Wengo, the better (alternative to) Skype.
 Recently I've stumbled over the open source project OpenWengo got curious enough to try it and now I'm pretty enthusiastic about this. OpenWengo has declared to compete directly with Skype. In order to do so I still miss one important (for me crucial) feature which is the lack of an inbound phone number (enabaling you to be reached from any phone anywhere) but there are also some important advantages. It is OpenSource and very important is the SIP-compliance which enables you to use any conventional phone and with the right box (could be a Grandstream HandyTone adapter , the all in one "Fritz!Box Fon" solution or any other product) you'll have the same comfort as you expect from any land line phone. You can already now use OpenWengo without a computer. "For our next generation of converging services we will deliver the third version of our Wenbox ATA, embedding the latest WengoPhone technologies to offer the same level of service seamlessly, without a computer...Further down the road, we expect to launch exciting new services supported by wifi-enabled mobile devices." I have seized the following five good reasons to choose Wengo from the Open Wengo site : What are the Wengophone's features? The Wengophone is an easy to use program, that enables you to call anyone, anywhere, anytime, for free. Its native use of the SIP protocol makes it interoperable with most on the known VoIP technologies. It already has built-in video capabilities, and is will offer many more features in the near future such as calling ordinary phones (land lines and mobiles) at very low prices, conference calls, user communities and innovative cellphone-based services. Why should VoIP users choose the Wengophone rather than any other softphone ? With our software, you have better audio quality, broader connectivity and low bandwidth usage. Additionally, thanks to its GPL license and SIP-compliant foundations,  you get the freedom of open source software: add functionality or modify Wengophone to fit your needs. Interested? Jump on board, get the source and start patching! OpenWengo is not just a community but also a company. How do you manage ? We are aware of the challenge that is launching an open source project, not just in terms of creating a new technology, but also in getting developers and future customers to support the efforts. We are committed to consistent and honest communication. OpenWengo and Wengo's commercial ventures are complementary, and our goal is to provide an alternative to expensive and/or proprietary services. How do you position yourself in regard to Skype or other VoIP providers ? We expect to compete strongly with Skype in the realm of software-based services (PC to PC) and complementary access modes (ATA, mobile devices). The trick? Free calls, Free software. You're focused on SIP, why ? SIP, short for Session Initiation Protocol, is an open standard developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force. Eventually, it will enable interoperability with other compliant VoIP service providers. One will be able to call any other SIP-compliant softphone user, seamlessly and for free. Moreover, SIP will enable new services for mobile users. At its latest press conference, Wengo announced that it was extending Wengophone to Firefox as from 15 February 2006. Tristan Nitot, President of Mozilla Europe, who was at the Wengo press conference this morning declared “Basing its package on open-source software, has given Wengo a serious boost that will give it a competitive edge and enable it to develop faster than the competition. We are committed to providing users with choice and innovation. Mozilla and Wengo share common values based on interoperability, open-source software and multiple platform support. We also have a common goal of providing all users with a simple and easy-to-use product”. |
Comments on "Wengo, the better (alternative to) Skype."
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Anonymous said ... (Mon Jan 30, 08:37:45 PM CET) :
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Roland said ... (Mon Jan 30, 09:21:20 PM CET) :
post a commentwww.gizmoproject.com is the best one
I like the gizmoproject to, but it is way to expensive.
Call out rates to Germany, France, Denmark, China, Honkong vary from double to 4 time as much as Skype rates and Wengo is much cheaper then Skype. <- So - if the Gizmo project really wants to be a project then it should have rates that are competitive.
I checked a lot of VOIP providers in Europe and even Skype is not the cheapest for any destination - if I look for a particular destination I will allways find a provider for 1 Cent (european cent). No one is overall that cheap - the lead here is wengo...