Daily Payload

Marriott Becomes the Largest Hotel Company to Offer Telepresence Globally

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 15:01:21 GMT

Solidifying its position as the lodging industry technology leader, Marriott is announcing it will offer telepresence technology in its hotels worldwide, using AT&T's fully-managed Telepresence solution. Cisco TelePresence technology will enable Marriott to offer customers the widest array of meeting options, whether in-person, virtual or both.

Consumers say VoIP not essential; magicJack begs to differ

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 20:18:49 GMT

According to an Alcatel-Lucent survey, 74% of the respondents said they considered their landline telephone essential and would not reduce spending on it versus the 32% that said the same for a paid VoIP service. — Question is: did they consider all VoIP options equally? For example, "Digital Phone" service from a cable company is VoIP, but often viewed by customers as a "landline".

Comcast to offer 4G wireless broadband service

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:39:29 GMT

Comcast is getting into the wireless broadband business by bundling Clearwire's 4G wireless service with its existing broadband products.

Apple, others agree to universal cell phone charger standard in Europe

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:45:08 GMT

Apple and other big phone makers have struck a deal with the European Commission to start selling phones with universal cell phone chargers starting next year. Under the agreement, manufacturers would start using micro-USB connections for phone chargers used for smartphones. Apple joins other big cell phone makers including LG, Motorola, Nokia, Research In Motion, Samsung and Sony Ericsson in agreeing to the new standard. Chipset makers, such as NEC, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments have also agreed to the deal.

Nortel plans breakup

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:38:12 GMT

Nortel Networks, the Canadian telecommunications equipment manufacturer operating under bankruptcy court protection, is in advanced negotiations with potential buyers for its main business operations and is likely to announce further asset sales in "weeks or months, rather than months or years," Mike Zafirovski, chief executive, said.

Google grabs 1 million phone numbers for Google Voice

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:54:09 GMT

Google last month reserved 1 million phone numbers with Level 3, signaling that it may finally be ready to roll out its long-anticipated Google Voice service. Google Voice is a service that provides a number of features, including the ability to ring multiple phones through a single number.

LifeSize launches HD desktop conferencing software

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:04:05 GMT

LifeSize rolled out high-definition video conferencing software designed to extend corporate telepresence systems. LifeSize Desktop is designed to work with all webcams and a worker's PC, delivering HD video at 720p in full 16:9 format with multiple applications running.

Mirial launches new Mirial Softphone for Apple Mac OSX platform

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:35:44 GMT

Mirial launched a new release of its Mirial Softphone, an advanced software client for audio/video conferencing and remote collaboration, which is now available for Apple Mac OSX operating system.

Telepresence shatters communication barriers

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:39:41 GMT

The door has now opened for telepresence solutions: a conferencing environment that seeks to mimic the in-person experience as much as possible. Several technologies make telepresence possible. High-definition video cameras and large, flat-panel monitors clearly display participants in life size.

Wave Goodbye to Email

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 04:42:17 GMT

Google introduces a new kind of messaging system that has the potential to replace email as we know it, but also to significantly change the way we all communicate and interact with each other. It's called Wave, it is built on XMPP, and it is definitely something to see.

AT&T's faster 3G network could signal video chat coming with new iPhone

Fri, 29 May 2009 05:17:01 GMT

If the next iPhone model supports video chat, as some rumors say it will, AT&T's plan to expand to a faster wireless network called HSPA 7.2 later in the year would enrich the experience of iPhone users who take advantage of that feature.

Open Source Soft-Switch Now Supports Secure VoIP With ZRTP

Thu, 28 May 2009 17:01:54 GMT

The newest release of FreeSWITCH adds new features and improvements in stability, security, and performance. Support for ZRTP was recently added. ZRTP is an opportunistic encryption protocol that allows for automatic encryption of RTP streams when both endpoints are ZRTP-enabled.

Skype 4.1 beta: Share your Windows screen

Thu, 28 May 2009 17:15:03 GMT

Skype will be adding screen sharing functionality to its next major release of Skype. It is already available in beta software released.

SIP Trunking for the Big Guys

Fri, 22 May 2009 16:42:07 GMT

BroadSoft and Acme Packet have announced a series of enhancements to their joint SIP trunking solution for large enterprise customers. The offering integrates BroadSoft's BroadWorks VoIP application platform with Acme Packet's Net-Net session border controller to deliver advanced IP communications services.

Second Life generates 15 billion minutes in web voice calls

Thu, 21 May 2009 17:35:17 GMT

When you think of phone companies, Linden Lab's Second Life virtual world doesn't come to mind. But the company is announcing today that its users have used its web-voice calling feature to talk to each other for a total of 15 billion minutes since it was introduced 18 months ago.

Open Source Softswitch Adds Skype

Wed, 20 May 2009 21:36:02 GMT

A new release of FreeSWITCH, the first open source softswitch, will enable carriers and enterprise to integrate Skype into their VoIP services and platform.

SIP Sucks. It Really Sucks.

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:33:38 GMT

SIP is now a 13-year-old protocol that has been hyped beyond belief. After all of these years, it remains a protocol that is burdened with interoperability problems and one that really offers little new capabilities to end users. It did pave the way for cheaper phone calls, perhaps, though we would argue that we actually have Skype to thank for that. So, what did SIP give us?

FCC: Sudden SunRocket Shutdown Won't Repeat

Fri, 15 May 2009 17:51:34 GMT

The FCC has apparently created a new rule that says that failing VoIP service providers cannot abruptly close their doors. Rather, they must provide customers with reasonable notice. — I just cannot even begin to explain how stupid this is. If a company fails, unless they have loads of cash, they cannot tell customers 30 or 60 days in advance that service will be terminated. Suppose the small company has decided to in 60 days, what employee in his right mind would stay around to take care of things until the door closes?

Clearwire selects Cisco to help build 4G network

Wed, 13 May 2009 21:36:29 GMT

Clearwire named networking equipment maker Cisco Systems as a key supplier to help it build its nationwide 4G wireless network. As part of the new strategic partnership, Cisco will provide IP routers and other equipment to build Clearwire's WiMax network. Under the Linksys brand, Cisco will also provide some consumer devices that can be used on the network.

Polycom QDX 6000 Is Good Videoconferencing Choice for Small Businesses

Wed, 13 May 2009 16:46:39 GMT

Polycom's QDX 6000 video conferencing units are easy to set up and configure, and offer many options for adding content. At $3,999, the QDX 6000—which leverages H.323—is a compelling choice for smaller offices or businesses.

TANDBERG Delivers Industry-First Scalable Video Recording Solution

Wed, 13 May 2009 16:45:09 GMT

TANDBERG introduced the TANDBERG Compliance Appliance, the industry's first video recording appliance designed to help organizations manage risk and comply with anticipated video archiving regulations. The Compliance Appliance streamlines the video recording process, especially critical for the financial, legal, education and healthcare markets, which often deal with sensitive customer interactions.

Unified Communications Enabled by Sprint Now Available

Tue, 12 May 2009 14:32:52 GMT

Sprint announced that is now has a SIP trunking offering for businesses in order to allow them to cut the traditional PSTN cord. But, will it save money?

Why I worry that landlines are endangered

Tue, 12 May 2009 14:18:36 GMT

A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more than 20 percent of American homes have only cell phones and another 14.5 percent of homes received all or almost all calls via cell phones even though they had a landline. Many younger people do not even have a landline at all. What are the social and security issues with such a transition?

Microsoft Bans VoIP From its Mobile Future

Sun, 10 May 2009 18:02:18 GMT

When Microsoft will launch its new OS for mobiles, Windows Mobile 6.5, it will also launch the Windows Marketplace for Mobile. The company also announced 12 prohibited application types for the Windows Marketplace for Mobile, among which are VoIP and applications that could replace Microsoft products.

Vonage Profits on a Fluke Gain

Fri, 8 May 2009 05:43:23 GMT

Vonage reported a profit on Thursday, but it's important to note it was a fluke. The profit stemmed from a one-time gain. On the books, that meant Vonage made $5 million in the first quarter of 2009. Without that piece of luck, though, the company actually lost $7.7 million.

Acme Edges Into the Enterprise

Fri, 1 May 2009 23:17:05 GMT

Acme now has a session border controller product for smaller enterprise locations and branch offices. Last month, it had launched into the enterprise space with the Net-Net 3800, but Acme says that product was aimed at branch offices and companies with 1,000 or more employees.

Rumor: Motorola readying first Android phone

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:57:12 GMT

Motorola appears to be readying a new smart phone that runs on Android, code-named Calgary. The phone has a slide-out keyboard and will be sold for use on Verizon's network later this year.

$3 SIM Card Puts Skype On Your Cell Phone

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:47:42 GMT

Skype's future continues to be prophesied in Europe as U.K. mobile phone operator 3 works to push the VoIP service on its mobile phones, including a new low-cost service that will enable consumers to make Skype calls virtually free of charge

Tata Communications to offer Cisco's Telepresence services

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 05:20:07 GMT

Tata Communications said it would introduce telepresence exchange services for Cisco Telepresence. Communications, a Tata group company, on Thursday said it would introduce telepresence exchange services for Cisco Telepresence.

AT&T cuts cord on VoIP service

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:07:18 GMT

AT&T has pulled the plug on its CallVantage VoIP service, a service that operated much like Vonage. Now, AT&T customers that want to have VoIP service must get it through their new service, U-verse.