Vonage Pro released

Posts: 1320 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Nov 08, 2006 Posts: 1320

Here is another plan for Vonage US users only. People have been testing Vonage Companion (pretty hush hush).

Only thing I could see that is worthwhile is the Vonage Companion (soft phone), but you can get a softphone for $9.99 already, and there is Vonage Talk, but that could get dumped now.

You get some 411 calls, then again Google does this for free! And also some free visual voice mails, but what I have read they don't always transcribe properly.

Sign up for Vonage Prosm today!

The perfect plan for your busy lifestyle.

Vonage customers can save lots of money on local and long distance calling. Now with Vonage Pro, you can save lots of time too. It works the way you do — at home, and on the go — so you're connected whenever you need to be.

For only $34.99† per month, enjoy all the great benefits of the Residential Unlimited Plan...Plus:

Vonage Companion™ — Download the Vonage Companion™ application to turn your computer into a fully functional phone. Vonage Companion™ uses your home number so you can make and receive calls from your computer as if you are right at home. Minimum PC Requirements.

25 Included Vonage Visual Voicemail® — Get messages automatically transcribed to text so that you can read them right from your email or cell phone — whenever and wherever you want.

25 Included Directory Assistance (411) Calls — You can access comprehensive listings in the US, Canada, UK, Puerto Rico and more. Vonage lets you search by categories and keywords to find listings even when you don't have a name or address.

Please Note: Visual Voicemail transcription overages are charged at $.25 per message and Directory Assistance (411) overages are charged at $.99 per message.

Access your Online Account now to sign up! If for any reason you are not satisfied you can change your Calling Plan at no charge through your Online Account or by calling 1-VONAGE-HELP.

Posts: 810 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Jun 08, 2007 Posts: 810

roscopco wrote:

. . . there is Vonage Talk, but that could get dumped now.

If Vonage dumps Vonage Talk and Conatact Book, there is little or no advantage to me staying with Vonage vs. other providers, such as the triple play folks. Hope they don't do it!

Posts: 1320 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Nov 08, 2006 Posts: 1320

Vonage had/has people testing Vonage Companion, not sure if this will replace VT and the contact book, I hope not.

Posts: 1320 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Nov 08, 2006 Posts: 1320

Ok, just read this on another forum:

Companion is the next generation of Vonage Talk. It includes a number of new features including Selective Call Block, Call Recording, Custom Ringtones, Quick Call Transfers, Enhanced Conferencing, and Inbound Caller ID with Picture.

So selective call block is available, but only on the computer application Vonage Companion. Not sure if you can call numbers outside of North America.

Here is the PDF manual for the Companion.

PDF manual

Posts: 174 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Dec 06, 2006 Posts: 174

roscopco wrote:

Vonage had/has people testing Vonage Companion, not sure if this will replace VT and the contact book, I hope not.

You don't have to worry. I just downloaded it and tried it with my unlimited account and, upon logging in, I got the message that Vonage Companion does not support my account.

I guess it only works with Vonage Pro.

Posts: 1320 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Nov 08, 2006 Posts: 1320

I figure in the future there probably won't be a free Vonage Talk, and I won't pay the extra for that, I already have a free incoming number and in conjunction with Grand Central and even Vonage Contact book, I can make an out going call using a free soft phone.

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Aug 07, 2008 Posts: 5

I signed up for Pro last week (added it to my unlimited plan), mostly for Companion (although I'm sure I’ll use the 25 information calls and the 25 text VMs that are included).

Companion is great. It's not just another iteration of Talk. It's a multi-featured softphone client that uses your existing Vonage phone #. And it lets you use both lines---the Companion line and your home line (or wherever your device happens to be) at the same time. In effect, it's a nomadic implementation of your home phone, but one which doesn't prevent full use of your home phone by someone else at the same time.

Let's say you're on the road and your wife is at home. Both of you can make outgoing calls on the line at the same time. As for incoming, it rings in both spots, and whoever picks it up first takes the call. If she's on the phone at home, your Companion line will ring (I'm guessing she hears a call waiting signal). If you're on the Companion, the home phone will ring (and you'll see the call come in, too). If the call happens to be for the other party (the party that doesn't pick it up), you can just transfer the call (two mouse clicks) to your number (the same number you're already on) and let it ring through until the other party picks it up (or it goes to VM).

The integration with Contact Book has been flawless---alll your contacts show up in Companion. Conferencing is easy, and there is a one-click recording option.

I’m not a big overseas caller, but according to the FAQ, the same international rates as you get with the $24.99 plan apply to your Companion calls (e.g., western Europe included).

Posts: 1320 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Nov 08, 2006 Posts: 1320

"Companion is great. It's not just another iteration of Talk. It's a multi-featured softphone client that uses your existing Vonage phone #. And it lets you use both lines---the Companion line and your home line (or wherever your device happens to be) at the same time. In effect, it's a nomadic implementation of your home phone, but one which doesn't prevent full use of your home phone by someone else at the same time."

Vonage Talk lets you be on the phone and also make and receive calls also. I use it when traveling and I have free internet in my room instead of using my international cell phone.

For 411 calls I just use the google 411 (1-800-466-4411), works good for me. I have read that the voice mails that are transcribed are a hit and miss.

I guess the difference between this and V-Talk is that you can still call the free countries and the call display might be more accurate. Also the contact book works with it. I like the *44 feature, say the name and the number is dialed.

I just don't think it is worth the extra money and Vonage should include it with the unlimited package.

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Aug 07, 2008 Posts: 5

How do you make outgoing calls (to non-Vonage numbers) on Talk?

Posts: 1320 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Nov 08, 2006 Posts: 1320

I just dial the number, can call any North American number, doesn't matter if they are a Vonage Customer or not. Awhile back there was a Vonage Talk program that you could only call Vonage customers or someone who had VT, now it doesn't matter.

Do you have the correct one?

Here is the link that you can see all the alpha programs:

Alpha Vonage Applications