VOIP = Massive Savings

I just got my first bill for our home number from AT&T and while the CallVantage service has had a few quirks, I just saved roughly 50% from previous bills from Verizon. 50% baby! That’s huge! Low balling the exact figure to $40 saved per month saves me $480 per year!

411 via SMS has finally arrived

via Textually, I just learned of a super cool new way to do 411 via SMS. You simply send a message to UpSnap (+1-818-312-7627) with the info you want. I happen to be in Florida at the moment and decided to give it a whirl based on my plans this am…

By entering Marinas Jupiter Fl, I received a listing of 5 options:

  • a Center Park Self Storage (obviously wrong)
  • b Blowing Rocks Marina
  • c Jonathan’s Landing Marina
  • d Jib Yacht Club and Marina
  • e Holmesy Company

You can reply with what letter option makes the most sense… for this example I chose c, Jonathan’s Landing Marina. In about 30-60 seconds, I received the full listing for this place – Jonathan’s Landing Marina – 3238 Casseekey Island Rd Jupiter, Fl (561) 747-8980 Because I am on a Treo the number is clickable for a quick call.

You can also choose to find a specific place like Neiman Marcus 415, which will give you as listing for Neiman Marcus in the 415 area code and was the example SMS they initially sent my way.

The only cost for this service seems to be whatever your text plan is which for me is basically free given the number of messages I get per month. I just wish carriers would add SMS delivery to the menu of options to calling 411.

VOIP Going Mass

Andy at VoIP Watch states VOIP is going Mass Market, a position I totally agree with based on my experience and understanding of what’s been going on. AT&T is never a small player in any of the markets they play within and CallVantage is clearly replacing all previous marketing efforts in Local, Long Distance and even Wireless for them.

Vonage and others have their work cut out for them as they try and keep up with smaller marketing budgets as well as smaller Brands. The games have already begun – glad to have been early on the ticket line!

24 Mobisodes coming to cell phones

As a fan of the show, it’s too bad we won’t be getting this in the US… Have to just wait to hear about how it all works once things launch.

In what appeared to be the first arrangement of its kind, Twentieth Century Fox said Wednesday it would create a unique series of one-minute dramas based on its hit show “24” exclusively for a new high-speed wireless service being offered by Vodafone PLC, the world’s biggest cell phone company.

Vodafone will begin offering the one-minute epidosdes in January in the United Kingdom, coinciding with the start of the fourth season of the show on a satellite TV service. [MSNBC]