Just Duke - ponderings of a middle aged, bald headed fat guy
Just Duke
Gmail calls phones!
In November, Google bought up VOIP company Gizmo 5. When they did, most in the tech world expected them to announce some sort of Skype killing service. I'm not quite sure that anyone expected what we got this past Wednesday from Google. You can now call any phone anywhere in the USA and Canada for free! All you need to know is their number! Well, you need a gmail account and a couple of plug-ins also. You can also get a FREE number so that folks can call you as well. Currently, this only applies in the USA and Canada. You can still do the PC thing with the Video chat as well! Yes, I would think this is a Skype killer for several reasons. Skype isn't tied to gmail, and contacts like this is! And looking at the international rates google is advertising, it certainly looks competitive with those of Skype.
In my tests, call quality has been good! Just as good as Skypes, but it's early and withholding judgement until after I have used it quite a bit and made some calls overseas. BUT, with that said, the price is certainly right for anyone to try it! Skype charges for a number! Google doesn't!
Google already has Gadgets to load into your iGoogle page! Or launch your gmail and look down the left hand side in your Chat window. You will see an Option that says, "Call Phone". Download the plug-ins, close your brower and get to dailing! This should work on any PC with a mic and speakers!
If you've been pondering doing away with the home phone, or looking for a cheaper solution such as Vonage, or other IP solutions, take a hard look at this one. The price is certainly right at least until the end of the year!
Last Updated on Saturday, 28 August 2010 14:53
Idiot of the week - 8/22-8/28/10 UPDATE
So I'm going to try my best to get back to posting my "Idiot of the week". This week's award goes to:
Paris Hilton
After pleading no contest in 2007 to alcohol-related reckless driving, Hilton was sentenced to 45 days in jail. After spending about 23 days in jail, Hilton told CNN host Larry King that the experience caused her to re-evaluate the role partying played in her life. She said she wanted "to help raise money for kids and for breast cancer and multiple sclerosis."
Hilton was arrested eariler this summer after the Brazil-Netherlands World Cup match in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on suspicion of possession of marijuana. The case was then dropped at a midnight court hearing.
Last Updated on Sunday, 29 August 2010 18:14
My mobile device history
Once on another blog, I documented my mobile device ownership. A recent comment on my Facebook Page, reminded me of that article and I thought it was time to revisit and update it, to document the path I have taken on this crazy ride that is mobile technology.
In the late 90's, I was in love with the PDA! My very first one was the Palm III. Monochrome screen, and a way to sync contacts! It had a serial port as USB hadn't been invented! and also this really cool craddle for it to sit in. It was limited by today's standards, but it was awesome in 1998!
But you know what would be even cooler? Take that monochrome screen and make it color! Give it the ability to display say, 65,000 different colors! Man, how awesome would that be? I'm pretty sure I owned this baby the 1st week it was available. Palm called it the IIIc for Color.
So I was loving this device! I was so amazed by it! It was a little bulky and extremely heavy, but I could still put it in my pocket! I thought it was very cool that I could sync photos to take with me, and I remember looking for an excuse to whip it out at work to share family happenings. I think during this same time, I proudly owned a Lexmark Digital camera that took a 640X480 picture! I would drop those to my PC and sync them to this device! It took a little effort, but not much, and as far as I was concerned, it was cool, it wouldn't matter if it took even more time!
Last Updated on Saturday, 28 August 2010 10:13
Page 1 of 121
Menu
From my Nexus
| Walking this morning I came upon a Guy carrying a 12 pack, weaving and talking to a Guy beside him that I couldn't see. |
Family Quotes
"Mammie, turn the music on, my feet feel like Dancing!" - Chloe, three years old
"I don't poopy on myself anymore, I poopy in the potty" Jennifer four years old
Skype Status
Search
Tech Tidbits
| Every citizen of Finland has the legal right to a 1Mbps broadband connection, meaning that providers are now required to make the connections available to everyone. The government of Finland has also promised to make good on its goal of getting every citizen with a 100Mbps connection by 2015, saying that they now consider internet access a basic requirement of daily life. |
About Me
I'm a middle aged guy who finds much pleasure in today's technology. Once upon a time, I kept a blog about mobile tech, along with a site documenting my bike rides, and still another site that included family happenings and photos. After a while I decided it made much more sense to combine all those things and create what has become "Just Duke". Just things that I am interested in. Daily I follow the news and trends around mobile technology. I also document my Kayak and Scooter adventures here. By day I work for a large Chemical company, and by night I play bass in a Christian Rock band called Exit 33. I also play bass in my Churches Praise band. When time allows, I enjoy camping with my wife. I love the outdoors and live in an area where I get to experience all 4 seasons in all their glory. I always keep a camera handy, so expect to see those adventures documented here as well.
Comments
- My mobile device history
WP7 has a lot of potential. The two biggest challe...
By Duke Carico - My mobile device history
Don't forget Windows Phone 7. I think it might be ...
By Christopher Meinck - iRenew Bracelets! Wise Up Amer...
Reiki, witchcraft,... dangerous 2 the soul..
By lindsey - iRenew Bracelets! Wise Up Amer...
I saw this commercial while watching Fox News. I l...
By Kilgore - iRenew Bracelets! Wise Up Amer...
"And if you really want to improve your life, try ...
By Timothy
Simpons Random Quote
 |
