It’s hard out there for a VOIP solution. Skype rules the desktop and Vonage rules the den so where does an upstart like VoxOx belong?
The product, founded by a group of voice networking ninjas who wanted to create a desktop-based VOIP and chat solution with full IM and social network integration. Think of it, then as a cross between Adium/Digsby and Skype with a little Grand Central thrown in.
The beta I tried – and that you can get here (but read on to find out how you can get free call time) was fairly polished. It works on Windows and OS X and each account comes with its own phone number which means friends and relations can call you right on your desktop. This, I believe, is VoxOx’s killer feature. If I could completely do away with my phone while at the PC I’d be a happy man.
First, let’s talk about the calling system. The phone service includes 2 free hours of call time and, as mentioned before, a free phone number. It also has a call forwarding system that sends calls to multiple phones – sort of like GrandCentral. You also have voicemail and fax control as well as conference calling and video calling.
It also works with most IM platforms including Yahoo! Messenger and AIM. It also supports SMS messages and uses a unique system of email-based chatting that lets you send emails to contacts in a way that mimics instant message chats.
Finally, it supports Facebook, Linked In, and MySpace contact connections as well as file transfers from almost any window. There are also plans to offer compatible hardware that will convert standard telephones into VoxOx phones.
But the best feature? The “Fun” button. This brings up a set of SoundBoards that let you send audio clips over the phone. Right now there is a Terminator soundboard that let’s you say “I’ll be back” to folks over the telephone. Ok. Maybe it was just fun for me.
VoxOx is still in Beta so I don’t want to comment too much on the interface but I think most users familiar with Skype or Adium will find it slightly cluttered. An initial wizard allows you to add all of your accounts and import your contacts from various services. Once they’re in the program you can contact them using various methods including phone calls for contacts with phone numbers and IM via the various social networks.
One pet peeve: you can’t turn off the visual notifications in OS X. I don’t care when my contacts come online, but VoxOx wants to tell me for each and every one. The beta also crashed quite a bit and I couldn’t connect to the online contact update service that you’re moved to when trying
In short, VoxOx is an amped up calling service with a few potentially game changing features. Is it a game-changer right now? Partially. I think the free phone number and calling facilities are the real draw at this early date and as the UI is improved and streamlined VoxOx essentially replaces standalone IM programs and browsers when it comes to IM. VoxOx is a switchboard on your desktop and works quite well as it stands. The call quality is good, the pricing is strong, and the feature set is well-thought out and implemented. The only hurdle is convincing a jaded public to switch. Give it a try and report back with any problems, praise, or concerns and we’ll send it along to VoxOx.
That said, VoxOx was kind enough to offer 1200 minutes of free calling to the first 500 users to register via our CrunchGear and TechCrunch links. Click either one – maybe we can use the links as a show of support for each site! First come, first served, so head over now and give it a go.
Good article, looks very interesting, but…. the number of spelling and grammatical errors in the first few paragraphs are surprising for such a well respected and reputable site. You should consider having someone review your posts before they are posted!!
“friends and relations can call your right on your desktop” – I think you meant “can call YOU right on your desktop”
“This, I believe, is VoxOx’s killed feature.” – I think you meant “Killer feature”.
“I also supports SMS messages” – I assume you meant “It also supports”
Thanks for the great info, now let’s work on presenting the info properly :-)
Bill
thanks. we should hire you as a copy editor.
I didn’t realize it until the end, but this ‘review’ is nothing more than a product placement for a advertising deal between this product and sponsor links.
People, wake up. Why can’t we just get a simple, honest review that doesn’t lead us to any ‘exclusive content’ or promotional material? Seriously…there goes my respect for Crunchbox.
There is no advertising deal. We didn’t get paid and you guys get free air time if you sign up. Are there any VoxOx ads on the site?
Sincerely,
John Biggs
Editor, CrunchBox
Drink Pepsi!
Although very obvious, stated here anyways.. hahahahaha
P.S. Vote Obama!
“…a few potentially game changing features. Is it a game-changer right now? Yes.”
I went back and read the article again and didn’t find anything game-changing…. maybe I just don’t get it.
I really like the idea of having a telephone number to your desktop for free. That changes things for me in terms of value.
How are they going to sustain this? Buying telephone numbers from operators costs more dollars than I would think you could off ad-sponsored anything. I’m guessing you’ll have to pay for it at some point once they start running low on VC-fuel.
So far…. not sure that this is better than Digsby or Skype (or MagicJack) … it let me set up an account, download but… won’t log in.
Decided what area code my number would be in as well.
All in all I think the future of telecoms is still a ways off
Registered but did not get the 1200 minutes. The web interface does NOT allow one to logon. The mandatory wizard blew out on my Faebook account (n.b.: I have 1200 “friends”). Wait until it sees my Outlook contacts if it thinks that’s big. Great fun beta.
The feature list sounds exactly like Gizmo5. The only difference is I pay $35/year for my phone number with Gizmo.
Well, I’ll give it a try, hopefully I’m part of the first 500.
Drink Coke!
I’m getting a a flash of a sign-up page then a 404-File not found page. Does that mean the 1200min are over?
been getting that all day!
Well, I finally got the 1200min. Just go thru their regular website link and after downloading and installing the app put ‘techcrunch’ in the optional ‘invite code:’ on the sign-up page.
giving up. too many hours spent on the drivel today.
I don’t know, I signed up about 10 minutes ago and 1200 credits – i has it.
I’m a huge Skype user so I was pleased to come across VoxOx through TechCrunch in order to compare. The results were good and bad.
I’ll mention the most important thing first: that it does actually work. Once I had things installed, the phone number worked both in & outbound, and the SMS and email functions seem workable. (note: the sound quality was pretty bad, but I might not have setup my microphone properly for the software yet.)
My problems were more with getting an account set up.
Once you click the verification link, it’s not very clear how one logs in. The screen says I should do so at that point, yet no link is provided. The “webportal” link at the top appears to be the right option, but it wouldn’t except the ID and password I had just signed up with.
After going in circles for a bit (i.e. every time I clicked on that verification link, the VoxOx system resent me *another* verification email asking me to click on the link… etc) I looked around the site for a link to reset my password thinking I must have screwed that up. No such link that I could find and I wasn’t allowed to log into the forums, either.
Eventually I gave up trying to login and just downloaded, and once the software was installed, it did actually allow my login to proceed, so finally all was well.
The next problem was the setup wizard. Cleverly, it provides a link to “watch video” presumably to help us set things up, but that link went to VoxOx’s blank Youtube account and no video was apparent. Not a big deal, as the wizard was easy enough to use, but the link should probably get sorted out.
As for the interface of the program itself, I can see it has plenty of potential. I’d just suggest that VoxOx consider working with Skype if at all possible, since people new to VoxOx are liable to have substantial Skype contact lists. This will be a notable issue for me, that’s for sure.
That’s my two-bits, anyway. :)
GOOD NEWS! Another VOIP I hope its better then skype?
Hot idea for VoxOx Folks, allow add-on embed live video chat to website? Like ustream.tv and justin.tv
free MMOG -> http://www.playum.com
Hot idea for VoxOx Folks, allow add-on embed live video chat to website? Like ustream.tv and justin.tv
free MMOG -> http://www.playum.com
Hi folks,
I just sign up! Cool and I hope they all embed live video chat and text like justin.tv etc
i give up. i have been trying all day. nothing but 500 server errors. 3 different pcs, 3 different providers. NADA
The thing doesnt work. When i try to sign up it tells me “sorry, the server made a boo boo”……
better than yesterday. just got blank screen or 500 errors
Not able to sign up for an account
What is “invite code”? what shell I write in there.
Looks nice, but there seems to be a problem signing up. Understandable, new service, there are going to issues along the way.
However I just discovered a major issue with their web portal, and since I cannot get in touch with support (you have to use a forum, which requires you to be a registered VoxOx user it seems) I figured this is the best place to post it, so if anyone can get in touch with somone directly at VoxOx that would be great.
The issue: go to portal.voxox.com, dont enter anything for user id or password and click login. I managed to login to account 5692 by doing this. Major security flaw? Yes. If someone at VoxOx needs visual confirmation of this I have a screenshot of the recent call list for 5692.
If VoxOx can be contacted by anyone on here, please do it.
has anyone been able to get the signup page to work today, or at all for that matter? i have been trying for 2 days now from multiple machines, multiple providers to no avail. either 500 server errors or the “oops” message!
Voxox would do well in sorting out its technical problems… Although Skype-users are not spoilt with support, at least its sign-up works well … S.
anyone out there who actually has an account interested in sending an invite? Just grasping at straws to see if that is an option to setting up an account.
I was able to setup an account just a few minutes ago. Interestingly enough, I was still able to get the 1200 minute credit. It did not ask me for invitation code or anything like that. I just followed the link http://signup.voxox.com/crunchgear . If you still want an invite, let me know where to send it.
worth a shot. Thanks. you can send it to voxox@aljjsdad.otherinbox.com
Invite sent.
please tell me how to get ID and Pasword from voxox
I ran across an interesting article titled “Talk Is Cheap” reviewing top VoIP programs at DealDogs.net. This is the article link here to read a description and see videos about top webchat programs.
got it. thanks. unfortunately, it takes me to the same friggin’ signup page and i get the same errors. Guess I’ll keep pluggin’ away.
It would be nice if someone from voxox support would reply to the emails I have been sending.
We had such an overwhelming response at launch that not everyone was able to sign up on their first try. Everyone can sign up for a free account now and in the future at http://signup.voxox.com
Bryan M
VoxOx Product Manager