“Gizmo Connects PalmTreo Users”

Users will be able to add friends, view who’s online and send/receive messages with users from AIM, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, GoogleTalk and others. Users can import contacts using their mouse.

The new version of Gizmo Project created for Palm devices also supports other devices such as Treo 600/650/680/700p, Sony UX-50, Tungsten T3 and Palm Zire. Users can download from their mobile device or to their computer.

The software has a variety of instant messaging tools. When receiving new IMs, users will receive audio, vibration or a visual alert depending on their preferences.

"This program marks the first time Treo and other Palm users can get free software to connect to all major IM networks with ease," said Michael Robertson, CEO of SIPphone.

This development is making headlines all over the place, and it is an exciting idea. Don’t get too excited, though. Scroll down to the bottom of this Gizmo Project page, and you’ll see that “the All Calls Free plan applies when both call participants are registered and active Gizmo Project users. A person is considered active when they are making phone calls with Gizmo Project on a regular basis. We reserve the right to limit call length.”

Does anyone else see the potential for a lot of things to go wrong (at least from a user’s point of view)? Define “regular basis,” for starters – Gizmo might interpret that very differently than you would like. And that bit about limiting call length could result in a lot of conversations being cut short. That’s on top of the impossibility of getting certain older relatives to sign up for such a newfangled thing.

But even if you do end up paying for calls through Gizmo, their rates are pretty affordable. The site claims a “1 Minute Call Out Rate For All US Calls.” There’s one more tricky bit, though – it’ll be another $2.90 to $4 per month to get a “Call In number.” Still, that’s not a bad deal.

I appreciate the Gizmo Project’s attempt to bring us free phone service. I’m less thrilled with the amount of fine print and unusual costs associated with the program. Just the same, you may find the Gizmo Project to be worth a look.

Add to | DiggThis | Yahoo! My Web

Technorati:

Doug is a staff writer for WebProNews. Visit WebProNews for the latest eBusiness news.

That’s a lot considering I don’t use a landline that often.

In an ideal world, I’d like to get a cell phone that could work with two lines, one for my personal number and the other for my business. But from what I can see, the technology is just not there yet.

I’ve now signed up for Gizmo Project’s Area 775 number. I’m a Basic customer, which means I pay $ 3.95 / month to get things like dual ring (to my cell and PC), a local number (703), and call screening (can listen to callers leave messages in real time and then decide to answer). Dual ring is a great selling point for me because I often am out and about.

After some testing, there seems to be some issues that need to be sorted out but the quality of calls seem great. My main issues thus far: 1) The 775 number is showing up when I place a call to someone (instead of the 703 local number I upgraded to). If someone attempts to call me back at that number (via Caller ID), the number is not in service. 2) I submitted a request regarding this issue over a week ago yet no one has replied back to me.

One of my big qualms about Vonage (aside from quality of service) was that they never replied to any of my inquiries. CallWave (the company that powers this Gizmo service) is not off to a good start. Hope they respond soon.

Add to | DiggThis | Yahoo! My Web

Technorati:

Ken Yarmosh is a consultant who helps organizations get the most out of their technology investments. He works with technology users and creators across various industries, focusing on technology education and strategy. With over 7 years IT experience, Ken has worked with small businesses, non-profits, federal agencies, and multi-million dollar companies.

His online efforts include acting as the Editor for the Corante Technology Hub and authoring the TECHNOSIGHT blog.