VoIP / Land-line software: what's your fav?

[aximxp]

Hey guys, after discovering Microsoft Portrait (video/VoIP conferencing app) I started looking into using my Axim as a way to talk to friends and family on the computer. Then I start finding a few clients that support calling phone-lines off your PPC. At that point I went nuts.

Personally I think everyone should check this out:

Stanaphone

Basically its a service that uses this SIphone PPC client to make calls over the internet to land lines. You can configure the crap out of the software as far as compression settings etc goes and its skinnable. Plus you can sign up with this company without providing any credit card info and they give you 10 cents to try the service out.

I didn't think it would work but there I was using my Axim as a cell phone at my house. I live in Canada so it's 2 cents/minute within Canada/US, so that's 5 free minutes to call around and check quality. I found the Axim to work well as a cellphone, even just setting the speaker to middle volume the speaker on the other end was clearly audible.

Skype is another good client for this sort of thing but Stanaphone's pay system is better I find (can be set up to automatically add cash to your account if you run out) and lets you put money on in $5 and higher increments whereas Skype is $15.

Bottom line there's no committment, no connection/disconnection fees, and they give you an american number that works just like a cellphone with unlimited incoming calls. I'm really happy with this service as its cheaper than any long distance and requires little to no committment on my part.

Post your own thoughts on clients you've looked at.. for video conferencing Microsoft Portrait is a great piece of software as well.. it integrates with messenger to boot.

SKYPE! ...nuff' said.

Yep, I like Skype as well. BTW, there are extensive threads on both of these apps on this site.

[FallN]

Since when did Stanaphone start giving money out to test their service? They USED to give out $2 but stopped. When did they start again?

I just checked my account and they didn't add any cash...

skype echo's like mad and had huge delays on my network while stanaphone was clear w/ such a small delay it wasn't noticable. I called across the country with it from all possible ways (pc to pc, pc to ppc, ppc to landline, landline to pc/ppc) all were clear and impressive. Try it even if your a hardcore skype user

[wiresquire]

skype echo's like mad and had huge delays on my network while stanaphone was clear w/ such a small delay it wasn't noticable. I called across the country with it from all possible ways (pc to pc, pc to ppc, ppc to landline, landline to pc/ppc) all were clear and impressive. Try it even if your a hardcore skype user

No thanks. I use Linux on my desktop and Stanaphone doesn't have anything except Windows. Bad luck if you're a Mac user too.

If you're talking about Skype echo on the PPC, did you set the echo cancellation on via Tools/Options ? Made a huge difference for me.

ws

[Earn]

What headset do you use with your X30??

[FallN]

I noticed some major issues when using my JabraBT 250 Bluetooth headset and Stanaphone via WiFi.

Does anyone else experience this? It's like the Axim is having a hard time processing both WiFi and voice over BT at the same time. And, yes, I have my Processor set to Maximum Perormance.

[biffs]

I tried skype on my ppc. It was alright, but i need to try it on wifi, as opposed to BT

[larman]

Skype was never able to take a payment from me. Visa did NOT work!
Crazy.

At least with Stanaphone, they accept Paypal as it seems they both had problems with a Canadian Visa card.

I like the fact that Stanaphone gives you a phone number to be reached at, and includes voice mail which is then sent to your email addy as a wav file. I don't believe Skype has that service.

[ik8vwa]

I live in Italy and installed skype on my dell x30 high. It works and it's cheap but requires a good bandwidth (isdn with wifi at least) and does not work with gprs...
After your post here, I decided to give try stanaphone but I need to know:
1) can I install it in a directory different from the default one (e.g. my sd card)??? It seems that it needs to be installed through Activesync.
2) will it work with a gprs connection (14,4 kbps upload and 56,7 kbps download)?
Thanks a lot

[kissiffer4]

My knowledge of VOIP is pretty minimal, so don't jump down my throat if this is a daft suggestion! CircuitCity have the linksys wireless router at the moment for $79 and this includes 2 phone portsl. It is part of an AT&T package that utilises VOIP for $29.99 per month. This includes free local & long distance calls.

Worth getting?

Also, is it possible to use the Axim as a phone on the road using wireless?

[wiresquire]

My knowledge of VOIP is pretty minimal, so don't jump down my throat if this is a daft suggestion! CircuitCity have the linksys wireless router at the moment for $79 and this includes 2 phone portsl. It is part of an AT&T package that utilises VOIP for $29.99 per month. This includes free local & long distance calls.

Worth getting?

I just started looking myself.
3 things to watch out for:
- does it have a number people can call you at, eg as Stanaphone does above. Also check the area code. Maybe having a local area code is not available...
- many servces cannot offer emergency services or charge extra eg 911.
- does it only work from home, or can you roam with it and use it anywhere there is a network connection , eg on your laptop or axim

Lastly, $29.99 a month sounds to high for VOIP service. Check around on Google for reviews of other VOIP offerings.

For comparison purposes, Skype, though it doesn't have those features above is about 2c a minute to anywhere - local, national , international doesn't matter.

So $30 ~ 1500 mins a month. I guess it depends how much time you spend on the phone on whether the price is good for you.

At the moment I have a landline so people can call me, and I can use Skype when I'm calling them. I make a few international calls, so Skype is like my international calling card that I can roam with.

Also, is it possible to use the Axim as a phone on the road using wireless?

You bet! Anywhere you can get a wireless connection (eg freebie @ Starbucks etc) you can make a call with Skype.Same for Stanaphone, I guess.

hth
ws