info on the v-phone

Posts: 9 · New Forum Member Joined: May 13, 2005 Posts: 9

Here's an article on Gizmodo about the new v-phone. Details are sketchy. Anyone heard more?

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/peripherals/vonage-announces-vphone-usb-183500.php

Posts: 1715 · Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:15 am Post subject:

More links:

http://techeffect.thedealblogs.com/2006/06/jeffrey_citron_defends_vonage.php

Posts: 19 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: May 03, 2006 Posts: 19

As seen on digg.com

Vonage to release COPY CAT of USB phone today

Looks like Vonage did not do their homework. Vonage as reported in the Wall Street Journal and Reuters is to unveil a USB phone today. It was speculated that they would claim this as a first but WSJ reported the technology is already sold by i2telecom's VoiceStick.com. They have a patent pending. Another lawsuit soon for Vonage?

http://today.reuters.com/stocks/QuoteCompanyNewsArticle.aspx?view=CN&symbol=VG&storyID=66865+28-Jun-2006+RTRS;

Posts: 1424 · Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:31 am Post subject:

From the digest, no extra memory on the initial versions.

Say it ain't so! What are you thinking with this?

More upsetting because my USB pen drive just broke, the pen, not the drive and I need a replacement.

Posts: 493 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Apr 29, 2005 Posts: 493

scerruti wrote:

From the digest, no extra memory on the initial versions.

Say it ain't so! What are you thinking with this?

* Vonage Talk Software Pre-Loaded
* Detachable Stereo Earpiece Microphone
* 250MB Usable Portable Memory Storage
* A New Vonage Phone Number

http://vonage.com/device.php?type=VPHONE

Posts: 1424 · Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:10 am Post subject:

OK, according to the site the phone has 250 MB of memory as well as being a phone.

Quote:

As a bonus, the Vonage V-Phone includes 250MB of memory that can be used to store your important data. You can use it to store files, MP3 songs, digital photos or anything else you want to take with you.

This was really important to me and would have been a serious deficiency had it not been included. 256 MB USB drives cost $10 online and $26 retail that accounts for 25% to 65% percent of the cost before you include the cost of the mobile headset.

Would I have liked to see it have more memory? Yes.
Would I have liked it to also be bluetooth compatible? Yes.

The thing I don't understand right now is how the service pricing works. It appears as though this would function as a regular Vonage line. This means that service for an existing customer would be $5 per month more than a typical SoftPhone client without any extra benefit.

Can anyone shed more light on this?

Posts: 1424 · Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:15 am Post subject:

Vonage tells us that the v-phone comes with stero earpiece microphone.

Can the sound component on the v-stick be used from other programs? For example, can I install an Ogg player on the stick, some music and listen to it on the headphones? What is the quality of the included headphones? Would it make a difference to upgrade the headphones?

Could I use the headphones and microphone in other voice enabled applications, for example IM clients or games?

Posts: 27 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Nov 27, 2004 Posts: 27

All the articles I have read on this v-phone seem to imply this device utilizes my existing account/phone #... I see no mention of needing to pay for an extra line...is that accurate? They make it sound like this device makes it easy to "take your phone on the road with you". No additional charges beond the cost of the device ($39.99 + $10 shipping) and $10 activation fee.

If this is true, and I use my v-phone with my laptop on the road, can my family continue to use my home-based line simultaneously with no conflict?

Posts: 493 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Apr 29, 2005 Posts: 493

jfullam wrote:

All the articles I have read on this v-phone seem to imply this device utilizes my existing account/phone #... I see no mention of needing to pay for an extra line...is that accurate?

I haven't seen any mention of needing to pay for another line, but it does say you have a new phone number, and refers to "other Vonage lines."

Posts: 27 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Nov 27, 2004 Posts: 27

I did find an AP article that says the following, if this is true, forget it...I'll just use my cell:

Importantly, this product is being positioned as a mobile tool, particularly for the business users Vonage has struggled to attract. It's not being marketed as a replacement for the standard home-based Vonage adapter that connects a phone with the broadband line and rarely gets unplugged.

Each V-Phone is programmed with a specific number and calling plan, and the company hopes and expects to generate new revenue as current customers sign up for an additional V-Phone account rather than transfer an existing Vonage number to the device.

The company isn't offering an option where you can have both an adapter and a V-Phone programmed with the same phone number. So if you do choose to port an existing Vonage number to a V-Phone, you'd essentially be turning off your home phone and sending calls to voicemail every time you venture out with the gadget in tow.