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gizmo posts

Filed under: Audio, Internet, VoIP, Web

Make phone calls from your web browser with GizmoCall

GizmoCallThe folks behind VoIP application Gizmo have rolled out a new Flash-based application that lets you make calls to other Gizmo users or to telephones using your web browser. You'll still need a Gizmo account to use GizmoCall, but you can call other Gizmo users or 1-800 numbers for free. And you can purchase credit to make calls to land lines or cellphones.

GizmoCall offers decent audio quality, although I did notice a few glitches when making a test call from my browser. The software did a pretty good job of detecting the default microphone plugged into my computer. If you're signed into your account you can also receive calls. That wouldn't be a very useful feature if you had to leave the GizmoCall web page open all day to receive calls, but there's embed code you can use to add the widget to your homepage, blog, or other web site.

Gizmo also offers a desktop client for Windows, Mac, Linux, or Nokia Tablet users. And there's a mobile version that runs on a variety of cellphones including BlackBerry and Windows Mobile devices.

Filed under: Business, Utilities, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Productivity, Web services, VoIP

Gizmo's PC-to-PC calls for business

gizmo business callingBusiness callers now have a way to utilize free calling between co-workers in different locations worldwide. The Gizmo Project for business is a collection of features and services that is sure to save money for business without the cost of VoIP phones, or high rates through traditional phone lines.

With the business plan, users also have free voicemail, call forwarding, conference calling, and instant messaging that lets users immediately know who is online. There are Windows, Mac and Linux platform support, so no one is left out. With the addition of a plan called All Calls Free, users can also make free calls to landlines and mobile phones in the US, Brazil, European, and Asian countries.

To use the service, businesses have to fill out a form, and Gizmo will contact you. In the form, the business specifies the number of Gizmo accounts they are interested in, the credit amount they wish to apply, and how many numbers they will need.

Filed under: Internet, Freeware, VoIP

Hullo: Versatile VoIP

HulloHullo looks very interesting. It's a VoIP service described as a "personal manager that will change the way you stay in touch." What sets Hullo apart from the likes of Skype or Gizmo is the way it can integrate your Windows-based "softphone," your cell phone, and your land line(s). How does it do that? When you set up Hullo, you enter your other phones' numbers, and then when someone calls you, Hullo will route the call as you please--if you're not at the computer, it can ring your home phone, then your cell, and so on. Somewhat more interestingly, you can set up different rules for different friends, so for example your best friend could be routed right to your cell phone, whereas your parents could be sent to voicemail. Not that you'd want to do that. Hullo also has a cool "Handoff" feature that will let you switch a call from one device to another, e.g. if you're talking on the computer and have to leave the house, you can seamlessly transfer the call to your cell phone. Hullo is currently in beta and all calls to North America are free.

[Via Alec Saunders]

Filed under: Windows, Macintosh, Linux, VoIP

The age of free phoning has arrived

As many have predicted for the last few years, free telephone service is here, today. You just can't get it from your local phone company. You've got to use the Internet to connect to a service that can route your calls for free.

First to jump headfirst into the free phone action was Skype, offering free PC-to-phone calls for the rest of the year, and now Gizmo Project has joined Skype by creating their All Calls Free program. In case you've never heard of Gizmo Project, it's a fantastic VoIP desktop communication tool for Mac, Windows, and Linux. As my VoIP industry buddy Andy Abramson points out here, this is probably a ploy aimed at acquisition of Gizmo's parent company than it is an effort to build revenue, but only time will tell. Free calling is here, now, so don't waste any time--get over to gizmoproject.com and download the newest version.

Filed under: Internet, Security, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Freeware

Zfone: Secure, encrypted VoIP from PGP creator

ZfonePhil Zimmerman, creator of the popular PGP encryption system, has released Zfone, an app that adds secure encryption to any SIP-based VoIP client like Gizma, Wengo, or Ekiga. The encryption protocol, which Zimmerman has submitted as a standard draft to the IETF, is exclusively peer-to-peer, meaning it does not rely on public key infrastructure for security. Zfone is currently available for free for Mac OS X and Linux, with a Windows version due in April.

[Via Boing Boing]

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