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The Redundancy of Sprint’s Push-To-Talk

Source: solokay.blogspot.com

Many users have been complaining about the functionality of Push-To-Talk, an application available on Sprint network, some are confused about the true function of this feature, they wonder if it is tied to carrier or tied to application since it appears not to speak to anybody.

 Another ugly issue is the fact that since acquiring Nextel Sprint hasn’t been able to duplicate

the Nextel Direct Connect service which gains more popularity among the people.

Recently, Sprint announced the availability of Push-To-Talk in additional 14 markets which increases the count of markets where their service is available to 46. Meanwhile, the folks at Palringo point out the absurdity of this. Their push-to-talk software is carrier-agnostic. If you’ve got a Windows PC, a Mac running Leopard,Windows Mobile handset or Symbian S60 3rd Edition FP1 or FP2 handset, you can run the Palringo client.

 Palringo gives more than Push-To-Talk because you can also IM with folks on the networks pictured here. All for free. Well, except for the data charges, of course.

Published on July 24th, 2008 under , , , ,

Vyke Communications Launches Free Texting Application

Source: solokay.blogspot.com

FreeTxt is the new texting application that allows users on Vyke Communications’ network to send and receive free text using Symbian Series60 third edition mobile phones. The application offers Vyke customers as well as non-Vyke users the ability to use its features at a cheaper rate than other VoIP providers.

The FreeTxt application is available on Vyke website and the download has been simplified such that it conveniently integrates with the phones existing messaging system, and start texting directly from their handset as they normally would by default.

The download is done in such a way that when you sign up from their website, you will receive an SMS with a link to the FreeTxt download page and all you have to do is click the link to install the application onto the phone’s messaging menu. Once the application is downloaded you enter your mobile phone number and select an "internet access point". As soon as Vyke has verified that your mobile number is correct and that you have a Vyke account then you are good to go. You can start sending the messages from your device.

Speaking on the new development, Jan Berger who is the Chief Marketing Officer at Vyke Communications said they are delighted to offer the FreeTxt application to their customers.

He continued by saying "With text messaging being an integral part of today’s consumers’ lives, particularly with the younger generations, affordable messaging is essential. Unfortunately, mobile operators are taking advantage of SMS being a ‘must have’ believing that they can continuously keep on charging exorbitant rates as consumers will pay. Vyke believes in taking a stand by offering consumers a fairer deal and, for the first time, offering consumers a choice concerning which provider they want to use for their text messaging".

 

The application works by intercepting outgoing text messages and sends them to Vyke’s server via the phone’s internet connection. If the recipient of a text is also a FreeText user and is online, the message will be delivered peer to peer for free. If the recipient is not a FreeTxt user or is offline, the text message will be delivered at Vyke’s discounted SMS rates (as long as the user has credit on their Vyke account).

Published on July 24th, 2008 under , , , , , , , , ,

More VoIP Allowed in Wi-Fi Spots

Source: www.voip-news.com

This is pretty interesting. A UK publication is reporting that more Wi-Fi hotspots are allowing users to make VoIP calls.

According to Telappliant:

The report, by ABI Research, found that the Wi-Fi market is expected to grow by 40 per cent compared with 2007 and its business model has been changing rapidly.

It found that companies such as Starbucks have been altering how they look at the technology, for instance offering a virtually free service, meaning customers can take full advantage of the low cost of VoIP phone calls.

Published on July 24th, 2008 under , , , , , ,

VoIP 911 Law Passed

Source: www.voip-news.com

Good news for those who are eschewing landlines for mobile phones and VoIP: A new law has been passed that ensures the improvement of the country’s 911 system so that it can handle routing calls from cell phones and VoIP systems.

According to The Murfreesboro Post:

The new law will shore up the nation’s 911 networks by giving Voice Over Internet Protocol, or VOIP, phone service providers direct access to the 911 system at the same rates, terms and conditions, as wireless phone providers. It authorizes VOIP service providers to provide customer location information to public safety answering points during emergencies.

It extends existing state laws protecting 911 calls made using wireline and wireless phones to VOIP 911 calls, to any services obligated by the Federal Communications Commission to provide 911 in the future, and to any services that coordinate local 911 authorities and voluntary 911 emergency services.

Published on July 24th, 2008 under , , ,

Wednesday Links: 8×8, Unified Communications

Source: www.voip-news.com

VoIP Weblog is talking about 8×8, and why the company deserves respect. Read it here.

VoIP and Gadgets Blog has news about Objectworld offering Unified Communications for just 7 cents a day. Read it here.

How does open source impact VoIP? Good question, isn’t it? Read the discussion here.

Published on July 24th, 2008 under , , , , , ,

"Watson, come here. I want to control your iPhone"….

Source: alanweinkrantz.typepad.com

Picture_2
AT&T has developed a software trick that will let modern mobile handsets, including  the iPhone, recognize voice commands without the need for specialized voice recognition software.

AppleInsider has the news here along with a video.

Published on July 23rd, 2008 under , , , , ,

2008 PilotHouse Awards Announced

Source: www.voip-news.com

The winners of the 2008 PilotHouse Awards from Nemertes Research have been announced. The awards are based on the ratings of IT executives.

“This research is a must-have for companies evaluating a new VOIP strategy, or reassessing an existing one because it relies on real experiences from real customers,” says Robin Gareiss, executive vice president and senior founding partner, Nemertes Research.

Without further ado . . .

         Nemertes Research 2008 PilotHouse Awards: VOIP Providers

  Best Overall VOIP Providers (all rollout sizes combined)
  -- ShoreTel, Inc. - Winner
  -- Siemens Enterprise Communications - Finalist
  -- 3Com Corporation - Finalist

  Top-Tier VOIP Providers - Small Rollouts (<500 Endpoints)
  -- ShoreTel, Inc.
  -- Siemens Enterprise Communications
  -- Cisco Systems, Inc.

  Top-Tier VOIP Providers - Midsize Rollouts (500-2,000 Endpoints)
  -- Cisco Systems, Inc
  -- Avaya Inc.
  -- Nortel

  Top-Tier VOIP Providers - Large Rollouts (>2,000 Endpoints)
  -- Nortel
  -- Alcatel-Lucent
  -- Cisco Systems, Inc.

  Best Overall: VOIP Vertical Solutions
  -- Avaya Inc.

  Best VOIP: Industry-Specific
  -- Education - Avaya Inc.
  -- Financial Services - Cisco Systems, Inc.
  -- Healthcare - Cisco Systems, Inc.
  -- Manufacturing - Avaya Inc.
  -- Professional Services - Avaya Inc.
  -- Retail - Cisco Systems, Inc.
  -- State/Local Government - Nortel
  -- Transportation - Siemens Enterprise Communications
Published on July 23rd, 2008 under , , , ,

ShoreTel Wins Top Award

Source: www.voip-news.com

It’s a five-pete! Or is it five-peat! Whatever the case, ShoreTell has been named Best Overall VoIP Provider in the Nemertes PilotHouse Awards for Unified Communications & Collaboration for the fifth time. The awards ranked 24 VoIP providers.

“We’re extremely pleased that Nemertes has provided an independent opportunity for our customers to express satisfaction with their ShoreTel UC systems,” said Steve Timmerman, vice president of marketing, ShoreTel. “We understand the business and communications challenges our customers face, and we will continue to create the systems that meet their most exacting demands for high reliability, ease of deployment and use, and features that provide them with a competitive edge. We are especially proud that we have earned the top spot in Nemertes’ evaluation for the fifth straight year.”

Published on July 23rd, 2008 under , ,

Link Legacy Communications with VoIP

Source: www.voip-news.com

Two new media blades released by Performance Technologies are intended to bridge legacy communication systems to VoIP networks. The MB6108 and MB6224 are also for implementing new media server applications.

The new blades use NexusWare, which eases the integration of the blades.

“Our media blade lineup provides crucial building blocks for delivering high density, carrier grade solutions for VoIP applications,” said Steven Wigent, product manager for Performance Technologies. “More service providers are shifting their networks to IP everyday and the need to leverage existing infrastructure is going to continue to drive significant growth in the VoIP gateway market. Our new media blades give OEM providers the tools to meet this demand.”

Published on July 23rd, 2008 under , , , ,

GIPS Releases SDK

Source: www.voip-news.com

VoiceEngine and VideoEngine Software Development Kits are now available from Global IP Solutions. The kits are intended for application developers, IP PBX manufacturers and service providers.

“Maintaining reliability and quality continues to be the highest concern in the adoption of IP communications,” said Krithi Rao, research analyst, Frost & Sullivan. “GIPS SDKs will enable developers and service providers to achieve that objective while making it possible for them to add new features and functionalities essential to remaining competitive.”

GIPS officials say that the SDKs expand the offerings to new markets.

“The SDKs present customers and partners with a great opportunity to reach broad new market segments,” said Steve Rust, GIPS vice president business development. “The products are functionally rich and truly demonstrate the investment GIPS has made in the voice and video processing technologies. We are very excited to be able to provide our customers the ability to easily build their own high quality multimedia applications.”

According to the company:

Designed with ease of use in mind, the SDK API’s can handle difficult media processing and call control functions, making it an essential tool for both the experienced and inexperienced VoIP or video over IP application developer. By relying on GIPS’ IP communications expertise, customers accelerate their time-to-market while focusing on differentiating themselves in a competitive marketplace.

Published on July 21st, 2008 under , ,

Global Crossing Conferencing Gets High Marks

Source: www.voip-news.com

It’s good to be king . . .

An independent survey recently revealed 100 percent satisfaction with Global Crossing’s collaboration services — as in conferencing. The survey was conducted by KS&R, but was paid for by Global Crossing.

Eighty-five percent of respondents said that they were very likely to recommend the service to others.

“The latest survey results reflect our commitment to providing a superior customer experience and high level of account support that differentiates us from our competitors,” said Dan Wagner, executive vice president enterprise sales and collaboration services. “Now, especially as use of Global Crossing’s collaboration services around the world continues to accelerate, our award-winning collaboration services take the element of geography out of the business equation and allow companies to improve productivity, while reducing their travel costs and carbon footprints.”

Published on July 21st, 2008 under , , , , , ,

Avistar Partners with CityIS for Videoconferencing

Source: www.voip-news.com

Avistar Communications Corporation is going to be offering desktop videoconferencing through a partnership with City Information Services Limited.

“CityIS is a significant player in our strategy to deliver our C3 solutions through the reseller channel. CityIS has more than a decade of specialized experience in the videoconferencing space, and knows first-hand what its clients need to remain competitive in today’s challenging global marketplace. With offices around the world servicing global clients, CityIS offers a breadth and depth of channel coverage that will be instrumental in our goal of making Avistar desktop videoconferencing as ubiquitous as large room implementations,” said Darren Innes, General Manager of Worldwide Sales for Avistar.

The companies say that the product fills a much-needed area of the market as more and more companies seek ways to cut costs and travel less.

Published on July 21st, 2008 under , , , ,

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