Is VoIP communication being Abused?

We have heard a lot of stories about how VoIP communication medium has been used by terrorist and criminals for illegal activities. The recent Mumbai attack on Indian soil makes it more compelling for VoIP to support Lawful intercept requirements. So what makes this kind of communication more attractive to illegal activities. Hard to wiretap the conversation. The regular PSTN and wireless communication standards have very good wiretapping capabilities and most of the vendors support Lawful Intercept features, using which, voice or text conversation can be wiretapped by Law enforcement agencies. Though the FCC has been pushing for Lawful Intercept requirement for broadband and VoIP, very few vendors are really compliant with the requirement

Using proprietary protocols and encryption makes it harder for the Law enforcement agencies to wiretap the conversation. Skype is a classic example of a VoIP client that uses proprietary protocol and encryption. In addition, the whole architecture of skype makes it harder for law enforcement agency to wiretap the conversation. ( More on the architecture and issues with skype to support Lawful Intercept ) . With more than 350 million users, and no initiative to support lawful intercept has law enforcement agencies on their toes.

Apparently, European authorities are tightening screw to fix the loophole in the current lawful intercept laws, and start listening to VoIP calls. A group made up of 27 national representatives called Eurojust has plans in the coming weeks to get together to discuss the issue and come up with a solution to this big security problem. The issue was raised earlier by Italian authorities who discovered that most of the criminals were using both VoIP and skype to frustrate investigators, and skype not cooperating with them. Police officers in Milan say organized crime, arms and drugs traffickers, and prostitution rings are turning to Skype and other systems of VOIP (voice over Internet Protocol) telephony in order to frustrate investigators. Without skype cooperating with the law enforcement agents, wiretapping skype calls would be next to impossible.

Is skype listening?

iSkoot moves beyond skype client

It’s good to see startups move beyond supporting skype interface. iSkoot, one of the early bird with respect to supporting mobile skype clients announced their Kalaida platform , which allows users to access their social networks,RSS feeds and emails from their basic cell phones. I guess this new direction makes sense with the acquisition of social.im. They recently launched the notifier application on ATT media mall . The notifier applications allows users to check facebook, email,IM and news- all in one place, right on the your phone. Notifier shows Facebook updates, emails & IMs as they come in, so you're always in the know and can easily update your status and read & respond in real time. Notifier supports Facebook, Gmail, Google Talk, AOL Mail, AIM & more.


I guess kalaida platform is a notifier application, but renamed and available to different carriers with additional features. Iam not sure what are those additional features. So iskoot must be the new entrant to the already crowded arena. There are quite a few startups like mig33,fring,nimbuzz,truphone etc that have been supporting these features for quite sometime. Well, with $19 million dollars of recent funding. Iskoot is positioned to play a long innings. Iam impressed with their diversification and congratulate them. Hope to see more innovation from iSkoot.

Android G2, HTC magic looks awesome

Blame it on iPhone, we are all spoiled. We don’t accept crap anymore, and the vendors have realized that. HTC magic looks awesome and slick. Maybe we have a competitor for iPhone. (Wish I had a chance to play around with it :-) ). Today Vodafone unveiled Android-Powered HTC magic . For more info check out gizmodo













Quick highlight of the spec:
Processor:
Qualcomm® MSM7201a™, 528 MHz
Operating System:
Android
Memory ROM:
512 MB
RAM:
192 MB
GPS Internal GPS antenna
Connectivity Bluetooth® 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate
Wi-Fi®: IEEE 802.11 b/g
Camera:
3.2 megapixel color camera with auto focus
Audio supported formats:
AAC, AAC+, AMR-NB, MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC-LC, MIDI, OGG
Video supported formats:
MP4, 3GP
Talk time:
Up to 400 minutes for WCDMA
Up to 450 minutes for GSM

Check out these pics and video (courtesy youtube, gizmodo and engadget )









Android G2: HTC Magic Hands ON from Gizmodo on Vimeo.

OpenSky, Skype interface gateway, Who needs it?

Gizmo5 the popular VoIP client has launched a new skype interface gateway called OpenSky that would allow any VoIP users to call skype. The whole concept of calling skype users from any VoIP client sound interesting. Iam still not convinced in the business opportunity. There are so many clients out there in the market that support calling skype users from mobile and other desktop clients. In addition. Skype has its own skypelite and SkypeToGo. With digium announcing partnership with skype, we would be seeing lot more gateway offerings in future,which will be similar to OpenSky.





Calling or texting skype users from different clients other than skype’s own client has been there for many years now. Off course, the model is little different from what OpenSky has to offer. Startups like fring, iSkoot, mig33, mibivox, nimbuzz, truphone and others have clients that can actually support calling and texting skype users. In fact they do more than that, contact management, presense etc are some of other features supported by these clients.

Here is what Michael Robertson, CEO of gizmo5, has to say about the business opportunity:
• There are tens of millions of users of Cisco Call Manager, Avaya and other high end VOIP systems which cannot call Skype users and now they can.
• There are tens of millions of seats using low cost Asterisk, Yate, FreeSwitch, Trixbox PBX solutions which cannot call Skype users and now they can.
• There are more than 10 million Nokia Wifi phones which cannot call Skype users and now they can.
• There are millions of SIP ATA devices and wifi phones which cannot call Skype users and now they can.
• 90% of mobile phones don't have data plans so they cannot call Skype users and now they can.
Another issue with this approach is the calling line identity. Like for e.g., when I tried calling myself from the web browser, the calling user name was open_sky_16Since i initiated the call, I was aware of the username, If not, don’t think I would have answered the call. Most of the Folks don’t accept calls from unknown users. Period! Iam sure the same applies with the mobile clients. Unless gizmo5 solves the calling identifier, this solution is not gone fly. Stuart henshell And Om have some excellent points to share about the launch

On a positive note, this has proved some kind of interoperability between the SIP world and the closed proprietary skype world. I think too many startups are focusing more on interconnecting to skype than focusing on real innovation. I understand the lure of millions of skype users, but, this is definitely not a path to innovation. I would rather focus on building more Voice 2.0 type applications. Maybe its time to rethink Voice 2.0. Isn’t it?

Follow your buddies with Google latitude

Isn’t it cool to know where your friends are hanging out or where your daughter/wife is without calling or sms them? Don’t worry, Google heard your wishes, they launched a new feature for google maps called latitude . Once the user opts in to latitude, he can see the approximate location of his friends and loved ones. Off course, this is possible only if the other party decides to share the location. I guess this features shall come handy in lot of different scenarios. I think its one of the cool features on Google maps.



The things you could do with latitude is more than just location. In fact you can also be in touch directly via SMS, Google Talk, Gmail, or by updating your status message; you can even upload a new profile photo on the fly. It's a fun way to feel close to the people you care about. You can share your location only to those contacts that u trust. In addition, you can also change the location that u want to share with others. This is fun. For e.g. If iam hanging out in Hooters or Twin Peaks, I can set my location to some nearby temple. ( I'm just kidding, never been to such places :-) )

The biggest issue I could think of was privacy intrusion and google has given serious consideration for the same. The feature has built fine-grained privacy controls right into the application. Check out the video below to know more about privacy features






According to google mobile blog , There are two primary ways to use Latitude right now-

1. On your mobile phone: visit google.com/latitude from your phone's mobile browser to download Google Maps for mobile with Latitude. We currently support most of the popular smartphone platforms: Android, Blackberry, Symbian S60, and Windows Mobile, and we are hoping to see Latitude on the iPhone soon. It will be available through Google Mobile App, and you'll just need to download or update the app from the App store to find Latitude in the Apps tab.
2. On your computer: go to Latitude from your browser and add the Latitude gadget to your iGoogle homepage. What's neat is that if you've installed Google Gears or if you're using Google Chrome, you can choose to automatically share your location from your laptop or desktop computer -- no smartphone required!

So folks go ahead and download this cool feature.

Verizon Hub, a Multimedia VoIP phone

Verizon will launch its long awaited Hub home networking product on Feb 1st. Hub is a touchscreen enabled VoIP phone that shall work with your existing broadband connection. Off course, verizon would prefer you use their FIOS. ( BTW, I switched to FIOS and I love it, the speed is awesome). The Hub has plenty of rich multimedia features embedded in it. It supports unlimited voice calling and other cool features. With contract agreements and rebate, the device shall be sold for $200 after $50 rebate with a monthly $35 for unlimited calling and text messages.














Here are some of the features supported by verizon hub:
• Unlimited voice calling
• Local weather
• Visual Voicemail
• Streaming Video
• News, Sports and traffic information
• Has ability to send text messages and Verizon's Chaperone locator service
• Phone can work with any other service provider like ATT or sprint
• Display movie time and facilitate ticket purchase through Fandango
• Watch trailers of movies
• Text message calendar alert
• Find the number of the new pizza parlor to order a pie


Why is verizon getting into manufacturing its own home phone? It could be for couple of reasons; one is to retain the landline customers and attract other carrier customers. Gets its foothold into internet voice calling. Verizon has been slow to adapt to internet voice calling solution. According to Tom from TMCNet, verizon is an evolution of verizion one

Here is what Mike Lanman, VP and CMO at verizon has to say about verizon hub:

“The Verizon Hub reinvents the home phone system that’s been centered on your kitchen counter for years. We’re bringing huge new functionality to a common household device that will unlock its true potential. And in the process, Verizon Wireless is updating the tools busy families can use to manage their lives,” said Mike Lanman, vice president and chief marketing officer at Verizon Wireless. “The Verizon Hub is going to change the way you think about what you want and need your home phone to do. Whether you’re thinking about getting rid of your home phone or can’t live without it, now is the time to try out the Verizon Hub.”

For folks that are curious to give verizon hub a shot, Check out this Link on Feb 1st for more information

Truphone for Android phones

Truphone is everywhere. Just recently they had launched a client for iPod and iPhone, and now they are launching a client called Truphone Anywhere for Android phones, including the new G1. Using this client, customers can make low-cost international calls and send IMs on a variety of platforms. The client has been added to Android Market in the U.S and U.K, and will also be available in March in the new Adroid Market for Germany and Austria



















To coincide with T-Mobile’s announcement earlier this week of the availability of the G1 mobile phone in March 2009, a German version of Truphone Anywhere for Android is available and will be the first native language multi-communications application in the Android Market in Germany and Austria when it launches at CeBIT 2009.

Truphone Anywhere for Android delivers an all-in-one conversations hub that allows customers to take advantage of Truphone’s low international call rates, in addition to the cost of a local call. In addition, Truphone customers can easily instant-message their friends across a variety of networks including MSN, Yahoo!, Google Talk™ and Twitter from within one Android application. Customers can also call friends anywhere in the world on Google Talk for the price of a local call, and similarly will soon will be able to instant-message and call their friends on Skype.

Here are some advantages of using Truphone Anywhere client:
• Truphone Anywhere works in 33 countries around the world, saving Android users from those countries money on international calls made from their home country. The easy-to-use service works alongside domestic service providers, but reduces international call costs to as little as £0.03/$0.06 [UK/RoW] per minute.
• Unlike a ‘calling card’, Truphone Anywhere doesn’t require a user to remember what to do. Whenever an international number is dialled Truphone Anywhere simply asks whether he/she wants to make a Truphone call. The user simply accepts, and Truphone connects the call.

Truphone is now available on Android, the Apple iPhone, the Apple iPod touch, Blackberry and Nokia devices. I guess the list pretty much covers most of the popular devices.

Watch Obama's Presidential Inauguration Live!

Obama’s presidential inauguration is viewed as historic and one of its kind. Up to 2 million people are predicted to attend the ceremony. By far the largest in the history of Washington. Another milestone for obama and his team. Also, this is the first time we are seeing so many online web video live broadcasting. Since the inauguration starts at 10AM Eastern Time, iam sure most of you folks would be at work. So for folks that won’t be able to watch the inauguration at home, don’t worry, u can watch the entire inauguration via internet enabled web video streaming. Thanks to myriad of applications that are enabling the live web video.

Here are some of the sites that broadcast the presidential inauguration live:

You Tube inauguration live

CSPAN via mogulus grid

CNN with facebook shall broadcast the entire event live

HULU live inauguration

Livestation

CbsNews

Joost

BBC

MSNBC

ABCNEWS

PBS

USATODAY

Mogulus Channel3news

Presidential Inaugural Committee

Justin TV

Joint Congressional Committee

MTV- Be the Change: Live from the Inaugural

Ustream via iPhone

Check out the links below for additional information:

Techcrunch
Readwriteweb
GigaOm
CNN

Nortel gives up, files for bankruptcy

Oh Boy today was one of the worst day for telecom industry. Nortel the giant telecom vendor, as speculated for couple of weeks, finally pulled the plug and filed for bankruptcy . It’s devastating to see such a big leader go down south. I guess nothing worked out right for this ailing telecom equipment vendor. There was a time when folks would die to work for Nortel, and it was once trading at $1231 dollars a share. Mind blowing! In fact, Nortel during the 1990 telecom and internet boom had more than 95,000 employees.

Nortel’s shares were worth a total of around $192 million dollars yesterday. It has around 26,000 employees spread across North America and Canada. It’s sad to see a company that has been around for such a long time file for bankruptcy. It was started in 1895. Though the company is optimistic of turning around, analysts are not. Some of the analyst predict that by filing bankruptcy, Nortel would lose significant business and potentially send the company into death spiral.

Apparently the bankruptcy was filed to preserve the $2.4 billion dollar cash, which the company plans to use to preserve its liquidity and fund operations during the restructuring process.

Here is what the CEO has to say about the bankruptcy:

"Nortel must be put on a sound financial footing once and for all," said Nortel President and CEO Mike Zafirovski. "These actions are imperative so that Nortel can build on its core strengths and become the highly focused and financially sound leader in the communications industry that its people, technology and customer relationships show it ought to be. I am confident that the actions we're announcing today will be the fastest, most effective means to translate our improved operational efficiency, double-digit productivity, focused R&D and technology leadership into long-term success. I want to reaffirm Nortel's dedication to delivering world-class solutions and services to customers."

Looks like the economy is showing no signs of improvement and events like these are going to worsen the situation for job seekers. Is it time to ditch the ailing telecom arena? Maybe, as many of my friends and colleague say, “Time to ditch this market and move on with something else”

Skype client for Android and more

Skype access from mobile client was supported by every other mobile VoIP startup than skype. So finally today skype announced release of a lighter version of Skype, a thin client that can be downloaded on Adroid-powered devices. In addition, it can downloaded to more than 100 java enabled handset. Now this one makes more sense. Compared to android phones, there are tones of java enabled phones in the market.

Here are some of the features that are supported via lite client:
• Make Skype-to-Skype calls to other Skype users anywhere in the world
• Send/receive instant messages to/from individuals or groups
• Make Skype calls at low rates to people on landline or mobile phones
• Receive calls to your online personal phone number on Skype
• See when your Skype contacts are online/available to chat

Supporting more handsets other than android is definitely a good strategy from both business and user perspective. The client can be downloaded on some of the most popular java enabled phones from LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson. Check out the Link for more information about client download and handset models supported.

Though the client is free to download, there is a cost involved in using the feature. You will be charged by your mobile operator for local air time and data usage based on the type of calling service and data plan you have purchased. Since the lite version of Skype uses a mobile data connection to sign in to Skype, update your contact list, update presence and send/receive messages, you will be charged by your mobile operator for data usage. You will not incur charges from Skype when you make Skype-to-Skype calls or send instant messages to friends on Skype; however national calling rates may apply from your mobile operator due to the use of local air time. Skype will charge its regular very low Skype rates when you call landlines and mobiles using Skype or when you receive calls on your mobile handset from other Skype users or people calling your personal online number. We highly recommend getting an unlimited data plan for use with the lite version of Skype. The longer you remain signed in, the more Skype contacts you have, or the more you send and receive instant messages, the more data you will use.