VoIP Monitor - Offbeat News

Philly and New York Service Providers Set MLB World Series Wager

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:38:31 GMT

As the New York Yankees take on the reigning champion Philadelphia Phillies in the 2009 Major League Baseball World Series, there's more on the line for two unified communications providers. After last year's World Series bet with a Tampa-based company (Oranges for Cheesesteaks), Philadelphia-based Alteva, North America's largest enterprise hosted VoIP and unified communications solutions provider, has initiated another friendly competition with Stage 2 Networks, New York's leader in hosted PBX and converged network solutions.

This year, Alteva decided to up the ante by adding a humiliation factor. The bet is Philadelphia pretzels for New York bagels, but the 2009 loser will also don opposing teams fan wear and have a photo session with a banner acknowledging the winner in front of well known landmarks. If the Phillies win, Alteva has chosen to have Stage 2 take their "photo of shame" in Times Square. If the Yankees win, Stage 2 has selected the Rocky statue in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

"After winning bushels of Florida oranges last year, we bought a juicer and got accustomed to drinking fresh squeezed orange juice at breakfast meetings... the only thing missing is a good bagel," said William Bumbernick, CEO of Alteva. "We enjoy doing things like this as its fun for the company, overall morale and we get to show our support of our home team. Alteva is proud to be part of the Philadelphia business community, and we have an avid group of Phillies fans here."

"While this is a great way to show support for our home teams, it also demonstrates how two companies who have a common business goal can use competitiveness in a fun and spirited way," said Joseph P. Gillette, CEO of Stage 2 Networks. "The only previous Yankees-Phillies World Series was played back in 1950, so we're looking forward to going head-to-head almost 60 years later. Who knows when we'll get this opportunity again? We're also looking forward to eating lots of Philly pretzels."

Online Phone Calls, Watching Video, Downloading TV Programs Gaining Momentum

VoIP Monitor — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:18:43 GMT

Downloading TV programs, watching online videos and making online phone calls posted the biggest year-to-year percent increase among adult Internet users, according to new data from Mediamark Research & Intelligence.

E-mail, news gathering and paying bills online continue to be among the most widely used Internet activities by U.S. consumers ages 18+, the MRI data show.

According to responses from MRI's just released Fall 2008 Survey of the American Consumer, 3.2% of adults said they had downloaded a TV program in the last 30 days. That represents a year-to-year increase of 141.4%. The number of adults who reported they watched online video increased 35.4% during the same period, to a total of 23.3% of the adult population, while 4.0% of respondents reported they had made an online phone call, an increase of 32.0%.

The Internet activities engaged in by the greatest number of adults were use of e-mail (74.2%), obtaining news (46%) and paying bills online (39.6%). These have been popular online activities among adults for several years.

MRI began measuring Internet activities in 1997 and continually adds new Internet behavior questions to its survey. The fall 2008 data include four new Internet activities: sharing photos (done by one in four adults in the last 30 days); sending electronic greeting cards (9% of adults); watching a live TV program online (5.3% of the U.S. adult population); and uploading or adding video to a Web site (4.1% of adults).

                             Internet Activities
                   U.S. Adults with Access to the Internet

    Which, if any, of these activities             %                %
     did you do on the Internet in the         All Adults      Change From
     last 30 days?                              Fall 2008       Fall 2007
    Used E-mail                                    74.2            +5.2
    Obtained the Latest News/Current Events        46.0            +9.8
    Paid Bills Online                              39.6           +15.3
    Made a Purchase for Personal Use               37.2            +7.8
    Used Instant Messenger                         29.7           +23.6
    Obtained Financial Information                 28.3            +9.6
    Obtained Sports News/Information               28.1           +10.6
    Shared Photos Through Internet Website         25.4             N/A
    Looked for Recipes                             24.8           +24.8
    Played Games Online                            24.6            +8.0
    Watched Online Video                           23.3           +35.4
    Downloaded Music                               21.6            +9.6
    Made Personal or Business Travel Plans         20.5            +3.6
    Obtained Medical Information                   19.9            +4.3
    Looked up Movie Listings or Show Times         19.7           +16.8
    Visited a TV network's or TV show's website    18.7           +15.4
    Looked for Employment                          15.3           +23.6
    Tracked Investments/Traded Stocks,
     Bonds or Mutual Funds                         13.2           +14.7
    Listened to Radio on the Internet              13.1           +10.4
    Obtained Information about Real Estate         12.9            +5.4
    Made a Purchase for Business Use               11.4            +3.4
    Visited Online Blogs                           11.0           +17.9
    Obtained Information for a New Car Purchase    10.6          No change
    Sent an Electronic Greeting Card                9.0             N/A
    Looked at TV Listing Online                     7.7            +5.9
    Obtained Childcare or Parenting Information     5.3           +12.7
    Watched A Live TV Program                       5.3             N/A
    Wrote an Online Blog                            4.3           +16.3
    Uploaded or Added Video to a Website            4.1             N/A
    Made a Phone Call Online                        4.0           +32.0
    Downloaded a Podcast                            3.8           +22.1
    Downloaded a TV Program                         3.2          +141.4


    Source: MRI's Fall 2008 and Fall 2007 Survey of the American Consumer
                 N/A=New MRI Question; Not asked in Fall '07
    Field Dates for MRI's Fall 2008 survey: September 2007 to October 2008

Note: During the personal interview, MRI asks readers of individual magazines if, as a result of reading that magazine, they visited the magazine's website. That data are not included in this general Internet Activities data

Bat Phone Meet the PizzaPhone

VoIP Monitor — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:11:50 GMT

I could hardly contain myself when I saw this press release come across the wires: Bat Phone meet the PizzaPhone!

An exciting alternative to the traditional ties and wrench sets that often appear at this time of year, the PizzaPhone is a unique gift for Father's Day, Graduation Day or almost any day.

It can be easily programmed to call a favorite pizzeria, and the number is dialed as soon as the handset is lifted. If another restaurant becomes the new favorite, it takes just a few seconds to re-program the phone's memory. A manual-dialed PizzaPhone is also available.

The PizzaPhone is the ultimate status symbol for a college dorm, fraternity or apartment, or an executive office; and it's a great "power tool" for the garage or basement workshop.

It's also welcome in a lodge or club, the kitchen or break room at work; and although women can use it, it will be particularly appreciated anywhere hungry guys hang out. The PizzaPhone is a great gift for others, but people can also use it to reward themselves.

The tomato-sauce-red PizzaPhone easily mounts on a standard wall phone jack. It works with an ordinary analog phone line, or VoIP, or cable TV phone service, or in a business phone system. It can also be installed in a hotel or motel lobby, at a military base, summer camp, ski lodge, RV campground, or a resort. PizzaPhone is powered by the telephone line. No AC power or battery is required.

Two models are available. The automatic-dialing PizzaPhone sells for $177 with free shipping anywhere in the United States, and has a two-year warranty. The manual-dialing PizzaPhone, which can also be used as a conventional telephone, sells for $77 with free shipping, and has a five-year warranty. It can even be used to order Chinese or Mexican food. Both phones can be used to answer calls.

The PizzaPhone is a product of Red Hot Phones, the developer of the BatPhone and the Presidential HotLine Phone.

Five Year Old VoipReview.org Sold to Undisclosed Venture

VoIP Monitor — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:51:24 GMT

VoipReview.org has been acquired by an undisclosed buyer. Company founders and Denver entrepreneurs Eric Laughlin and Gary Gaessler successfully built and sold the company over a five-year period. Founded in late 2003, VoipReview.org features an interactive online search tool which helps shoppers find the best residential and business VoIP service providers based on price, features, local availability, and user ratings and reviews. Last year, the company announced it had helped 5 million visitors find, compare or purchase VoIP provider services -- a number that has swelled to more than 8 million.

"As the demand for making the switch to VoIP service has grown, so has the popularity of the site," said Eric Laughlin, co-founder and former CEO of VoipReview.org. "The site is the most comprehensive source for both consumers and business owners to learn about VoIP, gather information and purchase service. There was a significant need for that information when we launched the site, and it's no surprise the site continues to be successful as demand for VoIP grows."

Co-founder and investor Gary Gaessler attributes much of the company's success to a solid business model, top management team and effective marketing and public relations. "The site quickly became a leading resource for VoIP information and appeared in national media such as the Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, The New York Times, Inc.com, and The New York Daily News. Essentially, the key to driving site traffic was to show people that there was a better, less expensive way to make local and long distance calls."

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Going Green Matters on Earth Day and Every Day

VoIP Monitor — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:06:53 GMT

Happy Earth Day! I just wanted to give everyone a heads up about another website we've been working on. Going Green Matters helps individuals find green products, going green tips and information for your home, work, and community to become eco-friendly. Checkout Going Green Matters today and find out how you can 'go green' not just on Earth Day but every day

Survey Shows Consumers Continue to Rely on Landline Voice Services

VoIP Monitor — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:27:49 GMT

American consumers have a wide array of choices for personal communication services, but, when it comes to their home, an overwhelming majority -- including those who have a cell phone -- say they plan to keep and continue using their landline home phone indefinitely. Most often the service's proven reliability and safety were given as reasons in a new nationwide survey commissioned by Verizon.

The telephone survey, conducted by KRC Research last month, polled more than 800 consumers aged 18 and over who pay their landline phone bill. It found that:

Eighty-three percent of the respondents intend to continue using their landline home phone indefinitely -- a strong vote of consumer confidence for landline voice service in a survey group that included a large number of participants who also have a cell phone (74 percent).
Ninety-four percent of the respondents cited reliability and 91 percent cited safety as the key factors for retaining landline service.
Seventy-six percent of landline phone owners use their landline phone every day.

Verizon's landline network processes more than 1 billion calls a day, with 99.9 percent reliability.

Consumers Value Voice Quality, Reliability and Consistency of Service

Reflecting the significant amount of technological improvements and preventive maintenance that Verizon routinely performs on its landline network, 92 percent of respondents said they are satisfied with their landline phone service.

Ninety-eight percent of landline users consider their connection to be reliable on a typical day, and 91 percent rate their connection as reliable even on days when the weather is inclement. In 2007, Verizon invested $11 billion in its landline network, and has pumped $43.4 billion into its landline network over the past five years.

Not surprisingly, nearly 100 percent of those surveyed said voice quality - audio volume, voice clarity and tone - is important when making phone calls, and eight of 10 landline owners said voice quality is very important.

Survey respondents included users of many different cell phone services. Three-quarters (74 percent) said their landline home phone trumped their mobile phone in terms of voice quality, reliability and consistency of service.

Landline Loyalty Key to Verizon Bundling Strategy

In order to realize the most value for their spending, nearly two-thirds of consumers -- including people who live in urban areas, younger adults and those who earn more than $75,000 annually - say they would consider bundling their landline home phone with television, Internet services and wireless plans. In fact, those who have both a landline and cellular phone are more likely than those without a cellular phone to bundle their communication services, the survey found.

Verizon offers competitive pricing on bundles of broadband and entertainment services including its High Speed Internet service, FiOS Internet and FiOS TV, along with a convenient billing option for Verizon Wireless customers. By year-end 2007, bundled services continued to attract and retain Verizon customers, with more than half of all new customers choosing a bundle.

Dependability a key quality of traditional service

Nearly half of the landline phone owners surveyed said they would feel unsafe if their home did not have a landline connection, reflecting the importance of having a phone they know will be ready to dial at a moment's notice.

Typical reasons those surveyed gave for staying true to their landline home phone include: "My telephone line is my lifeline." "That's the one I use the most and it doesn't have to be recharged." "It's most ready in case of an emergency." "It gives me security that I can reach 911." "When the electricity goes out I can still use the landline phone." And, "I can depend on it 24 hours a day, 365 days a year."

The survey revealed that women, senior citizens, middle-income earners ($50,000 to $75,000 annually) and those living outside of metropolitan areas are more likely to continue using their landline phones indefinitely.

Eighty-eight percent of respondents in the survey said they owned cordless landline phones; 61 percent own a corded landline phone; and 49 percent own both types. Consumers who use only a traditional corded phone in their residence are more likely than those with only a cordless phone to want to keep their phone indefinitely, and they could not imagine living without their landline phone, according to the survey.

Eighty-seven percent of females, versus 80 percent of males, plan to continue using their landline phone for the foreseeable future, whereas 90 percent of persons older than 65 said they will keep their landline phone forever as opposed to 82 percent of those under the age of 65.

AT&T to Extend Napster Mobile to More Than 12 Million Customers

VoIP Monitor — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:12:17 GMT

AT&T announces the immediate availability of two new music applications mSpot's Make-UR-Tones and Remix and plans to significantly expand offerings for Napster Mobile over-the-air downloads. Make-UR-Tones allows customers to customize ringtones by using their mobile phone, and the Remix application gives customers access to their PC-based music collections directly from their phone. The result for mobile music lovers is more freedom to listen to the songs they want, when they want, on their AT&T mobile phone.

mSpot Make-UR-Tones
With the launch of mSpot Make-UR-Tones, AT&T — the exclusive provider of the application becomes the first national carrier to allow customers to easily use their wireless phone to create a ringtone from their favorite part of a song. The Make-UR-Tones application is designed to give users the flexibility to customize a one- to 30-second ringtone from a full song. AT&T's Make-UR-Tones subscribers can enjoy exclusive access to more than 250,000 titles from music labels EMI Music, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, INgrooves and IRIS.

To use the application, AT&T customers simply download mSpot's Make-UR-Tones from the AT&T MEdia Mall on their mobile phone, use the advanced search engine to select a song and then cut the part of the song they want to customize as their ringtone, up to 30 seconds, by using the application's easy-to-use waveform editor. Make-UR-Tones lets users listen to the song while it's being edited and preview the ringtone before downloading a copy to their phones.

The mSpot Make-UR-Tones is available for a monthly subscription of $6.99 for three ringtones. Additional customized ringtones can be purchased on an a la carte basis for $2.99. Make-UR-Tones is currently available for download on the Samsung SYNC, Samsung A737, Samsung A747 and the Motorola V3xx and will expand to additional phones in the near future.

mSpot Remix
AT&T is now offering a music-on-demand application for customers who want the ability to access and enjoy their PC-based music libraries from their mobile phone. Available today, mSpot Remix is the newest music application from AT&T Mobile Music and is available from AT&T MEdia Mall.

The mSpot Remix mobile player connects with a PC over the AT&T network, providing access to stored songs and playlists. When a customer hits Play from the mSpot Remix mobile player, Remix immediately starts playing the song from the PC while downloading the entire track in the background. Remix then saves the song to the phone's memory card, so the customer has access to the song even when not connected to the network.

The mSpot Remix service is available for a monthly subscription of $9.99, which allows users to download 75 songs a month. AT&T also will offer a Remix booster pack for $2.99, which provides an additional 10 songs. Remix is compatible with the Samsung SYNC, the Samsung A737 and the LG SHINE.

For more information on mSpot Make-UR-Tones or Remix, visit www.att.com/mediamall. To see a demo of either application while at CTIA Wireless 2008, visit the AT&T booth — number 3428.

Napster Mobile Coming to More AT&T Phones
Beginning this summer, more AT&T customers will be able to search a catalog of more than 5 million songs from their AT&T wireless phone, preview 30-second samples before they buy and download music directly to their phone while on the go, all with Napster Mobile. AT&T first announced Napster Mobile in November of last year with the launch of the SLM by Samsung. The company plans to expand the industry's leading mobile music platform by making the service available to more than 12 million customers, beginning this summer. In addition to browsing and downloading music to their phone, AT&T customers will receive a copy of each song downloaded online from Napster.

AT&T offers more choices for mobile music than any other U.S. carrier and was the first carrier in the nation to provide the Napster To Go subscription music service, as well as DRM-free instant track deliveries to eMusic.

Happy Valentines Day from VoIP Monitor

VoIP Monitor — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:25:44 GMT

Since news has been fairly slow today, which is a good thing VoIP Monitor would like to wish everyone a Happy Valentines Day. I'm currently busy wrapping up plans for tonight for my special someone and lets just hope she enjoys it. Not to mention I still have to pack for my trip to St. Louis, Missouri tomorrow. I'll be going for a 5 day vacation to visit with family and friends, so news could be delayed tomorrow as well. Anyways back to packing and getting everything in order for my early flight out tomorrow.

Oh and don't forget to book those reservations or purchase those flowers gents!

UFC 81, Super Bowl XLII and a Hair Raising Bet

VoIP Monitor — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:22:33 GMT

I'm a huge UFC fan and who doesn't love the Super Bowl right, so this weekend is going to be a great one. Saturday night UFC 81 takes place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. This event has lots of hype around it because of Brock Lesnar's debut in the UFC. He'll be matched up against Frank Mir who's current 10-3 record isn't anything to overlook. However, in previous fights Mir has looked sluggish and at times out of shape after coming back from a motorcycle wreck back in 2004.

I could see this fight going two different ways both of which will be on the ground. Either Lesnar will ground and pound Mir into a pulp, or Mir will submit Lesnar with a submission hold while on his back. That being said it's not even the main event of the evening! There is still Tim Sylvia vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira as the headline fight. I have a feeling Antonio Nogueira will win this match up, but then again I've never been a fan of Tim Sylvia.

No matter what fights I win or lose money on, I'm sure it'll be a blast at our UFC 81 party.

Now on to Sunday and early pre-game shenanigans. I'm sure the grills will be fired up from 11am till just before game time. Giving me and friends plenty of time to gorge on all the super bowl snack goodness. I'm going to have to go with the Patriots in this Super Bowl. However, I'll be putting a cash bet on the Giants to not lose by more than 12 points and hopefully keep it exciting.

A friend of mine who's a Giants fan has already laid down this years side bet. If the Patriots lose, I'll be buzzing my head (with the largest attachment of course). May I remind you how cold it is in Nebraska at this time of year! If the Patriots win he'll be returning the favor, so either way one of us is getting a new haircut in February.

Who are you picking to win in the UFC 81 fights?
or
Who you are picking to win the Super Bowl?

Let us know!

Spam Levels Increase for Sixth Quarter in a Row

VoIP Monitor — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 20:33:07 GMT

Ipswitch announces the results of its ninth Spamometer survey, revealing that 96.4% of all email received is spam, the highest rate since recording began. This compares with 95% the previous quarter and only 84% over the same period last year. The biggest category of spam, finance, accounts for 41% of all messages received in an email inbox; a quarter of spam emails were categorized as medication; with pornographic emails accounting for 21%. The rise in financial spam mirrors the current trend for emails requesting recipients to call illegitimate call centers and pass over personal financial information known as 'Vishing.' Ipswitch's research also found that spam from botnets accounted for 72% of all spam generated.

Medication spam has been knocked off the top spot for the first time in three quarters. Finance spam emails have risen from only 12% the previous quarter to 41% over the holidays. Pornographic emails descended to third position this quarter, down from 21% to 16%.

1. Finance - 41% (up from 5)

2. Medication - 19% (down from 1)

3. Pornographic - 16% (down from 2)

4. Gambling - 13%

5. Undecipherable - 8% (down from 3)

"The trend that Ipswitch's figures show is a continued move from pragmatic, opportunistic Spam being carried out by a single user for their own gain to fully organized criminal gangs using botnets to gain both volume of emails and a degree of anonymity from automated shut-downs, alongside the use of professionally run 'help' desks where the unwary are persuaded to give up there financial security details. This level of sophistication shows there really is only one solution to Spam -- to stop it before it reaches the end user," warns Quocirca Ltd Service Director, Business Process Analyst, Clive Longbottom.

"The current trend for Vishing highlights the problem of criminals tending to be half a step in front of the law and causing significant damage before they are brought to justice. We are already seeing the impact on individuals who have become victims of Vishing," comments Ipswitch's President of the Messaging Division, Tripp Allen. "Vishing has undoubtedly knocked consumer confidence in the security of VoIP technologies. Even though the vulnerabilities were generally down to the user not taking the proper precautions."

Ipswitch boasts a family of streamlined, innovative and flexible messaging products that meet users' evolving needs. Ipswitch IMail Server delivers crucial communication and collaboration tools without the high acquisition and ongoing administrative costs of systems designed for large enterprises. IMail Server provides solid, scalable, standards-based email service with Web-based access and administration

SpinVox Announces America's Ten Most Annoying Voicemails

VoIP Monitor — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 17:18:07 GMT

SpinVox has used its expertise in mobile phone and voicemail etiquette to name America's top ten most annoying voicemails.

"In the US we spend almost 100 billion minutes each year leaving or listening to voicemail so most people will have received one or more of these types of messages. At best they are annoying and at worst couterproductive, using up the valuable time that people increasingly don't have to spare in their busy lives," says Christina Domecq, SpinVox co-founder and CEO.

According to SpinVox, the following are the worst offenders -- voicemails that people should avoid leaving at all costs.

Top Ten Annoying Voicemails:

1. The Marathon Message: The extremely long voicemail that never ends.
2. The Death March: Leaving a phone number at the end of a long voicemail. If you missed it, you now have to listen through the entire message just to get the phone number.
3. The Screaming Eagle: The voicemail left in a noisy bar or as a fire truck is passing by.
4. The Drunken Dispatch: The drunk dial voicemail.
5. Voicemail Interrupted: As the person is leaving the voicemail, they stop in the middle to have a conversation with someone else or answer another call before they return to finish the message.
6. The Misguided Message: A person or telemarketer leaves a message for you that was actually intended for someone else.
7. Voicemail Incognito: The anonymous voicemail.
8. The Dehydrated Dispatch: Any voicemail left by someone with a bad hangover.
9. One Way Wonder: When the person thinks they are speaking to you when they are actually talking to your voicemail.
10. The Pocket Dialer: The person that accidentally calls you because the phone is in their pocket or bag and isn't locked, leading to an endless soundtrack of them walking down the street, driving or having a conversation with someone else.

"We created this list to spark a discussion about something that is very irritating and that most Americans have to endure day-in, day-out," adds Domecq. "The good news is that the introduction of SpinVox voice to text services converts your voicemail messages to text and sends it you as an SMS or email message. This means you don't have to go through the hassle of dialing up your voicemail and listening to something that's not useful. You simply read the message, and in one click retain it for future reference or delete it."

JAJAH Releases its iPhone Application 2.0

VoIP Monitor — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 22:48:28 GMT

JAJAH released version 2.0 of its calling application for the Apple iPhone and iPod touch. In addition to saving on international calls, users will have an iPhone style dial pad, iPhone address book and full calling functionally with the device.

Hand-in-hand with JAJAH's developer community, the enhanced application enables users to make ultra-low cost international calls directly from the iPhone and iPod touch. The application combines the best of both worlds: The reliability and quality of a standard landline or cell phone while profiting from the cost savings of Internet telephony. Apple users have modified the application on top of the JAJAH platform to make it look exactly like any other phone call on an iPhone device! There is no need to install an application so users globally can use the service without any jailbreaks. This new JAJAH Web app is available http://iphone.jajah.com

The Apple iPhone has been named the invention of the year 2007 and will be one of the hottest holiday gifts for the season alongside the Nintendo Wii and the Kindle. The iPhone has demonstrated its lead in next generation mobile devices. This revolutionary piece of technology has recently launched outside of the United States.

ICT Adds Apple iPhone to ''Cannes Project''

VoIP Monitor — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 23:05:41 GMT

ICT announces the addition of Apple's iPhone to the "Cannes Project" integrated voice and data platform. ICT's selection of the iPhone was based upon the popularity of the product and the user profile. This platform will enable the 1 million iPhones reported sold as of September 26, 2007 to send voice and data between any broadband capable mobile devices, the over 246 million Skpe users and all VoIP carriers without using cellular plan minutes and not requiring a cellular carrier wherever WiFi/WiMAX is present. The "Cannes Project" platform is intended to be a browser-less platform but in the case of the Apple iPhone, ICT will adhere to Apple's requirement to develop applications through the iPhone Safari browser.

The ICT Product Development Group intends this integrated voice and data platform to connect any broadband mobile device, broadband land line or personal computer for free. All other mobile device and landline connections are expected to have the ability to connect at a projected 60% reduced cost over present mobile, VoIP and telecom carriers.

Klausner Sues VoIP Companies Over Voicemail Patent Infringement

VoIP Monitor — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 21:11:47 GMT

Klausner Technologies files patent lawsuits under its visual voicemail patents against Comcast, Cablevision and eBay Inc.’s Skype with damages and future royalties estimated at $300 million.

The lawsuit asserts that the above companies’ VOIP voicemail products and services infringe Klausner Technologies’ U.S. Patent 5,572,576. The patent has already been licensed to various other companies which provide the same visual voice messaging services, including Time Warner’s AOL for its AOL Voicemail services, Vonage Holdings for its Vonage Voicemail Plus services as well as others, under the Klausner Patents.

Cablevision’s Optimum Voicemail, Comcast’s Digital Voice Voicemail and eBay’s Skype Voicemail each violate Klausner’s intellectual property rights by allowing users to selectively retrieve and listen to voice messages via message inbox displays.

The suit has been filed by the California law firm of Dovel & Luner in a federal court in the Eastern District of Texas. “We have litigated this patent successfully on two prior occasions, said Greg Dovel of Dovel & Luner, counsel for Klausner Technologies. "With the signing of each new licensee, we continue to receive further confirmation of the strength of our visual voicemail patents.”

VoIP Monitor Staff Vacation Photos from St. Lucia

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 21:43:02 GMT

Some of you might have noticed that VoIP Monitor went without updates for nearly two weeks in mid September. The reason being our staff and friends went on vacation to St. Lucia! Since today's a rather slow news day, it has allowed me time to gather up some pictures to share from our trip. Enjoy!

Here are two pictures of the Piton's from our airplane flight to the island. The top picture being Petit Piton (743m). In the second picture the Gros Piton (770m) with a small white sail boat to give you an idea of just how large these volcanic plugs are. We then landed and enjoyed a one hour drive towards the northern part of the island with a great tour guide pointing out all sorts of landmarks and sharing great historical information about St. Lucia. Who knew that George Foreman has his own mansion on the island?

We stopped about half way through the drive for a quick rest break, photo shoot, and beer run. Whatever you'd like to call it and I snapped some great photos, but I happen to like this scenic shot the best. Apparently you can have open alcoholic beverages in the vechicals as long as the driver isn't partaking in the drinking. ;)

Here are some great sunset pictures that my cousin snapped from the Sunset Bar at Sandals Regency. We enjoyed many drinks, a beautiful sunset, and good times with friends.

Here is a picture of me (Judson) enjoying our zip-line/canopy tour. We had a blast with this excursion which included multiple zip-lines some of which were nearly 500ft in length. This excursion also helped to get us off the Sandals Regency grounds. We enjoyed more site seeing and learning much more about the island and it's inhabitants.

We also decided to visit the Sandals Grande about 30 minutes north of our resort the Regency. Here are some beach photos of clear waters and white sands. (PS: those aren't my legs!) We wish we could have spent more time lounging and taking in the intense sun-rays, but we had to leave early to catch our next excursion.

We then took a shuttle back to our resort to catch our catamaran (booze cruise party boat). I was a little worried having saved this for our last excursion before flying out the next morning at 7:15am. Boy was it worth it!! The catamaran trip was a 2+ hour blast with once again free drinks, food, fun music, and lots of great people to meet. The top picture is of myself (Judson) and my cousin Curtis at the back of the catamaran and we all enjoyed another beautiful sunset sipping on champagne.

This is a nice group photo of everyone who went on the trip and enjoyed 7 days of all-inclusive vacation at the Sandals Regency this past September. After flying back state side four of us enjoyed the rest of the weekend touring in St. Louis, MO and visiting Irish pubs, Clubs, and enjoying a vacation that was well earned! Maybe, I'll be able to post some of those photos soon as well.

Video of Skype on the iPhone using SoonR

VoIP Monitor — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 21:06:31 GMT

> >

A great video detailing how to use Skype on the iPhone using SoonR.

Steve Jobs's Letter to Early iPhone Customers

VoIP Monitor — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 19:51:46 GMT

This applies to early iPhone adaptors and just came across the wires.

The following is a letter released Sept. 6, 2007, by Apple Inc. Chief Executive Steve Jobs.

"To all iPhone customers:

I have received hundreds of emails from iPhone customers who are upset about Apple dropping the price of iPhone by $200 two months after it went on sale. After reading every one of these emails, I have some observations and conclusions.

First, I am sure that we are making the correct decision to lower the price of the 8GB iPhone from $599 to $399, and that now is the right time to do it. ..."

"We have decided to offer every iPhone customer who purchased an iPhone from either Apple or AT&T, and who is not receiving a rebate or any other consideration, a $100 store credit towards the purchase of any product at an Apple Retail Store or the Apple Online Store. Details are still being worked out and will be posted on Apple's website next week. Stay tuned."

Apple Launches New iPod Family

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 20:41:53 GMT

It appears Apple has been busy. Apple has just announced three new iPods and available in new colors and prices. Smallest to largest we have the iPod nano, iPod classic in the middle, and the iPod touch.

Researchers Develop a 360-degree Holographic Display

VoIP Monitor — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:40:11 GMT

With today being a rather slow news day because of the upcoming holiday weekend. I thought this little video clip might tide over some of our readers. Star Wars here we come!

"Researchers at USC have taken another step towards that holiest of sci-fi dreams: the 3D holographic display. Using a spinning mirror covered with a "holographic diffuser," a special DVI implementation, and a high-speed projector, the team's device can project a three-dimensional image that can be viewed from 360 degrees -- regardless of the viewer's height and distance. That's impressive, but that spinning mirror looks pretty dangerous. Check a video of the system in action after the break."

From engadget

iBricker for Customized Applications and Ringtones on iPhone Windows Edition

VoIP Monitor — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 22:27:40 GMT

I've kept quiet for previous iPhone hacks, but this one's an overdue goodie. iBricker for Windows iPhone users allows them to add custom applications and finally ringtones. You can read more about it at "Installing iPhone hacks made easy with hands-on tutorial - Windows Edition", which is where I get all my iPhone hacking news and updates. Or sit back and simply watch NateTrue show you the way.

This is my last post before packing and leaving for my families river cabin to enjoy a weekend of fun in the sun. There won't be any news posted Friday or this weekend on VoIP Monitor (See ya Monday and have a good weekend).

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VoIP Supply Named to Inc 500's 2007 List

VoIP Monitor — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 19:48:23 GMT

Friend and fellow blogger Garrett Smith from VoIP Supply has informed me today that they've just been named to the 2007 Inc 500 list of fastest-growing companies in America. VoIP Supply was given the ranked of #359 based on a three year growth rate of 783%.

Great work and congratulations to everyone over at VoIP Supply on this achievement! Have a celebratory beer for me.

Convert Your Online Videos for Free with Movavi

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 18:39:43 GMT

Movavi added new tools to Movavi Online, a web-based service that enables users to download and convert video from one format to another -- for sharing, podcasting, cellphones, iPods, and more -- for free. Where the first version of Movavi Online gave users the ability to upload video stored on a PC, the service upgrade now also enables users to download video from YouTube, Google, MySpace, MetaCafe and other video-sharing sites. Also, users are now able to download and watch Flash videos, convert video from the Internet to AVI, MP4, MPG, 3GP and other formats for use with iPod, iPhone, PSP, cellphone and other devices, and merge several videos into one large movie.

In addition, at a companion site, http://online.movavi.com/widgets.html, Movavi now offers at no charge new widgets for Facebook, iGoogle, MacOS, and the Firefox, Internet Explorer and Opera browsers. Along with six existing widgets, all Movavi Online widgets easily embed a line of code with which bloggers, designers, developers, individuals and companies may offer video conversion services from their own Web sites, blogs, social networking pages and browsers.

As an online service, there is no software for users to install at the desktop. Instead, as webware, the service works with any Windows, Mac or Linux-based PC with access to the Internet via a Web browser. After identifying a video from YouTube, for example, or uploading a file from the hard disk of a notebook or desktop PC, users simply choose the desired output format, and provide an email address. When the conversion is complete, Movavi uses the email address to notify users when and where they can download their converted files. The process usually takes less than a day, and users may convert up to five 10-minute, 100MB clips during one session.

The service supports a broad range of popular video formats, including the advanced H.264 format used by Apple's new iPhone, AVI, MP4, MPEG 2 (PAL and NTSC), MPEG 4, iPod at 320x240, iPod 5G at 640x480, PSP, 3gp and 3gp2 for cellphones, MOV for podcasting, and FLV Flash video.

For users who want to do more with video, Movavi offers Movavi Video Converter, a $29.95 downloadable product that adds a range of additional conversion formats and lets users merge multiple video files into a single movie, rip DVDs, and extract soundtracks from video files. Movavi VideoSuite, the company's comprehensive video processing package, priced at $59.95, converts video clips and movies from one format to another; saves video and DVD files to iPod, iPhone, PSP, PDA and cell phones; splits and splices video files; adds filters and special effects; fixes videos that are too light or too dark; updates old movies with professional filters; rips, backs up and copies DVDs; and burns data, audio and video files to DVD, VCD and SVCD.

Congratulations to TMCnet for Reaching More Than Three Million Unique Visitors in July 2007

VoIP Monitor — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 20:49:20 GMT

Technology Marketing Corporation’s (TMC) TMCnet Web site was visited by 3,078,409 unique visitors in July 2007, according to Webtrends. This represents a 50 percent increase in traffic since February 2007, when TMCnet attracted just over two million unique visitors.

TMCnet is the most-visited site on the World Wide Web for news, analysis and feature articles on communications and technology, including VoIP and other IP communications, CRM, contact centers, wireless, unified communications and IMS.

As TMC president Rich Tehrani points out, the traffic levels achieved on TMCnet are usually reserved for sites with much broader appeal than a B-to-B communications/technology site.

“If you compare traffic levels, it’s clear that TMCnet is by far the most-visited communications and technology site in the world. In fact, our three million visitors represent as much as 10-15 times more traffic than other communications sites. At this point, TMCnet’s traffic is comparable to many broadly-focused consumer sites,” explained Tehrani.

“The astounding 50% growth in traffic is attributable to 1) the volume of original content produced by our international team of editors; and 2) the viral nature of the quality content produced,” Tehrani continued.

TMCnet serves its readers by delivering information to them in an easy-to-reference format. Site visitors can read the day’s top stories; they can view news and articles broken out by market segment or industry; or they can visit one of the many ‘TMCnet channels’, which carry news and information for highly-targeted niches within communications and technology.

Companies like Dialogic, Nortel, Packet8, Sangoma, Communigate, and Interactive Intelligence have also partnered with TMC to build 24/7 Global Online Communities on TMCnet. These focused sites use daily news, feature articles, case studies, white papers and forums to serve a community of visitors interested in collaborating about the specific topic.

For more information about TMC or TMCnet, please visit www.tmcnet.com.

Skype on the iPhone, Yet Another Work Around

VoIP Monitor — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 20:53:39 GMT

GigaOm writes, "Skype on iPhone. No, seriously." It's not the first work around to get Skype on your iPhone, but it sure looks to be the most eye catching thanks to Shape Services.

Happy 4th of July from VoIP Monitor

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 21:26:19 GMT

I just wanted to wish all my readers a Happy 4th of July. Be safe and remember to keep a fire extinguisher handy when using those sparklers.

Find Internet TV Live on MN1's Web 2.0 Special

VoIP Monitor — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 18:13:41 GMT

Market News First is proud to bring you the Web 2.0 Special hosted by the star of "Coffey Grinds" Andrew Coffey. The companies participating in this must-see event are DigitalPost Interactive, Web2Corp and Find Internet TV. Tune in to Market News First on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 from 12 to 1 p.m. CDT for this special event.

“We are excited to be on Market News First’s live video program to talk about Internet TV, online video, and what we’re doing at Find Internet TV. What better way to announce our new online TV programming listing, then by going on Market News First’s live online TV,” said Curtis Sund, founder of Find Internet TV.

This event will focus on each of the companies' unique product lines and business plans and how they relate to the "Future of the Internet."

The Internet is evolving at a geometric rate and leaving complacent companies in the dust. The participating companies all have a grasp on the Net's direction and will offer their insights for all to listen.

Don't miss this exciting and informative event live Tuesday, June 5, 2007 from 12 to 1 p.m. CDT at www.mn1.com.

Find Internet TV Launches the First Listings for Live TV on the Internet

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 30 May 2007 14:48:18 GMT

Find Internet TV announces the launch of its program Listings for live Internet TV. The Find Internet TV Listings is the first to provide Internet users a programming grid to find live online video content. The Listings is visible at Find Internet TV and contains schedules for a wide variety of quality programming from around the world, including entertainment television, sporting events, music, and news.

"Online video, whether live or on-demand, is expanding immensely, and it has become increasingly difficult for viewers to locate the content they want to watch online. While a number of companies and sites have made their focus to index video clips on the Web, they've left live streaming video on the sidelines," says Curtis Sund, Founder of Find Internet TV. "With our live Internet TV Listings, users now have the ability to visit one central destination for complete and updated lineup of live online content."

Find Internet TV's program grid provides a high quality user experience through an easy-to-navigate, feature-rich format. Users have the ability to jump hour-by-hour through the grid or to specific dates and times. In addition, users can save their favorite Internet TV channels for easy access.

The Find Internet TV Listings includes sites broadcasting from all over the world, in different languages, and in different time zones. To provide the best end-user experience, the site automatically adjusts all program runtimes to match the viewer's time zone.

"The number of viewers who are looking for live television content on the Internet is tremendous and ever-growing. We have witnessed it through our directory and search engine when live events take place. This first-of-its-kind live Internet TV Listings is a win-win solution for both viewers and content providers," said Birgit Schelzel, Marketing Manager for Find Internet TV.

Content providers will benefit from the Listings through increased visibility of their live programming and a clear representation of their offering throughout the day. Users that click to view the program are sent directly to the content provider's Web site and, in many cases, to the video landing page. The programming schedule can be easily maintained by authorized representatives via a backend application.

Sites with a live programming schedule that wish to be added to the directory or wish to advertise within the program grid, please email info@findinternettv.com.

Microsoft Shares Silverlight Availability

VoIP Monitor — Tue, 01 May 2007 22:28:56 GMT

This week at MIX07, Web designers, Web developers, industry decision-makers and marketing professionals gathered as Microsoft Corp.’s Ray Ozzie, chief software architect, and Scott Guthrie, general manager of the Developer Division, presented the full breadth of Microsoft’s vision and road map for Microsoft Silverlight and how it fits into the company’s broader Microsoft .NET platform and tools effort.

A core component of Microsoft’s overall strategy for the Web, Silverlight is a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in for delivering the next generation of .NET-based media experiences and rich interactive applications. In addition to making the beta of Silverlight available for download, Microsoft announced unprecedented support for dynamic languages including Python and Ruby, powerful services integration and new tooling in the Expression Studio and the next edition of Visual Studio, code-named “Orcas,” for building Silverlight applications.

“Silverlight is an important aspect of our software-plus-services strategy focused on delivering great user experiences that span the Web, the PC and mobile devices,” said Ozzie. “It does so, in part, by bridging technical barriers that previously made it difficult for Web developers and designers to collaborate. As a result, Silverlight will play an important role in helping advance the Web with a platform for creating rich, interactive experiences.”

Web Developers Test-Drive the Latest Microsoft Web Technologies

The combination of Microsoft Silverlight and the latest platform and tooling enhancements make the .NET Framework unequaled for building and delivering Web, Windows, and rich interactive applications. The .NET Framework now also has unparalleled support for developer and designer tools and multiple languages, ensuring the most productive experience for developers and designers alike. Today’s announcements include the following:

Microsoft Silverlight 1.0 beta availability. Optimized for the Web, Microsoft Silverlight enables developers and designers to easily use existing skills and Visual Studio and Expression Studio tools to deliver media experiences and rich interactive applications. Silverlight works with any back-end Web platform or technology, seamlessly integrating with existing infrastructure and applications, including Apache and PHP, as well as JavaScript and XHTML on the client. Beta 1.0 includes a go-live license, which means customers can deploy their Silverlight applications in production. Final availability of Microsoft Silverlight 1.0 is scheduled for summer 2007.
Microsoft Silverlight 1.1 Alpha availability. Based on the .NET Framework, Silverlight 1.1 Alpha offers broader tools and language support. It enables developers to take advantage of support for powerful .NET features including ASP.NET AJAX and Language-Integrated Query (LINQ) language, with full IntelliSense® editing enabled for client and server code; powerful cross-platform debugging capabilities; and rich language support for JavaScript, Visual Basic, C#, Python and Ruby.
Expression Studio now shipping. Expression Studio, Microsoft’s end-to-end tools for creative designers, boosts collaboration with developers in the delivery of next-generation user experiences for Windows, the Web and beyond.
Microsoft Silverlight Streaming. Silverlight Streaming is a new companion service for Silverlight that makes it easier for developers and designers to deliver and scale rich media as part of their Silverlight applications.
Windows Live Platform Terms of Use. Microsoft is enabling the developer community to take advantage of the Windows Live services infrastructure and gain access to all the APIs through a simple, consistent set of terms that address multiyear supportability, scale, cost structure and commercial use of the platform. In addition, Microsoft announced new APIs to support programmatic access to Windows Live Spaces, Windows Live Contacts and Windows Live Messenger.

PressPass: Aren’t there already technologies that enable this?

When asked how Silverlight differentiates itself, Forest Key, Director of Product Management, Microsoft Corp., said, "We see three primary areas of differentiation. From a consumer perspective, it is all about creating better, higher quality experiences – the tools and technology to get you there are largely irrelevant. Silverlight will enable higher quality and better applications in the browser.

For business decision makers and content owners, though, it is all about cost, quality and control. Silverlight takes advantage of the huge Windows Media ecosystem that already exists and can deliver video that spans from the Web to devices – from low-bandwidth experiences to HD – embedded to full-screen. No one else can deliver this today. It also offers deep access to rich infrastructure technologies like ASP.NET, IIS7 and Windows Streaming Media Services which significantly reduces costs and simplifies management of infrastructure – in fact, partners have told us the cost is up to 50 percent less than other solutions.

From a developer and designer standpoint, it comes down to the breadth of the platform, continuity, flexibility and productivity. Silverlight is a factored version of .NET that is optimized for the Web and simple deployment. It carries with it proven technology, access to a variety of languages for development, such as JavaScript, VB, C#, Ruby and Python, WPF support for controls and code-reuse, AJAX integration, and more. So, we are providing a highly integrated set of tools that facilitate new levels of collaboration between designers and developers and allows them to build amazing experiences while addressing the “lost in translation” issue that is so common at most organizations. This also means that skills are transferable – anyone who knows how to build Silverlight applications can easily build Web Standards-based applications on the server (ASP.NET) or desktop applications with WPF.

MIX07 runs through Wednesday in Las Vegas. More information — including customer and partner videos and demos, keynote clips, Microsoft product overviews, and footage from the event floor — can be found by visiting http://visitmix.com.

Product Information and Availability

The Microsoft Silverlight 1.0 Beta and 1.1 Alpha are available for download at http://www.microsoft.com/silverlight. Those interested in learning more about Silverlight and joining its growing community can visit http://www.silverlight.net. Expression Studio is expected to be commercially available in May 2007. Customers interested in pre-ordering Expression Studio can visit http://www.amazon.com for details.

Google Enters Partnership for TV Ads Trial

VoIP Monitor — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 19:59:29 GMT

EchoStar and Google have entered into a partnership agreement to introduce the first automated system for buying, selling, delivering and measuring television ads on EchoStar DISH Network's 125 national satellite programming networks. Google will have access to a portion of DISH Network's advertising inventory that spans across all channels and dayparts. The agreement is the first of its kind for a national pay-TV provider and Google.

This partnership extends Google's current advertising platform to a national TV audience with the aim to deliver more relevant and measurable ads. EchoStar and Google are working together to provide automated online campaign planning, scheduling, delivery and measurement of ads on the DISH Network.

Read more on Google's TV Ads Trial.

iTunes Store First to Sell EMI's New Downloads

VoIP Monitor — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 17:57:25 GMT

EMI Music announces that it is launching new premium downloads for retail on a global basis, making all of its digital repertoire available at a much higher sound quality than existing downloads and free of digital rights management restrictions.

The new higher quality DRM-free music will complement EMI's existing range of standard DRM-protected downloads already available. From today, EMI's retailers will be offered downloads of tracks and albums in the DRM-free audio format of their choice in a variety of bit rates up to CD quality. EMI is releasing the premium downloads in response to consumer demand for high fidelity digital music for use on home music systems, mobile phones and digital music players. EMI's new DRM-free products will enable full interoperability of digital music across all devices and platforms.

Apple's iTunes Store is the first online music store to receive EMI's new premium downloads. Apple has announced that iTunes will make individual AAC format tracks available from EMI artists at twice the sound quality of existing downloads, with their DRM removed, at a price of $1.29/€1.29/£0.99. iTunes will continue to offer consumers the ability to pay $0.99/€0.99/£0.79 for standard sound quality tracks with DRM still applied. Complete albums from EMI Music artists purchased on the iTunes Store will automatically be sold at the higher sound quality and DRM-free, with no change in the price. Consumers who have already purchased standard tracks or albums with DRM will be able to upgrade their digital music for $0.30/€0.30/£0.20 per track. All EMI music videos will also be available on the iTunes Store DRM-free with no change in price.

EMI is introducing a new wholesale price for premium single track downloads, while maintaining the existing wholesale price for complete albums. EMI expects that consumers will be able to purchase higher quality DRM-free downloads from a variety of digital music stores within the coming weeks, with each retailer choosing whether to sell downloads in AAC, WMA, MP3 or other unprotected formats of their choice. Music fans will be able to purchase higher quality DRM-free digital music for personal use, and listen to it on a wide range of digital music players and music-enabled phones.

EMI's move follows a series of experiments it conducted recently. Norah Jones's "Thinking About You", Relient K's "Must've Done Something Right", and Lily Allen's "Littlest Things" were all made available for sale in the MP3 format in trials held at the end of last year.

EMI Music will continue to employ DRM as appropriate to enable innovative digital models such as subscription services (where users pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to music), super-distribution (allowing fans to share music with their friends) and time-limited downloads (such as those offered by ad-supported services).

RIAA Aims For More than College Students Lunch Money

VoIP Monitor — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 19:16:23 GMT

It appears that the RIAA is back at it again. This time the music industry is asking 50 Ohio University students to pay $3,000 each to avoid lawsuits for pirating music off the internet. The university was asked to send letters to the offenders on Monday, who's Internet addresses appear to be sharing copyrighted music. This is just part of an ongoing piracy crackdown that's sued nearly 18,000 computer users nationwide since 2003. Including 1,062 uers at 130 universities.

The RIAA said last month that it intended to sue more students in the next three months than it has in the previous three years. I made light of this in my article entitled "RIAA Ranks University of Nebraska #3 is it Preseason Already?" The students are facing punishments that include email warnings, semester-long suspensions and having to watch an eight-minute anti-piracy DVD produced by the RIAA. However, it seems I failed to mention the $3,000 fine they are attempting to take from the pockets of college students.

With this in mind I just think back two years ago to when I was a college student. Living off Ramen, vending machines, and the occasional friends food supply. I didn't have an extra $3,000 to shell out for my activities.

Patrick McGee, a local attorney the university arranged to meet with students, said "$3,000 is the standard offer though cases have settled for as much as $5,000". He has represented four Ohio University students in file-sharing lawsuits and says most college students cannot afford paying the $3,000 fine. Perhaps the RIAA should lighten up and find better ways of going after the already broke college student.

RIAA Ranks University of Nebraska #3 is it Preseason Already?

VoIP Monitor — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 20:08:01 GMT

I'm a huge fan of the Nebraska Cornhuskers having lived and grown up in Nebraska the past 20 years. College football is without a doubt the biggest sport here. We have zero professional sports franchises here so we eat, breathe, live Cornhusker football in Nebraska. So today, I was interested to see that UNL (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) has the #3 ranking from the RIAA when it comes to illegal music downloads.

Having been in the online music scene since 1996 or so when I first discovered *cough* mIRC *cough* the RIAA just doesn't seem to give up. Every year they report how CD sales have plumitted and blamed it on piracy. Tom Keating writes about Legal vs. Illegal Downloads: What's the Difference and that illegal downloads have less than 1% affect on CD sales. I agree and he provides a nice report in his story explaining it in greater detail.

So here it is 2007 and it seems the RIAA is attempting to flex its muscles again by cracking down on university students who illegally download over campus networks. They've already sent out complaints this year to top universities pressuring schools to be more aggressive against these activities. Students are facing punishments that include email warnings, semester-long suspensions and having to watch an eight-minute anti-piracy DVD produced by the RIAA. (Not sure I could handle an 8 minute video from the RIAA)

"It's something we feel we have to do," RIAA President Cary Sherman said. "We have to let people know that if they engage in this activity, they are not anonymous."

Well I'm proud to announce the RIAA's top 5: Ohio, Purdue, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Tennessee and the University of South Carolina. Now if only this were true for the up coming college football season I'd be even happier. Just know I'll be cheering for you UNL let's take over that #1 spot from Ohio.

I in no way encourage illegal downloads nor do I provide legal advice, however you should cheer for the Cornhuskers.

Satellite Radio Rivals XM And SIRIUS Merge

VoIP Monitor — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 23:36:16 GMT

The rumors and whisperings have finally come true--XM Satellite Radio and SIRIUS Satellite Radio today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement, under which the companies will be combined in a tax-free, all-stock merger of equals with a combined enterprise value of approximately $13 billion, which includes net debt of approximately $1.6 billion.

Now the big question is, will the merger be approved? The transaction is subject to approval by both companies' shareholders, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and regulatory review and approvals, including antitrust agencies and the FCC. The issue is that the FCC has already hinted that it might not approve a merger of the two satellite giants.

Pending regulatory approval, the companies expect the transaction to be completed by the end of 2007.

Under the terms of the agreement, XM shareholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 4.6 shares of SIRIUS common stock for each share of XM they own. XM and SIRIUS shareholders will each own approximately 50 percent of the combined company.

Mel Karmazin, currently Chief Executive Officer of SIRIUS, will become Chief Executive Officer of the combined company and Gary Parsons, currently Chairman of XM, will become Chairman of the combined company. The new company's board of directors will consist of 12 directors, including Messrs. Karmazin and Parsons, four independent members designated by each company, as well as one representative from each of General Motors and American Honda. Hugh Panero, the Chief Executive Officer of XM, will continue in his current role until the anticipated close of the merger.

The combined company will benefit from a highly experienced management team from both companies with extensive industry knowledge in radio, media, consumer electronics, OEM engineering and technology. Further management appointments will be announced prior to closing. The companies will continue to operate independently until the transaction is completed and will work together to determine the combined company's corporate name and headquarters location prior to closing.

The combination creates a nationwide audio entertainment provider with combined 2006 revenues of approximately $1.5 billion based on analysts' consensus estimates. Today the companies have approximately 14 million combined subscribers. Together, SIRIUS and XM will create a stronger platform for future innovation within the audio entertainment industry and will provide significant benefits to all constituencies, including:

Greater Programming and Content Choices -- The combined company is committed to consumer choice, including offering consumers the ability to pick and choose the channels and content they want on a more a la carte basis. The combined company will also provide consumers with a broader selection of content, including a wide range of commercial-free music channels, exclusive and non-exclusive sports coverage, news, talk, and entertainment programming. Together, XM and SIRIUS will be able to improve on products such as real-time traffic and rear-seat video and introduce new ones such as advanced data services including enhanced traffic, weather and infotainment offerings.
Accelerated Technological Innovation -- The merger will enable the combined company to develop and introduce a wider range of lower cost, easy-to-use, and multi-functional devices through efficiencies in chip set and radio design and procurement. Such innovation is essential to remaining competitive in the consumer electronics-driven world of audio entertainment.
Benefits to OEM and Retail Partners -- The combined company will offer automakers and retailers the opportunity to provide a broader content offering to their customers. Consumer electronics retailers, including Best Buy, Circuit City, RadioShack, Wal-Mart and others, will benefit from enhanced product offerings that should allow satellite radio to compete more effectively.
Enhanced Financial Performance -- This transaction will enhance the long-term financial success of satellite radio by allowing the combined company to better manage its costs through sales and marketing and subscriber acquisition efficiencies, satellite fleet synergies, combined R&D and other benefits from economies of scale. Wall Street equity analysts have published estimates of the present value of cost synergies ranging from $3 billion to $7 billion.
More Competitive Audio Entertainment Provider -- The combination of an enhanced programming lineup with improved technology, distribution and financials will better position satellite radio to compete for consumers' attention and entertainment dollars against a host of products and services in the highly competitive and rapidly evolving audio entertainment marketplace. In addition to existing competition from free "over-the-air" AM and FM radio as well as iPods and mobile phone streaming, satellite radio will face new challenges from the rapid growth of HD Radio, Internet radio and next generation wireless technologies.

"We are excited for the many opportunities that an XM and SIRIUS combination will provide consumers," said Gary Parsons, Chairman of XM Satellite Radio and Hugh Panero, CEO of XM Satellite Radio, in a joint statement. "The combined company will be better positioned to compete effectively with the continually expanding array of entertainment alternatives that consumers have embraced since the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) first granted our satellite radio licenses a decade ago."

"This combination is the next logical step in the evolution of audio entertainment," said Mel Karmazin, CEO of SIRIUS Satellite Radio. "Together, our best-in-class management team and programming content will create unprecedented choice for consumers, while creating long-term value for shareholders of both companies. The combined company will be positioned to capitalize on SIRIUS and XM's complementary distribution and licensing agreements to enhance availability of satellite radios, offer expanded content to subscribers, drive increased advertising revenue and reduce expenses. Each of our companies has a strong commitment to providing listeners the broadest range of music, news, sports and entertainment and the best customer service possible. We look forward to sharing the benefits of the exciting new growth opportunities this combination will provide with all of our stakeholders."