VoIP gadget: USB Softphone Dongle

Well, as promised (mostly to myself) I'm back with my second post on this blog about VoIP (which for those of you not yet in the know stands for Voice over Internet Protocol) and for those who do know..well, its basically the more technical term for those using Skype, or Yahoo, or MSN or some other fancy instant messaging (IM) or "unified messaging" (UM) system that you can easily find, subscribe/register , download, and install to your computer to "make Internet voice calls"(provided that speakers and microphone are also installed on the PC your using it on)...again, only for those who know how to use it...Basically, however, the above IM systems I mentioned are mostly and primarily used for "internet chat"...not for voice calling...well, at least in my part of the world. Thus, some typing skills are usually required (unless of course, the other party doesnt mind waiting for you to find and type the letters "f" "c" "u" or "k"...hehehe ;-) or correspondingly, you dont know any "internet speak" like "LMAO", "BRB", "LOL"...etc.. And, as I also mentioned, user(s) would still need to download, install and be subscribed to the same IM service (usually) to begin any communication...so it begs the question(s): What if one doesnt know or types very slowly??? (like well, your grandmother for instance ---or like my Dad, my mom, aunts..and uncles...ok, people who were born before computers were invented and the Internet was some sci-fi thingie) Or, it could be that Yahoo Messenger (not very likely) or Skype or MSN is not installed on the PC you happen to use??? Or, what if the hardware required like a microphone or speakers (soundcard) is not available or is simply broken???

What then??? Then you'll need to make a voice call....You could say, well I can voice chat over Yahoo Messenger or MSN Messenger or Skype...but again...what if the other person you want to talk to is not in front of his PC?? Or he doesnt have any of the IM installed or doesnt have any microphone or speakers? Or he or she is simply offline...then you can't right??..you'll have to dial and call them some other way....Use your cellphone and make an IDD call? Hello??? Rates will be quite expensive. Find a payphone card service? Good luck! Text them! Well, probably, it'll be a lot cheaper...and if you're Filipino..this would work, but you wont have that "real-time" reply as you would talking to them over the phone....so what to do???? Hmmmmm....Let's give you a hand...

iCall's solution: The Softphone USB Dongle (as pictured on the left and on the right) Plankton and Sharkie (not included in design)
As you can see, it comes with its own earphone and microphone set (Stereo sound) as well as built-in soundcard. So if the PC you happen to use has crappy speakers or sound system, just plug in the dongle and you'll be able to listen to your music in stereo and in private. So that solves any "hardware" issues I mentioned above. Now what about "software"??? What do I use for an IM system?? Well, the usb dongle also comes pre-installed with its own T2Free Softphone (see below), which can make IDD voice calls to landline, mobile or other T2Free gadgets all over the world (internet access required of course). Just plug it into a usb hub and it will launch the softphone pictured below in a matter of seconds...then just dial...or you can also use its built-in Phonebook to store numbers you often call. Plus, it also stores missed calls, called numbers and numbers that called the Softphone. But wait, there's more! Like most IM applications, it has its own Webcam screen where you can not only view the person you're talking too...but also record the video (webcam hardware not included) if you wish to do so. And, with advance subscription services, you can also have calls forwarded to your mobile phone or landline (fees applied) for the times you're offline or when the usb is not connected to the internet. Finally, (and best of all) , since the softphone firmware is embedded in a USB drive, you don't need to download and install it...so you'll be able to use it any PC!*







*running WindowsXP or higher
Next week: Customized VoIP SIP Softphone for Webcalls.