Ooma.com

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/edw...9-19-ooma_N.htm

 

That thing seems like a good idea.

My question though, if it uses people's landlines in various cities to route local calls, then if I call my buddy in Chicago and someone's Ooma there acts as a router through their landline to my friend, is he going to be showing some other persons number as the caller? Stuff like that isn't clear yet to me. Also, I want Call Display!

 

I want to know what happens if the company goes belly up like SunRocket?

 

Way too expensive for it to be successful.

 

I dunno about that, it's potentially the same cost a a year of telephone bills. If you figure you'll never pay a phone bill again then it's awesome.

That said, they'll have to get under the $250 mark for me personally to be interested though.

 

I fail to see why this is better than Skype or Gizmo...

 

Because those don't utilize the peer-to-peer lines available all over the place. This means the likelihood of seeing the service remain free and functional is more likely as the host company does not need to pour millions of dollars ongoing into local partners in every region they can find.

Skype is for bandwagoners My brother in England has it but I'm not caving. He can just call my cell.

 

I haven't had a home phone in quite a while. A lot of people are doing the same thing. I also haven't made a long distance phone call at home in over eight years since I got a cell phone.

I think more people are willing to pay $20 a month for VOIP than to shell out $400-600 and gamble whether this company will last long enough for them to get their money back. Maybe I'm wrong, but I just don't see this being a big hit.

 

Hmm, I guess. I used Skype before it was known as anything, but now use Gizmo - I think it works better and its more stable than Skype, plus it doesn't rely on peer bandwidth like Skype does.

I haven't had a hard line in my house for 8 years. I pay for high speed internet and a cell phone, and use Gizmo for long distance, international, and 800 calls. Unlike on a cell, 800 calls over Gizmo (and Skype) are free, and the rates for toll calls on Gizmo are like half a cent a minute or something rediculous. I spend maybe $20 a year on long distance through Gizmo - having a anational calling plan with no ld or roaming helps a lot.

The nice thing about Skype or Gizmo is that it goes with my computer. When I go overseas, I can make really cheap calls. Heck, when I go to the Dragon (where there is no cell coverage), all I need is a landed Internet connection and I can make calls, by passing the need to drive to Robbinsville or pay hotel charge rates.

My cell is my main number, and people can reach me anywhere with it. Also, I use GrandCentral, so I have one number I can give out that masks my true number. Plus, Grandcentral and Gizmo record calls, which is handy. GrandCentral also screens calls, which can be a plus.

I have a land line phone for 911 only. Few people seem to know this, but every land line phone in the USA must be able to dial 911 whether its in service or not. If I wanted a phone to go with my Skype or Gizmo, there are other VoIP phones you can get that are less expensive.

 

Thats the million dollar question. I don't have a cell. I hate them. They annoy the crap out of me.

If you find 10 people being rude or inconsiderate to some total stranger, 9 times out of ten it is because they are on a cell phone. In traffic, at a store, in a movie theater. No thanks. Leave me a message at home or my office and I will get back to you.

My friend here at work is a pretty nice guy but go to Target withh him over lunch and he will make 6 calls to his wife. Usually one is while he is in line paying and the cashier is waiting for his credit card and five people behind him think he is being a jackass and he has no clue he is doing it. I just don't care to pay a monthly fee to be "that guy".

I do need reliable home service so my wife can get her weekly call from her father in Hawaii. I think I will end up with Vonage, even though I know they have not the greatest reputation.