Phoneboy is where I first saw mention of Gizmo:
Hey look, it's Michael Robertson's attempt at cloning Skype: Project Gizmo. Since it basically is using the existing SIPphone infrastructure to pull it off, it's definitely SIP, it's definitely got connectivity with other SIP networks, and they've got inbound and outbound PSTN connectivity.
PhoneBoy's Blog: Project Gizmo?
It's essentially a slick client for SIPphone, which I mentioned briefly trying in this post about Skype. I'm going to download it and try it out, but I initially don't think it has the clout to take out the Skype juggernaut. Am I going to get more than a handful of people to try this out when Skype works today? I agree with Doc Searls, it is a locked silo, which I'm not happy about...but it's here today, it works, and it far surpasses the "just works" test.
What does Gizmo need to do to win my loyalty? Use Jabber for your instant messaging, and run gateways that let me connect to all the other systems with your one client. Solve my too many IM clients problem! (which is actually an identity / buddylist problem in part)
(Actually, yes, I would like to see SIP support in Adium! Where do I send my money?)
Later: OK, gets stuck at "Starting agent..." then "Failed to register with server, an unknown error occurred.", although I did get username "borismann". And yes, there are some "neat" features, like recording of calls, integration of maps and users, and even picking your own "on hold music". Somebody call me when it works.
More:
Comments
Gizmo phones too late (maybe?)
Hi
Paul Ormerod in his book butterfly econonics talks about the social effect of the mass. Skype has once again (Kazaa before) used this social effect to create a mass market. AOL and Hotmail used it before them. People have given out their skype numbers and now have a VoIP network of people they talk too. So I think Gizmo will have it hard. Although I know you are a Apple Mac user, Microsoft have announced MS Communicator their VoIP client using SIP and it also has an open gateway to Yahoo, AOL etc. IM as well as MSN. It might be the Skype killer but it will only work on the Windows XP platform?
Sam
Canadian QA
I'll let Michael know. ;)
gizmo
I used it and it succeded placing calls through my company's firewall !!!
Voice quality is good.. The voice quality is comparable to what Skype offers. I had few issues connecting to phones in Japan....
I got an acount in both skype and gizmo...I I prefer skype....but gizmo allows me to place and receive calls from work....my brother is in JAPAN and he calls me FREE using a SIP phone.
The point that michael had was that better products can be achieved using OPEN formats. GIZMO was a good example of that; skype was BAD just for using a propietary format....I agree with him.
mic
I am using A $2.00 MIC AND MY CALLS CANNOT HERE ME. Please help
No doubt.
Ya, I downloaded it and played with it, and to be honest I was expecting some sort of gateway that would allow me to import my skype contacts and perhaps even bridge the two protocols. That would be usable and be very successful. A trillian-like telephony app if you will.
..jay
Should work now...
If you have the PC version, you might download the latest copy from the site. A couple of bugs were squashed that were affecting some users on startup. Otherwise fantastic growth affected some system logins. Should be fine now. Thanks for trying it.
Gizmo Project Team
Downloaded the latest version
Downloaded the latest version; agent started after a long while and then - error connecting to.
error connecting to
same s**t here. :( skype -- just works!
But i can't use my Skype acco
But i can't use my Skype account with my hardware SIP Phone.