Comments on: Barablu What? http://gigaom.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/ Trusted Insights and Conversations on the Next Wave of Technology Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:45:05 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Derrick http://gigaom.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-882354 Derrick Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:30:42 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-882354 <p>Some of the negative comments about Barablu are unfortunate. Clearly sopme people have had a bad experience. But in short, the product and service that is being offered by Barablu is competitive at the very least to other Mvoip Players such as EQO, Nimbuzz, Fring, Trutap, Palringo, Skype etc etc. The Barablu rates are extremely competitive; the call quality is excellent, the range of phones that they cover has increased dramatically, the innovative service offerings are increasing all the time, and it is more user friendly than Skype. They are certainly progressing well and they seem to be ironing out the sticky points that have created some negative comments. I'm not sure they will acquire world domination 'inscrutable chicken', but it seems very likely that over the next few years, there will be just a handful of succesful players in this space and Barablu are likely to be one of them.</p> Some of the negative comments about Barablu are unfortunate. Clearly sopme people have had a bad experience. But in short, the product and service that is being offered by Barablu is competitive at the very least to other Mvoip Players such as EQO, Nimbuzz, Fring, Trutap, Palringo, Skype etc etc. The Barablu rates are extremely competitive; the call quality is excellent, the range of phones that they cover has increased dramatically, the innovative service offerings are increasing all the time, and it is more user friendly than Skype. They are certainly progressing well and they seem to be ironing out the sticky points that have created some negative comments. I’m not sure they will acquire world domination ‘inscrutable chicken’, but it seems very likely that over the next few years, there will be just a handful of succesful players in this space and Barablu are likely to be one of them.

]]> By: Josh http://gigaom.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-862533 Josh Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:11:55 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-862533 <p>Interesting, just tried download barablu pc version, overall barablu software is at level 50 and Skype is at level 95 on scale 100, I don't think they can beat Skype. Symbian version? I think fring.com is better.</p> <p>However everyone may have a dream, including Barablu. Good luck new player</p> Interesting, just tried download barablu pc version, overall barablu software is at level 50 and Skype is at level 95 on scale 100, I don’t think they can beat Skype. Symbian version? I think fring.com is better.

However everyone may have a dream, including Barablu. Good luck new player

]]> By: LA http://gigaom.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-592956 LA Wed, 03 Oct 2007 13:46:09 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-592956 <p>BaraBRAUD, that is what. I purchased a nokia 9500 and I joined Barablu while waiting for a Skype client. The company simply does not exist. After you download the software, you discover: you can’t place a call with the communicator closed, and you can’t answer a call either. The reason is that you have to press a button inside dfor speaking and listening. That is right, you say something, press the button to listen, and press to talk again, as in a WWII radio. But there is more: once you buy the number and dial it in a cnormal phone, the number you have purchased does not exist! And when you right to their client attention, it does nto exist either:</p> <p>Postmaster postmaster@switchlab.com to me show details 9:41 pm (17 minutes ago)</p> <p>Unknown user: r.prakash@vectone.com</p> <p>Additional RCPT TO generated following response: 550 r.prakash@vectone.com: Recipient address rejected: unknown user r.prakash@vectone.com</p> <p>Original message follows.</p> <p>Received: from SMTP32-FWD by barablu.com (SMTP32) id AD86000E40118AD19; Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:41:09 +0000 Received: from barracuda.switchlab.com [80.74.225.105] by switchlab.com with ESMTP (SMTPD32-8.10) id A860E40118; Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:41:04 +0000</p> <p>Barablu seems to be a scam, and I have fallen into it completely.</p> <p>Ignacio on November 13th, 2006 at 1:04 pm - #</p> <p>YOU JUST WANT TO INCREASE THE POPULARITY OF THIS #*^! BARABLU.</p> <p>Vectone is the company behind Barablu (we all know that), Switchlab is the backbone of Vectone and Barablu. All of their technical opearations occured in Switchlab. So mate don't pretend.</p> BaraBRAUD, that is what. I purchased a nokia 9500 and I joined Barablu while waiting for a Skype client. The company simply does not exist. After you download the software, you discover: you can’t place a call with the communicator closed, and you can’t answer a call either. The reason is that you have to press a button inside dfor speaking and listening. That is right, you say something, press the button to listen, and press to talk again, as in a WWII radio. But there is more: once you buy the number and dial it in a cnormal phone, the number you have purchased does not exist! And when you right to their client attention, it does nto exist either:

Postmaster postmaster@switchlab.com to me show details 9:41 pm (17 minutes ago)

Unknown user: r.prakash@vectone.com

Additional RCPT TO generated following response: 550 r.prakash@vectone.com: Recipient address rejected: unknown user r.prakash@vectone.com

Original message follows.

Received: from SMTP32-FWD by barablu.com (SMTP32) id AD86000E40118AD19; Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:41:09 +0000 Received: from barracuda.switchlab.com [80.74.225.105] by switchlab.com with ESMTP (SMTPD32-8.10) id A860E40118; Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:41:04 +0000

Barablu seems to be a scam, and I have fallen into it completely.

Ignacio on November 13th, 2006 at 1:04 pm – #

YOU JUST WANT TO INCREASE THE POPULARITY OF THIS #*^! BARABLU.

Vectone is the company behind Barablu (we all know that), Switchlab is the backbone of Vectone and Barablu. All of their technical opearations occured in Switchlab. So mate don’t pretend.

]]> By: inscrutable chicken http://gigaom.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-426049 inscrutable chicken Tue, 07 Aug 2007 14:26:53 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-426049 <p>To "Chris on March 17th, 2006 at 2:15 am":</p> <p>18 months on and they're up to 1,687 members - global domination by the year 3000 then?</p> To “Chris on March 17th, 2006 at 2:15 am”:

18 months on and they’re up to 1,687 members – global domination by the year 3000 then?

]]> By: T. M. K. http://gigaom.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45037 T. M. K. Wed, 06 Dec 2006 19:06:23 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45037 <p>Ok..just to add fuel to the fire…I have a Barablue account (I got fed up with waiting for Skype) and down-loaded the software on my Nokia 9300i. … 1.) I checked my account online and saw a bunch of calls I have never made to Pakistan. 2.) So I call Barablu to get a few answers… and got none. What I did get was a bizarre crackly conversation with someone who spoke little to no English … but I was assured that I was speaking to someone in East London and not the Far East … but it might as well have been. From the little I could understand from the conversation, I was told to email my complaints to them … huh? I don't get it!.. Barablu has produced software that Skype can't manage (very good) … easy to use website (good) …but the company back-up and customer service that comes nowhere near (were are talking light years away) the product they represent (that is very very bad and just does not make sense at all)… it just doesn't smell right.</p> <p>I'm really starting to wonder now about just who is Barablu? I've parted with my CC Number and personal details and some money … BUT am I in trouble??? Should I cancel my credit card?</p> Ok..just to add fuel to the fire…I have a Barablue account (I got fed up with waiting for Skype) and down-loaded the software on my Nokia 9300i. … 1.) I checked my account online and saw a bunch of calls I have never made to Pakistan. 2.) So I call Barablu to get a few answers… and got none. What I did get was a bizarre crackly conversation with someone who spoke little to no English … but I was assured that I was speaking to someone in East London and not the Far East … but it might as well have been. From the little I could understand from the conversation, I was told to email my complaints to them … huh? I don’t get it!.. Barablu has produced software that Skype can’t manage (very good) … easy to use website (good) …but the company back-up and customer service that comes nowhere near (were are talking light years away) the product they represent (that is very very bad and just does not make sense at all)… it just doesn’t smell right.

I’m really starting to wonder now about just who is Barablu? I’ve parted with my CC Number and personal details and some money … BUT am I in trouble??? Should I cancel my credit card?

]]> By: Watty http://gigaom.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45036 Watty Wed, 15 Nov 2006 18:00:38 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45036 <p>Right girls and boys here;s my problem. I intend to load either Barablu or Skype to my laptop and XDA IIs. from what I read Barablu seems the better option on the XDA. But can I communicate one with the other or are they mutually exclusive. By the way I all ready have Skype on the PC at home.</p> Right girls and boys here;s my problem. I intend to load either Barablu or Skype to my laptop and XDA IIs. from what I read Barablu seems the better option on the XDA. But can I communicate one with the other or are they mutually exclusive. By the way I all ready have Skype on the PC at home.

]]> By: Ignacio http://gigaom.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45035 Ignacio Mon, 13 Nov 2006 21:04:49 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45035 <p>BaraBRAUD, that is what. I purchased a nokia 9500 and I joined Barablu while waiting for a Skype client. The company simply does not exist. After you download the software, you discover: you can't place a call with the communicator closed, and you can't answer a call either. The reason is that you have to press a button inside dfor speaking and listening. That is right, you say something, press the button to listen, and press to talk again, as in a WWII radio. But there is more: once you buy the number and dial it in a cnormal phone, the number you have purchased does not exist! And when you right to their client attention, it does nto exist either:</p> <p>Postmaster <a href="mailto:postmaster@switchlab.com" rel="nofollow">postmaster@switchlab.com</a> to me show details 9:41 pm (17 minutes ago) </p> <p>Unknown user: r.prakash@vectone.com</p> <p>Additional RCPT TO generated following response: 550 <a href="mailto:r.prakash@vectone.com" rel="nofollow">r.prakash@vectone.com</a>: Recipient address rejected: unknown user <a href="mailto:r.prakash@vectone.com" rel="nofollow">r.prakash@vectone.com</a></p> <p>Original message follows.</p> <p>Received: from SMTP32-FWD by barablu.com (SMTP32) id AD86000E40118AD19; Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:41:09 +0000 Received: from barracuda.switchlab.com [80.74.225.105] by switchlab.com with ESMTP (SMTPD32-8.10) id A860E40118; Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:41:04 +0000</p> <p>Barablu seems to be a scam, and I have fallen into it completely.</p> BaraBRAUD, that is what. I purchased a nokia 9500 and I joined Barablu while waiting for a Skype client. The company simply does not exist. After you download the software, you discover: you can’t place a call with the communicator closed, and you can’t answer a call either. The reason is that you have to press a button inside dfor speaking and listening. That is right, you say something, press the button to listen, and press to talk again, as in a WWII radio. But there is more: once you buy the number and dial it in a cnormal phone, the number you have purchased does not exist! And when you right to their client attention, it does nto exist either:

Postmaster postmaster@switchlab.com to me show details 9:41 pm (17 minutes ago)

Unknown user: r.prakash@vectone.com

Additional RCPT TO generated following response: 550 r.prakash@vectone.com: Recipient address rejected: unknown user r.prakash@vectone.com

Original message follows.

Received: from SMTP32-FWD by barablu.com (SMTP32) id AD86000E40118AD19; Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:41:09 +0000 Received: from barracuda.switchlab.com [80.74.225.105] by switchlab.com with ESMTP (SMTPD32-8.10) id A860E40118; Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:41:04 +0000

Barablu seems to be a scam, and I have fallen into it completely.

]]> By: RazrV3 http://gigaom.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45034 RazrV3 Thu, 09 Nov 2006 19:29:38 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45034 <p>To all wondering this does use SIP, I've downloaded and installed the application to my T-Mobile Dash, This also works on an Edge Connection. I've taken a look at the Log file created when the application is launch from the phone. There is all kinds of proof that they are indeed using a SIP protocol.</p> To all wondering this does use SIP, I’ve downloaded and installed the application to my T-Mobile Dash, This also works on an Edge Connection. I’ve taken a look at the Log file created when the application is launch from the phone. There is all kinds of proof that they are indeed using a SIP protocol.

]]> By: Sven http://gigaom.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45033 Sven Sun, 02 Apr 2006 02:01:27 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45033 <p>Sorry Om, but you're wrong here. Unless you have a phone-enabled PDA (such as the i-mate JAM), Skype won't work on your WiFi-enabled cell phone… Current Skype versions for Windows Mobile require a 400 MHz CPU, and most WiFi phones (e.g., i-mate SP5 a.k.a. Qtek 8300) have a lame 200 MHz chip. This is why Skype recently released a text-only (i.e., chat) version for Windows Mobile. Just wanted to get this right…</p> Sorry Om, but you’re wrong here. Unless you have a phone-enabled PDA (such as the i-mate JAM), Skype won’t work on your WiFi-enabled cell phone… Current Skype versions for Windows Mobile require a 400 MHz CPU, and most WiFi phones (e.g., i-mate SP5 a.k.a. Qtek 8300) have a lame 200 MHz chip. This is why Skype recently released a text-only (i.e., chat) version for Windows Mobile. Just wanted to get this right…

]]> By: Pam http://gigaom.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45032 Pam Fri, 17 Mar 2006 10:18:27 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45032 <p>I agree with Chris. Barablu is really good. Why are u guys so stuck up with Vonage and Skype. Its time u move on and try something new…which is Barablu. Its really a different technology and a welcome break from Skype and Vonage. I have tried Barablu and works pretty fine for me! I'd particularly like to mention that they are a lot more cheaper that Skype for their calls to regular landlines and mobiles.</p> I agree with Chris. Barablu is really good. Why are u guys so stuck up with Vonage and Skype. Its time u move on and try something new…which is Barablu. Its really a different technology and a welcome break from Skype and Vonage. I have tried Barablu and works pretty fine for me! I’d particularly like to mention that they are a lot more cheaper that Skype for their calls to regular landlines and mobiles.

]]> By: Chris http://gigaom.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45031 Chris Fri, 17 Mar 2006 10:15:27 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45031 <p>Well i tried Barablu for s80 and it has voice as well as IM…and boy oh boy it works perfectly well. I fail to understand how cum ppl have written all this $%^& here! Plus their forum doesn't have 39 members as posted by inscrutable chicken…it has double the members and considering that this is a new company its not bad for a start. Skype is ages away from launching free calls from mobile…so this is definetly one up on skype!! All u guys here shud definetly try it out!</p> Well i tried Barablu for s80 and it has voice as well as IM…and boy oh boy it works perfectly well. I fail to understand how cum ppl have written all this $%^& here! Plus their forum doesn’t have 39 members as posted by inscrutable chicken…it has double the members and considering that this is a new company its not bad for a start. Skype is ages away from launching free calls from mobile…so this is definetly one up on skype!! All u guys here shud definetly try it out!

]]> By: karim_nabil http://gigaom.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45030 karim_nabil Sun, 12 Mar 2006 03:10:15 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45030 <p>i tried that voipstunt but the problem is when i try to register like a new user they say that there is a problem on the server, anyone have a solution for that ?</p> i tried that voipstunt but the problem is when i try to register like a new user they say that there is a problem on the server, anyone have a solution for that ?

]]> By: Kelly http://gigaom.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45029 Kelly Fri, 03 Mar 2006 09:34:58 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45029 <p>I agree with John. I don't understand why you remove comments which are not the same idea of yours ones. I've downloaded Barablu to use on my i-mate sp5 and it works perfectly so I can call from free from my work anyone and anywhere in the world who are on the barablu network, in this case I call some friends of mine abroad.</p> <p>I don't want neither to change your mind nor people's mind, I just want to give my point of view, that simple and as I told before I am very happy with the service barablu provides.</p> I agree with John. I don’t understand why you remove comments which are not the same idea of yours ones. I’ve downloaded Barablu to use on my i-mate sp5 and it works perfectly so I can call from free from my work anyone and anywhere in the world who are on the barablu network, in this case I call some friends of mine abroad.

I don’t want neither to change your mind nor people’s mind, I just want to give my point of view, that simple and as I told before I am very happy with the service barablu provides.

]]> By: John http://gigaom.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45028 John Wed, 01 Mar 2006 15:20:19 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45028 <p>I just don't know why my comment has been removed This is a forum and I think anybody can express their point of view but seems that you just want everybody to read and agree to your comments and you don't accept any critics. Good for you! You will see your number of readers going down very soon!</p> I just don’t know why my comment has been removed This is a forum and I think anybody can express their point of view but seems that you just want everybody to read and agree to your comments and you don’t accept any critics. Good for you! You will see your number of readers going down very soon!

]]> By: inscrutable chicken http://gigaom.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45027 inscrutable chicken Tue, 28 Feb 2006 09:10:52 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45027 <p>Yawn is right. 39 active members on the forum - not exactly viral is it.</p> <p>The nail in the coffin is the brochure that a colleague handed me from 3GSM. Considering how excited he got the previous year about the Gizmondo I think it is safe to say that this one is going nowhere.</p> <p>ps James Enck is cool.</p> Yawn is right. 39 active members on the forum – not exactly viral is it.

The nail in the coffin is the brochure that a colleague handed me from 3GSM. Considering how excited he got the previous year about the Gizmondo I think it is safe to say that this one is going nowhere.

ps James Enck is cool.

]]> By: Nick http://gigaom.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45026 Nick Sun, 26 Feb 2006 10:57:26 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/02/19/barablu-what/#comment-45026 <p>As well as not being the first to offer mobile-to-mobile "free" calls I suspect the number of calls that can actually take advantage of this kind of service will be minimal for a long time to come. This is what is required to make a free mobile-to-mobile call; 1) Caller needs a compatible Wi-Fi enabled phone 2) Caller needs to have downloaded the compatible Barablu (or other) software 3) Caller needs to be in a free Wi-Fi zone that has the right kind of contention ratio 4) Callee needs to have a Wi-Fi enabled phone 5) Callee needs the software and have registered 6) Callee needs to be in a Wi-Fi zone when call is made Mass market? Not for sometime unfortunately.</p> As well as not being the first to offer mobile-to-mobile “free” calls I suspect the number of calls that can actually take advantage of this kind of service will be minimal for a long time to come. This is what is required to make a free mobile-to-mobile call; 1) Caller needs a compatible Wi-Fi enabled phone 2) Caller needs to have downloaded the compatible Barablu (or other) software 3) Caller needs to be in a free Wi-Fi zone that has the right kind of contention ratio 4) Callee needs to have a Wi-Fi enabled phone 5) Callee needs the software and have registered 6) Callee needs to be in a Wi-Fi zone when call is made Mass market? Not for sometime unfortunately.

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