We used to let our fingers do the walking, but now people looking for a merchant can use VoIP to do their talking. Using Windows Live Call for Free (powered by Verizon Business SIP Gateway service sans an adapter or VoIP service of their own), consumers are just a click away from chatting with local businesses or advertisers they encounter while searching www.maps.live.com [1]. The best part of this announcement has to be that the service is free to end users. This is good news for people with smartphones and perhaps even for people without them in the long run. If the service proves popular, it could put pressure on mobile operators to reduce or eliminate their fees for directory assistance and connection through service.
For more about Microsoft and Verizon:
- read this article [2] from Telephony Online
Related Articles:
Microsoft shows VoIP phones. Report [3]
Microsoft sniffing around VoIP. Report [4]
Links:
[1] http://www.maps.live.com
[2] http://telephonyonline.com/home/news/verizon_voip_windowslive_060407/
[3] http://www.fiercevoip.com/story/microsoft-shows-voip-phones/2007-05-17
[4] http://www.fiercevoip.com/story/microsoft-sniffing-around-voip/2006-06-27