Gadgets and VoIP

iRiver Wave Home

Looking for something that can do a little more than just the usual VoIP or voice recording? iRiver’s Wave Home not only does VoIP, but it also many other multimedia functions.  It contains a 7″ LCD screen, and a wireless headset that not only does the duties of an average headset, but can be used as remote to control the Wave Home Station.   The gadget comes packed with a 1.3 megapixel camera, this will come in handy when you want to participate in a video chat.  The list of impressive features doesn’t stop there.

The device works as a cordless phone, placing free or low-cost calls over the web. Of course, it receives calls as well.

More Thoughts About "Skype versus Gizmo5"

I posted an article two days ago entitled "Skype versus Gizmo5." A number of obviously satisfied Skype customers sent e-mails to me with a more or less common theme: this would be a terrible thing for those who use Skype daily to talk with friends and relatives around the world.

I disagree.

Skype versus Gizmo5

Skype is presently embroiled in a legal battle that may force the popular service to shut down. Details may be found at http://www.theage.com.au/technology/biz-tech/shock-threat-to-shut-skype-20090731-e3qe.html. If Skype goes away, will more than 40 million active daily users around the world be left without service?

Not really. In fact, there are a number of similar services already in operation and many of them work as well as, or even better than, Skype.

Skype has a dozen or so small competitors, most of them are companies you never heard of. I use both Skype and Gizmo5, a competitor to Skype that offers a better service (in my opinion) and has almost identical pricing. Calls from a Gizmo5 user to another Gizmo5 user anywhere in the world are always free of charge, the same as calls from one Skype user to another Skype user.

Convert the iPod Touch Into a Mobile Phone

The Apple iPod Touch has often been described as an iPhone without the cell phone part. It does most everything the iPhone does except place and receive telephone calls. It is an MP3 player, a calendar, and much more. Now the iPod Touch can be transformed into a mobile phone with the help of a free application from Truphone.

Keep in mind that there is one major drawback to the Truphone product: it only works with a wi-fi network connection. It does not communicate with cell phone company networks. You can place and receive calls while at home or at the local Starbucks or McDonald's or other wi-fi equipped location. However, you won't be making calls while driving down the highway.

Given the safety implications, perhaps that should be listed as an improvement, not a drawback.

My London Telephone Number

Attention U.K. readers: I now have a London telephone number: +44 208 133 8002. That is in addition to my USA telephone number and my worldwide Skype number. I obtained the London number as a convenience for the U.K. readers of this web site: You can also make a toll-free telephone call to me from anywhere in the world if you use Skype.

Anyone anywhere in the world can always contact me by going to most any page on the newsletter's web site and clicking on "Contact Us" in the Navigation menu in the upper right part of the page. Once on the "Contact Us" page, you can send me an e-mail and you will also see my USA telephone number, my London telephone number, my Skype contact information and my FAX number.

Make free or low-cost phone calls

Gizmo has added a new gadget that allows you to call Gizmo users, many toll-free numbers in the U.S., England, and the Netherlands, plus some SIP phones free of charge. Calls to regular landline and cell phones anywhere in the world are available at modest fees. For instance, calls to the U.S. and Canada are 1.9 cents a minute, Australia and New Zealand are less than 3 cents a minute, calls to Singapore are 2 cents a minute, etc.

Best of all, you do not need to load any software into your computer. This works on all modern Windows, Macintosh and Linux systems. Plug in a headset and try this: