VoIP Solutions, IP Telephony and Unified Communications
Covers the latest news, insight, analysis, blogs and product reviews of unified communications equipment and software. Topics include transmission of voice communications over a wired or wireless network using technologies such as VoIP, IP Telephony, IP PBX, press-to-talk and computer-based voice.
Google adds an inbox and settings widget to its Google Voice for Android application, making the phone management tool easier to use from Android smartphones.
Google Android will become the No. 2 mobile operating system in the world behind Symbian, edging past RIM and Apple's iOS this year, said Gartner. Android will have almost 30 percent of the mobile OS market by 2014.
BlackBerry 6 OS, first appearing on the BlackBerry Torch 9800, delivers a familiar and solid messaging experience along with the typically excellent administration feature set when activated to a BlackBerry Enterprise Server, that should continue to satisfy enterprise customers. But the new consumer-oriented features break no new ground and likely won't attract new business at the expense of the competition.
Verizon Wireless said it will begin selling the Samsung Fascinate based on Google's Android 2.1 operating system for $199.99 Sept. 8. The device will compete with Verizon's Motorola Droid X and Motorola Droid 2.
Google's Android platform came on strong in August, notching a 25 percent smartphone operating system plot, said data firm Quantcast. Apple retains the lead in the U.S. with 56 percent.
News Analysis: Major wireless carriers treat Hurricane Earl as a serious threat to their infrastructures, even though significant damage to the U.S. mainland is unlikely.
Motorola is undoubtedly the most important smartphone maker in the Android market. In fact, the company has proven that time and again, it has what it takes to appeal to customers who don’t want Apple’s iPhone. Currently, it has both the Droid X and the Droid 2 available to Verizon Wireless customers. Both devices offer outstanding functionality that has helped the company become a major contributor to Verizon’s recent success.
But just one of Motorola’s devices can be crowned the best phone available on Verizon’s service. And although it’s a tough call, and both the Droid X and the Droid 2 are nice devices, it’s the Droid 2 that delivers the best experience to Verizon customers.
Read on to find out why:
Skype 5.0 for Windows lets users make group video conference calls for up to 10 users. The service comes one week after Google introduced Call Phones from Gmail.
Google said Sept. 1 Gmail users made more than 10 million calls through its new Call Phones from Gmail feature. The company provided tips on how to use the service with Google Voice.
The Plantronics Voyager Pro UC provides heavy callers with an excellent way to use the same Bluetooth headset for both cell phone- and PC-based unified communications systems. eWEEK Labs tested the Voyager Pro UC WG200/B, which comes with an earpiece and a pre-paired Bluetooth dongle. The system is designed to work jointly with a Bluetooth 2.0-enabled cell phone or smartphone plus a Windows-based PC softphone via the dongle.
The current economy, business climate and technology trends have combined to make this a perfect time for hosted IP PBX systems. 8x8's Virtual Office is a turnkey system that provides all of the functionality of full-featured corporate PBX systems, without the upfront implementation and management costs. However, much of Virtual Office's Web-based interface is unintuitive, making ongoing management chores more difficult than they need to be.
Despite current iPhone limitations, Skype 1.0.1 for Apple iPhone performed well in eWEEK Labs' tests, providing most of Skype’s functionality--including instant message chats, presence and profile editing--on Wi-Fi, EDGE or (most likely) 3G. Voice calls are limited to Wi-Fi, but that can be a plus, depending on AT&T network coverage in your area. Next up is Skype support for (some) BlackBerry devices.
Savi Office, from Plantronics, offers more than a wireless headset solution with simultaneous connection to both a desk phone and PC. Savi Office also offers the PerSono software suite for controlling device behavior and for bridging content between communications channel. However, the flexible solution comes at a steep price and is not yet enterprise-ready. And it can only be used with Microsoft Windows-based PCs, though Plantronics says users of Apple Macs will be able to use the Savi Office devices as headsets.
VOIP and Telephony 
