Mac OS X & VoIP Integration software?

[DaBuzz]

Has anyone else subscribed to VoIP service? AT&T started offering it in San Francisco last month, and, eager to ditch SBC, I signed up. I am basically pleased with the service, other than a few minor bugs AT&T is aware of.

My question: are there any 3rd party vendors that can integrate VoIP with Address Book, so I can call directly from it (or any application that supports it)? I know I can do it with my Bluetooth mobile phone, so I was wondering if there was a 3rd party solution for VoIP. (I know, I'm on the bleeding edge...but I love it! LOL)

 

[Horrortaxi]

I use Vonage and I'm very happy with it. It costs half of what I used to pay the phone company and I get many more features--plus I got to keep my old number.

I am really surprised that AddressBook doesn't have this ability, but I did find this app which makes it possible.

 

[saabmp3]

How would you get into the VOIP system. I have vonage here and it's a wan->RJ11 jack that really has no ability to get into to the system

BEN

 

[donlab]

vonage soft phone

vonage offers a softphone which allows you to use your computer as a phone w/ its own phone number. However, u must already subscribe to the vonage service to add this feature, its 9.95/month, and features free incoming calls. and 500 outgoing. not bad, and the softpone looks pretty cool, its built for mac osx. I have considerred it, but awaiting a cheap wifi phone to emerge.

 

[donlab]

address book integration

im not sure if it has address book integration however

 

[Horrortaxi]

I missed the point of accessing the VoIP over IP. I went more conventional and hooked my computer's modem to the Vonage box. It works though.

 

[PrometheusG5]

I missed the point of accessing the VoIP over IP. I went more conventional and hooked my computer's modem to the Vonage box. It works though.

Well, I think there were two compelling reasons for me to do it:

Price: In California, if you look at your SBC bill, there are so many taxes, surcharges, and other debits that it can take up to 2 double-sided pages. AT&T has a flat rate, and since this service is not governed by the state Public Utilities Commission, what you pay is what you pay. Period.

Current features: I like the ability for my phone to send me an email with an embedded voice memo when I get a voice mail, or otherwise notify me (via cellphone, etc.) when there is a new voicemail. In addition, the "Locate Me' feature is really handy. Instead of giving out 2, 3 or 4 phone numbers to people, you give them one, and the system tried to locate you at phone numbers you've designated. I know some businesses have had this, but it's the first time I've seen it offered to residential customers in California.

Future applications: I don't know what AT&T means when they say they have all kinds of new technologies coming, but I can imagine the possibilities.

For now, though, I'd settle for something that would allow me one-touch dialing through Address Book or Entourage (a la Bluetooth). Since the telephone adapter sits between the cable or DSL modem and your Mac, I would think software to tie it all together would be easy enough. Vonage is offering a sample of new technologies (see today's MacCentral site).

All in all, VoIP is very, very cool stuff. My organization is beginning to deploy it, and the departments that have implemented it have realized significant saving in telecommunication bills.

Now if Apple could just tie it all together...

 

[BrianKonarsMac]

any recommendations for VoIP in the Chicago area?

i can use either SBC, AT&T or Vonage.

i'm leaning towards AT&T (better contract) or Vonage (dedicated VoIP company).