Government is considering replacing the traditional communications infrastructure of the 911 emergency service with Voice-over-Internet-Protocol. This is brought about by inefficiencies in addressing emergency calls experienced by authorities during Hurricane Katrina in the recent months that led to numerous deaths, injuries and billions in property damages that could have been avoided with a more effective...

My former boss was a frequent traveler. Whenever there were international conferences of interest, he would be sure to go abroad to attend. However, leaving the office always posed some difficulties for our hands-on manager. He would always find the need to call the office to check on the progress of our various projects (and he also likes getting in touch with his kids every now and then) Things were quite...

Voice-over-Internet-Protocol company Skype has recently released a much-awaited upgrade to its popular VoIP software. The new version 2.0 features security updates and added features, such as a new interface and improvements in the personalization options. What’s notable with this new release is the video conferencing feature. Not only can you talk with family, friends, and colleagues over long—or short—distances...

Netgear recently announced its plans to release a WiFi phone for Skype. More popularly known as a manufacturer of networking hardware, including wireless-enabled broadband routers and WiFi adapters for desktop and notebook computers, the equipment supplier’s entry into the mobile phone market is marked with a stylish handset reminiscent of SonyEricsson’s own award-winning cellular phone designs. With the...

You may have heard about how wireless electronics manufacturer Uniden teamed up with Vonage, a VoIP service provider to release the Uniden UIP1869V, a 5.8GHz digital expandable cordless broadband phone system. Well Uniden’s done it again—working with Microsoft Corporation to create another digital cordless phone that can take both traditional and Internet calls. The 5.8GHz digital cordless phone bundles...

It is widely acknowledged that VoIP has brought with it a good number of advantages. Ease of use, affordability, flexibility — there are so many virtues to the technology which is the reason that it is gaining popularity. But implementing a standards-based VoIP network also presents an initial challenge in the form of selecting the appropriate standard. Over the past ten years, different industry standards...

Patent infringement is a term that almost all companies – be it big or small – loathe to hear. Why? Because it either means two things, litigation or a pay out – and frankly, both ultimately mean spending a lot of money. I remember the patent infringement suit that a company called Immersion Corporation filed against Sony. The subject of the infringement is the rumble technology that is used on its Sony...

Every year, my children write their letters to Santa, listing all the things they want to receive on Christmas day. When they’re done, they seal their letters in an envelope and lay it on a basket in the front porch. The basket always has a red ribbon with a ”magic bell” tied at its center. My wife and I tell them that when the wind blows, the bell rings, and Santa’s elves arrive to pick up the Santa...

The shirt you wear, the Christmas ornaments hanging on your tree, even the toys your kids are playing with—all of them are made in Asia. Sure they’re from a well known brand, whose main offices are either in the US and Europe, but the fact is that they’re made in anonymous off shore factories. They call it “outsourcing”, which when you think about it, is a miracle of logistics and coordination. You’re...

Two doctors discuss a complicated neonatology case. The baby, born with multiple birth defects, needs an operation to survive. The local specialist is concerned with the odds of survival, given the patient’s age, delicate medical condition, and limited hands-on experience with the disease. So he calls in the world’s expert. They will co-manage the case, even if they are working in two different hospitals...