The latest beta software program for the Grandstream GXV3140 IP Multimedia Phone efficiently integrates a Skype client instantly into the desk cellphone, including another communication channel for voice and video calling to an already characteristic-packed device. Nonetheless, the cellphone and its options suffered from some unsurprising instability due to its beta firmware, although this instability did not come within the expected places.

With their mobile-device rivals constantly including increasingly more features to what was as soon as simply a phone, desk phone producers have constructed up their products in an effort to raised match present communication practices. Others, similar to Alcatel Lucent and its My IC Telephone platform, have further emulated the smartphone industry, creating an open software improvement framework meant to spur third-social gathering ISV development.

Grandstream Networks has taken the primary route, as proven by the 2009 introduction of the GXV3140. The GXV3140 was filled with options more and more widespread to SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) desk phones: support for three concurrent SIP extensions and quite quite a bit of audio codecs, dual 10/100 Ethernet ports (with power-over-Ethernet assist), a full duplex speakerphone, a 4.three-inch TFT (skinny-film transistor) LCD display screen, an OpenVPN shopper and 18 operate keys with 5 extra programmable smooth keys.

To that customary fare, however, Grandstream added some novel twists-Web-prepared consumer purposes for social networking (Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo/MSN/Google Instantaneous Messaging); media sharing (Yahoo Flickr photographs, Web radio and Last.FM for music); a constructed-in calendar that syncs with Google Calendar; and a Net browser and RSS reader.

With its constructed-in 1.three-megapixel nonetheless and video digicam and a preconfigured free video conferencing community among similar telephones, the GXV3140 was already an interesting and reasonably priced desktop solution at solely $249.

This yr, Grandstream is extending the telephone additional, adding a Skype shopper application through a new beta firmware bundle. I tested beta software variations 1.0.6.5 and 1.0.6.6 on the GXV3140 and located I was in a position to simply log in to my Skype account to synchronize my Skype contact lists and presence status. I found Skype voice and video calls easy to position and receive. However, call high quality was adequate at best. The received video, specifically, was beneath expectation, marred by an overwhelming blue hue. Against this, dispatched video appeared comparatively sharp and color-correct, given the relatively limited capabilities of the GSX3140's built-in camera.

I experienced many hiccups during my time utilizing the phone's other features, however. Whereas bugs and crashes are to be expected with beta code, I was stunned the problems exhibited themselves in current features relatively than within the new Skype application. Using Beta 1.0.6.5, I found the GSX3140 crashed dozens of instances when showing video content material-video either from a supply hooked up to the machine via the integrated SD slot or downloaded from the RSS information feed engine.

The GXV3140 helps three SIP extensions, with the primary line automatically registered as an extension on Grandstream's free IPVideoTalk voice and video chat network (made up of other GXV3140 models). I easily registered a second line to my Trixbox Asterisk server. Switching between the lines was simple, using the Line/Account choice perform key-although with Firmware 1.0.6.6, I sometimes discovered I couldn't reconnect to an in-progress SIP name if I briefly switched to a second extension for one more call.

RSS feeds labored nicely to drag in CNN information feeds, as properly as climate, stock quotes, horoscopes and a quote of the day. Users can also enter their very own feeds into the RSS reader.

Device configuration will be done both through the phone's front panel and LCD display or by method of the constructed-in Net server. Typing can be tedious utilizing the entrance panel-downright not possible if software passwords use special characters-but users can attach an exterior keyboard or mouse to the cellphone utilizing the included USB port in an effort to ease information entry or navigation.

The GXV3140 additionally comes with a 3.5-millimeter headset jack, as well as RCA audio video outputs to hook up with external devices akin to headphones or a television.



Source by Nikko Alexanders