The Deal-eo with Teleo
Robert Scoble called Teleo a "potential Skype killer". Stuart Henshall can be summarized as saying "no presence, no thanks".
It's a tough world, this middle ground between computers (presence, IM, click-to-call, user interface requirements) and phones ("just works" voice connectivity). But as you can see from just that last statement, the "features" are all on the side of computers. No one raves about placing a call or call forwarding.
But I still want Teleo. Or something like it. I want something built on standards (like SIP) rather than Skype's closed walls. Will and I had a long discussion about this: it comes down to I *know* that other systems interoperate with SIP today, whereas any future development around Skype, I have to wait for Skype to build or bless the usage of.
I want a number that I can point at other telephony devices. I'm held hostage by my Canadian cell phone provider because of the lack of LNP. I'll gladly pay Teleo $3 or $5 per month so that I can have a permanent number.
Except, of course, that that number is still tied to Teleo. I'm unlikely to get it back if they go out of business or I want to switch to another service.
I'd love to trial Teleo, but they currently require downloading and installing a Windows-only application.
I'm going to try my luck with SIPphone instead. It even has presence support through PhoneGaim, a multi-network IM client and sotfphone in one, although it's Linux and Windows only for now. My wish: that Adium manages to integrate SIP-based telephony.
And I still want to buy a number. Just like I can buy a domain. Who can a) sell me one and b) guarantee that I'll be able to switch it to different services?
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Update
Hi, turns out Shaw doesn't block that port. During the installation of Teleo -- it apparantly does a speed check on your connection -- and then installs code in the registry with that value. My connection at install must have been grinding at that time. I removed the registry item -- and re-started Teleo to give it another speed test. Works fine now. No problems. What I like about Teleo better than Skype is it gave me a local number for my PC for inbound calls. The only downside at the moment is Teleo doesn't have voicemail. So if I'm not sitting at my PC and someone calls..... it just rings and rings and.... :-)
Cheers
Teleo
I hear the "number" cry. Just like buying your own domain, at least you can control it. Number portability is still a problem. I'm sure Skype will ultimately offer inbound numbers and it stands to reason the connection will be SIP like. Where it is less clear to me that SIP effectively bridges the gap is for IM and Chat. While I hear SIMPLE what's really happened on that score? I've tried Phone Gaim twice and both times it's failed to install or work correctly. It's also not elegant.
Teleo & Shaw Internet
I just tried Teleo on my Shaw high-speed connected PC. Outbound is fine. But won't allow inbound. Error message says "The originating carrier for that call cannot complete it at this time because your internet connection may be too slow" Well I know it's fast - and other VOIP products work. Do you know if they port-block this stuff? My regular home phone is on Sprint and I have Shaw high-speed.
Just uncheck "shared lin
Just uncheck "shared line" , then should be fine.
Interesting
It would be very surprising to me if Shaw is port-blocking. They did just launch their own (overpriced) VoIP offering, so it's not out of the question.
Do you have a router that might be blocking? Doesn't sound like a very helpful error message.