At CES Unveiled earlier this week, Ooma introduced their next generation hardware. While “Telo” pricing and timing have yet to be locked down, it’s looking like we’ll see the new gear early to mid 2009 and at a similar price point to the existing hub ($250). As implemented now, an Ooma VoIP hardware purchase entitles owners to free and unlimited US calls. An optional Premiere subscription enables advanced telephony features and the International rates are quite reasonable. As you can see from the pic above, Ooma will also be offering telephone handsets – both bundled with the hub or available as accessories. However, customers will remain free to utilize existing telephones with their units. (I use a matching cordless Panasonic with my hub, which ran me about 60 or 70 bucks for three.) While the new device and architetchure will allow for additional functionality (hey, it’s a network appliance), we’ll probably see feature parity amongst the two Ooma generations for some time. Meaning, I wouldn’t hesitate to get in now. (And I quite like the silver industrial look of my unit.)
Incidentally, I can put those privacy concerns to rest – typical unsubstantiated Internet hysteria. And as an aside, I enjoyed chatting with CEO Andrew Frame. Turns out we both have questionable networking backgrounds, though his circle was clearly more influential than mine.
You can tell I’ve been reading too much political news lately. I first read the title as “Obama’s New Hardware”.
More coffee for me…
Obama’s new hardware will be arriving in late January. It’ll consist of a large desk and red phone in an oval office. ;)
What do you think about Ooma’s longevity? I was one of the sunrocket people who barely hung onto my phone number, and all VOIP companies scare me now. but I really want to go with this.