| Good news for VoIP consumers: A seldom-used, but | | | | speakers to plug in your earphones.The unit sells for |
| major feature of Internet phone service just got a | | | | $40, which doesn't include the $10 activation fee and |
| big boost: the ability to take your phone with you on | | | | $10 for shipping. It's available for purchase online from |
| the road, to make and take calls from the same | | | | Vonage now, and will be sold by major retailers in |
| number at the same low price.The problem with this | | | | September with a $40 rebate.Calling plans are the |
| idea is that you usually have to take your adapter on | | | | same as for any normal Vonage account: $15 per |
| the road with you to hook up a regular phone to the | | | | month for 500 minutes, $25 for unlimited residential |
| Internet, or install your VoIP service provider's | | | | use and $35 for business service.One important point |
| software on any computer you want to use - | | | | to note is that the device comes programmed with |
| typically limiting your options to the use of your own | | | | its own number and calling plan. There is no option |
| laptop computer.Vonage has come to the rescue | | | | offered for having an adapter and V-phone |
| with a solution that will help users realize the full | | | | programmed with the same number. This means that |
| potential of VoIP: the V-Phone. The V-Phone is a | | | | if you choose to port your existing home Vonage |
| keychain device - actually an ordinary USB drive with | | | | number to a V-Phone, your home will be without |
| Vonage software and your user ID pre-loaded - that | | | | service every time you take the device on the |
| you can plug into a USB port on any Windows-based | | | | road.This makes it most practical for businesses and |
| computer with broadband access, for instant Internet | | | | other users willing to add an additional Vonage |
| phone service.The device is easy to use: you plug it | | | | account, rather than transfer an existing number to |
| into a USB port and the software loads automatically, | | | | the V-Phone.This novel product takes mobile |
| displaying a small window with a number pad that | | | | Internet-based phone usage to another level. That's |
| resembles the keys on a regular phone. Online | | | | great news for Vonage which, as the industry leader, |
| authentication between the keychain and Vonage's | | | | is in the enviable position of having to fight off rivals |
| servers typically takes from 30 to 90 seconds to | | | | who are cutting prices and even giving away phones |
| complete.Importantly, the V-Phone does not load any | | | | for free in attempt to gain market share.The bad |
| applications to the computer's hard drive during | | | | news for Vonage is that this device is a no-brainer - |
| setup, so you don't have to worry about leaving | | | | it's surprising that no service provider offered it |
| "debris" on other people's computers when you're | | | | previously. The likelihood of Vonage getting a patent |
| finished. Simply unplug the device and all icons | | | | on the technology is not great, and it's certain that |
| disappear, along with any trace that you were ever | | | | rivals will be offering competing products soon.That |
| there.The V-Phone comes with a jack for plugging in | | | | competition could be even better news for |
| standard cell phone earplugs, a set of which are | | | | consumers.Kevin Patterson |
| included in the package from Vonage. This has a | | | | is a content-based website providing VoIP |
| couple of advantages: you don't need to locate the | | | | information for "everyone else." Learn everything you |
| separate sound and audio ports on the computer, | | | | need to know about VoIP - in plain English. |
| and with desktop PCs, you don't need to unplug the | | | | |