Edit your account to use a secondary service. It’s simple.

I would have to modify my Dial plan and assign an “extension number” to a named Gizmo user. I also have the Skype API’s and was toying around with the idea of making a Sip –> Skype gateway. Not sure if this is possible, but based on the comments on this blog, it is something everyone wants.

I’m implementing a SIP application for the Mac. Porting “whitephone” to the Mac (it already exists on WinBlows). I’m doing it in Cocoa, using the “resiprocate” sip stack and JRTPLIB for the transport. Apple just does NOT support any API’s dealing with VIOP. Quicktime is mostly for high quality audio and video, plus there are licensing issues.

As a Mac developer, I sure would like not having to “roll my own” and not have access to something like the RTC API’s that WinBlows has.

John

SIPphone did not sue Vonage for locking the hardware units. Vonage is free to lock hardware if they so choose.

We sued Vonage for false and misleading advertising. Specifically, not mentioning that the device is LOCKED and in fact suggesting that it can be used with any compatible system when in fact it can only be used with Vonage. Also, suggesting that it’s free by putting on the box more then 10 times in all caps “FREE” without ever mentioning that a monthly fee is required and a termination fee applies. Finally, saying “No contracts” when in fact you have to enter in a credit card and agree to a contract before using the device. You can read the lawsuit at: http://www.sipphone.com/legal

Consumers deserve to know all the relevant financial details when making technology decisions and that’s something I believe in battling for in any industry (media, VOIP, etc).

I’m happy to say that Vonage recently updated their packaging and responded to every one of our claims in the lawsuit. That’s great. I actually like Vonage, I recommended them to my Mom. But I also think it’s important for everyone to play by the rules.

As for SIPphone being open, there are many different levels of open. Open standards, open directory and open source. Using an open standard like SIP is the most important step because it means interoperability is achievable. It means consumers can by hardware and software from different places and have it work together.

An open directory is also important meaning can a Gizmo Project user dial others outside the Gizmo directory proper and the answer is absolutely yes. We are very committed to that. We interconnect with everyone who asks. These could be other SIP providers, universities, businesses, enum and even the intriguing DUNDI system.

I think an open directory is critically important to avoid the balkanization of VOIP like we have with IM. That is, an AOL user can’t talk to MSN, can’t talk to Yahoo, can’t talk to Jabber. That’s awful. I don’t want that for the VOIP world, I want it to work like email where it doesn’t matter what software, OS, or service you use you can email me. The only way this happens is with an open directory and open standards.

It’s true the Gizmo software is not open source, there are licensing limitations which prevent that from happening, but to me that’s the least important component of creating a well functioning VOIP world where consumers avoid lock-in. We are working with several open source initiatives to create GPL clients, so that will be an option in the future.

– MR

Here’s a related question: I believe Pulver/FWD has released an RFP for a software client where one requirement is FREE. How much would you be willing to pay for a SIP based software client that was unlocked?

For those who use MS Outlook as an email client, do you know how much you pay for that software?

[Hint, XTen charges $60 for single copy of Eyebeam]

This is a very full show recorded at nearly midnight, and has several very important announcement. One is a new Podcasting initiative I am starting, podcasters that want to be involved with Podcaster News Network need to listen in. I…

Yes, with GP one can many other SIP services. But what I was trying to point out was that you can not use GP as a client that uses another SIP service. pC can be.

My comment was made in reference to the legal action taken by SIPPhone against Vonage. With Vonage ATA one can call some SIP services. But the contention of the suit is that it can not be used as a client of another service.

The reason Gizmo accounts are set up with SIPphone (Gizmo’s creator), is that the voice compression codecs at the core are dramatically better when it is Gizmo to Gizmo calling, all the way down to a dialup connection. This is because at the core, we share the same components as Skype. The difference is that rather than use increasingly unreliable P2P networks for NAT travesal and media relays, we use a private network, which lets our calls zoom around the globe on fibre when needed.

One of their developers stopped-by to say hi.