Thanks to the FCC, we learn VoIP service provider Ooma is still trucking and intends to release a wireless accessory for their long-running Telo basestation ($200). Unlike, say Vonage or your cableco’s telephone service, Ooma sells you their network gadget for a one time fee and then provides unlimited US calling using your phone handsets or theirs – and without a computer in the mix (compared to the original magicJack). Additional features, including International calling, can be added for additional cost (of course). And, back when I worked from home, I found Ooma highly reliable and indispensable.
The new Ooma Linx looks to extend both the range of the Ooma Telo while potentially increasing the number and type of devices connected. It’s basically a DECT wall wart, that communicates with one’s existing Telo basestation, and hosts an additional phone, phone base station, or fax machine. Like most FCC filings, there’s no indication of pricing or timing. But I’m happy to see Ooma still in the game.
We’ve been using Ooma Telo ever since it was released. I like it, but I wish the hardware was more reliable for incoming calls – about 1/3 of the time, you cannot answer an extension when it rings.
I’ve had the Ooma Telo for about 2 years and I’ve never had a problem with it, even when my Comcast connection was having packet loss issues (Ooma sends redundant packets to work around problems like this). I don’t think it’s quite as good as Xfinity Voice, but the price per performance ratio is a lot higher.
My biggest issue with Ooma is it adds quite a bit of latency to conversations, more so than a cell phone. I’ve measured it as anywhere between 500 and 800 ms. It’s usable but does take some getting used to to prevent talking over someone else when you think they aren’t responding.
As for the Linx, I’m not sure I get the point. I guess it’s for people who don’t already have a DECT or wireless phone system.
I used the original Ooma and my experience was excellent. Most of the time there was no noticeable (to me anyway) latency. I can’t remember exactly how I had it wired up and since 2008 I’m sure a lot has changed. Including my memory.
Like Morac, the purpose of the Linx is a little unclear although maybe exactly what the doctor ordered for dialup TiVo and dedicated Fax folks? Could be too much of a corner case…
Dave I have to give you credit. Your site could possibly have the most ads per square inch of content on the web. I also love that you killed off the full rss feeds so that I must look at these ads for services that I would never use or click on i.e. Sprint. Sprint is the Boost mobile of the prepaid market. Can I get a pumphead for my HTC Desire Amaze Fascinate VI FauxG LTE?
* FauxG LTE Network will be available when BlackBerry 10 launches.
bd, Killing full RSS feeds was a crappy decision I had to make to protect the our site from rampant automated plagiarism that has significantly and negatively impacted our traffic. I was spending more time sending takedown notices to hosting companies, that were largely ignored or contested, than writing. It sucks, but that’s the Internet. The little checkbox below the comment field you filled out has an option to receive articles via email and is what I’ve been suggesting folks use to replace the RSS feed.
As far as ads, I haven’t measured by space and size but we display only three to four ad units and may be dropping one more this fall. That compares favorably with many blogs/bloggers I read and I’ve always tried to run the type of blog I’d enjoy visiting and believe we do a good job keeping visual clutter to a minimum. The persistant footer unit has been an experiment I probably won’t continue, but I’m contractually obligated to keep it in place through the end of August. Related, I don’t choose the advertisers or ads and don’t have much to say about your feelings towards Sprint.
I’ve come to terms with the fact that I can’t please all the people all the time…
Good to know your thoughts on this. I appreciate it. I guess the footer on the bottom is the most annoying and probably what prompted my post…
Obviously I do read the site on a regular basis.
If you can find the older first generation ooma devices, you don’t have to pay the taxes and fees every month. I’ve got one of the first generation devices and I haven’t had a phone bill in nearly 4 years. I think consumer reports rated ooma the best phone service. The one drawback is that they charge $30 to port your existing number.
This is great for my mom. She doesn’t like the base station for her wireless phone in the same location as the ooma. Now we can move the base station it into her bedroom and leave the ooma in the kitchen. I wonder if these will support two line calling like my hub and scout does with one phone number.
Dave,
How did you manage to get Ooma’s attention? I’ve been trying to get them to participate in a http://vuc.me call for a long time. They simply don’t respond.
Also, Doug Mohney of http://www.hdvoicenews.com has found them and their pr form completely unresponsive.
Michael
I haven’t talked to Ooma in any official capacity in two years, it’s been total radio silence – another reason I’ve worried about their health. And I just happened to stumble upon this.