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Apparently not.

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I don't like that the hardware investment starts at $399.
That's about five years worth of my current VoIP service -Skype.
And I bet that expensive hardware, at least in this first deployment will be either phased out before then or made so obsolete after the service is tested with more proper thoroughness via real-world usage (as is usually the case -not so much a criticism as just a basic fact that beta testing generally comes no where close to the userbase size and resultant complications of real-world deployment) that you're essentially forced to move to another $399 model. Or, the price may very likely come down by then, but that only reinforces my belief that "consumer-level beta" isn't worth $399. Maybe, when all the kinks are worked out, the less expensive model will be worth it.

You can use traditional VoIP services like Skype and Gizmo anywhere there is wireless, which around here is everywhere, and I already know it can be run on the iPhone and possibly the touch iPod, which makes it a handy backup cell phone (yes I use both cellular and VoIP as an "office phone")... especially good for the iPhone, where you have unlimited data with a voice plan that sucks rocks. As my laptops serve as my office much of the time, VoIP works out pretty well. Let's see ooma do that.

Come to think of it, I don't see this product making a dent anytime soon. I don't think it's just a matter of my opinion -I'm considering the hard economics of it.
Companies like Comcast offer broadband telephone as part of their high-speed packages, also at a price which makes $399 look ridiculous, especially when you consider you need the broadband to begin with for either service. Most consumers don't care about the underlying technology, whether it's P2P or not.
Besides, I don't know of anyone who uses broadband phone in any form. Most people I know don't even use any home phone, let alone pay so much for a phone that sits at the house. They use cellular.

Last edited by Antonio (2007-10-18 1:33 am)

So, Ooma is like Vonage except I've never heard of it?