Not content with just your eyeballs and emails - they want your voice now too: With a quick and easy to install Google Voice and Video plugin, you're ready to start making US calls in minutes.

Google Gmail Calling from right inside your web browser. US and Canada calls are toll-free through 2010 - with low-cost per-minute International rates available. For those using an Apple Mac mini or Macintosh Pro tower - ponder a webcam for Mac with built-in microphone, or a USB or Blue-Tooth headset for OSX Leopard.

Tags: gmail plugin, gmail chat, voip for mac, mac googletalk

Be afraid, be very afraid. As if Google wasn't satisfied with controlling what your eyes see when you search the web - they now want a piece of your ears. GoogleVoice was part of that equation - wanting, as always - to be the One-Stop place for your landline, VOIP and Cellular call management and routing. But there's too many competitors you see. So Google is moving to assimilate GIZMO5, as soon as possible. So that they control more of the flow of YOUR information. 'Nuff said.

Tags: google monster, google assimilation, google monopoly

VOIP users on the Mac often use more than one sound input and/or output for things like USB VOIP phones, chat headsets, microphones and such. This new hidden feature of OSX 10.6 Snow Leopard : Instead of using a third-party app such as SOUND SOURCE or SOUND MENU (search www.versiontracker.com) -- or opening System Preferences, just Option-click on Snow Leopard's Sound Speaker icon. Instead of the usual volume slider, you’ll see a list of available output and input devices; just select one to use that output or input device.

Tags: sound settings

The Luna USB IP Phone has a unique design with a full telephone keypad. The Luna is Mac compatible with many leading VoIP client software and its hands-free feature enables you to use your keyboard while you talk. It has a unique free-standing design, hands-free functionality and is SKYPE compatible with Mac OSX.

Supported Technologies

• H.323 & SIP
• AOL Instant Messenger
• BT Softphone
• Cisco IP Communicator
• Google Talk
• iChat
• Microsoft Office Communicator
• Net2Phone
• Polycom PVX
• Siemens optiClient 130s
• SJphone
• Skype
• SwyxIt!
• Windows Live Messenger
• Yahoo! Messenger

It's official: The latest iteration of Skype for Mac OS X is out of beta with quite a long laundry list of little fixes nailed to get it ready for the masses. If you're still running the previous version 2.7.x -- download Mac Skype version 2.8 -- and start enjoying free direct 1-to-1 connections - and optionally low-cost long distance calling. For Apple Macintosh users frustrated by other VOIP, voice, and video chat programs with flakey OSX to Windows connections, Skype is one of the better and more reliable cross-platform Mac to PC conferencing solutions.

From Skype.com's Release Notes:

What's new in version 2.8 of Skype For Mac:

• Skype froze when selecting "Quit Skype".
• Text was not visible within the chat input field that contained a certain Unicode character.
• Platform specific - Skype for Mac OXS 10.3 (Panther); Skype froze after deleting unread missed events.
• Platform specific - OSX 10.3 (Panther); Skype could not connect to the network.
• Mood message appeared blank after playing iTunes.
• Contacts were still visible in the "Manage Contact Groups" after deleting them from the Contact List.
• Video appeared blank between Skype for Windows and Skype for Mac.
• A video error message appeared at the beginning of a video call.
• Video and screen sharing functionality did not work after a multi-party chat
• Recipients screen remained black after screen sharing was resumed.
• A green line appeared when screen sharing between Skype for Windows and Skype for Mac OXS 10.4 (Tiger). Screen sharing
• Skype froze when screen sharing between Skype for Windows and Skype for Mac.
• An incorrect informative message appeared when entering more than 20 characters for a password.
• The Show in Finder option was not available after cancelling a file transfer.
• The typing indicator appeared within a Multi-chat even though no one was typing.
• An incorrect informative message appeared when trying to call an emergency number.
• Commas were not visible in mood messages.
• A users name and password field appeared blank after selecting the option "Remember my name and password on this computer" .
• An error message appeared when dragging and dropping a participant to an SMS group.
• An error message appeared when closing the SMS window after sending to multiple recipients.
• SMS functionality did not recognize newly updated telephone numbers associated to Skype Out contacts.
• Ringing sound was not available on incoming calls.

Tags: mac skype download, skype for apple, OS X Skype, How To Skype

It's a little tough finding a USB Vo-IP phone that not only 'Just Works' on Apple Mac OS X - but _fully and properly_ works as well. Unfortunately there's alot of phones out there - but very very few have the critical Mac drivers that are reliable and kept current with new OSX software releases..

In an ideal world - at the very least - USB IP phones should register with your Mac in System Preferences as a selectable USB audio device: The handset earpiece set to USB SOUND OUTPUT device, the mouthpiece the USB MICROPHONE input. And USB phones should do that - just as with a USB headphone headset.

But what may be missing are Mac OSX drivers that 'hook' into the phones hardware capabilities to say, launch Skype Yahoo Messenger 3 or a SIP softphone application directly from the phone itself. Or that would recognize the dial-pad and other on-hook, hang-up buttons that many phones have. Or that would enable the LCD display to show you addresses or call status.

Fortunately - at least for Mac Skype - they're big and popular enough that some companies tap into the OSX software hooks that Skype provided so that both the Phone and Skype's software are in agreement on how to initiate, manage and terminate a call. The Ipevo USB handset for Skype - or the model with an LCD display shown below are good examples of the few Mac friendly Skype solutions that work like you'd expect it to.

Ipevo Free.2 Phone

LCD Display For Mac 10.4+

Tags: USR Mac VOIP Phone, ipevo skype phone for Mac, mac USB phone

Hmmm. Thought you'd save with your regional phone company's 'Worry Free' calling plan? Where for say, $50 a month you could forget the fact that you probably only made $14 worth of calls last month, or only $23 the month before. Their 'Freedom Plan' freed you from having to do any math and realize you paid too much for you modest near and long-distance needs.

Even if you have a serious case of Long-Winded Flap-Jaw yourself, or a friend who can't keep their yappy short and to the point -- You can save a TON of real money with a tiny investment in a Skype pay as you go or low flat rate montly plan.

So why is Skype and it's VOIP - Voice Over Internet Phone calling shaking up eveything you thought you knew about local and long distance? PRICE! Rock-bottom pricing using the high-speed internet connection you already have - and already pay monthly for. So why not leverage your broadband investment to AXE your phone expenses? Skype gives you:

+ Get started with ZERO cost 1:1 Voice and Video chat calls simply download Skype for Apple computers. No cost, one to one communications with everyone in your Apple AddressBook in OSX.

+ The freedom to call anyone using Skype's Unlimited Calls to Landlines. With either Pay As You Go, or by purchasing as little as $10 of calling credits - save on Long Distance near - and far.

+ Enjoy a new dedicated phone number in your area: Choose your own unique local SkypeIn number. Just like a dedicated land-line: Answer on your computer when you're there - or let it roll to bundled voicemail option when you're not.

+ Reduce overhead costs with Skype for Business to cut communication costs and up your profits. Set up one account to manage multiple employee Skype expenses.

Tags: cheap long distance

Is your Broadband internet connection speed suitible for VOIP internet phone telephony? Most DSL and Cable internet packages can easily handle the rather low-fidelity, low demands of voice communication. But just how RELIABLE is your data rate? That matters to avoid dropouts, cut-outs and disconnects on a VOIP or Skype for Mac video chat or voice call.


Try this web browser based VOIP Connection Speed Test - courtesy of www.voipreview.com - to see how your line quality performs for voice and video connections. This VOIP speed test can optionally show you Jitter, Packet Loss, Quality Of Service (QOS), and other geeky metrics to give you a snapshot of the overall reliability you can expect for your internet communications applications.

Particularly for DSL users where bandwidth is often sold in different price and speed tiers -- your low-cost 'Starter' DSL 'Home' package may be slower than you think. Especially with differences in Download vs Upload speed and the susceptibility to phone-line noise, DSL data rates tend to be a bit more inconsistent than Cable.

Those at home or work sharing your connection over Airport WiFi or through a Router may also be contending and competing with other users on your local network. You may find your VOIP experience a bit more erratic than having a dedicated direct connection to your DSL or Cable modem going into your Mac.

www.mac-voip-chat.com

Tags: voip line quality, voip reviews . org, internet speed

The Mac OSX version of Yahoo Messenger languished for quite some time until more recent updates. In particular, nhancements to version 3 beta 4 has helped all the pieces really pull together. Yahoo has finally enabled BOTH voice AND Mac webcam video at the same time (which was sorely lacking for so long.) - And added true Voice Over Internet Protocol - VoIP - support.

Given Yahoo's huge user base - a Macintosh user is more likely to to have Messenger using friends than on Skype, and Yahoo now offers VoIP features not included in iChat. If you've ignored Yahoo Messenger lately it's time to download the latest v3 Beta 4 update and take another look.

Yahoo has partnered with JaJah and implemented SMS Text Messaging, VoIP Phone-Out calls to landlines as well at very low US and Canada 1 cent per-minute rates. Get your own dedicated Yahoo Phone-In number for as low as $2.49 a month. Follow this link to learn more about Yahoo's Mac VOIP offerings.

Tags: voip messenger, yahoo messenger mac, yahoo voip

Gizmo5 is an interesting alternative to Skype for Mac -- offering voice calling video conferencing and text chat along with integration with Apple's AddressBook. They even allow direct calling of Skype contacts for 5 minutes for free by simply dialing "skype_username".

Gizmo5 offers 500 minutes of calling for a flat $10, as well as other options for a dedicated Gizmo5 phone number (Gizmo5 'CALL IN' as they call it) for about $35 a year. Quite competitive with Skype's pre-paid minutes and 'SKYPE IN' features.

Another innovative feature: You can make Gizmo5 calls from ANY web browser: It uses the Adobe Flash Plug-In to tie into your computer's microphone and webcam to initiate a VOIP call right from your Safari or FireFox browser window. Neat!

Tags: gizmo calls, voip gizmo, mac gizmo

Don't underestimate the MAGIC-JACK(tm) (for INTEL Macs only) - It's perhaps one of the easiest and most affordable Mac VoIP solutions out there. The MagicJack VOIP USB to Phone Dongle appeal is in it's simplicity: Just plug it into your Mac's USB 2.0 port, connect a regular telephone, register your device to get assigned a dedicated phone number - and start making and receiving calls. Interestingly, the MagicJack mounts on your Mac desktop like a USB thumb drive to run the setup and configuration.

If your computer is off, calls simply roll over to the included voice mail feature. After the inital purchase of the device at less than $50 with its free year of USA region calls -- you simply pay a flat-rate $19.95 annually thereafter for continued free calling throughout the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. Low International calling VO-IP rate credits are available too. Overall the Magic-Jack is one of the least 'fiddly' VoIP solutions ideal for people who want a simple, non-geeky telephony solution that uses just a a regular telephone.


Magic-Jack Phone Interface

Win-XP-Vista-Mac Compatible

Tags: magicjack, mac magicjack, apple magic jack

If your Macintosh already has a built-in microphone and adequate speakers, Software Internet Phone (SIP) programs for Mac OS X - along with a VOIP provider such as ViaTalk - US Broadband Phone Service, or Lingo's Unlimited US and international calls - may be all you need. These 'soft phone' SIP applications appear on-screen as a virtual 'physical' phone with display and dial-pad you interact with just as you would a hardware phone. The abilities to record calls, display Caller-ID info and more are great for those who spend all day at their desk and want to manage calls via VOIP onscreen.

X-Lite from Counterpath is perhaps the oldest free SIP soft phone program for Macintosh OSX out there: X-Lite is the free version of it's more fully featured voice and video successor which is sold at retail: as eyeBeam. Paired with a VOIP provider subscription and the SIP settings properly configured, X-Lite is a great way to dip a toe into softphone voice call management on your Mac


SIP Communicator is a free cross-platform Mac/Windows/Linux based Audio/Video capable Internet Phone and instant messenger that also supports some of the most popular instant messaging and telephony protocols such as SIP, Jabber, AIM/ICQ, MSN, Yahoo! Messenger, Bonjour, IRC, RSS and soon others like IAX. Based on the SIP protocol, its more than just VOIP software, it is a full communications tool that lets you enjoyfree calls, video conferencing, SMS, chat over many existing protocols.

iSoftPhone is a slick program worth checking out: Works with over 11 US VOIP phone providers including Vonage, FWD - Free World Dialup, CallCentric and more. This is important because having easy setup and configuration with a VOIP calling provider known, tested, built-in makes it a snap to setup and start calling away at dirt-cheap rates.

Tags: OSx softphone, mac softphones, apple softphone, OSX SIP

VOIP is not all perfect - Here's a few disadvantages of IP phone telephony:
▪ You need reliable internet access to make calls with consistent quality. Voice in general is not very demanding, but adding video rapidly ups the bandwidth requirements.
▪ Your computer, or IP Phones and the routers they connect through depend on AC power, unlike our regular land-line PSTN phones which get power from the telephone company. It may not be suitible for emergency calling during an outage.
▪ IP networks, particularly residential internet connections are easily congested as you often share the total available bandwidth in your neighborhood with other internet users. This can cause voice and video quality to degrade - or the call connection to be dropped completely during peak usage.
▪ Ethernet and WiFi based IP Phones, like other network devices can be subjected to Denial Of Service (DOS) attacks especially if the device is given a public IP address or protected by a FireWall.
▪ Due to the latency implicit in Analog to Digital conversion and IP routing and hops to get from point A to Point B - there is some protocol overhead so VOIP may not work as well on satellite internet and other high-latency internet connections.

Tags: ip telephone, voip calls, voip problems, voip quality