VoIP provider Ooma has detailed a new cordless handset with smartphone elements to enhance its Internet-based voice calling. The Ooma HD2 gets a still-small but improved two-inch color screen and picture caller ID. With it, users see caller's Facebook profile picture, giving a much better ability to gauge if it's a friend or not.
Ooma expanded outside of the US for the first time with a Canadian launch for its phone service. Like its American sibling, it uses VoIP to provide all of the services of a landline, such as caller ID, voicemail, and 911, for free inside of the country. All of the cost is folded into the up-front cost of the Telo phone itself, which it estimates could save a Canadian $200 in the first year if they quit a $40 monthly conventional phone service.
Ooma has introduced a wireless accessory for its Telo home phone system. The Air adapter attaches directly to the back of the Telo box, enabling connection to a home network via Wi-Fi rather than requiring users to route an Ethernet cable. The wireless option is claimed to support the same level of quality as a direct connection.
Ooma Mobile on Wednesday introduced a new calling plan that gives subscribers 1,000 minutes of talk time for less than $5 per month. This plan is available only to those who downloaded the Ooma Mobile app for the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch that lets them call friends in the US and internationally. The calls are routed over the Internet, using the device's Wi-Fi or 3G connection, saving them from using plan minutes.
VoIP phone service provider Ooma, Inc. on Tuesday said it has introduced new international calling bundles. Customers can pick from three plans, including one that includes 1,000 minutes of calls to 70 countries for $10 per month. It serves as an extension of the company's existing 70-country, 500-minute, $5 per month plan, though this continues to be only available to Premier subscribers.
Ooma broke away from its tie-in to its own hardware on Tuesday through an iOS app, Ooma Mobile ($10, App Store). The app uses an existing Ooma account to make VoIP calls from an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch to real-world numbers, even over traditionally off-limits 3G. Although it doesn't use Ooma phones like the Telo, it still has the company's own voice compression technique and may help with 3G use by cutting down on bandwidth use.
Ooma's latest is its Bluetooth Adapter that lets Ooma Telo Premier subscribers make their cellphone calls using VOIP. Once set up ith a Bluetooth-capable phone, incoming calls can be answered by Ooma Telo handsets when users are in their homes. The connected cellphone can simply sit and recharge, and users won't take on airtime charges.
Ooma has announced that its Telo VoIP device is set to get several additional features. The company's Pure Voice technology is claimed to maintain landline-quality audio even with consistent packet loss of up to 50 percent. The system complements built-in QoS methods and reduces bandwidth requirements, helping the Telo work effectively when using Internet connections heavily used by other services such as streaming video, gaming, or downloads.
Internet phone company Ooma on Friday began shipping its Telo handset and has introduced a new International Calling Bundle for Premier subscribers for savings on international calls. This follows the release of the Ooma Telo home base nearly two months ago. Each Ooma Telo base can support up to four handsets, with each handset having access to Ooma Telo's full range of features and services.
Ooma on Thursday announced its Ooma Telo web-based home phone should now be widely available in stores. Ooma Telo gives users free US local and long distance calls using their existing Internet connection. As such, there are no associated monthly fees, other than the cost of the broadband connection, and users only need to pay for the Ooma home phone. The device also brings with it caller ID, call waiting and 911 emergency services for no extra fees.
Startup Internet phone company ooma on Wednesday addressed a longstanding gap in its lineup with the introduction of the Telo. The company's first dedicated phone gives users both a cordless handset as well as a matching router that combined take advantage of the Internet nature of ooma's service: besides caller ID and ringtones, it can also talk to a PC to update contacts and play voicemail away from the phone. It will also send address information immediately in the event of a 911 emergency call.
On Wednesday, VoIP phone line provider ooma announced it has enhanced its phone system by adding features while reducing costs. The service now allows users to add as many as nine virtual phone numbers, each with their own area code, giving users the option to assign a new number to a user's home office business and assign a specific number to each member of the family. Ringtones for each phone number are customizable so users know which number is being phoned, or each virtual phone line can be assigned to a specific phone in the home. Each number has its own voicemail inbox with individual settings, including those outlined below.
