And hey along with Skype Sony is offering USB microphone that can be (have to be) used with Skype. This will cost $25 - $40 (hopefully with Mic included)

Via: NewsInside

The definite advantage that gamers of popular games on PSP will enjoy is that now more gaming community networks will be setup centered on a particular game with more prompt voice interaction. If the video conferencing feature of Skype is included then there will be more fun with gamers actually getting the opportunity to see the facial expression of their fellow players who so long was satisfied with their avatars.

Skype has been widely criticized for distributing bugs even fooling the seeming most secure firewalls. I hope PSP manufactures keep in their mind this problem before integrating Skype into their device.

Source:g4tv
Image:reallusion

As it seems, the Direct VoIP will enable Jajah customers to enjoy VoIP service directly without depending upon an intermediary channel. I mean VoIP without PC. Though, the service like this is not new in the market, Jajah Direct VoIP stands unique of its own.

With Jajah Direct, the customers can make and receive VoIP calls anywhere in the world without sitting before computers. They also don’t need internet connection. With an ordinary phone, they can VoIP calls.

The Jajah Direct is very simple. It provides VoIP service the way your mobile phone makes to other phones. To go with Jajah Direct, you need an access number using which you can call to a destination phone number upon hearing a dial tone. The first call is totally free.

Jajah Direct is cheap. The company charges a paltry 2.5 or 3 cents for a minute call. The service is available in 122 countries. However, the local number facility is now available in 10 cities in the US, nine cities in Europe.

Via: Vnunet
Image: Jajah

The rivalry between Cisco and Microsoft has once again intensified, as Microsoft launched its Unified Communications portfolio to take a significant share of the VoIP market pie. Cisco has already admitted that Microsoft’s entry into the VoIP sector has already slowed down its sales cycle with customers are waiting longer to make a comparison between the portfolios of the two companies before proceeding to buy.

As for Microsoft’s Unified Communications initiative, the company promises to treat voice as just another data type that can be routed around an office, much like an email. The new products include Microsoft Office Communications Server2007, Microsoft Office Communicator 2007, Microsoft Office Live Meeting, a service pack update of Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 and a Round Table, Ethernet-connected, 360-degree videoconferencing VoIP phone that will cost $3,000.

Microsoft’s new initiative is to eliminate the traditional PBX systems that run office environments. As for Cisco, its CTO of unified communications has said:

There’s a couple of extra conversation while we work through what does Microsoft actually have, what does Cisco have and what are the various ways they can work together.

Image:Gryphonenetworks

Source:Solokay, Pcmag

One in every four Skype calls involves video. Keeping it in mind, Skype gave utmost importance on high quality video service in its Skype 3.6 for windows version, which is officially launched by the global VoIP giant. The latest P2P version is now available for free download. Check it out.

The high quality video service includes VGA-quality video calls, image description and clarity. Skype has joined hands with Logitech to provide these features to its members for video conferencing sessions.

The Skypers don’t require to purchase or install any video-conferencing equipment other than a 2.0-GHz dual-core processor, a gigabyte of RAM, 384 Kbits/s Internet bandwidth and Logitech webcams such as the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000, QuickCam Pro for Notebooks, and the QuickCam Orbit AF.
The above three webcams feature a 2.0 Mpixel sensor, an integrated mic, Logitech LightRight 2 technology and an integrated autofocus.

The Logitech QuickCam software version 11.5 is a free downloadable application, while the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 and Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks webcams are available for $99.99. The price of Logitech QuickCam Orbit AF is $129.99.

Skype 3.6 for Windows supports 28 languages.

Via: Skype

Image: Filehippo

Raketu has liberated its users from PCs. The Skype-killer has just launched a SMS-Text Driven VoIP service; the service essentially marks a new wave of mobile VoIP communication where the users simply need a mobile device to make VoIP calls without depending upon PC or internet connection.

It is indeed a unique proposition for Raketu to leverage their strong presence in MVoIP market. The SMS-Text Driven VoIP as it appears will enable users to make VoIP calls with their mobile phones which are capable of sending messages to other devices.

The users can make national and international calls without leaning over PC or internet connection. Previously, the Raketu customers used to do VoIP calls either from PC to phone and vice versa.

Greg Parker, President of Raketu elaborates,

Our new SMS-Text Driven Service represents a paradigm shift in the ability for users with just about any mobile phone to initiate free or low-cost calls right from their handsets.

The SMS-Text Driven VoIP service is free. It is available in forty countries. The company charges very low cost for rest of the world. The call rates are based on Raketu’s RakWeb calling rates. The customers who have registered for RakWeb can get 1200 free minutes per month under the SMS-Text Driven VoIP plan.

Image:Mobiletopsoft

Vonage has ended patent battle with AT&T and agreed to pay $39 million over five years as part of the settlement. It is the third major settlement by Vonage. The first two settlements were with Sprint Nextel and Verizon.

The American telecom giant, AT&T had sued Vonage last month in the U.S. District Court of the Western District of Wisconsin claiming illegal use of their wide-area packet technology system by the VoIP pioneer.

Vonage, which has now more than 2.2 million residential customers, has faced massive loss in the third quarter on account patent disputes with telecom companies. It agreed to pay $120 million to Verizon and $80 million to Sprint Nextel last month.

The latest settlement was done as Vonage declared their third quarter results. The company has conceded net loss of $168.8 million. It spent more than $133 million in legal battles.

Via: TMC Net

Image: CNN

Other countries like Australia, Denmark, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Macau and Sweden will welcome the 3 Skypephone by the end of this year.

The Skypephone brings free VoIP calls for the Skype users in UK. The mobile operator is not charging. However, the customers can enjoy 4,000 minutes of free calls in a month on 3’s network. They can enjoy incoming calls beyond that limit. If the customers are outside 3’s network, then roaming charge is applicable. The phone does not work in USA.

With Skypephone, you can also make Skype Out calls. I mean Mobile to PC or Landline or any other phone. These calls are not free.

Features:

1.Candy-bar style

2.Color: white and black

3.2-megapixel camera,

4.MPHuchison 3 player

5.Bluetooth connectivity

6.16M bytes of internal memory

7.Micro SD memory card.

8.Price: Just $102

Is it new beginning for MVoIP?

MVoIP or Mobile over VoIP is a dichotomy (Read Vodafone, Orange). The mobile operators have always tried to maintain distance from VoIP. Huchison 3 has embraced Mobile VoIP. Who knows some other day, Vodafone may be romancing with VoIP!!!

Image: Freealternative

AOL has launched its AIM Calling Out service, using which the customers can make international calls to nearly 200 countries from their landline or mobile phones. It is of course a paying service and applicable to non-American customers only. Check out how much you need to pay for a per-minute call.

You just need to download and install the latest AIM version to access the AIM Call Out service. There is no installation fee. Then, you need to enter the phone number of your foreign friend and then click the dial. It is very simple. In a nutshell, the AIM Call Out service is just like Jajah VoIP.

In any case, AOL’s VoIP run has met premature death in the past. The last time, we have reported here shut down of Total Talk.

Should the launch of AIM Call Out be considered as AOL’s reentry into VoIP market?

Image: AOL

The telephone regulators of European Union (European Union) have pitched for uniform rules and regulations on VoIP usages through out the 27 member nations.

The decision to frame harmonized VoIP rules is under consideration in the wake up reluctance to offer emergency calling facilities by certain VoIP service providers.

VoIP is perceived more an Internet service than telecom service. This perception has led the VoIP service providers to overlook emergency calls services, even though they are competing with traditional telephone service providers.

Roberto Viola, Chairman of the European regulations group asserted,

Voice over IP has been identified as a key area for harmonisation. We agreed that a nomadic use of geographic number of voice over IP should be allowed in Europe. That is an important change because in many member states this is not allowed.

The new regulation will bring same number to the customers for VoIP calls no matter which European country they are staying. However, the service providers must use the given numbers for this to be approved.

Image: Packetizer

In any case, the high voltage drama, which at once threatened the existence of Vonage, is heading towards settlement. It is good for Vonage in particular and VoIP in general. After all, Vonage is one of front-runner residential VoIP providers in USA with more than 200 million customers. The patent dispute has somewhat affected these customers.

Vonage settled two legal disputes with Klausner Technologies and Sprint Nextel in recent months. The residential VoIP provider has reached out an agreement to use Klausner’s patents relating to voicemail services. It has also agreed to pay some $80 million to Sprint Nextel as part of the settlement. In return, Sprint Nextel has granted more than 100 VoIP patents to Vonage.

After reading the headline, you may think that this writer is going to report a fresh controversy focused on Vonage. No. It is not the case. This time, Vonage is facing security challenge from hackers.

A security firm has claimed that Vonage VoIP service is vulnerable to security threats. The hackers can intercept VoIP calls made to the Vonage customers. The shocking revelation may put the VoIP startup into trouble, which is already down with legal controversies.

Reuter has covered the observation of security firm, Sipera Systems. The security firm has firmly claimed that hackers can lead eavesdropping, spam, spoofing and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks towards Vonage VoIP customers due to poor security systems.

The security firm has warned Vonage about the security threat a month ago. However, there was no respond from the company, reports Reuter.

Vonage declined to comment on the latest development, which is very likely to ruin company’s image as a pure play VoIP service provider in USA.

Image: Nedshaw

Talkswitch has launched three new VoIP phones. They are TS-480i, TS-9133i and TS-9112i. The common features of all these IP phones are simple installation, flawless integration, rich VoIP functionalities and obviously inexpensive.

Common features:

1.Distinctive ring support

2.Multilingual support

3.Call Pickup

4.Call waiting

5.Call Park/Unpark

6.Message waiting lamp and counter

7.Voicemail access key

8.Auto configuration

TS-480i: The TS-480i is business IP phone. It comes with a large LCD display and 14 programmable soft key features. It can work like the IP extensions in the office. The device may be useful for teleworkers. The price of TS-480i is something around $239.

TS-9133i: It is cheaper than the TS-480i. The price of TS-9133i is around $179.It comes with seven customizable keys and 10 feature keys for easy call handling.

TS-9112i: It is the cheapest IP phone of Talkswitch. The price is just $119. It has 13 features keys and allows plug and play with auto detection of the TalkSwitch system.

Via: Smith on VoIP

According to media reports, AT&T has sued Vonage in the U.S. District Court of the Western District of Wisconsin claiming patent infringement by the latter.

AT&T says Vonage is unlawfully using their wide-area packet technology system and insists Vonage to refrain from using the platform. The company is also seeking treble damages and attorneys’ fees from Vonage. However, the amounts were not mentioned.

Just a few days ago, Vonage settled two legal disputes. The latest one was with Klausner Technologies and reached out an agreement to use their patents relating to voicemail services.

Prior to that, the residential VoIP service provider agreed to pay some $80 million to Sprint Nextel as part of the settlement. In return, Sprint Nextel has granted more than 100 VoIP patents to Vonage.

Vonage is still fighting a legal battle with Verizon Communication. The residential VoIP company was ordered to pay $58 million in damages, plus 5.5 percent royalties on future revenues for the violation of three Verizon patents.

Via: Information Week

Philip Zimmermann hardly needs any introduction. The name is very much familiar in the VoIP world. He has developed the most popular VoIP encryption protocols like ZRTP and Zfone. He is now working with Atelier to bring secure VoIP services for Symbian smartphones in line with his Zfone software.

The Zfone software can automatically encrypt voice calls made over the Internet and turn Symbian smartphones into secure crypto phones. It will also ensure privacy of your voice communication by checking wiretapping or eavesdropping.

Marc Menschenfreund, CEO of Atelier said,

We’re seeing VoIP telephony’s stellar growth and acceptance in the mass market, but users do not realize their Internet calls are more likely and easily intercepted than with standard telephony. With Phil Zimmermann’s Zfone for Symbian OS, we’re bringing to the masses the same level of privacy to VoIP calls that PGP® brought to email.

The unique feature of Zfone software is that, it can turn VoIP clients into secure phones by filtering the VoIP packets as they pass through the communications. It supports Windows, Mac and Linux.

The Zfone software sets a cryptographic key agreement between the two parties during the communication. After that, it encrypts and decrypts the voice packets to make the VoIP calls secure.

Via: Blognation