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VoIP at $15 a Pop

Posted by timothy on from the pop-pop-pop dept.

AndersBrownworth writes: "Creative has released what they are calling the VoIP Blaster, a $15 USB device (2 for $20) that lets you plug in a normal POTS type telephone and make Voice-over-IP calls to anyone on the Internet. Creative has some closed source software with it that they manage to sneak per call charges in with, but ignoring that one can install the open source fobbit software and do point-to-point unmetered VoIP calls to anyone else with a G.723.1 codec VoIP phone. I just got off a NC to CA call placed from behind a firewall and the quality rocked. It sounded far better than a cell phone. The Fobbit software is fairly solid on FreeBSD and Windows with a couple bugs in the Linux port." This device has been out for a while now, with mixed reviews, at least with the included software, but it's nice to see this effort to turn off the meter.

3 of 313 comments (clear)

  1. Why use USB ? by Martin+Spamer · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Why use USB?

    When considering the rise of broadband technology and the convergent devices and the emergence of IP based DTV/VOD Systems the logical conclusion would be to use a network technology (i.e Ethernet) rather than USB. This offers the practical advantage of allowing the POTS phone(s) to be plugged directly into a broadband connection, without the requirement of a PC next to the phone.

    Regarding call charges, these are probably break-out charges from the Internet into the Telephone network. A necessary service for this device to be used practically, i.e. calling an ordinary Phone.

  2. Re:The problem with open source?? by Kemuri · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Sure, read commercial software licenses. It's
    pretty much the same but in a more formal manner
    expressed.

    I agree that this paragraph is really
    to flashy as an opening. It keeps people
    back and should not be displayed that way :)

    Nevertheless.. I'm considering buying some
    VoIPs and use the risky soft. X Window System
    comes also with the warning it can blow your
    monitor..

    Geert

  3. Existing system works - why change? by sphealey · · Score: 4, Insightful
    The existing voice telephone system works and works very well. There is absolutly no business justification for moving voice from a stable, reliable, cost-effective voice network to an unstable, unreliable, increasing-cost data network. None whatsoever, except to pump up the earnings of Cisco.

    Who, come to think of it, is one of the biggest boosters of VoIP. Hmmm...

    sPh