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Will the Vonage Calling App Stay in the App Store?

Ryan Whitwam — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:30:52 -0500

The ongoing and confusing saga of the iPhone App store continues. This time Apple has approved an official Vonage app with some very familiar features. The Vonage app does standard VoIP via Wi-Fi, as one would expect. However, it also works over the cellular network.

Vonage has clarified that it doesn’t use cellular data, but rather cellular voice. Calls are routed through a special Vonage number allowing very cheap international calls. Sound like anything you know of? Maybe like a little service that starts 'G', and ends with 'oogle Voice'?

Michael Tempora, senior VP of products at Vonage, said that the Vonage app does indeed work in a similar way to Google Voice when used over the cellular network. He went on to say that he saw no reason for Apple to pull the app. “We built the application in complete accordance with Apple’s rules,” he said.

This leaves only a few reasons Apple might have used to reject Google Voice while keeping Vonage. Maybe it was the address book syncing, maybe the free text messaging, or maybe just because it was from Google. Where do you stand? Will Apple yank the Vonage app? Or are they leaving it in to yank Google’s chain?

OCZ Goes on Hyper(sonic) Shopping Spree!

Paul "One4yu2c" Lilly — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:19:29 -0500

OCZ Continues Shopping Spree

Just months after gobbling up PC Power & Cooling, largely considered the authority among desktop PSUs, OCZ announced yesterday they're acquiring Hypersonic PC. The boutique OEM specializes in high end gaming machines in the US market, and OCZ will look to take their new division global. Hypersonic is the latest boutique to be bought out, with Dell previously snagging Alienware, and HP scooping up Voodoo.

Senate Stomps (not Stamps) Internet Tax

Last week the House of Representatives approved a four year extension to an internet tax moratorium in an overwhelming 405-2 vote, and last night the Senate upped the ante by approving a seven-year extension. Still short of the permanent ban sought by many, the two branches of Congress will have to reach a compromise on the length and other key areas before passing the bill to President Bush.

Vonage Settles with Verizon

Vonage no longer conjures up images of dancing girls singing "woo hoo, woo hoo hoooo," and instead has become almost synonymous with patent infringement lawsuits. Getting one step closer to putting their legal woes behind, Vonage said they've settled a patent lawsuit with Verizon for a maximum of $120 million. Earlier this month, Vonage settled another patent suit with Sprint Nextel Corp. for $80, but they're not quite in the clear just yet; AT&T got in on the legal action last week and has sued Vonage for, you guessed it, patent infringement. We can hear the investors now - "Boo hoo, boo hoo hoo..."

What's Cooler than a USB Humping Dog?

Well, nothing really. But almost as high on the geek neato meter sits Matchbox Twenty's new method for distributing their newest album, which they're doing via USB bracelet! The $35 bracelet, sold exclusively at BestBuy, will include all 17 songs from the album, the music video How Far We've Come, band interviews, a digital booklet with album art, and other goodies for use on your PC. It's a novel concept, but with BestBuy selling the standalone CD for $13.99, will fans be willing to pay more than twice as much for the geeky gadget?

San Jose Libraries Get Rise out of Readers

San Jose, the tenth largest city in the US, really means it when they say 'the fun never stops.' How else could you explain the decision to allow porn on their libraries' computers? But not all residents are impressed, and pressured among angry protests, San Jose officials are researching the costs and free speech tradeoffs associated with implementing internet filtering at each of the 17 libraries. The city council voted against filtering in 1997 citing concerns that it would end up blocking legitimate health research.

Anti-Groping Cell Phone Software

Groping's gotten out of hand (er, in hand?) on Japanese subways, and potential victims have started using their cell phones to ward off threats. Released in 2005, the 'Anti-Groping Appli' program is now the 7th most popular cell phone app, according to Spicy Soft Corp. When activated, the application flashes increasingly threatening messages to would-be gropers, along with a warning chime, with the last warning asking "Shall we head to the police?"

Daily News Brief: Auto Pilot Software for your Car!

Paul "One4yu2c" Lilly — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 18:13:43 -0500

Super Cruise Control!

Ever wish you could throw your car into auto pilot and sleep through rush hour? Teledyne Technologies has, and their software is being used to control TerraMax, a large green truck capable of driving itself. The prototype can navigate and obey traffic rules all on its own, such as stopping at a four-way intersection and waiting until it's clear. The most likely use for this technology will probably be with the military, though we'd love to see cell phone chatting, make-up applying motorists end up as beneficiaries at some point.

Sony Confirms 40GB Playstation 3

It was rumored, and now it's confirmed; Sony will start selling a 40GB version of the Playstation 3 console this Wednesday in Europe. Priced at €399 (roughly $560), the new vesion cuts the USB ports down from four to two, ditches the multi memory card port, and throws backwards compatibility with PS2 games out the window. Sony claims backwards compatibility was nixed from lack of user interest, and "availability of a more extensive line-up of PS3 specific titles." Er, thanks?

Google Developing Cell Phone OS

There's been much speculation about an upcoming gPhone from Google, but don't expect the iPhone killer any time soon. Instead, the NYTimes reports Google's more interested in creating mobile software to challenge Microsoft's Windows Mobile. The as yet unnamed open source platform will seek to cut into Microsoft's 10 percent smartphone market share, and according to Dan Olschwang, JumpTap's cheif executive, "Google's agenda is to disaggregate carriers."

Msnbc.com Grabs Newsvine

Marking their first acquisition in their 11-year history, Msnbc.com acquired Newsvine, the social news site. Terms of the all-cash transaction have not been disclosed, but other similar sites have gone for as much as $75 million, the amount eBay paid for StumbleUpon.com. MSNBC plans to integrate Newsvine mainly at the story level, which might help them compete with Digg, Reddit, and Del.icio.us.

Vonage Settles Disput with Sprint...

...in a fight to the death! Not really, but Vonage did agree to fork over $80 million in a licensing agreement that allows them to use Sprint's patents for VoIP technology. The agreement ends a series of legal battles between the two companies over patent infringement, and softens the latest legal blow to hit Vonage just a couple weeks ago, news of which resulted in a 33 percent stock price plummet.

How to Cook an XBox 360

You won't find this dish at any of Emeril's restaurants, but in case you ever wondered, you surely can cook an XBox 360. Engadget has the pics, with several shots of the ill-fated console after having sat on a turned-on stove top. Apparently the unit still works, but we'd venture to guess that from now on, the gamer gone chef incorporates an entertainment rack into his list of ingredients. BAM!

Daily News Brief: Win a Date with a Nerd!

Paul "One4yu2c" Lilly — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:40:05 -0500

Will Teach Tech for Dates

In what's perhaps the greatest idea ever, Washington State University plans to hold a 'nerd auction' in an attempt to recruit more women. The computer gurus will be auctioned off to sorority girls, who will then give the geek a makeover. In exchange, the high bidder can have her computer fixed, receive help with homework, or go out on a date if she finds herself mesmerized by the linguistics of Linux. But don't fret if you're not a Washington State University sorority girl; you can still win a dream date with Maximum PC's David Murphy.

Microsoft to Replace Scratched Halo 3 Discs

After months and months of waiting, Halo 3 made its record-breaking debut, but the wait might not be over for some gamers. Reports hit the web that the packaging used for the $70 special limited-edition is scratching discs. In response to the complaints, Microsoft has set up a replacement program online and will send out the Halo 3 game disc and Essentials disc for no charge. The replacement program runs through February 1, 2008

Security Hole in AIM

Core Security Technologies discovered a security hole in AOL's instant messaging program that could potentially allow a hacker to take control of the user's system. After being notified of the flaw, AOL took steps to correct the issue and considers the matter resolved. Ivan Arce, chief technology officer for Core Security doesn't agree, stating the solution is temporary at best, and that hackers are able to get around the blockade. Affected clients include AIM 6.1, and the new beta 6.2. Our solution? Give Trillian, Pidgin (formerly GAIM), or Meebo a whirl.

Blu-ray Recorder to Hit One Terabyte

The high definition format war rages on, and Sharp gears up to whip out a BFG (Big *&#% Gun) in Blu-ray's favor. How big? One thousand gigabytes! The new Blu-ray recorder will be able to record 127 hours of high-def content, and will first appear in Japan on December 1st for $2,615. Sharp plans to offer eight more Blu-ray recorder models in attempt to render VCRs and standard DVD players obsolete. But it won't be as easy knocking HD-DVD out of contention, who can also boast a 1 terabyte recorder, courtesy of Toshiba.

Stock Plummets following Vonage Verdict

Today a jury found Vonage guilty of willfully infringing upon six of Sprint-Nextel's VoIP patents, awarding Sprint $69.5 million, or roughly 5 percent of Vonage's revenue during the infringement. Worse yet, the judge can opt to triple the monetary damages since the infringement was deemed intentional. Vonage shares plummeted by 33 percent following news of the verdict. Vonage will attempt to overturn the ruling, and meanwhile must gear up to present their appeal in a $58 million lawsuit they previously lost to Verizon.

Slimmed PSP Sells Big

Looking to compete with Nintendo's DS Lite, Sony unveiled a new Playstation Portable in Japan to a great reception. The updated PSP, which is both slimmer than the original model, saw 250,000 sales in just four days, nearly matching sales of the original from July and August. The new PSP sells for 19,800 yen (roughly $170 USD), 5 percent less than the original. The DS Lite goes for 16,800 yen (around $145 USD).

Adopt a Dog Website Gets Personal

And blunt. A new website wants you to adopt a dog, and they hope to convince you by showing how much time a homeless canine has before being put down. DogsinDanger.com keeps a memorial with names, photos, and dates that euthanizing took place. Alex Aliksanyan of The Buddy Fund, the group responsible for the site, warns this isn't a family friendly site, saying "It's not a happy site with puppies running around[...]We're saying these pets are going to die. Look at their faces."