Voice Over IP

Back in 2009, Skype announced a Lite version for BlackBerry users, which never came, and which caused, and still goes on causing, much disappointment. Four years later (in the world of technology, that's more like four light-years), now that Skype has moved under Microsoft custody, a version of Skype is finally released for BlackBerry. Skype has annouced it, but I have been to BlackBerry App World to check it for myself. It is true finally. One huge limitation: it works only on BlackBerry's latest Q10 and Z10 platforms. So, if you have been one of the deceived BlackBerryans, you have to invest. Get Skype for your BlackBerry there.

If you still can't use Skype on your BlackBerry, you will want to consider other VoIP apps for BlackBerry in order to make free and cheap calls worldwide.

Many believe that communication, be it residential or business, still hangs on the landline. However, smartphones have been quite convincing lately, specially for businesses, when powered with VoIP. So, can we run a business only with smartphones?

Kelly Lindner outlines the pros, cons and how-to's of running a smaller or start-up business with smartphones. She explores several angles of this business telephony strategy, including key benefits, such as cost savings and the ability to conduct business anywhere at any time; and potential issues, such as devices losing power, Internet connection or phone service unexpectedly. Read more

Ooma's basic residential phone plan is already quite rich in features, apart from giving free unlimited calls to US phones. If you still are not happy with just buying the harware and making free calls ever after, you can have a long list of more features against a monthly fee. Features you might not be requiring, save for the free calling to all Canada phones, for example, or the additional line, or multi-ringing. Read more

Viber often crashes on my Android, and each time they reassure the user by being funny, saying something like "the best team of engineers are on it...". Well that best team of engineers have had much to do this week, when a security flaw in the app was exposed. In fact, with some trick, the screen lock can be bypassed by sending a couple of Viber messages, which finally give full access to the unauthorized holder on that phone after the lock is bypassed. You can see how this can be done on that video.Yesterday the 'best' team have fixed the bug, so if you use Viber, you are advised to download and install the debugged version: http://download.viber.com/viber.apk

Ooma is well known for giving you a phone service without any monthly bill. Next month, it will be launching its small business suite, called Ooma Office, which is relatively quite cheap (but not no-monthly-bill) and offers a decent number of features. .It targets small businesses. Read more

You are a business person, member of a social, religious or political groups, are an academic, or any person needing to make audio conferences for free? Here is a list in which you will surely find one suiting your needs. Among the services listed are:

• UberConference
• FreeConferenceCall
• Wiggio
• Rondee
• FreeConference (different from the other one in the list)
• JoinMe and
• Google Voice

Don't expect much from Google Voice conferencing as it does not have many features and can accomodate only four persons in the call, but instead be happy that you have a free conference tool to be used anytime and anywhere. Read more