching platform. Alec told me he was in close discussions with Skype to get them to support IP authentication. According to Iotum, "Previously, participants could only dial into Calliflower conferences through PSTN access numbers, potentially incurring local charges. In regions or countries where no such access numbers are available, customers would incur long-distance and even international charges, or use up Skype-out minutes calling access numbers overseas. Now callers can access Calliflower through a Skype ID - CalliflowerSkype - or via a web button in the Calliflower UI, overcoming this disadvantage."

As I mentioned to Alec, I wouldn't be surprised to see other 3rd parties leverage the IP authentication method to be able to call Skype usernames via a SIP-based IP-PBX. The possibilities this opens is only beginning to be realized with Calliflower's announcement - keep your eye out for others doing this.

"We've had many requests from potential Calliflower customers who had no local access numbers, especially from parts of Africa, India, China and the Middle East," said Alec Saunders, iotum CEO. "Now, as long as they have Skype, that doesn't matter anymore."

In addition, users gain from the better audio quality they will enjoy through direct Skype access, as well as from all the visual information, documents and presentations that are shared through Calliflower's interactive dashboard. These tools go a long way toward improving understanding on international conference calls.

Available on PC, Mac and iPhone, Calliflower makes organizing and participating in multi-party calls simple and engaging. It allows participants to see the status of other callers and raise hands to request the floor, while also providing interactive chat, document sharing, intuitive conference controls, call recording, invitations and reminders, integration with calendars, and more.

The conference service is available on an unlimited basis for $50 per month for two organizers. Additional organizers cost $25 per month each.

Tags: alec saunders, call conferencing, calliflower, collaboration, hosted conferencing, iotum, skype, skype for sip, voip Related tags: access numbers, support registrations, skype calling, collaboration platform, conferencing collaboration, skype

Follow me:

Cool Skype for SIP Upgrades, Enhanced Inbound Routing and more - Dec 09, 2009

Skype for SIP Beta Now Open! - Dec 02, 2009

ShoreTel Lands 1st 'Skype for SIP' interoperability - Sep 09, 2009

Bring Out Your Dead! Wait! Skype for Asterisk is not dead! - Mar 26, 2009

Michael Robertson Responds to OpenSky vs. SkypeforSIP article - Mar 25, 2009

OpenSky vs. SkypeforSIP - It's On Baby! - Mar 24, 2009

Skype For SIP Marries Skype and IP-PBXs - Mar 23, 2009

Skype and IBM add LotusLive Integration via IBM Cloud Services - Jan 19, 2009

Skype Outage Problem Yesterday - Jan 22, 2010

TrackBacks | Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: Calliflower Adds Skype Calling

Yahoo's Challenges Deploying Asterisk Corporate-wide

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:43:32 -0500

At TMC's ITEXPO, Yahoo's Jeremy Wadhams revealed not only that Yahoo! has deployed Asterisk corporate-wide, but the challenges he faced in adopting Asterisk throughout the organization, including several Yahoo! branch offices , several acquisitions of other companies, including Dialpad & Overture, as well as the usual corporate culture and politics to contend with,

Jeremy demonstrated Yahoo!'s interesting custom web application which integrates their flavor of Asterisk with web-based email & voicemail, corporate directory, as well as the ability for users to reset their voicemail PINs themselves - the bane of every IT administrator's existence.

One interesting tidbit was that it he figured after reaching 25% penetration, the last 75% would be a cakewalk. It didn't turn out that way. Here's a video teaser of the keynote. Alas, the video doesn't reveal what happened. You should have been here at ITEXPO to hear his interesting tale. Hey, I can only capture so much video on my iPhone.

Tags: asterisk, itexpo, Jeremy Wadhams, voip, yahoo Related tags: asterisk corporate, yahoo, corporate, asterisk, video, interesting

Follow me:

Related Entries

Asterisk's Growth Shines at ITEXPO - Jan 07, 2010

Digium|Asterisk World Expands At ITEXPO - Dec 01, 2009

Digium CEO Danny Windham to Deliver Keynote Address at ITEXPO East 2010 in Miami - Nov 09, 2009

AstriCon Asterisk Conference Soon - Sep 18, 2009

Asterisk Training Courses at ITEXPO - Aug 17, 2009

56 Reasons to Attend Digium Asterisk World in Miami - Jan 13, 2009

TMC & Digium Announce Educational program for Digium|Asterisk World - Dec 15, 2008

TMC & Digium Partner for Digium|Asterisk World at ITEXPO - Oct 06, 2008

ITEXPO West 2008 a Resounding Success - Sep 18, 2008

HUD3 Launches - Sep 17, 2008

TrackBacks | Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: Yahoo's Challenges Deploying Asterisk Corporate-wide

Rich Tehrani kicks off the keynotes at ITEXPO

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:39:46 -0500

Rich Tehrani kicks off the keynotes at ITEXPO featuring Yahoo!, Polycom, and Freeconferencing.com.

Tags: polycom, rich tehrani, yahoo Related tags: tehrani kicks, kicks keynotes, keynotes itexpo

Follow me:

Related Entries

Double-Dipping on the Internet - Mar 06, 2006

Yahoo's Challenges Deploying Asterisk Corporate-wide - Jan 20, 2010

Avaya Reveals Roadmap for Nortel Enterprise Assets at ITEXPO - Jan 06, 2010

Yahoo! Messenger for iPhone 1.3 Released - Dec 03, 2009

Digium CEO Danny Windham to Deliver Keynote Address at ITEXPO East 2010 in Miami - Nov 09, 2009

Cisco Buys Tandberg, but does Video Interoperability Suffer? - Oct 01, 2009

Rich Takes xMax Wireless for a Test Drive - Sep 29, 2009

Top VoIP Blogs - Sep 03, 2009

Aastra Launches HD VoIP Audio called Hi-Q & Takes on Polycom - Sep 03, 2009

Nimbuzz Launches Mac client - Jul 15, 2009

TrackBacks | Comments | Tag with del.icio.us | VoIP & Gadgets Blog Home | Permalink: Rich Tehrani kicks off the keynotes at ITEXPO

Use of WiMAX in Smart Grid Networks

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:08:34 -0500

Kevin R. F. Suitor from Redline Networks gave an interesting speaking session at ITEXPO with the topic called 'Use of WiMAX in Smart Grid Networks'. One of his more interesting comments was that plug-in electric vehicles will change everything - just like the mobile phone invented by Martin Cooper changed the wireless industry. I agree - if only they can solve the battery problems, including battery fade, not enough range, slow charging cycle.

I captured the last 98s or so of his session which has some interesting tidbits.

Tags: kevin suitor, redline networks, smart grid, wimax Related tags: wimax smart, networks, interesting

Follow me: