links for 2009-07-29

When Linksys instructions suck and I mean really suck you know you just purchased something that's not a consumer product. By contrast Voxilla almost makes it that simple. This configuration wizard for the Pap2t got me up and running in seconds. Shame on you Linksys although it is consistent with my historical router experiences. Using SIP should be "easy" by now.

The iPhone app I've wanted to build is probably being built and perhaps even by Apple. The Phweet signaling approach is perfect for running in the background on an iPhone and using it to route around the need for numbers or to route to any number. Such a solution will be better than Google voice who's callerID remains a number.

When we created Phweet a big part of it was making "numbers" irrelevant. It gave access and routing control to the receiver. That takes the power away from operators as the signaling" is now outside the operators control. Google is effectively doing the same thing. GizmoVoice effectively demonstrates how Google will route around the objection. They will simply allow longer term any SIP system the opportunity to connect through Google. That provides many more flexible endpoints than Skype provides and docs more effectively and cheaper with the old world of landlines and fixed numbers.

I wrote a little while ago that GoogleVoice was my new landline replacement for the home phone. It's worked perfectly and the SMS updates to multiple mobiles are great. I've also added an ATA so the old handsets are back in use throughout the house. Although as of today was still having problems with the ATA and iSip on the iPhone making free US calls.

While I agree with the overall timeframe type approach and the general belief that Apple had a 3 year head start. I really hope!!! that Nokia isn't as slow or as blind as this suggests. For it would be game over. I'm more positive having seen the N97 and 5800 in action although equally frustrated by them. There's a huge gap that remains in usability. Similarly the product planners need to work on simplicity. Must write a more appropriate response to this posting. Important part is Nokia is planning now for 2011/2012. The question is how many mental models still need to be broken. Quite a few remain.

This is a nice twist on the project I was just in Brazil learning about where real-time data gathering enables faster more coordinated responses.

"Through the internet, classes around the world ask each other questions about a certain theme (such as 'politics in my country', 'teen life' and 'how HIV/AIDS affects the world') that they also talked about in class. This way they earn from each others cultures."

I'm not sure this is the very best use of SMS into schools. However bringing mobiles into the classroom is inevitable and I'd like to see them turned into research tools.

The market must know it is coming. Given that I just wonder when the competitive tablets running Android, Linux and Symbian will actually appear. These are the devices that will begin to replace books. That's a prize too big for Apple to ignore. Its also something none of the other mobile manufacturers are going to ignore.

I'll wait till I see it. Good progress is certainly being made with GoogleVoice. I continue to believe that "numbers" are the Achilles heal and that URL's will ultimately prevail.

Nice to come back and catch up on this little piece of industry news. Congratulations to the Adhearsion team.