Hop over to andLinux.org and you can download an Ubuntu Linux distro that will install itself and run out of your Windows system tray. This isn't Cygwin or a Linux emulation, but a real Linux that runs like an ordinary application on your Windows box.
Head to this Lifehacker post for an annotated installation guide with screenshots.
The Age has this article about a new 5mm chip that can transmit at up to 5 gigabits/second over distances of up to 10 meters and it only will cost less than $10 to produce (I assume that's in Aussie dollars).
The Mobile Gadeteer has made this post about the aforementioned service. For $12/month it's a GREAT deal and should put some pressure on the home VoIP providers like Vonage to lower their prices. In fact, when T-Mobile roles out their 3G service, I may be tempted to ditch my AT&T service and return to the T-Mobile fold -- I've never been impressed by AT&T's service whereas I've always had good experiences with T-Mobile.
$12/month is really a pretty good rate although I've only spent a little over $4.00 for two months of service with VoicePulse Connect. That was for 380 minutes of outbound calling (a little over 6 hours of talking). If you consider that I'm spending about $2.00/month for my setup then I'd be paying an additional $10.00/month for the simplicity of installation and maintenance. That seems like a reasonable trade to me. Fortunately, I don't have to make a decision yet ... it's not available here in Silly-con Valley yet.
The Linutop 2 is available now for Eur 280.00 (a little over $400). Found this via Engadget.
Still no reply from eMoze. I applied to become a member of their forum so I could post my question about how it integrates with Pocket Outlook and I also sent an email to their support via their online form and haven't received an answer from either of them. Hello? Is there anybody in there?
I've been banging around some VoIP sites again and have come across some services/providers that I haven't really had time to investigate in any detail. Rather than keep the sites to myself pending a more thorough investigation, I thought I'd at least post them with the little bit of information I have. If I can get back to them, I will post more detailed entries but, if I don't, at least you all will have the benefit of what I've found.
Inbound number in an area code that you don't pick. Upload your contacts, call it from one of 3 numbers you designate and you can call the contact through them. Your contact doesn't see your RingBranch number. If someone calls your RingBranch number, it's forwarded to one number you select. 1000 minutes/month. Free right now.
$9.95/month after a 60-day free trial. Transfer your phone number to them and they'll forward calls to that (or those) numbers to a single phone number.
T-Mobile's Talk Forever Home Phone:
Wireless router is $50 and the service is $10/month with a $39.99/monthly plan (2 year contract).
I know they'll disagree but the easiest way to descibe it is to call it, essentially, GrandCentral in a paid form. $9.99/month after a free 30-day trial. Has a website optimized for the iPhone as well as TalkPlus applications for Windows Mobile, Blackberry, Palm and others.
Masque Number:
Sort of line Vumber. $9.95/month for the first number and then an incremental cost for each additional number. Each number comes with its own voicemail.
Free, expiring phone number. Currently "scaling our infrastructure" so not accepting new subscribers.