RSSVonage Puts Phone on USB Stick
By Ed Oswald | Published June 28, 2006, 5:08 PM
Vonage is expected to unveil a new device as early as Wednesday that would allow the user to turn any computer into a phone by attaching a USB memory drive preloaded with voice over IP software. The company today held an event for press in New York City.
When the device, called the V-Phone, is plugged in to the computer, the software would automatically launch. Vonage isn't the first to offer such capabilities, as several companies are already marketing similar products.
The closest comparison to what Vonage appears to be doing is U3. That company markets special USB drives that allow a user to carry, store and launch applications directly from the drive without any installation on the hard drive.
Customers will be able to plug standard cell-phone headsets directly into the V-Phone, and Vonage will supply one with the device. Each V-Phone is tied to a specific Vonage account and phone number, which is pre-loaded into the software.
The V-Phone will initially only store the Vonage software, but the company plans to release future versions that would allow users to store extra data. The USB drive would retail for $40, and would be available to those who sign up for Vonage service.
Vonage's V-Phone marks the first attempt by the nation's largest Internet telephone provider to generate interest in its products after a disastrous initial public offering in May. Since then, the company's stock price has fallen by half, and it has been taken to court by investors in a class action lawsuit.
Plans by Vonage to release the V-Phone were first reported by the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday.
I've been a Vonage customer for over 3 years now. This is a good idea but very poorly implemented. When you go to buy this thing, you have to get a new number which requires new activation and a new monthly charge if you're not already a customer. This should be free to use for existing customers--maybe a one time activation fee and the cost of the usb drive, but not an additional monthly fee. I'm glad I didn't sign up for that recent IPO with stuff like this they're putting out.
http://www.vonage.com/device.php?type=VPHONE
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|Hands on over at Gizmodo...
http://gizmodo.com/gadge...one-hands-on-184262.php
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|I am currently a Vonage customer. I phoned Vonage and they told me there was a $9.95 activation fee. They were uncertain if I would need a new number, and could not tell me if there would be continuing monthly charges and if so what those charges would be. This was after being put on hold for well over half an hour after asking my questions.
Okay, so the V-Phone has only been available for a day but surely they should be able to provide some simple answers about real costs.
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|I'm a Vonage customer as well and have had good service from them. They're support, however, is absolutely horrible. Early on I had to call them quite a bit and was often on hold for at least 45 mins. Most times I would just give up and hang up the phone. Worst. Customer. Service. Ever.
But I think they would somehow tie this to your number. I wouldn't mind paying the $10 activation fee, but there definitely should not be an extra monthly charge for this crap.
If you think about it, it's kind of lame because just about everyone has a cell phone anyway with decent plans that often include free long distance. The only time the V-Phone would be useful is if you need to call Canada while on the road or something.
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|One thing doesn't seem very clear to me, but is it available to already existing customers for free? Or is it just $40 for any new or existing Vonage customer?
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|Jesus, they need to stop doing dumb a$$ things like this and fix there network. They are the only VOIP company now that does not have ACR, the really sad thing is that they were one of the first VOIP companies...
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|Uhh... how is this different than if I just stuck SkyPe on my thumb drive?
Oh right, IT'S NOT (though SkyPe might not play nice without a proper install, I'm just being theoretical here ok?). Hmm... I wonder if they might give these away, sorta like how some companies give away cell phones if you get their plans...
So then we'd have AOL floppies all over again! Take 'em, stick a new label over the old one, and format 'em. Ahh those were the days...
Probably won't happen, but nothing says I can't hope. :D Hehe.
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|Portable Skype link
http://portableapps.com/node/246
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|Not a bad idea however whats to stop people copying the software from the drive or making a portable version of the existing software and copying it to a cheaper USB drive?
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|It really doesn't matter much to Vonage. Their main business is their voip service and they already give their customers softphone service. The only difference now is that cell-phone handsets can be plugged into this device.
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