Source: www.voip-news.com
VoIP Watch now covers video too! Andy Abramson is shifting his focus a bit to keep up with his evolving interests.
Smith on VoIP says that the game is changing in the IP communications realm.
Nimbuzz 2.0 has been released and can be used by even more phones. Read about it on Mobile Pakistan’s Blog.
Source: www.voip-news.com
Nimbuzz is infilitrating the mobile VoIP market for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The company wrote about their efforts to “Bridge the 3G VoIP gap on the iPhone,” on their blog.
Basically, the company has improved it’s interface application and now you can make VoIP phone calls via Wi-Fi with any of the partner VoIP providers. And supposedly they are way less expensive … which is helpful if you run out of minutes, I suppose.
According to the blog:
Below is a breakdown of all the features and fixes we made.
Complete VoIP package:
• Make calls to mobile phones and landlines at significantly reduced rates via SkypeOut or via our VoIP partners: Vyke, Gizmo5, SIPGate, A1, and many more.
• VoIP over 3G with Nimbuzz Dial-Up VoIP. International calls at national rates. Available in over 50 countries.
• Turn your iPod touch into an iPhone! Make calls over Wi-Fi via SkypeOut or via your VoIP provider.
Additional features:
• Broadcast your activity and your Twitter status with the Personal Message feature.
• Add New Buddies: You can now add individual buddies from AIM, Google Talk, Windows Live Messenger (MSN), MySpace, Yahoo!, and Nimbuzz, of course.
Fixes:
• Facebook names are displayed
• Mobile Me usernames with a dot are now supported
• Improved stability
Source: www.voip-news.com
Nimbuzz and Toshiba are collaborating to create mobile version of Nimbuzz Social Messaging for Toshiba’s TG01 handset. Nimbuzz combines social networking and VoIP across several platforms.
“Device enrichment and differentiation is central to the overall desirability of mobile phones today and Nimbuzz is excited to collaborate with Toshiba to provide a truly world class value experience for Toshiba customers globally,” said Nimbuzz CEO Evert-Jaap Lugt
According to the companies:
Nimbuzz’s best in class mobile social messaging client was selected by Toshiba to provide an application that integrates effortlessly with an individual’s sophisticated and “hyper-connected” digital lifestyle. The two companies are working together to provide a device rich with communication features that enhance the usability of the Toshiba device and put all friends in one place.
Nimbuzz is an application designed to increase the desirability and differentiation of its partner’s products. The mobile social messaging capabilities will be seamlessly absorbed into Toshiba’s new handset with minimal cost and maximum benefit to both users looking for a device that fits their lifestyle and operators looking for new ARPU magnets alike.
Source: www.voip-news.com
Packet8 hit a service snag this week thanks to a DNS issue. Read about it on VoIP & Gadgets Blog.
The VOIP Weblog is talking about Skydeck.
Nimbuzz won an award. Read about it on VoIP News of the UK.
Andy Abramson is so not impressed by the Verizon Hub. Read about it on VoIP Watch.
Source: www.voip-news.com
VoIP provider Nimbuzz has signed a distribution deal with Spice Mobiles, an nnovative handsets maker in India. Spice Mobile handsets will now come preloaded with the Nimbuzz application.
“We are growing at a record pace, adding around 20,000 new users per day. Our community appeals to handset manufacturers as they benefit from global and local IM and Social Network community integration and comprehensive feature set – at a substantially accelerated speed to market, and without incurring additional overhead costs. This deal ensures significant market penetration for Nimbuzz across the APAC territories and we will be working closely with Spice Mobiles to encourage future shipment of new handsets,” said Nimbuzz CEO Evert-Jaap Lugt.
According to Nimbuzz:
The Spice Mobiles deal is a global contract. In addition to India, pre-installed Spice Mobiles devices will be sold in other APAC territories. Customers will be able to communicate with the growing community of Nimbuzz subscribers in over 200 countries, using Nimbuzz for features such as social networking, instant messaging, location and file sharing. Gartner expects India’s mobile user base of around 300 million to reach 737 million by 2012. Price Waterhouse Coopers reports the Indian mobile VAS market will reach $2 billion by the end of 2008 and expect it to account for 18% of operator revenue by 2010.
“With soaring mobile usage and penetration, the Indian VAS market is witnessing remarkable growth. As the mobile handset is increasingly becoming the device of choice when it comes to accessing multitude of applications and VAS, our innovations and offerings, bundled with our phones, support our mission to provide consumers with a more engaging and fulfilling experience. We turn to leading technology providers such as Nimbuzz to add the best value services, such as instant messaging and social networking, to our devices,” said Spice Mobiles CEO, Kunal Ahooja.
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Source: voip-tech.blogspot.com
Nimbuzz is a instant messaging software developed for PC and cellphones, including iPhone, that allow to communicate with the contacts of: Skype, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, AIM and Google Talk.
Besides, it’s possible to use the VoIP account to make normal phone calls to landlines phones and cellphones.
For more informations and features, refer to the Nimbuzz official website.
The iPhone version of Nimbuzz is available on the App Store.
Source: www.voip-news.com
Nimbuzz is now available in the Apple iPhone Store. The mobile Instant Messaging and VoIP provider application allows users to call, chat and message for free on nearly every major instant messaging community and social network.
For iPhone users, Nimbuzz is billing this as the first complete messaging product with landscape mode chat.
According to Nimbuzz:
Users turn the product on its side to use a wide keyboard for fast and easy typing. Furthermore, Nimbuzz is the first product to offer IM buddy calling over Wifi to Yahoo! Messenger as well as Google Talk, Skype, and Windows Live Messenger.
In addition to Facebook and MySpace chat, Nimbuzz supports chat for local social networks, such as StudiVZ, the biggest German speaking social network, Hyves for The Netherlands, and Gadu-Gadu in Poland.
Source: www.voip-news.com
Nimbuzz has added 17 SIP partners to its global Operator Affiliate Program. Partners in the program integrate their VoIP solutions with Nimbuzz to provide customers with value added services.
“We see these partnerships providing real value to operators looking to increase ARPU and offer their customers full access to IM and social networks without the risk and costs associated with setting this up themselves. This is also an open call to other operators looking to join. We will be announcing new partners soon,” said Nimbuzz CEO Evert Jaap Lugt.
According to Nimbuzz:
Partners will promote Nimbuzz to their customers by placing permanent banners on their websites from which customers can instantly register and download the Nimbuzz service to their mobile phone and PC.
For existing Nimbuzz users the enhanced feature set and additional call networks will be seamlessly integrated into their mobile and PC interfaces, allowing them to use Nimbuzz for instant messaging and cheap (international) VoIP calls to landlines and mobile phones.
Source: www.voip-news.com
What’s the buzz on Nimbuzz?
The company has raised another $15 million for product development. This was Nimbuzz’s second round of fund raising. Naspers/MIH and Mangrove Capital Partners were involved in the fundraising..
“We are actively working on strategic distribution deals with leading social networks and mobile operators. It is our aim to blend our technology with existing mobile internet access to upgrade the value chain for business and consumers alike. Operators understand the need for services like Nimbuzz which provide traffic and drive the demand for mobile data plans, an ever more important revenue stream,” said founder and CEO Evert Jaap Lugt .
Nimbuzz has deals with 10 major social networks in the works.
Source: gigaom.com
While the emergence of VoIP, or voice-over-Internet protocol, technology has already helped push down the cost of making a phone call, now it’s starting to have a deflationary impact on the world of mobile, where call charges remain stubbornly high.
In the meantime, the ongoing adoption of 3G broadband and the inclusion of Wi-Fi in many high-end phones is drawing a growing amount of attention to mobile VoIP services. Indeed, research firm Disruptive Analysis predicts that the number of VoIP-over-3G users will top 250 million by the end of 2012 — from virtually zero in 2007.
We at GigaOM are constantly tinkering with these mobile services, so we’ve put together a list of seven mobile VoIP apps that we think you’ll find handy.
Skype Options
Service: Skype Mobile
Platform/Network: Java-based application that works on 50 popular phones from Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and Samsung. Can be used on numerous cellular data networks.
Cost: Free
Features: Chatting (including with a group), presence settings (offline, online, do not disturb), and Skype-to-Skype calls (including SkypeIn).
Our Opinion: If your phone is supported, Skype Mobile is a great way to add Skype chatting and calls to it. Though it would be nice if the Skype application weren’t written in Java, as these applications are often sluggish and unstable.
Service: 3 Skypephone
Platform/Network: Uses a specialized handset. Currently available in the UK, Italy, Austria, Hong Kong, Australia, Ireland, Denmark and Sweden.
Cost: The phone costs £49.99 (about $98) and can be used on a pre-paid basis. Calls cost nothing if they’re made from Skype.
Features: Free Skype-to-Skype mobile calls and the ability to conduct Skype IM conversations, all without touching your computer.
Our Opinion: The 3 Skypephone is best suited for those who need a few monthly mobile minutes and wish to talk/IM to their Skype friends along the way. The pre-paid feature makes it an attractive and inexpensive option for Skype chatters in the geographies it serves.
Service: iSkoot
Platform/Network: Mobile handsets such as BlackBerry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and Palm OS models. Also works on GSM networks.
Cost: Modest to expensive, based on usage. Because iSkoot is a hybrid VoIP/GSM service, it uses SMS and mobile minutes when making and receiving calls or Skype IM messages.
Features: SkypeIn and Skype-to-Skype calls, Skype IM messages.
Our Opinion: iSkoot is a good option for keeping in touch with your Skype contacts. However, I would look at other software applications that just use data to send Skype SMS and Skype voice traffic.
Mobile VoIP Players
Service: Truphone
Platform/Network: Nokia handsets
Cost: Incoming free calls while on the Truphone network, low per-minute rates while on a GSM network. Outgoing calls are billed at very low per minute rates.
Features: Truphone offers free calls, SMS and voice mail while logged into the Truphone network via Wi-Fi. Otherwise, Truphone forwards calls to your mobile handset and you pay a low per-minute charge.
Our Opinion: With its smart forwarding options, Truphone is particularly useful for international travelers. Whether you’re on Wi-Fi or just your normal GSM network, you can be reached via your Truphone number no matter where you are (charges apply in certain cases, see their site for details). For times when Wi-Fi is not available, Truphone just released Truphone Anywhere, which utilizes local gateways for outgoing calls at low per-minute charges. I have trialed the service by forwarding calls from my Truphone number to my cell phone and the call quality was fantastic; voices were indistinguishable from any other cell phone call. A Truphone-to-Truphone VoIP call yielded even higher voice quality.
Service: Fring
Platform/Network: Nokia/Symbian handsets, Widows Mobile, iPhone (pre-release beta)
Cost: Free
Features: Allows you to make VoIP calls on any SIP network, Skype or to other Fring users. Additionally, Fring is a multi-protocol IM client that will allow you to chat with your buddies on Skype, MSN, ICQ, Google Talk, Twitter, AIM and Yahoo.
Our Opinion: I have used Fring to make SIP and Skype voice calls, and over EDGE the call is choppy and hard to understand. However, Wi-Fi provides enough bandwidth to make Fring calls clear and understandable. I wouldn’t say the quality is fantastic, but it is very comparable to a normal cell phone call.
Service: Talkonaut
Platform/Network: Available for Java-based phones, Symbian and Windows Mobile
Cost: Free
Features: Talkonaut offers free VoIP and IM chatting. For instant messaging, the application supports Google Talk, ICQ, AIM, and Yahoo. Talkonaut can also use SIP for VoIP calling.
Our Opinion: Talkonaut is a Russian offering and is still very new. The application was quite unstable on my Nokia N82 handset. With iffy performance and a very rusty user interface, I would recommend looking at other applications for this functionality, namely Fring.
Service: Nimbuzz
Platform/Network: Java program, Symbian; an iPhone version is coming soon.
Cost: Free
Features: Allows you to engage in IM conversations and conduct VoIP calls, as well as to share media such as photos and video. Nimbuzz also allows for client-to-client calls and has widgets enabling calls to originate from Facebok and MySpace. Compatible with Skype, Google Talk, AOL Instant Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo, MySpace, Facebook and Jabber IM networks.
Our Opinion: The Symbian application is very responsive and easy to use. A VoIP call originating from my Facebook page to Nimbuzz over a Wi-Fi connection sounded good — just as good as any call over a GSM network.
Service: Gizmo5 (formerly Gizmo Project)
Platform/Network: Nokia Symbian handsets, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Nokia Tablets
Cost: Free for VoIP calls, low per-minute charge to call landlines and to SMS to mobiles.
Features: Gizmo5 allows you to conduct voice calls to other Gizmo5 users and grants IM conversations with friends on Gizmo5, MSN, AIM, Yahoo and Jabber.
Our Opinion: Gizmo5 is a great competitor to Skype, just not as established or well-known. They have wisely developed their client software for many platforms including numerous mobile phones, and on both Mac and PC. VoIP call quality is stellar when calling between clients, as well as to landline/mobile phones.
Source: andyabramson.blogs.com
Nimbuzz is gearing up and now in real beta with a mobile VoIP client.
Source: goebel.net
Jeff Pulver and Ken Camp are bored from what they’ve seen in VoIP lately. That’s why Jeff startet a "challenge for innovative disruptors with regards to the voice applications industry":
Think about presence and voice and instant messaging, take a look at the APIs of twitter and Facebook and pitch me on the service that you want to create. Those who get my attention might end up with the early-early seed capital needed to turn their dream into a reality.
So what could that be? Jeff doesnt want to hear about a service that’s simply a variation on Call Forwarding and/or Voicemail. It has to be something really different. Something cool. Something that truly helps to redefine communications.
I am really courious to see the winner of this competition. I don’t know why Jeff is so excited about Twitter and Facebook. To me these applications are mostly a waste of time. But what I would love to have is a "Hosted Fring with Grandcentral’s filter rules and international mobile callforward over GSM".
What does that mean?
I like Fring because it connects me with just one program to my contacts at Skype, MSN messenger and Google Talk. Lately it also works as a VoIP client. But only on my Nokia mobile phone!
Why isn’t there a website that does the same like Fring? Why isn’t Fring a hosted service? I would love to leave my login data for all these services on their website and connect to it over SIP from my ATA. A kind of Voxalot, but extended with Skype, MSN messenger and Google Talk.
Whenever somebody contacts me, my phone should ring. Outgoing calls to Skype, MSN, Google or phone numbers should also be made with my normal phone. The server would decide automatically how to connect the call, because it has call rules for that – like Voxalot has.
Incoming calls would be filtered like at Grandcentral. Annoying people could only leave a voicemail and good friends could ring my phone day and night.
This service should of course not only work over an ATA but also over the mobile phone network. Internationally! There are more and more international MVNOs slashing roaming charges and giving local fixed line numbers to mobile phones. This means they already have an own SIP infrastructure and GSM gateways in every country. If they can give me a local fixed line number in a country, they can also deliver cheaply the described calls from Skype, MSN, Google and my home VoIP providers over GSM.
Outgoing calls should be done the Nimbuzz way:
Call your IM buddies on their mobile or on their PC. At the cost of a local call, worldwide. No credits needed.
A small application on my mobile phone would always know which cheap number to call in every country to connect to the described network.
I am sure, that the despicted layout is possible. The guys at Fring, Grandcentral, Gtalk2VoIP, Skip2PBX and Roam4Free have already pieces of it in their hands.
More coverage about the challenge:
Andy Abramson, Jon Arnold, Pat Phelan, Aswath Rao, Alec Saunders, Russell Shaw and TIA Communities.
