Any opinions on the GIZMO project from experts here?
 

Any opinions on the GIZMO project from experts here?

I was wondering about its use with a Nokia 770.

Any concerns about security or privacy etc.?

Any catches?

Better or worse than Skype or Google Talk?
--
Chris

Re: Any opinions on the GIZMO project from experts here?
 

On Fri, 1 Dec 2006 21:19:33 +0000, Chris <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:

>Any opinions on the GIZMO project from experts here?
I have tried it and it works OK. I got a friend to install it on his
PC and then he called me on my phone.
>
>I was wondering about its use with a Nokia 770.
>
>Any concerns about security or privacy etc.?
Just the same as other SIP phones I would imagine.
No reason why you couldn't use an ATA with Gizmo.
>
>Any catches?
>
>Better or worse than Skype or Google Talk?
Never tried Google talk. The Gizmo softphone works straight 'out of
the box' as does Skype. It is SIP's answer to Skype - it is a ready
set up softphone. It is primarily for people who have no idea of how
to set up a SIP phone. It features a ready set up echo test contact
and 'party' conference line. It is easily possible to call SIP phones
that are 'off net'.
Equally well you could use a soft phone, such as x-lite, or an ATA (or
SIP phone), and use virtually any provider that will supply a free
account - there are lots of them. You just need to know how to set it
up.

Remove 'no_spam_' from email address.

Re: Any opinions on the GIZMO project from experts here?
 

I've used both Gizmo and Skype whilst a low bandwidth torrent was running.
I think the Skype gave better results. Maybe this is because Skype has various
codecs of differing bandwidth it can use where as Gizmo (I think) seems to require
more bandwidth causing lost speech when the connection is busy with other traffic.
I suggest you try it out for yourself with other activity running such as a torrent
(at both ends) to simulate real world behaviour.
The Zfone (ZRTP) protocol only works with Gizmo, Skype uses proprietry encryption.
There are cordless phones (http://dualphone.net) that support Skype. Dualphone have
recently brought out a Skype cordless phone (3088) that doesn't require a PC.
You can also get a version of Skype to run on a PDA (PocketPC) using a WiFi link -
a kind of expensive cordless phone. I don't know of any cordless phones for Gizmo.
Jungle Boy

Re: Any opinions on the GIZMO project from experts here?
 

Jungle Boy wrote:
> I don't know of any cordless phones for Gizmo.

Gizmo uses SIP, so any SIP-capable device should work just fine.

Re: Any opinions on the GIZMO project from experts here?
 

"Paul Cupis" <paul@cupis.co.uk> wrote in message news:eksigu$upt$4@news.freedom2surf.net...
> Jungle Boy wrote:
> > I don't know of any cordless phones for Gizmo.
>
> Gizmo uses SIP, so any SIP-capable device should work just fine.

Gizmo is just a bit of software (like Skype) that runs on a PC - it doesn't
need any hardware. The advantage of Gizmo is that you can talk to people who
have 'proper' VOIP phones (usually businesses) or SIP adapter hardware to
convert a normal phone to VOIP.

A Dualphone could be designed to work with Gizmo's PC software, it's just
that they haven't bothered as most people haven't heard of Gizmo or SIP.

The disadvantage of both Gizmo and Skype has been the fact that you have
to leave the PC on burning up 300 watts of power all day.

The new Dualphone 3088 (www.dualphone.net) is different as a PC is no longer
required (similar to a SIP adapter) to run the Skype software - I assume
they're using an embedded Pocket PC/WinCE OS and the PDA version of Skype.

Re: Any opinions on the GIZMO project from experts here?
 

Jungle Boy wrote:
> "Paul Cupis" <paul@cupis.co.uk> wrote in message news:eksigu$upt$4@news.freedom2surf.net...
>> Jungle Boy wrote:
>>> I don't know of any cordless phones for Gizmo.
>> Gizmo uses SIP, so any SIP-capable device should work just fine.
>
> Gizmo is just a bit of software (like Skype) that runs on a PC - it doesn't
> need any hardware. The advantage of Gizmo is that you can talk to people who
> have 'proper' VOIP phones (usually businesses) or SIP adapter hardware to
> convert a normal phone to VOIP.
>
> A Dualphone could be designed to work with Gizmo's PC software, it's just
> that they haven't bothered as most people haven't heard of Gizmo or SIP.
>
> The disadvantage of both Gizmo and Skype has been the fact that you have
> to leave the PC on burning up 300 watts of power all day.

Or you could just conmfigure an ATA with the gizmo SIP settings and use
the service without requiring the gizmo software or your computer to be
on all of the time. This also allows you to use other softphones to
access you gizmo account should you wish. Of course you don't get the
benefit of gizmos IM service, but that is not likely to be a problem.

Re: Any opinions on the GIZMO project from experts here?
 

On Sat, 2 Dec 2006 12:18:12 -0000, "Jungle Boy"
<jungle.boy@nospam.com> wrote:

> Maybe this is because Skype has various
>codecs of differing bandwidth it can use where as Gizmo (I think) seems to require
>more bandwidth

All VOIP systems have a wide range of codecs and rata rates available,
but some providers only support a few of them.

In general, skype is better over low bandwidth connections than the
standard open protocols, but not necessarily in every case.