Samsung has announced plans to embed Skype software in its new Samsung LED 7000 and 8000 HDTVs.

"Voice calls will use Skype's SILK audio codec, which enables super-wideband audio quality," according to The Peninsula Online. "Using the TV's remote controls, consumers can create free Skype accounts, log into their existing accounts and navigate via a simple Skype interface accessible on the television's screens."

"Our consumers want their televisions to be a 'one-stop shop' for entertainment and communication delivered with the highest quality," says Samsung vice president of visual display Kevin Kyungshik Lee. "Including Skype on our TVs meets that expectation perfectly. We're thrilled that Samsung's consumers can now use our TVs to experience the rich video and voice communication that hundreds of millions of Skype users worldwide enjoy."

"Rather than heading to the computer to Skype with that Lithuanian girl from last summer, you could do it all from your living room," concludes infoSync's Mike Perlman.

More here from Betanews ... and the press release is here.

© llawliet

Avaya has introduced the latest version of its SMB unified communications suite, IP Office 6.0.

"Though the provider has doubled multi-site network support capacity to scale up to 1,000 users, Avaya's target for the updated UC suite is truly small businesses — Avaya claims that IP Office 6.0 makes UC 40% more affordable for businesses with fewer than 20 employees," writes InformationWeek's Benjamin Tomkins.

"Among the new features for the product, which is version 6.0 of IP Office, is a browser-based application that gives users more control of their voice calls, voice conferences and instant messaging," writes ZDNet's Richard Thurston. "This application allows users who chair conferences to add, drop and mute individual participants and record conference calls from their desktop."

"IP Office 6.0 also introduces video collaboration through a new IP Office Video Softphone application," writes eWeek's Nathan Eddy. "This offers voice control features via a virtual phone on a PC or laptop, supporting point-to-point video communications when visuals are required."

More here from VoIP Planet ... and more here from No Jitter.

Infone Goes Belly-Up The VoIP Weblog

Sorry to depress some of you, but a rumor (well it looks to be pretty well documented) is out saying Infone is closing down. Here's the email: Dear Infone Customer: It is with deep regret that we must announce that Infone LLC will be discontinuing its enhanced directory assistance and call completion services effective December 31, 2005. If you have questions you may contact us by e-mail at customer.service@infone.com. Please be advised [...] Read More


Rumor: Pulvermedia Closing Up Shop? The VoIP Weblog

I want to be clear that this is an unsubstantiated rumor at this point. The only thing we have is a single blog post by Marc Robins, and the reported radio silence by the Pulvermedia team to go on. Until we hear something more official from Pulvermedia or Jeff Pulver, we're all left wondering. Many of us in the VoIP industry are hoping for the best. It would be sad to [...] Read More


Google Phone is no more a rumor The VoIP Weblog

The time has come when we need to put the rumors regarding Google phone to rest as the announcement has come from the horse's mouth. Isabel Aguilera, google's head of Spain and Portugal has stated that the company has been working on a mobile phone. Isabel Aguilera stated in Noticias.com, a Spanish news website: Some of the time the engineers are dedicated to developing a mobile phone. Ok!! And there is one [...] Read More


That little belly Daily Power Walk

That little belly that you have might be a greater danger than you think. The extra fat on your belly is connected with heart diseases among others and that doesn´t sound too fun does it? How much is a little? Well that is a good question. Too much is when you can grab it with your hand I´d say. The belly is also what most people seem to think is quite difficult [...] Read More


1952 So-Cal Belly Tanker Featured in New Photography Book Classical Drives

As an admirer of automotive photography I'm compelled to draw your attention to a new book by "Michael Furman", whose latest title "Curves of steel" was created for a display at the Phoenix Art Museum. In his words it was "edited by Jonathan A. Stein, with wonderful essays by Richard Adatto, Diana Meredith, Beverly Rae Kimes, Ken Gross, and Phil Patton among others." Wow! What a lineup of automotive historians [...] Read More

HP coupons for your favorite Hewlett-Packard items are just a keystroke away.


Founded by William Hewlett and David Packard in a garage in 1939 with an investment of just $538, Hewlett-Packard has grown into one of the world's largest manufacturers of information technology products.

Today the company offers a wide array of information technology merchandise ranging from printers and personal computers to calculators and other similar tools.

Websites like Offers.com provide online coupons and discounts on a wide variety of consumer products including clothing, jewelry, health and beauty products, electronics and more.

Online HP coupons available online offer savings on a variety of Hewlett-Packard products including desktop PCs and saving at the HP Home and Home Office store.

For easy ways to save on technology, visit online coupon and discount Websites for HP and other online coupons and discounts on many other products as well.

Increasingly a variety of saving are available online that will almost certainly benefit when you make your next computer related or other technology purchase.

Can you suggest ways of saving money on a computer or other tech purchase whether for your home or business? What tips could you recommend for getting a better deal when shopping for technology online?

Are you saving enough money on your traditional phone line?


In case you didn't know it, there are plenty of ways to cut your cost, but it's necessary to shop around for the right bargains first.

Then compare the money you save to the service you will get in return both pros and cons.

To save money on your landline phone, the Lazy Man and Money blog recommends:

• Negotiate with your phone company. Just tell them you want a lower rate and see if they will work with you to keep your business.
  


• Get cable instead. Many cable companies now bundle phone service with Internet and other home communications options and there is a possibility such packages might suite your needs.
  


• Get an alternative service like Vonage, Skype or other VoIP option. Look, when it comes to personal communications, your local phone company isn't the only game in town anymore
  

Be aware that with any choice you make there may be a downside to the money you save.

On the other hand, if you can find a service with enough of the features you want and fewer of those you don't care about at a lower price, so much the better.

Have some suggestions for saving money on your phone bill? We'd love to hear them. Add a comment below.