Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

I just install gizmoproject on my n800 and I have to say it works better than skype. I called a few people using skype and all complaint about how choppy my voice is when on skype. Now I did the same thing from gizmoproject no complaints at all and some thought i was on a landline :P . I have all the ports skype needs to be open for good call quality and still sounds bad and i havent set not even one of the ports gizmoproject needs and sounds excellent :)Would love to hear other users experiences with both apps :) later!

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

Yes, I agree, Gizmo on the N810 definitely works better and sounds better than Skype.
But the sad thing is most of my friends and family are on Skype and just one contact I know is on Gizmo. That is the advantage that Skype holds - cause moving all my friends to Gizmo is a difficult task uless skype really throws down the ball.

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

I paid $30 to be able to call anyone's landline from Skype. Does Gizmo have the equivalent? I haven't been happy with Skype's call quality -- right now I'm using an N800 with os2008 so Skype doesn't work anyway...

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

Gizmo outcall-anywhere (to most kinds of phones) starts at $10 for up to 500 minutes. Works great.

For incalls from any phone, Gizmo charges about $30/yr for a pre-assigned 747#.

BUT, you can bypass Gizmo and get a free phone number from Google's grandcentral.com that can forward your incall to Gizmo for FREE. They also offer many, many other free options and services for your number.

The Grandcentral incall # can be a phone number local to your family or friends to call you free on their cells/landline from. Online settings allow incoming calls to be re-directed to any of your land or cell lines you choose, as well as your IT. Again, for FREE!

This should be a big selling point for Gizmo, AFAIC, and the combination w/ Grandcentral beats Skype in about every way.

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

Is there a quick way to get Grand Central invite

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

If you just need a US telephone number (Washington state number) that people can call, and those calls gets redirected to your Gizmo Project, you can use www.ipkall.com. It is free and worked fine last time I used it.

The downside is that if you do not use it, they cancel your account after about a month... But since it is free, nothing to lose!

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

I have been using Gizmo with my N800 for 3 or 4 months. Calling out can be frustrating because it does not always connect, but there is ringing on the end of the person that you are calling. It may take 2 or more tries, but when it does work though, it works great. I have been sipping on the same $10 that I bought when I downloaded it.

I did go for the call in number, thinking that I would use it more often than I do, but Grand Central pretty much takes care of everything. All incoming calls have had no trouble.

Send me an email if you want an invitation for Grand Central.

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

The one thing I like about the Gizmo project is the ability to use the integrated SIP client in OS2008 (I use the N800 beta) this works great and means I don't have to use a bloated client just to call people. I prefer not to have to leave Gizmo or programs open all the time or try to minimise them to the task bar just to receive a call.

And the wonderful thing about Gizmo is you can call other standard Sip phones like Ekiga for example on another network.

The only downfall with the integrated SIP client was things like Caller ID doesn't seem to work for me with calls coming from Gizmo. I am sure there is a way around it, I just haven't looked too hard.

I used the info on http://support.gizmoproject.com/inde...kbarticleid=83 to set my integrated SIP client up for Gizmo :)

-Rip

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

i used gizmo on my trip to thee philippines. it was ok to use, and definitely better than skype since it was't yyet available foor the os2008. i called back to the states and only used 2.00 dollars for almost 60 minutes of use. a ceellphone chargges 2.00 a miinute.
call quality was decent, people could hear me, and i heard otheers clearly. not landline quality but decent. gizmo was a good investment for me. made my n800 worth every penny.

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

If SIP (Gizmo) works better, why even consider proprietary Skype? I never understand why people must always fall in love with companies like Skype?

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

They probably don't realize there's tons of alternatives.

I don't really care for Skype or Gizmo, would rather use cheaper local providers with the lowest possible latency.

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

How would I go about forcing my friends in Moscow who already use Skype in their business to switch to Gizmo? Do you think I could get Vladimir Putin to send a couple of flatheads to roust them?

Re: Gizmo project better than skype
 

You can also make FREE outbound calls with Gizmo via GrandCentral Mobile. Any phone number you have in your address book in GrandCentral can be dialed via GrandCentral Mobile. Also anyone who calls your GrandCentral number will be displayed as a number you can call back, all FREE!!
I use it all the time to call back to the states when traveling overseas. :cool:

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

I understand your sentiment. I think people tend to 'fall in love' with what has proven to be reliable and widely used. I think Skype has mostly been those things dispite terrible customer service. I have used both Skype and Gizmo on my N800 and for me Skype has been reliable call quality and Gizmo has not. But this is with the older firmware. I'll be quite interested to try these services with the 08 firmware. I also didn't like that Gizmo wipes out your unused outcall credit after 180 days. I guess this is not a huge problem for most people since they probably use most of their credit. I only used half of my credit, so in effect it ended up costing me over 4 cents a minute to call land lines. If your calls are mostly to other (Gizmo or Skype calls to same system) users, I suggest not buying any outcall credit because you will probably do better even just using a calling card at a land phone. Skype has had the resources to put together the capability to offer nearly normal phone service for the home at now about $95 per year in the US. This is because of the new Skype phones that use a modem directly connected to your high speed internet rather than any use of your computer or N800. I really wish more companies like Gizmo or Yahoo would do this to give Skype some competition in this area. Skype is now three times as costly here in the US as it was last year.
But I'm rooting for open source phone service like SIP also. Bottom line though- I need reliability.

NS

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

@ Sungrove:

You can use *any* SIP compatible phone adapter with Gizmo Project service. I do have one Grandstream phone adapter chained with my Vonage VoIP adapter... so I can actually use both my "regular" Vonage landline AND Gizmo Project phone with my standard phone. If someone calls me on Vonage or Gizmo, the same phone rings. (And that is online 24/7, unlike my computer.)

Also my relatives in Finland have Gizmo project accounts with Grandstream VoIP phones. So they are always reachable as well. One of them purchased call out credit last time in February and it still hasn't expired. (Isn't it over 180 days yet?) She uses the Gizmo service to call landlines in Finland because it is a lot cheaper than using the cell phone (many people in Finland do not have landlines any more...)

So, the Skype really doesn't offer much benefits, other than:
- Great sound (frequency bandwidth goes much higher than Gizmo, I believe?)
- Just works (TM) on computers, since it finds a way to get around firewalls, etc...
- Encryption?

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

OK, I stand somewhat corrected. I find it hard to keep up with VOIP. I'm mostly going on what I have read over time on Skype's forums-people not being able to get those adapters to work. Yes, that's with Skype. Maybe it's easier with Gizmo. I'll look for Grandstream adapters on the net.

You have to work at finding Gizmos notice on their web site that you lose any unused credit after 180 days. It's in the small print as they say.


We have a Linksys cit 400 Skype phone that doesn't need a computer. I think it works just like Vonage with a modem that connects via ethernet wire to my high speed internet ( actually indirectly since it is connected to my wireless router that in turn is connected to my Internet modem. Ultimately it's all wireless since we have Clearwire stationary WMAX service here in Seattle. Could you tell why Vonage is worthwhile? They want about $25 per month here in Seattle- so about $300 per year compared to very similar Skype service for $95. But you apparently are in Finland, so things are diiferent there?...:)

thanks,
Neil

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

No, I do live in US. I just got Vonage few years back when the whole VoIP thing was still new... It was a great deal then when compared to regular telco offerings... Now I'd most likely take the Gizmo service because it just is much cheaper than Vonage with my usage pattern. (I do have the 500 minutes plan from Vonage that is $15/month.) I haven't dumped Vonage because I do not want to lose the phone number that people know how to reach me...

The SIP adapter I use with Gizmo is:
http://www.grandstream.com/ht386.html

It has two ports, so it can be "chained" with your regular phone line. (The regular line in my case is Vonage line.) I also hooked up that to my home phone wiring (disconnected first the phone line going to analog telco outside my house.) That way any phone plug in my home supports any normal phone, that can be used to call or pick up calls from either Vonage or Gizmo.)

But I agree you can get very similar setup with Skype.

EDIT: My last sentence may not be correct... With quick search I could not find any Skype to PSTN-adapters that hooks up to Ethernet directly... I'd have thought they have made one already!

Re: Gizmo project better than skype
 

How did you set that up? I'm not sure I understand. Are you using the Gizmo SIP number as the mobile number for GrandCentral mobile?
(I don't own a cell phone. I do own a Nokia 770.)

Re: Gizmo project better than skype
 

Yes I am using Gizmo SIP number as my mobile number for GC mobile.
In GC Settings (add/edit number) I have it set up for it to ring my Gizmo SIP number when a party calls my GC number. Now when an incoming call comes in via GC number my Gizmo rings. Those calls plus the phone numbers in my GC address book will be displayed in GC Mobile as numbers you can dial. Just click on the call link next to the number and Gizmo will start to ring and display the phone number for you to confirm that is the number you would like to call. I hope that is of some help.

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

Please send me an invite to grandcentral if you can :) email is gentoo@codetel.net.do thanks in advance!

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

Ok I will send it now, Gentoo (now that is Linux). :D

Re: Gizmo project better than skype
 

HOWTO make 100% FREE outbound calls to anyone on your contact list (two step method):

STEP 1: Initiate outgoing call on your tablet

www.grandcentral.com/mobile/contacts

STEP 2: When Gizmo rings, answer it. (no cell phone required)

DONE!

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

A futuristic version of the above method (using a bluetooth earpiece) is discussed in previous threads:

http://www.internettablettalk.com/fo...ad.php?t=10532

http://www.internettablettalk.com/fo...ad.php?t=12081

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

I'm using Gizmo on a 770 and amazed at the quality usually better than my cell. The only problem is sometimes Gizmo will not start.

Sounds like getting a numbers is a hassle, is that true?
Thanks

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

Wow - interesting thread. I hadn't done any VOIP but tried first Gizmo and then Skype on my N810. My experience was that Gizmo constantly hung when I tried to exit a call or exit the program itself. I never got video chat to work, even with playing with the allow video to all or only friends setting. I could see me but not my caller; the caller could see herself but not me.

I popped on Skype and it worked flawlessly.I was disappointed video on the IT doesn't work (yet?) but worked great laptop to laptop. Seemed like a no brainer to me so I'm surprised mostly everyone else in this thread is thinking the opposite!

Frank

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

I own a N810.
I tested Gizmo Project as soon as I bought the IT. Chat and VideoChat worked flawlesly between my N810 and my friend's N800. MSN works like a charm. So IMHO, Gizmo Project is much better than Skype.

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

Only on the N8x0 can people have completely different experiences with the exact same software. It's unbelievable.

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

Can you send me an invite? I have been using skype and find it little disappointing with the voice quality. I want to try Gizmo with grandcentral lf someone can send me an invite. Thanks in advance. email: allenw@hotmail.com :)

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

Retracted invite request. :)

Re: Gizmo project better than skype ?
 

1) Please don't turn another thread into an invite thread.

2) Invites have been DOWN for over a month, probably longer and there is no idea if/when it will come back up.