by Garrett Smith
Thanks for returning. You're a very smart person.
I don’t know what Google has planned, but they’ve got something brewing in the communications space.
First Google acquired Grandcentral (now Google Voice). Then they acquired Gizmo Project.
Now they’ve announced the acquisition of voice and video processing technology company GIPS for a shade over $68 million.
This gives Google a:
- virtual number offering
- “unified messaging” client
- back-end engine’s to handle high amounts of voice/video processing
If that doesn’t sound like the starting blocks to a next generation communications provider, I don’t know what does.
Now all they need to do is add Bandwidth.
by Garrett Smith
I just caught this over at TMCNet. Seems Sangoma is rumored to be partnering with HP.
There isn’t much available as neither side won’t comment, but it’s interesting enough to chew on.
If Sangoma and HP have indeed partnered, I betting one of three things will come out it:
- A low cost Open Source PBX appliance
- An SMB IP phone system
- Or they’re adding Fax over IP capabilities to their all-in-one printers using Sangoma hardware
Now I’ve got no inside knowledge here. These are purely guesses.
What’s yours?
by Garrett Smith
If you’re like most you’ve got family spread across the country. Or even across the world.
Distance often makes it difficult to stay in touch. Let alone enjoy some quality “face time” with loved ones.
Heck, with many still hampered financially seeing everyone during over the holiday’s is no sure thing. Flights aren’t getting any cheaper.
But for every problem there’s a solution.
For those who find themselves far away from “home” it’s video calling. The next best thing to being there.
And today video calling got a whole lot cheaper thanks to Grandstream Networks.
Best known for their line of VoIP phones and adapters, Grandstream has announced a new video calling offering that combines two GXV3140 video phones and their built-in IPVideoTalk video calling service to deliver unlimited two-way and three-way video calling.
All for only $499 USD.
No activation fees. No monthly services fees.
Plus the Grandstream GXV3140’s can also be used as a standard VoIP phone, as it’s compatible with most SIP service providers.
It really is a great solution for those who want to see their family, but just can’t get there.
For more information on the Grandstream GXV3i40 video calling bundle drop me a line. Or purchase it directly at VoIP Supply.
by Garrett Smith
Earlier today leading VoIP provider 8×8 (Packet8) announced that they had been award a new patent.
Typically when I see news like this I pass. But when I read through the release, I became much more interested.
I became interested in 8×8’s new patent because it could potential impact other VoIP providers and VoIP equipment manufacturers in a major way. I say this because the patent touches upon a commonly used method for setting-up VoIP phones and adapters fro use with their service - auto-provisioning.
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by Garrett Smith
Hosted VoIP providers sell a lot of endpoints so I’m always keeping tabs on what’s going on in the hosted VoIP provider space. With small medium offices loosening up with the stabilization of the economy, many hosted VoIP providers are coming with new offerings and promotions to capitalize on the opening wallets.
Nextiva launches vFAX online fax service
Emerging hosted VoIP provider Nextiva broadened their service portfolio with the announcement of their vFAX online fax service. Online fax services are a great compliment to hosted VoIP, especially in small and distributed office environments.
vFAX is similar to other online fax services like MyFax and eFax.com, but does have a few unique aspects like the ability to use an existing fax machine and Microsoft Outlook Integration. Plus they’re offering lower monthly and per minute charges than competitors.
Recently I reviewed Nextiva’s service after having used it for a few months. It was solid and suspect the same holds true with vFAX. Check out more here.
Vocalocity lowers upfront investment costs for new customers
Fresh off the launch of a new website, Vocalocity has announced some insane price discounts on Linksys phones for new sign-ups on Twitter. With prices starting at just $69.99 new customers can save more than $30 a phone.
That’s some really great savings on a really great line of VoIP phones. Check out their Tweet for more details.
Telesphere nabs another $7M
Okay it’s not a new offering or promotion, but it’s notable that Phoenix based Telesphere secured another $7M in venture financing earlier this month. This brings their total funding to $32 million.
One can definitely take this as an indicator that there’s healthy demand for hosted services from businesses small and large.
Expect this to continue for quite some time. Buyers are starting to spend again, but their still very cautious and price conscience. That fits right into a hosted offering,s value proposition.
Note: Vocalocity is a site sponsor. Seriously though. It’s a great promotion.
by Garrett Smith
The VoIP equipment market has been relatively quiet this year (and Q4 of 2008). Paralyzed by the economy, new product announcements (on the whole) have been kept to the minimum.
The one trend that seems to be awakening the VoIP equipment market is the ever growing demand for high quality, reliable mobility solutions. As VoIP adoption has continued to grow, residential, small business and enterprise customers have become increasingly intrigued by the benefits of mobility.
For some time, 802.11 b/g wireless VoIP phones and “systems” were all the rage. But over the last few years technological limitations and false expectations have limited most 802.11 b/g wireless VoIP deployments to small footprints and ultra controlled environments.
It’s also driven VoIP bloggers, manufacturers, service providers and users nuts.
Enter DECT, short for Digital Enhance Telecommunications, an ETSI standard for digital portable phones (cordless telephones). You’ve surely heard of it. It’s been used for over a decade and is used by the majority of cordless home telephones.
Pain, meet band-aide.
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by Garrett Smith
With the long term future of Microsoft’s Response Point software still unknown one would think that it’s a signal that the Windows Telephony market is dud. And while Microsoft’s attempt to capture a juicy chunk of the massive small business market seems to have hit a snag, it’s not deterring other VoIP industry players from jumping in with two feet.
One such player is Sangoma. The publicly traded supplier of telephony cards and software out of Markham, Ontario is looking to emerge from the enormous shadow cast by Digium by developing solutions that work with Windows.
Sangoma’s latest offerings (NetBoarder VoIP Gateway Cards and NetBoarder Express 2.0 software), announced today, are designed for those end users, systems builders, reseller and integrators leveraging Windows who want to roll their own VoIP gateways and VoIP phone systems. Similar to what tens of thousands of folks have been doing for the last few years with Linux based platforms like Asterisk.
While a home grown VoIP gateway or phone system is nothing new, Sangoma’s move into the Windows market is and can be seen as a signal that market for Windows based telephony products is a viable one.
Only time will tell if this is the case, but for now at least one Windows proponent is excited about Sangoma’s move.
Nick Galea, CEO of 3CX, whose Windows based phone system has continued to win favor with customers, says the move by Sangoma is, “[Good] for our customers because the complete solution of Sangoma, plus NetBoarder Express 2.0, plus 3CX will be easy to install, easy to use and very cost effective.”
That’s an offering that’s sure to attract interest from the Windows market.
