We wrote a few months ago [1] about a Panasonic Globarange dual-mode PSTN/VoIP cordless phone that would make free calls to other phones in the same product line. Now comes word that the VoIP service behind the Globarange phones is Deltathree's new consumer-level service joip, and that there will be a Globarange softphone. There was initial word that the VoIP service would only last two years after initial set-up, but there's no such limitation mentioned on the Globarange website. The phones are scheduled for a summer availability; joip is currently in beta. I'm pretty jaded about stuff like this, but a zero-config cordless IP phone with free calls to other similar phones strikes me as a killer viral marketing idea.
For more information about Globarange phones:
- check out the Globarange website [2]
Links:
[1] http://www.fiercevoip.com/story/panasonic-debuts-carrier-less-voip-phone/2007-01-09
[2] http://www.globarange.com/