VOIP

Samsung's all-in-one HD video conferencing monitor

By Darren Quick

22:08 June 18, 2009 PDT

Video conferencing offers businesses a way to save time and money on travel expenses while providing that all-important face-to-face communication. Samsung, partnering with RADVISION, has developed the VC240, a new all-in-one solution that integrates all the components required for high definition desktop video conferencing into a single unit. As well as operating as a standalone desktop HD video conferencing device without the need of a PC, it can also be used as a high-resolution monitor. Read More

USB VoIP speakerphone a good call for Skype

By David Greig

17:20 May 6, 2009 PDT

The USB VoIP Speakerphone is a nifty PC attachment that is ideal for Skype users. It can be plugged directly into the computer and uses digital signal processing (DSP) technology to deliver clear voice quality. Read More

Skype answers the call for iPhonistas

By Darren Quick

00:50 May 4, 2009 PDT

Up until recently iPhone users wanting to cut their phone bills by using Skype have been forced to use third-party solutions, such as fring or IM+ for Skype. But with the official Skype for iPhone app now available free, such third-party offerings are likely to become less popular. Skype for iPhone does pretty much what you think. It lets Skype users make free calls to fellow Skype users, using a Wi-Fi network, as well as allowing the use of Skype accounts to make reduced-price calls to traditional landline phones. Read More

C2Call: browser-based VOIP phone calls

By Emily Clark

22:54 April 10, 2008 PDT

April 11, 2008 C2Call has begun public beta testing of what's billed as the "world's true first browser based VoIP software" - a free Internet telephony service that works without installation in a process similar to using web-based email. Read More

Logitech to release wireless stereo VoIP headset

By Noel McKeegan

18:16 March 6, 2008 PST

March 7, 2008 As the rapid growth of VoIP communications continues (Skype for example, had 276 million user accounts at the end of 2007 and almost 8 million people are shown as online as this article is being written), its no surprise to learn that computer peripheral specialist Logitech has entered the wireless headset market. The Logitech® ClearChat PC is the company’s first wireless stereo headset designed for Internet calling with a PC and uses 2.4 GHz wireless technology and a USB transmitter to deliver a cordless link that's effective at up to a distance of 33 feet (10 meters) from the computer. Read More

Able Planet's Clear Voice VoIP Headset

By Noel McKeegan

21:13 March 3, 2008 PST

March 4, 2008 Able Planet has incorporated its active noise canceling technology into a VoIP headset. Read More

PSP gets Skype functionality - we put it to the test

By Tim Hanlon

21:22 February 4, 2008 PST

Sony recently released a firmware update for the PSP that adds Skype functionality - as long as your PSP is the newer, slimmer kind. We've spent the morning calling people from weird places - here's the lowdown. Read More

CERULEAN F1+TX Bluetooth headphone and transmitter for iPod

By Darren Quick

00:12 November 3, 2007 PDT

November 3, 2007 iSkin has bundled its TX transmitter and F1 headphones as the CERULEAN F1+TX, a Bluetooth audio package for iPod that enables wireless control and simultaneous connection to a mobile phone. Read More

Entering the era of integrated communications

By Emily Clark

00:57 October 25, 2007 PDT

October 25, 2007 Internet based telephony is nothing new with applications like Skype becoming firmly established in recent years, but fresh initiatives from Microsoft and new approaches such as Voxio’s Flash-based system indicate the continuing expansion of integrated communications into the mainstream.. Read More

Smartphone adoption growing fast: WiFi phone sales expected to top $145 billion in 2010

By Loz Blain

July 30, 2007 Mobile phone penetration rates around the world are showing up some interesting trends - notably developing markets are selling more phones than ever but making less money as competition tightens. Developed markets are seeing a strong swing away from basic handsets toward more advanced Smartphones – a trend that will only be enhanced by the huge popularity of mass-market targeted handsets like the iPhone, which are starting to make these devices attractive to the consumer market as opposed to just business customers. Other interesting trends include the increasing number of dual-mode WiFi/Cellular phones that can seamlessly switch between local wireless internet connections and 2G cell phone networks to make optimal use of the economic efficiency of the former and the broad coverage of the latter. Read More

The other iPhone: Linksys' cordless landline with in-built Skype support

By Loz Blain

July 9, 2007 Linksys has stepped into the market with an iPhone of its own - it's nothing to do with Apple's hysterically successful new mobile unit though. The Linksys iPhone is a dual-mode telephone that can operate like a normal landline or hook up to your computer to make or receive peer-to-peer internet voice calls using a Skype client that's loaded directly into the handset. While the quality of Skype connections can range from crystal-clear to highly dodgy, the prices (free worldwide Skype-to-Skype and very cheap international/long distance calls) have made it an extremely popular way to stay in touch; many look upon Skype as the landline version 2.0. The no-frills Linksys iPhone lets you make and answer calls from the landline and Skype in one integrated unit. It looks to be a fantastic tool for heavy Skype users, and will no doubt encourage others to make the switch to internet telephony. Read More