PMP Today » VoIP

Google GPhone is a VoIP PMP?

BrianB — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:10:39 +0000

OK, let me undesrtand Techcrunch. Google may not be making a Google GPhone phone, because that will compete with all the Android phones already in existence. Just as Google’s Andy Rubin said, Google is not making hardware but they’re enabling other manufacturers to build them. Google will not compete with the supporters of Android. That sounds logical enough, but then Techcrunch goes on to say that perhaps it’s a data-only device with VoIP. The site recalls Google’s purchase of the 700Mhz spectrum some ways back. Techcrunch also mentioned Google Voice. How do all these things fit into a Google Phone or a GPhone? Answer: Data + VoIP. Apparently, Google thinks that a standalone data-only (Internet, email, instant messaging) device with VoIP (that’s Skype calling and alternatives) will be on the wish list of a lot of folks. Put in a lot of fancy multimedia support (1080p videos even) and this device could give iPod Touch a run for its money, or make the Apple PMP, right out obsolete–until Apple decides to make an Ipod Touch 3G. I say, add a real phone on it.

[source]

VIA 500MHz MID Likes Windows XP and Android

BrianB — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:54:30 +0000

The processor maker has jumped into the handset market with the unveiling (leaking) of their very own QWERTY MID. It’s slightly underpowered compared to the AMD Super Mobile CPU-powered xpPhone. I’m comparing it to the xpPhone because the VIA MID will also feature telephony. Indeed, the slideout QWERTY and the tall form factor suggests this can be handy for calling. The mobile unit can run both Windows XP and Google Android at the same time could swith between the two depending on the function you want.

[via clonedinchina]

Optima OP5-E MID Runs on Maemo

BrianB — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:56:17 +0000

Nokia’s not the only one running its Maemo OS anymore because Optima OP5-E runs Maemo too. The 4.3-inch touchscreen MID is powered by a 806 MHz from Marvell with 128 of RAM. It has GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, 3.2 MP camera, and an 8-hour battery, supports texting and telephony. Nothing is known of its availability except that it is China-only for now. There’s no price yet.

[pocketables via journaldugeek, engadget]

iPhone TruPhone 3.0 app now available

Allan David Reyes — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:47:15 +0000

TruPhone 3.0 for the iPhone has just been released and provides users with a faster, more intuitive app to use for their mobile IM/VoIP needs. This latest iteration also features better call quality, and is even made simpler and easier than ever. While most of its free features are limited to a WiFi connection, you can likewise IM and make VoIP calls through TruPhone Anywhere via 3G which is charged at a local rate. The app, on the upside, is still free and supports MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, and AIM for IM, and Google Talk and Skype for VoIP calls. Sadly, though, this new TruPhone iteration isn’t available just yet for the iPod Touch, but it was assured that similar new features will indeed become available soon. So, if you’re disappointed with the limited features of the Skype iPhone app, then the new TruPhone 3.0 for the iPhone might just be the one you’ve been looking for.

[app store via realwire]

Mouse + Skype Phone for $22

BrianB — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 11:55:05 +0000

Here’s one novelty gadget you shouldn’t miss, even if it’ll cost you twenty-two bucks. Sure, you can get a Logitech Laser Mouse for the same price, but wouldn’t you rather have a mouse that flips open into a Skype phone, complete with alphanumeric keys and an LCD screen? I have a feeling this is going to be an industry-calibre computer accessory.

Here are the specs from Chinavasion:

128×64 pixel LCD screen with backlight
Only English supported
Connect with USB to your computer
1000 DPI optical sensor
Crystal clear audio with 16bit 48 KHz sampling rate.
Also compatible with Internercalls, SparVoip, NetAppel, poivY,
VoipDiscount, VoipCheap and WebCallDirect

Here’s a red one with a sliding cover, this time.

[buy direct]

Go! Messenger Ends for PSP

BrianB — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:19:23 +0000

Sony has decided to end the Go! Messenger service for the PlayStation Portable. After going live almost a year ago, the instant messaging and video calling service for PSP, thanks to Sony’s collaboration with BT, will cease. The Go! Messenger feature for PSP represents a communication advancement in all portable devices.

The reason is obvious: very few takers. “Although Go! Messenger brought innovative communications features to the PSP community, the service has not developed the base of users that we were hoping for,” said a spokesperson for Sony.It’s too bad that PSP users would rather go for a lilac color PSP than a portable gaming device with video conferencing, VoIP chat and instant messaging.

[source via engadget]

iRiver P7 PMP Now Official

BrianB — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 14:47:01 +0000

I know we promised to keep an eye on the iRiver P7 for you, but not to worry because the P7 is coming soon as iRiver has put up the product on ther website. The iRiver Home, a multimedia appliance with a VoIP phone built-in, has also made it to the website. Of course, the 4.3-inch iRiver P7 interests us more. Dapreview describes it as very similar to the COWON 02.

Specs of the iRiver P7:

4.3-inch 480 x 272 touchscreen
aluminum casing
4/8/16/32GB storage with microSD expansion
comes with optional cradle
plays MPEG, Xvid, WMV and RMVB videos
MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG, FLAC audio

[via dapreview]

iRiver CES ‘09: Wave-Home, D50N, Wave WiFi Phone and P35 MID

BrianB — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:10:51 +0000

At CES 09, iRiver made another big splash with several annuncements. Honestly, it’s like experiencing a flash-flood of new gadgets. It will take some time before we understand everything that iRiver has dropped today.

iRiver D50N PMP: very interesting PMP that could be a game-changer in the PMP and e-Dictionary industry. The D50N is a 4.8-inch WVGA player with a keyboard. No pricing yet. The 16GB storage may not be enough for today’s multimedia-edic user though.

iRiver Wave-Home: a multimedia communication device with VoIP phone and multimedia home controller. It has a 7-inch touchscreen and is stood just like the photo above. More at Engadget.

The P7 is iRiver’s new 4.3-inch PMP. It’s a touchscreen device with 50 hours of playback and all the niceties iRiver fans will be familiar with. We’ll post more of the P7 tomorrow.

The W10 Wave WiFi phone has also been made official. We’ve posted about the Wave Phone before.

The P35 MID has WiFi connectivity and a G-Sensor, which is wellutilized. The 4.35 touchscreen may seem too small for a MID but the feature is as complete as one can hope for. More later…

TruPhone app: VoIP for the iPhone, iPod Touch

Allan David Reyes — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:56:51 +0000

Here’s another iPhone app that adds VoIP functionality not only to the iPhone, but also to the 2G iPod Touch. The TruPhone is a free app you can download through the App Store which will gives you the ability make free calls to other TruPhone and Google Talk users through the internet. What makes this VoIP app different from Fring is that it also allows you to make calls to landline as well as regular mobile phones (with a corresponding fee of course). For you to make a call using the iPod Touch, you need to be connected via WiFi network and have a headset attached to it so you can actually hear and talk to the person you’re calling. Downloading and installing the app is the easy part. Finding a compatible headset for the iPod Touch is a completely different story.

Anyway, if you’ve been looking for a free app that truly gives you the versatility of a genuine VoIP application similar to Skype, then TruPhone app might just be the one you’ve been waiting for all this time. Likewise, there are versions for Nokia and BlackBerry phones available already so you can get your friends hooked on TruPhone as well. LG, Motorola, Samsung, HTC, and Sony Ericsson iterations of the app are coming soon.

[via cellphones etc]

iPhone Fring multi-IM, VoIP app now available via App Store

Allan David Reyes — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:25:14 +0000

Joining the likes of Palringo and JetSet, Fring is the latest multi-IM app available at the App Store. Fring, as the jailbreak community knows, has been around for quite sometime now, but this is the first time they’ve made their app available via Apple’s software store. What’s also unique to Fring is that aside from connecting with other IM services such as Yahoo, Google Talk, MSN, and AIM to name just a few, it also provides you with on-the-go VoIP through Skype. VoIP functionality, however, is limited to WiFi connectivity, but hey, at least it’s now finally there, right? What’s even better is that it won’t cost you a single penny. I’ve used Fring on a number of mobile devices, including a jailbroken iPod Touch, and I have to admit, I sorely missed it when I decided to give up my jailbreaking habit. Now, I totally have no regrets on turning clean since I can also get from the App Store. With this development, will all iPhone apps eventually land in the App Store at some point in time? I guess only time will tell.

[mobilecrunch via cellphones etc]