VoiceOver

Ask Maggie: What you should know about ditching the iPhone for Android

Are you thinking of giving up your Apple iPhone for a new Google Android smartphone?

If the answer is yes, there are a few things you should consider. In this week's Ask Maggie, I explain how iPhone users can transfer iTunes music to a new Android phone, and why you can't take your apps with you.

Also in this week's column, I explain why most of Verizon's current 4G LTE phones won't support the new Voice over LTE technology expected next year. And I explain the difference between 3G HSDPA and HSPA+ on AT&… Read more

Why Skype is perfect for Cisco

If I were a technology acquisition matchmaker, I'd definitely set tech giant Cisco Systems up with Skype.

The companies complement each other so well, it seems as though they'd be a match made in heaven. In fact, I'd argue they are much more compatible than Skype and eBay ever were. eBay acquired Skype in 2006 for $2.6 billion.

Apparently, I am not the only one who thinks that Cisco and Skype should get hitched. Cisco has reportedly already made a bid for the company, according to TechCrunch. The two companies are keeping mum on the rumors. … Read more

Is Cisco chatting up Skype?

Cisco Systems may be making a play for Internet phone service Skype, according to a TechCrunch report.

The blog cited an unnamed source who claims that Cisco has made an offer to acquire Skype before the company completes its initial public offering. Skype filed for an IPO with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this month.

TechCrunch admited that it wasn't able to confirm the rumor, which might indicate that its source is not directly related to the talks. It also mentioned that Google had been interested in buying Skype but is not planning to make an … Read more

Make free Skype calls for a month

Thinking of pulling the plug on home phone service? One popular alternative is Skype, which offers free PC-to-PC calling and dirt-cheap calls to cell phones and landlines.

In honor of the World Cup, Skype is offering one month of unlimited free calls to the U.S., Mexico, and loads of other countries. (OK, unlimited to a point--there is a fair-usage policy.)

Basically, you pick a country where you have friends or relatives, then sign up for a Skype subscription. Depending on the country, you'll either get the first month free, or get a fixed number of free minutes. (Brazil, … Read more

Skype coming to Verizon Wireless phones?

BARCELONA, Spain--Verizon Wireless could soon be adding Skype software to some of its phones, according to reports.

Verizon, the largest wireless company in the U.S., announced Friday that it is scheduling a press conference with Skype on Tuesday at the Mobile World Congress trade show and conference here.

Verizon isn't commenting publicly on the announcement, but Bloomberg is citing unnamed sources who say the company is planning to include Skype's Internet calling software directly in some of its phones.

The service would let customers make Skype calls over Verizon's 3G data network.

For years, telecom giants … Read more

AT&T cuts cord on VoIP service

AT&T has pulled the plug on its CallVantage voice over IP phone service, according to letters from subscribers this week.

The service competed with other VoIP services like Vonage. VoIP services use broadband networks to place phone calls. These services are much less expensive than traditional landline phone services and cost between $20 and $30 per month. But even this price is proving too high for consumers who are cutting their traditional phones to use their cell phones or are signing up for voice services with their cable providers, which are bundling the phone service in with broadband … Read more

Verizon updates VoIP phone

Verizon Communications is trying to keep customers tied to the old idea of a home phone with updates to its new Verizon Hub.

The Verizon Hub, which was introduced earlier this year, is essentially a souped-up voice-over IP handset. It's designed to be the main phone and communication "hub" for the household, providing not only phone service, but also sports, weather, and other news.

But given the device's hefty price tag of $199 with a two-year contract, it seems a bit steep for consumers who can already get that information and functionality from their cell phones. … Read more

New operator promises cheap wireless service

In these tough economic times, everyone is looking for a good deal.

And Sascha Segan at PC Magazine seems to have found a darn good bargain if you're looking for a cheap wireless plan that offers unlimited data and voice calling. The service, which costs only $70 a month with no monthly contract, is offered by a new mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO, called Zer01 Mobile.

The company also offers unlimited international calling to 40 countries for an additional $10 a month.

Segan reports in his story posted on Thursday that the company is using a form of … Read more

Fully Equipped: Apple to shift to voice interface for iPods, iPhones?

I recently trashed the third-generation Shuffle in a blog post, saying it was "a disaster." Well, I meant it. A button-less, tiny, entry-level MP3 with special "VoiceOver" features just seems so unnecessary. But then a reader made an interesting point to me. What if the lede got buried in Apple's Shuffle announcement?

While everyone was harping about how the thing's really small (I say too small), requires an adapter for you to use your own headphones, and has a voice-over feature that doesn't seem to really add much (we know what our favorite … Read more