In an interesting change of heart that was no doubt spurred on by a recent FCC inquiry, AT&T announced today it has “taken the steps necessary so that Apple can enable VoIP applications on iPhone to run on AT&T’s 3G wireless network.” VoIP applications (such as Skype) were previously allowed to run only over a Wi-Fi network and not over AT&T’s 3G wireless network. With today’s announcement, VoIP applications can now run on both the Wi-Fi network as well as AT&T’s wireless data network.

According to Ralph de la Vega, President and CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets, “Today’s decision was made after evaluating our customers’ expectations and use of the device compared to dozens of others we offer.”

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: AT&T Wireless, Apple iPhone, VoIP

Verizon Wireless is looking to reinvent and reinvigorate the home phone by launching a new device on Feb. 1st called the Verizon Hub. Designed to replace the standard home phone, Verizon hopes the Hub will be the centerpiece of communications, contacts, and calendars for the home. Think of it as a device that bridges communications, Internet connectivity and content, and wireless communications.

Connecting to any broadband service at home, the Hub will provide advanced calling features such as visual voice mail and “robust” contact list management. Use it as a messaging center by sending text message calendar alerts and turn-by-turn directions to other Verizon Wireless phones. Other features that will be available to the Hub include:

• Check local traffic and weather reports
• Update calendar and automatically receive text when appointment changes or as a reminder for the appt.
• Get directions to a new site when the location changes
• Find local business information
• Preview upcoming movie trailers and purchase movie tickets
• Connect to VZ Navigator and Chaperone services
• V CAST content will be available
• Doubles as a digital photo frame

You’ll also have access to the Verizon Hub over the Internet via a companion website which will allow you to make updates to the Hub.

Will this device be a hit for Verizon Wireless? It’s hard to say since most people could care less about the home phone these days – especially with the widespread adoption of mobile phones. Heck, many families have altogether dropped their home landline connections in favor of just carrying a mobile phone. I guess we’ll see in a few days about how capable the Hub really is.

Stay tuned on pricing and service plans.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Verizon Wireless, Verizon Hub

Remember that ASUS AiGuru SV1 Eee Videophone announced last month? Well I got a chance to see it up close and personal and wow.. it’s large. (yeah for some reason I thought it was going to be smaller.. ) In any case, the videophone does feature an 800 x 480 resolution 7 inch display so I can forgive the large form factor.. though I wish it didn’t look like a toy from afar.

Now features of the SV1 include:

• The world’s first large screen videophone for Skype without needing a PC
• Intuitive, icon driven user interface
• 802.11 b/g
• Cable free rechargeable battery
• Built-in 0.3 megapixel webcam, microphone, and speaker
• 10/100 Ethernet
• Measures 202 x 123 x 253 mm
• 20 min talk time on battery
• 30 min standby time
• 2 hour charging time

Technorati Tags: ASUS AiGuru SV1 Eee Videophone, Skype, CES 2009

Love talking on your PC but hate those crappy built-in or standalone microphones? Check out the new Panasonic TS710 USB speaker/handset. The device plugs into an available USB port on your PC and can switch between one of three different functions. It can be used in a hands-free speakerphone mode if you hate the idea of holding a handset or wearing a headset. If you’re looking for a more private conversation, you can use the TS710 like a traditional handset. Finally, the device can also act as an external PC speaker for your computer or notebook system. The TS710 is available in black or silver and has an MSRP of $59.95.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Panasonic TS710, KX-TS710, USB Speakerphone, Handset, VoIP, Speakerphone

Earlier this week, AT&T announced a new product called the AT&T HomeManager which attempts to integrate Internet content, VoIP service, cordless/wireless handsets and frames, and a typical home POTS service into a single package. The HomeManager package is made up of three parts – a seven inch wireless touch-screen panel, a cordless handset, and a basestation which connects to your router or gateway.

Phone wise, the HomeManager connects to both a traditional landline as well as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) connections. A speakerphone is built into both the frame as well as the cordless handset. 

The portable seven inch color touch-screen device provides users with one-touch access to a variety of features and Internet content including:

• 7 inch display with a 800 x 480 resolution
• 2 hour battery life during operation and 24 hour standby
• Visual voice mail
• Weather reports
• E-mail access
• Internet content such as local news, movie showtimes, previews, and reviews, sports scores, stock quotes, YellowPage search results, lottery numbers etc
• Speakerphone
• Up to five address books
• Call logs
• Calendars
• Internal storage of 256MB
• Also doubles as a digital photo frame

The cordless handset is a full duplex speakerphone with a 2 inch color screen.

To make use of the VoIP services as well as the Internet content, the HomeManager needs a broadband service with a minimum download speed of 768 Kbs.

Pricing for the HomeManager is as follows. The system is $299.99 if you have the following qualified services:

• If you have AT&T home phone service and sign up for a two-year DSL contract at speeds of 1.5 Mps or higher.
• Or, if you subscribe to U-verse TV, U-verse high speed Internet and have either U-verse voice or a telephone line from AT&T.

This includes the complete HomeManager package which includes the basestation, frame, and handset.

If you don’t meet the requirements, then the AT&T HomeManager will cost you $499.99. You can read more about the pricing details here.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: AT&T HomeManager, VoIP

WorldGate Communications announced today that they will be releasing a business oriented Ojo video phone called the Ojo Pro. (NOTE – pictured here is the Ojo 1000 Personal Video Phone) Targeted specifically for the business audience, the Pro will have business specific features such as:

• Multiparty Conferencing
• Compatibility with other video conferencing systems
• CIF resolution (4 times more than current Ojo models)
• Enhanced Video Messaging capability (3 times more than current Ojo models)
• Interoperability with other video phones (standards-compliant)
• Interoperability with standard PC soft clients
• Advanced firewall traversal for the business environment using the latest standards
• Remote configuration and management
• Ability to make video calls inside and outside the company’s internal telecommunications networks

It’ll also have the standard Ojo personal features including a simple user interface, phonebook, speed dial, video privacy, picture caller-ID, headset jack and VoIP support. The Ojo Pro is expected in September for an MSRP of $699.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: WorldGate Communications, Ojo Pro

Just a little reminder – T-Mobile is now offering their new nationwide T-Mobile @Home service for $10 dollars a month. This service is basically a Voice over IP (VoIP) plan where your voice signals are carried over the Internet instead of the traditional plain old telephone service otherwise known as POTS. What’s nice about T-Mobile @Home is the fact that you can port your existing home phone # to the service – which means you should experience little or no interruptions in your existing service. All you’ll need to do is purchase a special T-Mobile @Home HiPort Wireless Router with a Home Phone Connection which will cost you $49.99 along with a two-year agreement to the service. You can then plug your existing home phones to the router – there’s no need to get any sort of special phone for this service.

Other features of T-Mobile @Home include unlimited nationwide calling, voicemail, caller ID, call forwarding, call waiting, 3-way conferencing, and hold calls.

There are some other requirements of course – you’ll need a broadband connection and you’ll need an existing T-Mobile wireless service in order to be eligible to T-Mobile @Home.  Qualifying plans include any single line mobile plan $39.99 or higher or any FamilyTime mobile plan $49.99 or higher. Sorry but Postpaid plans under those fees, FlexPaySM, Prepaid, SmartAccess, and kidConnectSM plans are not eligible for this service.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: T-Mobile @Home

It appears the upcoming Sprint AIRAVE device is set to launch on July 15th. With AIRAVE, Sprint wll be able to offer a service that’s comparable to T-Mobile’s HotSpot@Home except the AIRAVE is compatible with all Sprint mobile phones and not just with Wi-Fi enabled ones. First off – what is the AIRAVE? Well it’s a device that creates a CDMA signal for your mobile phone and utilizes an existing broadband connection to carry your mobile calls over the Internet. Thus the AIRAVE is targeted for both home and business users – especially for those who have somewhat spotty Sprint service.  Other features include:

• Easy setup
• Works with any Sprint activated phone operating on the Sprint National Network
• Access both voice and data services
• Supports multiple simultaneous calls

Sounds cool right? Well now for the bad news.

According to GearDiary, the AIRAVE includes a GPS unit inside the device. Why a GPS unit? Well this ensures that the AIRAVE is being used in a location where Sprint actually has coverage. Yes.. this means you can’t bring the AIRAVE with you on trips abroad. Booo. The other bad news appears to be the price. For individuals, this will cost you $15 dollars extra (on top of your existing plan) and $30 dollars extra for family plans. Sprint might also require an unlimited plan in order for you to use the AIRAVE though this isn’t confirmed yet.

[Check it out via Boy Genius Report]

Technorati Tags: Sprint AIRAVE,

T-Mobile is set to expand their voice over IP business with the nationwide launch of their new @Home voice service starting on July 2nd. The new service, which was being tested in Dallas and Seattle, is designed to replace traditional home phone lines, will provide unlimited domestic and long distance phone calls, and will be offered to any T-Mobile paying customer. Eligible T-Mobile customers include those paying individual plans of at least $39.99 a month or family plans of at least $49.99 a month. The @Home service will cost an additional $10 dollars a month plus taxes and fees – plus you’ll need to get a special T-Mobile Wi-Fi router.

This router will also be compatible with T-Mobile’s HotSpot@Home service which allows T-Mobile compatible handsets to make phone calls either over T-Mobile’s wireless network or a Wi-Fi network. T-Mobile’s HotSpot@Home will also cost an additional $10 dollars a month for the service.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: T-Mobile, @Home, VoIP, HotSpot@Home

We dropped by the Winplus booth where they had their “Yada” collection of hands-free mobile products on display. Their booth included a mini-cooper which showed off how their hands-free products could be used while on the road. Here’s a shot of the prettied-up mini-cooper as well as the innards of the car.

Speaking of pretty things, Yada had a sweet display wall up showing off customized versions of their YD-V1 + Phone Holder + Car Charger product. The YD-V1 is a universal phone holder which comes with a Bluetooth headset too. Features of the YD-V1 + phone holder + car charger include:

• Auto “end” calls when the headset is placed in the charging cradle
• Auto “power off” when no Bluetooth signal is detected and/or not being used for more than an hour
• Auto “power on” and connects to your mobile phone when engine starts
• Auto answer incoming call when headset is removed from charging cradle
• VoIP compatible
• Pair with up to 8 devices

The above shot shows off some of the Yada driving kits that utilize the Yada YD-V1- including (from left to right), a mobile phone suction cup mount, a cup holder mount, and the YD-V1 by itself.

Above – the left headset is the Yada YD-V11 while the right is the YD-V7.

The YD-V11 features:

• Bluetooth 2.0 support
• Supports HSP, HFP profiles
• Noise reduction
• 10 meter range
• 7  hour talk time
• 140 hour standby time
• Ni-MH battery
• Measures 67 x 24 x 16 mm and weighs 21.4 grams

The YD-V7 features:

• Bluetooth 2.0 support
• Supports HSP, HFP profiles
• 10 meter range
• rechargeable Li-Polymer battery
• Measures 1.77 x 0.75 x 0.49 inches and weighs 10.8 grams

The picture above shows off the YD-V3 on the left and the YD-V1 on the right.

The YD-V3 features:

• Bluetooth 1.2 support
• Supports HSP, HFP profiles
• 10 meter range
• Pairs up to 7 devices
• 4-5 hour talk time
• 70 hour standby time
• 1-2 hour charge time
• Measures 1.13 x 0.79 x 0.50 mm and weighs 8.3 grams

The YD-V1 features:

• Bluetooth 2.0 support
• Auto “End” calls when headset is placed in charging cradle and auto answer when headset is removed
• Auto “Power Off” when no Bluetooth signal or not used for more than an hour
• Auto “Power n” when engine starts
• Pairs up to 8 devices
• Supports HSP and HF profiles
• 79 RF channels with 33 feet range
• Li-Ion battery
• 6 hour talk time
• 105 hour standby time
• 10 level volume controls
• Uses CSR Chip Bluecore 4/Class II

Next up, we have the YD-V2 on the left and the YD-V8 on the right. Both are speaker-phone products designed for the car.

The YD-V2 features:

• Handsfree communication
• Clips to any sun visor
• Supports 2 mobile devices at the same time
• Bluetooth 2.0 support
• Supports HSP, HF profiles
• 33 feet range
• 3 AAA batteries
• 4 hour talk time
• 70 hour standby time
• 10 level volume control

The YD-V8 features:

• VoIP compatible
• Clips to sun visor
• 3 Button user interface
• Bluetooth version 1.2 support
• Supports HSP 1.1, HFP 1.5, AVRCP, A2DP profiles
• 10 meter range
• pairs up to 8 devices
• Polymer battery
• 1.5 watt speaker power
• 3.5 mm audio out jack
• Dual microphones
• 4.5 – 6 hour talk time
• 140 – 280 hour standby time
• 2.5 hour charge time
• Measures 3.25 x 1.57 x 0.71 inches and weighs only 42 grams

Finally, we have the YD-V12 and the YD-V9 speakerphones.

The YD-V12 features:

• Bluetooth 1.2 support
• Slim design
• VoIP compatible
• Privacy mode
• 3 button user interface
• Clips to sun visor
• Supports HSP and HFP profiles
• 10 meter range
• Pairs up to 8 devices
• 2 watt speaker power
• mini USB port
• Dual microphones
• 9-10 hour talk time
• 200-250 hour standby time
• 3 hour charge time
• Measures 4.99 x 1.88 x 0.69 inches and weighs 79 grams

The YD-V9 features:

• Bluetooth 2.0
• Direct Charger
• 3 Button user interface
• Echo cancellation and noise reduction
• Hands-free device
• Supports HS and HF profiles
• Full duplex
• Red/Green LED
• 10 meter range
• Point to point connection
• Measures 202 x 69 x 30 mm and weighs 99 grams

Technorati Tags: winplus, Yada, Hands-free devices, speakerphones, Bluetooth headsets, CES 2008