Gizmo Call Launches, Browser-based VoIP
VoIP company SIPphone is at DEMO today, where it is launching Gizmo Call - an online service that makes VoIP phone calls possible from any web browser. It works via a Flash plugin, which enables users to make calls simply by typing a phone number into a text-field in a browser. Users can also use URLs like http://gizmocall.com/18005551212 (that link is an example only and will not work). Gizmo Call is separate from SIPphone's other app, The Gizmo Project, which is a download VoIP app like Skype.
You do need to download a 1MB Flash plugin for Gizmo Call to work, so it's not a download-free browser app. However it's a once-only install and it lowers the bar for consumers wanting to start using VoIP. I myself am trying to use VoIP more in my life and telling family members about it too (of course poor broadband service is an issue here in my country!).
Gizmo Call is a nice step forward in VoIP, because users don't need to download a big client and run a traditional installer. They don't even need to setup an account. After the Flash plugin is installed, users can immediately make calls - albeit limited to 5 free minutes of calling per day "to just about any phone number". They can get 10 minutes free calling if they register with an email address and can also buy Call Out minutes. Besides PSTN phones, Gizmo Call users can call for free Google Talk users, Windows Live users, Gizmo Project users and any SIP address/device. There's also a feature enabling users to customize their CallerID, so when they make a web call it can appear to come from their mobile or office phone. Plus, being a browser-based service, users can integrate Gizmo Call into their blogs and social network pages.
Right now I use SkypeOut (and also SkypeIn), but as a non-US user I usually have to pay for SkypeOut calls. So I will probably try Gizmo Call on a few short calls and, if the calling rates are lower than Skype and with no discernable loss in quality, I will probably switch. So beware Skype, the switching costs are pretty low in this industry, with so much hot competition in the VoIP arena. It certainly keeps Skype on their toes and pushes everyone to come up with free or low cost solutions for consumers. Note that it's still relatively expensive to use these services if you don't happen to be based in the US, so I'm looking forward to more price competition in VoIP-to-phone for international users. Bring it on!
Share1 TrackBacks
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.readwriteweb.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/1922
Comments
Subscribe to comments for this post OR Subscribe to comments for all ReadWriteWeb posts
If this is using the same network as Gizmo Project, I would expect to see significantly lower call quality on it from that of Skype.
I have used both to record podcasts, and whilst Gizmo would be more convenient given its record button, the quality on PC-PC calls simply isn't up to scratch when compared to Skype.
That may not be something, however, that concerns the mainstream; to a new VoIP user with no expectations, they will be impressed if the service performs even slightly more effectively than PSTN. So it could work.
Richard, check out the extension that a friend of mine built for Zoep. These are the same guys that built ours. http://glaxstar.com/clients/
Keep your eye out for a Skype extension.
You do need to download a 1MB Flash plugin for Gizmo Call to work, so it's not a download-free browser app.
Actually, the GizmoCall download IS NOT part of the Flash plugin, despite the misleading text in the application. The GizmoCall application is a separate executable that uses the Adobe Flash Player as a conduit into the browser.
Another Adobe blogger, John Dowdell, has posted in an attempt to clarify this: http://weblogs.macromedia.com/jd/archives/2007/01/gizmo_voip.cfm
-steve / Adobe Systems
I guess I'm failing to see how this is different than Skype, Gizmo Thick, AIM, GTalk, ect? Sure it's in a browser, but I still have to download and install an EXE? LAME-O. YAVA, Yet Another Voice App.
"So beware Skype, the switching costs are pretty low in this industry, with so much hot competition in the VoIP arena. It certainly keeps Skype on their toes and pushes everyone to come up with free or low cost solutions for consumers. Note that it's still relatively expensive to use these services if you don't happen to be based in the US, so I'm looking forward to more price competition in VoIP-to-phone for international users."
Nice post. I agree. Telecoms has always been supercompetitive...it's an industry where the consumer always stands to benefit and the stubborn providers as I have seen end up paying the ultimate price.
GizmoCall worked nicely for me.
It does have some real advantages over Skype. First off they allow free calling. Also they have callerID so when you call someone the receiver sees whatever number you want them to see. The annoying thing with Skype is that people don't see your mobile or office number. Finally, GizmoCall is just a lot quicker to get going than Skype. Skype is a big download, then you have to run the installer, then you have to register an account (good luck finding an available name). With GizmoCall you just install the plugin and call right from the browser. No registration required.
The call quality seemed the same for me from Gizmo Call and Skype, but maybe it depends where you call? Wonder how the rates compare? Skype is now charging a COMPLETELY bogus "call setup" fee with every call - as if some old lady has to plug in the wires. Lame!
hi
hi
Unfortunately, gizmo call doesnt work on my linux box. They said they will fix it soon. I'm also using the normal gizmo one, i find the quality not that good. BTW, anyone tried VoipStunt. Apparently the quality is very good, and prices are very competitive. Free to most european countries, US (including mobile 1 euro cent/min), Aus... landlines. With 10 euro credit, the account lasts for 120 days, and you can call for free to those countries. But the software is just plain VoIP, no IM or no PC to PC call. Anyway, i'm quite happy with VoipStunt. You will find a lot of good deals if you visit their site www.voipstunt.com