This has to take the honors in the coolest device sweepstakes. Berlin-based 4S newcom GmbH has created iBlue, a tiny IP-PBX, that comes on an Apple iPod Shuffle.
It has to be the smallest smallest IP PBX. (of course they could have put it on a USB drive, but would not have received any attention.)
The iBlue is based on the 4S IP PBX, a software-based IP PBX. It uses SIP for VoIP and runs on a Mac mini. The device boots off the iPod shuffle, and basically turns the Mac Mini into a PBX. I am guessing it could work on any old Mac that can support OS-X. You can install the software on a Mac as well. The 3000 Euro version of the package (including Mac Mini and iPod shuffle) can support 250 users and 30 parallel calls. I guess, if they offered a smaller, cheaper DIY package for say $100, they might get more takers.
The system provides a slick and intuitive configuration front-end, which is purely web-based and accessed by simply pointing a web browser to the IP address of the IP PBX. With just a few clicks, the system administrator can configure inbound number blocks, users, extensions, outbound routing and advanced features such as auto attendant, voicemail, conferencing etc.
Dear Om:
here ” I am guessing it could work on any old Mac that can support OS-X.” you are guessing wrong.
We are booting off the iPod Shuffle – a customized 4S Linux from Scratch
This is commercial grade VoIP software, based on the 4S newcom and ultimately the snom SIP stack, so I might takers for a 100 bucks – but who wants that ;-?
Harry
“It has to be the smallest smallest IP PBX.”
I guess that “2.0″ also means that editors don’t even have to work anymore and make any check on vendor’s claim anymore ?
Let’s google “smallest ip-pbx” : http://the-edge.blogspot.com/2005/10/worldss-smallest-ip-pbx-at-astricon.html
Or, if you want a more “serious”, yet smaller alternative : http://www.patton.com/products/peproducts.asp?category=348&MiDASSessionID=6f99fe1e357b450d9123c818d74bd247
details on http://4Snewcom.de
WOw, that is pretty cool, does it work with Exchange 2007?
it does work with Outlook – so I guess you could say it works with Exchange.
What does work now is to right-click a contact and have the IP PBX establish the call.
We are currently working on sending dialog-state to Outlook, so you can have pop-ups for incoming calls etc.
And does it work with any Linux PIM? Why only Outlook? I think it should work with at least Entourage and KMail. Also I whish it could cooperate with Skype and Gizmo and GTalk and … Wouldn’t this be possible? I mean: After all it’s all software.
But to sum it up: The iBlue is a really great device.