ooma begins direct sales

ooma today announced the launch of general consumer sales of its VoIP system.

ooma systems are being offered at introductory pricing of $399 for each ooma Hub device and $39.95 for each ooma Scout device. The ooma system features unlimited US calling and comes with additional features, including second line and answering machine with no additional monthly fees. In 2008, when the introductory pricing period expires, the ooma Hub device will carry a suggested retail price of $599.

VoSKY intros turnkey PBX-to-Skype Gateway

VoSKY yesterday announced the upcoming release of VoSKY Exchange Pro, a turnkey PBX-to-Skype appliance that enables businesses to enhance communications and reduce telecom costs.

The new appliance comes pre-loaded with Skype and VoSKY's Exchange application that is used to deploy, run and manage Skype-enabled office phones.

Google Talk Wi-Fi phone in development

According to a report in DigiTimes, Taiwan's Wistron NeWeb has entered design-in development for Wi-Fi phones with Google Talk compatibility.

Wistron has been shipping Skype-enabled Wi-Fi phones to branded network-equipment vendors since late last year, according to company sources.

Read the full article on DigiTimes.

Skype Wi-Fi phone demand up

According to a DigiTimes report, demand for Skype Wi-Fi phones has been strong and is still growing.

The rise in sales is attributed to Skype's launch of its 'unlimited calls' preferential rate program earlier this year, improved phone functions and lower prices.

The report also said that Linksys ran out of Skype Wi-Fi phones in the US and had to allocate inventory from other markets.

Read the full article here.

Plantronics .Audio 910 Bluetooth Headset Review

T-Mobile rolls out home Wi-Fi connection service

T-Mobile USA today nationally launched a wireless service that extends its combination cellular / Wi-Fi hotspot service to home wireless LANs.

Skype now in Wal-Mart stores

Skype today announced that Wal-Mart is now offering Skype Certified hardware as well as the first pre-paid cards for Skype available in the U.S. in 1,800 of its U.S. stores.

Wal-Mart is the first and currently only retailer in the U.S. to offer Skype’s pre-paid cards. Shoppers can purchase a $20 pre-paid card and redeem it for Skype credit to make inexpensive international calls at rates as low as 2.1 cents per minute. Another pre-paid card is available in stores for a three-month subscription to the Skype Unlimited Calling Plan for just $8.85.

Up to nine different Skype Certified hardware products are available in Wal-Mart stores’ electronics department including headsets, webcams and handsets from manufacturers such as Plantronics, Philips, Logitech.

For more information, go to www.skype.com/walmart.

Intel to sponsor free Mother's Day Skype calling

Skype and Intel today announced a joint promotion to promote Internet calling. Consumers in the U.S. and Canada will be able to place free SkypeOut calls to any landline or mobile number around the world on Mother's Day (May 13, 2007).

Intel said it is sponsoring the "Gift of Gab" promotion as a way to demonstrate how audio and video calling are optimized when using PCs powered by the Intel Core 2 Duo processor. The company said Skype conference calls are now clearer and users’ PCs more responsive during calls due to collaborative efforts between Intel and Skype engineers.

More information about the “Gift of Gab” is available at www.skype.com/go/giftofgab.

SimpleSignal Announces “On Demand” SIP Business Trunking

VoIP and SIP solution provider SimpleSignal today announced its “On Demand” overflow calling feature for inbound and outbound business VoIP communications.

The feature instantly adds additional VoIP capacity for making outbound calls and receiving incoming calls when the normal service capacity is reached. There are no service limitations on the capacity on the number incoming or outgoing calls.

SimpleSignal “On Demand” works with any SIP-compatible IP-PBX system or SIP device or with an additional add-on IAD device for older systems. The service is available in all cities in the U.S. and Canada with unlimited incoming and local calls including the free bonus features.

Linksys rolls out new VoIP products

Linksys yesterday announced a new SIP phone, attendant console, 8 port ATA and ADSL2+ Gateway with VoIP at the Spring VON show.