DailyTech - Vonage to Launch the V-Phone

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Internet Vonage to Launch the V-Phone
Tuan Nguyen (Blog) - June 28, 2006 11:37 AM

10 comment(s) - last by karanda12.. on Jul 14 at 1:16 AM

Make calls from your Vonage number from anywhere

Vonage today announced a new business product called the V-Phone. Essentially a USB memory key with embedded Vonage software that's configured to your Vonage phone number, the device plugs into a standard USB port and allows a special Vonage application to launch. Upon opening, the application will allow its user to make calls wherever they are located.

Using the V-Phone, a Vonage subscriber can be located in Europe, but make a call to a US number, from their Vonage account without having to pay long distance changes by using a local phone or their cell phone. The software installed on the laptop or PC will supposedly turn the computer into a mobile phone although details on how the device will allow users to make calls are scarce.

Vonage has not yet made the announcement for the V-Phone but is expected to do so today or tomorrow. The device already has received some doubts from several analysts. Some say that most people don't have the time to tinker with such a device when they need to make a call but depending on where the customer is located, it could mean some significant savings.

Ever since its IPO, Vonage has been in some hot water recently not only with Wall Street investors but also other large telcos. Verizon recently launched a lawsuit against Vonage over patent infringements.

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Vonage for the WIN!

By UsernameX on 6/28/2006 12:36:53 PM , Rating: 2

This is excellent news! I'm sure the USB key software will have a small enough footprint to load itself into memory without having to install anything to the hard drive. If that's the case, hell, just take a nice portable mic and headphone combo around with you, plug it into any mini-jack that's available on almost any computer, and you have a nice portable phone. What about sony's new little handheld 16GB computer. Find a wireless network and you have your new phone. GREAT IDEA!

RE: Vonage for the WIN!

By Chudilo on 6/28/2006 1:10:36 PM , Rating: 2

Or you could use your Pocket PC to make the call via Skype! without pluging anything anywhere. And I can use my USB to run the Skype client off it. (so that I wouldn't have to install anything)

Parent

sounds like..

By One43637 on 6/28/2006 2:57:56 PM , Rating: 2

i faintly recall a Verizon commercial that used: "V-Phone"? to describe a service or handset.

RE: sounds like..

By pcmatt1024 on 6/29/2006 11:53:57 PM , Rating: 2

this is the one you're thinking of. not sure if vonage will be getting away with calling their's the v phone

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BONWUU/103-18...

Parent

BYOMS

By Trisped on 6/28/2006 12:15:25 PM , Rating: 2

bring you own mic and speakers.

Sounds good for casual calls and users of Vonage. Personally I prefer email, that way I don't have to worry about them talking back to me until after I have sent the message and shut down the laptop.

Skype by any other name...

By Targon on 6/28/2006 1:12:06 PM , Rating: 2

It sounds a bit like a Skype type of setup. A telephone handset with a USB link to the computer or something similar is probably the way it works, but I could be wrong.

U3 anyone?

By Souka on 6/28/2006 1:26:21 PM , Rating: 2

"The software installed on the laptop or PC will supposedly turn the computer into a mobile phone "

Installs? Why not take advantage of U3 technology.

Also, it would be good for the USB key to have a Headphone/mic port to put your headset into.

Having both of these would allow you to make calls on just about any PC with a internet connection.

My $.02

with Headset??

By othercents on 6/28/2006 2:14:17 PM , Rating: 2

It would be nice if it was a fully functioning sound card too that had a headset jack or even a headset built into it. This way you can plug the device in and everything will be configured automatically. You just put the headset on and start making calls.

Other

Sounds great!

By GreenEnvt on 6/29/2006 9:23:41 AM , Rating: 2

My wife's family lives in South America, so long distance is pricey. My wife and I have a competing service, Primus, in Canada. We wanted to get her parents a primus box, then we could call them for free anytime, and they could call all their relatives for free too (with a monthly subscription to primus).
The problem is the voip gatway's require highspeed, which is not available where they live.

If this new product works on dial up, we'd be interested in signing up here, and then mailing them the usb key, they can then have a local number.

If not, we'll keep using skype.

I think...

By karanda12 on 7/14/2006 1:16:01 AM , Rating: 2

...it's the perfect time to take an advantage of a company in trouble. Just look at the discounts they are making to attract more customers http://bulgle.com/L/L/1vng.php
It's insane...