Business News Holding

Tag: free

  • Sipgate Launches VoIP Assault on US Landline Market


    Sipgate has launched a free VoIP service in the US aimed at capturing a share of the 100 million users that make up the landline market.

    Called sipgate one, the new internet-based service uses a VoIP phone – or softphone – and offers a fully-featured service.

    The package provides a free telephone number, no set-up costs and no monthly charges or minimums.Users can also make free calls to other Sipgate users.

    Sipgate says it only charges USD $1.9 cents per minute for calls made or received from wireline or mobile phones – which it says is cheaper than Skype’s rate.

    Thilo Salmon, CEO of Sipgate, said that other features offered include click-to-dial, flexible call routing, and an online voicemail interface.

    Based in San Francisco, Sipgate is a well-established in Europe where it has been operating its "network agnostic" phone service since 2004.

    "There is simply no barrier to people disconnecting their old phone lines anymore," he said.

    "Phone and cable companies have long been pushing voice plans in the region of USD $25 to $40 per month – which end up being as much as $60 or more with extra charges – and that’s just ridiculous.

    "Even with calls to other landlines and mobile phones, most users will spend less than $5 a month using sipgate one.

    "And for those people only receiving incoming calls on their VoIP phone, the service is completely free."

    Sipgate also announced plans to roll out a multi-user edition of the service, which will target small businesses also seeking to drop expensive landline offerings.

    Other features include:

    • Need to write down a number while driving? Record any phone conversation by pressing *6
    • Want to customize your voicemail? Upload an mp3
    • Want your calls to follow you? Have your home, office and mobile phone ring in parallel
    • Left your mobile phone at home? Simply go online and divert calls to your office line
    • Want to talk to friends in an ad-hoc conference? Bridge them with the touch of a button
    • Missed calls while on a flight? A list is waiting for you in your email

  • Google Launches Free Voice Service


    Google today launched a free service in the US called Google Voice that gives users access to all their phones, voicemail and text messages through one phone number.

    The move is being seen as a threat to Skype – but also to telecom operators and technology firms.

    Initially Google Voice will only be available to existing users of GrandCentral, a service Google acquired in July 2007.

    But it is expected to be rolled out to the general public in the coming weeks.

    Google says the application helps users manage their voice communications better by improving the way they use their phones.

    It provides transcripts of voicemail and allows all SMS text messages sent and received to be archived and searched.

    The service can also be used to make low-priced international calls.

    Google says the new service will be similar to GrandCentral but with many new features.

    GrandCentral gives users a single number to ring their home, work, and mobile phones, a central voicemail inbox that you can be accessed on the web, and the ability to screen calls by listening in live as callers leave a voicemail.

    The service has been invite-only for nearly two years and has a sizeable waiting list.

    It’s too early to say for sure whether Google Voice is the beginning of the end for operators as a "voice pipe".

    What’s certain is that combined with Android it could begin to make life very interesting for them.

    The fact yet more data could soon be passing through Google’s hands is also making privacy activists just a little concerned.

  • BMW Offers Legal Way To Drive Z4 Roadster While Using iPhone

    smartphone iphone
    BMW has come up with a novel – and legal – way to drive its new Z4 Roadster while using the iPhone.

    No, it’s not some ingenious hands-free device designed by engineering geniuses at the German car-maker.

    It’s a free game for the Apple handset created by mobile applications company Artificial Life.

    According to BMW, the launch of the lite version of the "BMW Z4 – An Expression of Joy" game offers BMW fans the first opportunity worldwide to virtually customize and test drive the new Z4 Roadster.

    While the game will no doubt appeal to fans of the German sportscar, it also demonstrates the potential smartphones offer to inventive marketing departments.

    Andreas Schwarzmeier, of BMW Sports Marketing & Cooperations,said the car-maker was always looking for innovative and effective communication channels.

    He said the game had been produced to accompany the BMW Z4 marketing campaign.

    "For a long time the game market has delivered new products and technologies closer to the consumer," he said.

    "Additionally this game perfectly fits with the key intention of our brand ‘Joy’."

    Presented in top quality interactive 3D graphics, the lite version is described as "a unique driving game that lets players drive the BMW Z4 while at the same time painting a picture using the car’s tires".

    The virtual car configurator enables players to choose between the official BMW Z4 colors and rims to create their own roadster.

    The option to drive with an open or closed retractable hardtop gives additional authenticity.

    Selections can be made by simply tapping on the various components. Players can virtually rotate the car around in order to view the car from different angles. The customized cars that players create may be saved for use in the driving game.

    The game is available for download for the iPhone and iPod touch in Apple’s App Store. A full version is being prepared for release in May.