Archive for April, 2009

 

Ip Telephony And Other Voip Devices – Have You Used Them Already?

Apr 10, 2009 in Technology and Gadgets

VoIP software provides an alternative way to use your VoIP Service not only as softphone over your pc in the home but anywhere that you travel. Voice over IP software like softphones or software phones are essentially computer programs that run on your computer and allow you to make voice over IP calls through your computer. The software phone is virtual and is usually designed to look similar to a cell phone. The user dials the recipient phone number using the softphone and is able to connect to the traditional telephone network to make phone calls just like a normal telephone.

Get a local number from your VoIP service provider
Telephone calls can be received also through VoIP software. The provider of your voice over IP service will give you a telephone number which can be dialed from a normal traditional telephone, a cellular phone or a voice over IP which will always connect to your software phone. This way, you will be able to send and receive phone calls through your telephone software without any glitches. People that call you will never know that they are speaking with you through your computer unless you actually tell them, the technology is seamless.

Some voip telephony service providers offer Softphones to their customers for free, others charge for it. Also, software phones can be downloaded from the Internet for free use. Unfortunately, some of the larger voice over IP providers charge extra monthly fees just for the use of a softphone. If you feel that a softphone or voip phones would work for you, try to find a VoIP service provider that offers this service for free. The reality is that the software is free to download and there is no logical reason to charge for its use.

Get the best rates in VoIP telephony
Another alternative to paying extra fees to use a software phone is to sign up with a web based voice over IP company. With these companies, you are free to use the service that they provide any way that you want to. If you want to purchase a VoIP router to connect to their service with a regular phone you can, if you want to connect via a USB phone it is fine or if you want a software phone they allow you to download one for free or purchase one with extra features from absolutely any company that you would like. Now that is freedom!

Get the best in telephony with VoIP
As with anything in life, knowledge is power. Do your research before getting stuck in an agreement that is not in your best interest. Although it is easy to get confused with new technologies, if you do your homework, you will definitely find the best deal for you.

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Wednesday Links: MagicJack, VoIPScanner, Skype

Apr 09, 2009 in VOIP News

VoIP & Gadgets Blog looks at the IPEVO S0-10W Skype Desktop Phone.
SIPVicious is talking about the SaaS VoIP Security Scanner from VOIPScanner.com.
Uh-oh. MagicJack is now spamming and VoIP Watch’s Andy Abramson got a spammy message. Last time I wrote about them, I got tons of “MagicJack is the best” comments here … They felt quite [...]

WIreless Home Speakers And You

Apr 09, 2009 in Technology and Gadgets

Technology is constantly evolving and introducing new products to an already full line of home theater products. While not the newest kids on the block, wireless speaker technology is also advancing at a rate that prices are no longer out of reach of the average consumer and the value of being able to move your speakers around without going to the work of rewiring is appealing to consumers on an increasingly large scale.

I always try to keep in mind when buying new electronics and electronic components that this year’s technology will sell at half the price this time next year. For this reason I have a hard time investing in the latest and greatest when it comes to technology and tend to remain exactly one generation behind the curve when buying new products. I like to save money whenever possible and in most cases my like of saving money outweighs my like of having new gadgets and gizmos at the high price they often command.

I also have a nasty habit of keeping those products until they are no longer useful at all (I still have my little 13 inch television from my college dorm and I won’t tell you how long ago that was). I will keep it until it no longer works. It is currently being used in my television. I only mention this in order to convey the fact that making a sizeable investment in electronics in most cases is an investment that will last for quite some time unless you are one of those people who has to have the latest and greatest new tech toy each and every year.

Back to my original point wireless speakers have been emerging technology for a few years now. We’ve finally developed enough competition that market prices are trending downwards. This makes now the perfect time to look into the option of purchasing wireless speakers for your home theater. They are still a sizeable investment for the average home theater consumer but well worth it in my opinion for the freedom of choice and movement that they provide.

This is a great add on if you have an existing home theater in place and are considering an upgrade. I think that many people will find that the options this affords makes it well worth the investment that will be required in order to achieve. I strongly recommend however that you do not simply go online and buy the first set of wireless speakers and receiver that you find. This is a serious gamble, as you have no idea what kind of quality you will receive. The best possible recommendation is to make the rounds of local stores and listen to the various systems that are on the market.

Once you’ve found the one wireless sound system that appeals most to you it is time to go online in order to compare prices. Once you’ve found the best price online you should then check your local stores and see if they offer a low price gurantee that will match the online price you found. This is a great way to find better deals and save a little money (by not paying shipping charges). You also may want info on small business voip and voip for small business.

You should always keep in mind that there are no absolutes when it comes to creating a home theater. You do not have to follow a specific code, or use certain components or even certain seating. The best thing you can do is to create an atmosphere in which you and your family can best enjoy your television and movie viewing experiences. You should keep the sounds you like in mind when selecting speakers and choose speakers that will provide the fullest amount of sound that you are comfortable with the idea of paying your hard earned money in order to purchase. Seriously, this is your money and your home theater is an investment you should take great care to make the best possible investment for your money.

VoIP Software – What Works for You

Apr 08, 2009 in Technology and Gadgets

VoIP is also widely known as Voice Over Internet Protocol. This new technology allows voice traffic to easily transmit over an IP-based network. VOIP is extremely popular among both individuals and businesses because of its very low cost.

VoIP can operate through either software or hardware and sometimes a combination of both. VoIP software is generally less expensive and most of the introductory VoIP products were software based. Software is used with VoIP to compress the voice signal, translate it into packets and ship it over the Internet. This type of software is called a softphone and requires the use of a computer to establish VoIP. It requires a speaker and a microphone to connect to your computer. This connection allows it to function like a phone. Some of this software is available free of charge from several different providers.

The most popular of these is SKYPE. SKYPE actually began the introduction of free software downloads. It does have some requirements though. In order to use it, the other party must be at their computer and free computer-to-computer calls are only available to those who also have their software. It is easy to download and use, works with most computers and offers unlimited voice calls. It is available for residential or business environments. If you want to make calls to land lines or cell phones, you will have to pay a monthly or per call fee.

For the traveling person, VoIP software is advantageous. All they need is a laptop. The software allows the laptop to operate as an IP phone with speaking and listening devices. All calls made within a VoIP provider’s service network are free. Charges apply to calls outside the network. Another great benefit is a low international calling rate. So, if your business does work globally, this will be a great benefit. Go to VOIP for more information

It is important to evaluate different software options available. Since the system is run by software, an easy to understand user interface is imperative. Look for one that will enable you to manage your whole system. Also, find out if it supports your current operating system. Since you don’t really know what you’re getting until you actually set it up and operate it, it is a good idea to try it out before you purchase it.

A drawback to soft phones is some users don’t like speaking into a microphone. They may feel more comfortable with the regular phone they are use to. In this case, USB handsets can give them the feel of a real phone. Although the sound quality with VoIP software has greatly improved, it is still not on the same playing field as hardware based VoIP.

There are many different software options, such as SPYKE, GloPhone and BuddyTalk, waiting for you to take advantage of them. Many of these are free downloads. But keep in mind; while basic features are free, sometimes-additional components such as voice mail will carry a fee. By researching and testing, you are sure to find VoIP software that will bring you satisfaction. Visit VOIP for further information.

Move Over Wireless, VoIP is Coming to Town (Whether You Like It or Not)

Apr 07, 2009 in VOIP News

Skype is branching out into wireless with a new and now available thin client for iPhone and an upcoming one for BlackBerry. But the VoIP provider has been meeting with much opposition from wireless carriers who don’t want their users by-passing traditional cellular channels with the voice application that can carry calls over the mobile [...]

VOIP Considerations

Apr 06, 2009 in Technology and Gadgets

Voice Over Internet Protocol (voip) is changing the way that we look at phone service. The relatively new technology is quickly becoming the norm in many homes across the world. But a variety of VOIP considerations should be explored before you take advantage of the technology.

It allows a caller to make long distance calls without having to pay much, or anything for them. Combine the VOIP technology with a broadband, or high speed, internet access line, and VOIP provides an easy, inexpensive way to make phone calls all over the world. However, there are still some disadvantages of VOIP – especially when it comes to using the technology for functions beyond the one caller to one caller scenario.

VOIP considerations for you to examine start with understanding how the technology works in comparison with traditional phone service. With traditional phone service, your long distance phone calls are routed from your local provider’s network to your chosen long distance provider’s network, where it is routed to the receiving party’s local phone provider’s network and finally, to their home phone line.

Since multiple providers are involved, multiple providers charged a fee for the call, which the long distance provider passed on to you in the form of an often hefty per-minute charge. But VOIP has changed all of that. It removes the long distance company from the equation, making a long distance phone call virtually the same as a local phone call. How? By using the internet as the routing method that passes the call from your local phone provider to your receiving party’s local phone provider.

You initiate the call, and your analog voice signal is translated into a digital signal. That signal is then sent via your internet service to the internet, where it is routed to the receiving party’s local phone provider’s network, translated back into an analog signal and sent to the receiving party’s phone. Go to voip for more information.

The disadvantages of VOIP should be part of what you understand regarding VOIP considerations, but they are relatively limited for the average consumer.

The main complaints regarding VOIP have to do with providing the level of quality of service that customers are accustomed to with regular telephone technology. The reason for this is multifold. VOIP requires a large amount of data to be compressed and transmitted, then uncompressed and delivered, all in a relatively small amount of time.

Problems develop in VOIP conversations when this process takes too long and the callers experience one of two problems; echo or over-talk

For businesses, VOIP considerations have more to do with how to manage the traffic over their network. Since they may be using their bandwidth for internet and even voice conferencing, they will need to analyze the amount of bandwidth that is necessary to handle all of their activities.

But for the average consumer, the greatest advantage of VOIP is the cost – or rather, the lack of cost. If you have a computer with a sound card, modem, speakers, a microphone and a (preferably) high speed connection, and you download software from companies such as http://skype.com, you can be making free long distance and international phone calls using voip in as little as 5 minutes.

The Choices Between Voip Telephone System

Apr 03, 2009 in Technology and Gadgets

The voice over internet protocol (VOIP) telephone system is a great model of how advances in one field of technology often go hand in hand with advancement in other areas. VOIP is an advancement made possible by computer technology that has directly affected phone systems, as well. While this type of phone system may seem foreign to many consumers, most people are aware of some type of VOIP provider, even if they don?€™t know it. Lingo, SunRocket, and Vonage are three providers of VOIP services that are relatively well known among many consumers.

The difference between a VOIP telephone system and a regular telephone system can be confusing for many people. Traditional phone calls work by sending “analog audio signals” via fiber optics that is provided by a traditional telephone company. The fiber optics is basically a fancy description of telephone lines, while the “analog audio signals” becomes the voices that are exchanged during a conversation. This is how a traditional telephone call works, whether it is over a land based line, or a cellular phone.

The way that VOIP works is that instead of using a system of “analog audio signals” to transmit voices, the VOIP system uses a method that causes it to switch data packets to different channels, depending on which one is the most open at the time. So unlike a regular phone system that has to have a dedicated channel to make or receive calls, a VOIP system can make use of any channel that happens to be open at the time the call is made. For many individuals, as well as many businesses, a VOIP system is cheaper because the method of making calls doesn?€™t require payment for set lines or an expensive per minute long distance rate. Go to VOIP for more information.

VOIP saves the most money for individuals who tend to make a lot of long distance calls. The reason for this is that long distance calls with a regular telephone plan have a per minute charge, while that is not true with VOIP phones.

This can make this type of telephone system valuable not only for a family, but also for more and more businesses who are switching over to this system not only because it saves money, but for many types of phone calls the VOIP system is more efficient.

The main concern many people have when considering switching to a VOIP telephone system is that most people think of VOIP as solely computer to computer. This is one type of VOIP phone system, but it is not the only one!

There are phones that are basically ordinary telephones, they simply connect to a computer thats on instead of getting plugged into a wall. There are also “Wi-Fi” phones, which work like cellular phones but use Internet and wireless hot spots instead of cell phone towers to connect calls.

VOIP telephone system technology is not perfect by any means, but it is highly effective and like all technologies, as it becomes increasingly popular with both homes and businesses the features and service will continue to improve as the new improved phone system replaces the old. Visit VOIP for more information.

Wednesday Links: Skype, Fring

Apr 02, 2009 in VOIP News

If rumors are to be believed, Skype will be introducing a VoIP app for the iPhone soon, according to The VoIP Weblog.
Fring now has a Twitter 2.0 add-on. Read about it on VoIP News of the UK.
Skype has yet to get into Canada and Germany … poor, poor Skype. Read about the troubled waters on [...]