GizmoCall Browser Based Calling Service Review
Source: smithonvoip.com
SIPphone Releases Gizmocall
SIPPhone, the company behind Gizmo Project, the open standards VoIP soft client today launched GizmoCall, a browser plug-in that allows use to make calls via a web browser. The premise behind the service is pretty simple: go to the site, dowload the browser plug-in, enter the phone number you want to call, hit call, and the call is initiated. All you need is a headset/microphone plugged into your computer. Nothing else is required.
More About GizmoCall
The GizmoCall service is so simple that is not much to it, but currently, there is one limitation. Call length limited to up to 10 minutes per day to most landlines & select mobile phones around the world. Hopefully, in the future, you will be able to purchase “credits” in order to utilize the service for more then 10 minutes a day. Also, a la Skype and Sitfono, they are offering a “Click to Call Me” button for your website.
What Others Are Saying About GizmoCall
“So what does this mean? Well for starters since you can point any SIP service to GizmoProject it means that the idea of a softphone as a piece of software becomes unneeded, because any browser now becomes a softphone.”
“With no desktop client software to download, Gizmo & SIPphone are betting that there will be further interest in their low cost phone service. While my mother is grateful for these low cost services, I still remain skeptical of a business model that is reliant on low price as a business tool.”
GizmoCall First Impressions
The first time you go to the site, you need to download the flash based broswer plug-in. This was kind of a pain as the way it is currently set-up, you actually enter in the number you want to call first, then hit call, then are prompted to install the flash plug-in. From a user standpoint, it might be better if they were prompted to first download the flash plug-in first. When I first visited the site to us it, I was a bit “frustrated” that I had to “wait” to make my call. Although the plug-in installation was quick, I had to refresh the page in ordered for it to show-up.
This is definitely a drawback of the service as-is, because the premise of the service is the “ease of use” and might turn-off some users. Fortunately now that it is set-up, the service was smooth sailing on subsequent calls.
In order to enable GizmoCall, I used my Futiro Terra USB Phone plugged into my laptop that was connected to my home wireless network. I made three different calls, all about 3 minutes in length, and the sound quality was impressive to say the least. The one thing I did note was the unusually long ring time (presumably due to the numerous different routes the call needs to take). Not the end of the world especially for a free call!
In general, I like the service. I, as Om, would like to see additional functionality similar to JaJah. I am sure many within the industry are questioning how this service is going to generate revenues. I don’t see the GizmoCall.com site making SIPphone any money, but I do see it drawing a lot of attention to the technology, which will lead to technology licensing or partnership opportunities with other companies that will use the service to enhance their offering or provide an additional value add. This similar to what was done with Gizmo Project and their partnership with Live Journal.
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