Ooma's Telo steps up to DECT 6.0 for free calls across the US

It's been awhile, but Ooma's next generation release just made its way to CES. The Telo offers unlimited, free VoIP calls over the Internet across the US and features a new, cordless handset offering high-def DECT 6.0 voice, a connected phonebook, mobile transfer, speaker phone and musical ringtones. The kit is expandable to six handsets and judging from the base unit, we're looking at an answering machine as well. Apparently Telo also integrates your cellphone into the mix somehow, something the current Ooma can't do. According to Rich Buchanan, Ooma's chief marketing officer, Telo "helps combine the home phone and cell phone so you can enjoy the benefits of both without any compromises." We'll figure out how once the floor show opens tomorrow. Telo will be available in the first half of 2009 for an undisclosed price.

[kfm423 @ Jan 7th 2009 10:28AM]

Wow, the cell phone integration sounds really interesting depending on how it actually works. Only using a cell when I’m not at the house would cut down the minutes we use for sure.

[jason @ Jan 7th 2009 10:37AM]

Free, unlimited US calls sounds great, but how can they offer this service? Do they make all of their money from the one-time sale of the handset?

[squiggleslash @ Jan 7th 2009 10:41AM]

Yeah, I'm a tad confused by what's being offered there. "Free, VoIP calls over the Internet across the US"? Does this mean "Free VoIP calls" or "Free VoIP to a PSTN gateway that allows free calls to US numbers"?

If the latter, I wonder how they'd pay for it. If the former, well, yeah, nice to have but one hopes they at least are supporting open standards so you're not limited to calls to other Oomas owners.

[Todd @ Jan 7th 2009 10:45AM]

"How does Ooma make money? Well, of course we make some money by selling you this device and the services that come with it. And if that's where our little relationship ends, we'll be just fine with that. You can ooma-away to your heart's delight. But we figured if we offered some really cool services, you might just want to sign up for them. These services are part of ooma Premier, which will always be completely optional."

http://www.ooma.com/company/how_we_make_money.php

I wonder if we could all have our own individual Ooma type service as soon as Jay Phillips finishes his new updates to Adhearsion:

http://twitter.com/jicksta/status/1085373703

[nick @ Jan 7th 2009 10:42AM]

Now if my ISP didn't suck I could actually get decent voice quality from VOIP. sigh.

[ChrisH @ Jan 7th 2009 10:44AM]

When it says the new handset offers a connected phonebook, I'm hoping that means that it would sync the contact list from my phone (iPhone) so that I don't have to look up every single number I dial from it. I was looking into Ooma recently anyway (tired of the awful quality of Vonage, and even if Ooma died in 8 months, I'd still break even) but now might wait to see if there's a price or more accurate release date for this as I may want to wait.

[Jay Evans @ Jan 7th 2009 11:40AM]

"We'll figure out how "

Bluetooth, just like the others that are out there.

[Michael Lomker @ Jan 7th 2009 11:51AM]

At $250 for the basic adapter they basically charging you up-front for the first year of service vs. what competitors charge. If you want to tie your cell phone in with your home phone then you could consider the Plantronics Calisto--I have one and it's pretty cool.

[Hackettman @ Jan 7th 2009 12:08PM]

I really like this service and Im almost sold on it as soon as I see this handset in action....

[Dustin @ Jan 7th 2009 4:48PM]

it must incorporate a GSM or CSMA femtocell, converting that to VOIP and traversing their network

[Dave @ Jan 9th 2009 8:34PM]

I have been reading about the servie. Amazon has been running a special on the current unit for $209. I was about to purchase it when I read about the new unit being shown at CES 2009. I will wait to purchase the new unit.

[dave @ Feb 5th 2009 12:14PM]

Probably not. Most systems simply use bluetooth.

[Jason @ Feb 1st 2009 10:53AM]

And yes, Adhearsion is here now too...:

http://adhearsion.com

[Krysia @ Feb 26th 2009 10:39AM]

This is what I'm talking about. It's way sexier, more competitive with the Verizon hub, and more user-friendly (from what I can see by not forcing someone to be a Verizon customer in order to take advantage of the offering). I too considered the big, bulky, white box via Amazon... I too will wait for this setup. I really didn't like the old-school method of plugging a phone into a separate box (remember answering machines? LOL)... This is all built-in; I'm psyched. I also like the cell integration possibilities.