Joy of Gadgets

As I was reminded by Rob Wolpov, the CEO of Junction Networks when I chatted with him on Wednesday, the last time I wrote about them, I referred to the press release pairing their OnSIP hosted PBX service and the Fring VoIP client for mobile phones as a “publicity stunt.” I didn’t quite say that, but I wasn’t generally high on the pairing, only because it seemed a bit like a “no duh” to me. I did say it was a good PR move, though.

While Junction Networks provides PBX services using that “new fangled” VoIP technology, they are very “old school voice” when it comes to IP phones–they don’t care what you use so long as it is compatible with the service. Ok, restrictions on handsets are as old as the Bell System, but it’s “old school” for anyone who has had a landline anytime in the past two or three decades.

Meanwhile, as a result of selling their IP-based PBX service to smaller businesses–the 3 to 50 seat crowd–they have had to come up with handset recommendations for potential customers. There are hundreds of IP Phones, analog telephone adapters, and even software phones to choose from. How does the relative VoIP handset newbie choose?

Junction Networks has the answer: OnSIP Team Reviews. They review handsets based on a number of criteria–including compatibility with their own service–and post them for all to see. Currently, they have only 3 handsets reviewed on the site, but the plan is to write up the results of some of their other testing to give you a balanced opinion. The site will also include analog telephone adapters and VoIP client software.

Unlike, say, a company that sells IP phones, Junction Networks isn’t selling phones. The only interest they have is ensuring you choose the method of accessing their service that works best for you. The exceedingly clever part, though, is that while they are giving away free information that essentially anyone can use–even non-customers–they are getting free advertising and a lot of community goodwill. Having built a fairly successful career on that relatively simple concept, I have to say it’s a win-win-win for everyone.

Michael Graves also talked with Rob Wolpov and posted his take on this announcement.

Leave it to the Japanese to come up with a way to get your gadgets blessed. Shinto shrines are everywhere in Japan, and the Kanda-Myojin Shinto shrine is within walking distance of Akihabara, Tokyo’s world-famous electronic and geek mecca.

Guess what this Shinto shrine will do? You guessed it, it will bless its devotee’s gadgets with a plaque designed to emulate a microchip. The plaque will supposedly protect your gadgets from all things imaginable. What about the unimaginable?

From Newlaunches via textually.org

BuyMyTronics has taken the mission of turning your old electronics into cash. Their website claims to buy old cell phones, game systems, MP3 players, and what-have-you, and pay “top dollar” for it–within 48 hours of receipt, either via PayPal or via a check.

Personally, my favorite way to recycle things: give them away to people that need it. I’ve done this with servicable computers and mobile phones for years. It doesn’t cost me anything (except maybe shipping).

Of course, at some point, all these items become destined to be recycled. It’d be nice to get some cash for them versus having to pay to have them recycled. Of course, even with this scheme, you’re paying shipping, though hopefully you’ll get some of it back.

Here’s an interesting concept: instead of buying an extended warranty for each gadget or gizmo, buy a single one. GreenUmbrella offers exactly this service. For $9.95 a month, most newly purchased electronics, appliances, and computers will be covered for up to 3 years from the date of item purchase. The item will be repaired or replaced as appropriate.

There are some restrictions, of course. Mobile phones of any sort are not covered by this plan, nor is anything worth at least $5,000 and come with a manufacturer warranty of at least 90 days. You must register all device purchases online and, of course, keep the receipts. You’ll need them in case you need warranty service.

If you buy a lot of electronic items, this might be a good thing. However, for the more casual purchaser like myself, this just seems like money down the drain and a lot of profit for GreenUmbrella.

Via webware

If you have a Nokia N800 or N810 like I do, and you’re a fan of Jaiku, chances are you’ve heard of Mauku. I actually like Mauku better than the Nokia S60 client for Jaiku, and like it even better now that it also has Twitter support!

Twitter and Jaiku messages intermingle in your timeline. You can post messages to both services at the same tme. You can also respond to either Jaiku or Twitter messages. The refresh interval is configurable, but you probably don’t want to refresh Twitter too often as they tend to limit the number of API calls you can make per hour.

And yes, I’d love to see this client on S60 to replace the “official” client, which is starting to age quite a bit.