Clean out those ears: Ooma's Telo goes high-definition, gets iPhone app
By Tim Stevens 
posted January 7th 2010 12:22PM
posted January 7th 2010 12:22PM
The home entertainment world may have moved on from high-definition everything to 3D everything, but the telco industry is a little bit less bleeding edge, just entering the HD revolution now courtesy of Ooma. The Ooma Telo is getting upgraded and will soon be packing some tidy new features including so-called "Pure Voice" and "High Definition Voice" enhancements, promising to deliver "crystal clear conversations over congested networks" and a "richer, more natural sounding conversation." Also on tap is direct support for calling through Google Voice, Bluetooth support so calls to your celly can be piped through your Telo, and "human-aided" voicemail transcription that we can only assume means some low-wage worker gets to listen to every reminder from your husband or wife to pick up some milk on the way home. Now there's a career opportunity for nosy folks. Full PR after the break.
Update: Updated the image to reflect the new Telo.
Update: Updated the image to reflect the new Telo.
OOMA: THE SMART PHONE FOR YOUR HOME
Announces New Features That Connect Consumer's Mobile Lifestyle, Provide Enhanced Voice Quality, Convenience, and Savings at International CES 2010
LAS VEGAS, January 7, 2010 – Ooma, Inc. today unveiled several new features and enhanced services for its award-winning Ooma Telo system that extend the functionality and ease of use for consumers wanting a superior home phone telephony experience. New additions to the product and services lineup include Ooma Pure Voice™, High Definition Voice, mobile phone calling with the iPhone or iPod touch, Bluetooth support, Google Voice Extensions and voicemail transcription. All new features will be demonstrated today through January 10 at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas at Ooma's booth, Grand Lobby GL-7.
With today's new enhancements, Ooma offers the most complete home phone solution that further expands its renowned voice quality, cost savings and ease of use beyond the home and into the mobile and business calling landscape.
"Consumers should expect the same innovation in their home phones as they experience in their mobile phones," said Rich Buchanan, chief marketing officer at Ooma. "Consumers today are in calling purgatory – forced to find a compromise between shoddy cell phone reception in their homes and a featureless landline phone experience that hasn't innovated since the 1970's. Today's announcement extends the features and functionality of our leading VoIP phone system to connect the gap that currently exists between advanced smart phone functionalities and the inherent limitations of the home phone. Ooma Telo is the smart phone designed for your home, not your pocket."
The following new features and services for Ooma Telo are now being demonstrated at CES 2010.
Ooma Pure Voice™
Ooma raises the bar on voice quality again with the introduction of Ooma Pure Voice. Ooma now brings to the home the data redundancy sophistication normally found in industrial-grade Internet telephony products. With the explosion of bandwidth usage in the home for video streaming, photo uploads and real-time gaming, Ooma Pure Voice ensures crystal clear conversations over congested networks while maintaining low-bandwidth requirements.
High Definition Voice (HD Voice)
Ooma is the first residential phone service to support high-definition voice technology. Compared to conventional telephones, Ooma HD Voice doubles the audio frequencies transmitted to deliver richer, more natural sounding conversation to calls between Ooma customers. Compatible corded telephone or Ooma Telo Handset is required to support Ooma HD Voice.
iPhone and iPod Touch Calling Application
Ooma customers will be able to download an Ooma iPhone or iPod Touch application to make phone calls over any Wi-Fi network using an iPhone or iPod touch. Ooma's app allows customers to take their Ooma service on the road with them to make or receive calls from around the world at Ooma's low-cost international rates.
Bluetooth Support
The addition of Bluetooth support on the Ooma Telo allows users to integrate their mobile phone with their home phone systems, delivering superior flexibility and convenience. Bluetooth support on the Ooma Telo allows customers to pair compatible, Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones enabling inbound calls from the mobile phone to be answered on any home phone connected to the Ooma Telo. Users may also pair compatible Bluetooth headsets to the Ooma Telo to enable hands-free talking from anywhere in the home. Additionally, Bluetooth support will allow users to download their phone book from their mobile devices for use on the Ooma Telo Handset and online at My Ooma.
Google Voice Extensions
Ooma simplifies the Google Voice user experience, enabling consumers to take advantage of the complementary capabilities found in both offerings, for a truly integrated and seamless phone experience. Google Voice users can integrate the Call Presentation, Listen In, and caller-ID features with their Ooma system as well as access Google Voice voicemail at a touch of a button.
Voicemail Transcription
Ooma customers can have inbound voicemail transcribed into text and sent as an email or text message. Users can now enjoy the convenience of reading their voicemail quickly and silently whether they are at home or on the road. Ooma voicemail transcription is human-aided to ensure the delivery of accurate and reliable messages.
Availability
The Ooma Telo and Ooma Telo Handset are available at Ooma authorized resellers including: Best Buy, Datavision, Fry's Electronics, J&R, Micro Center, and leading online destinations including Amazon, BestBuy.com, Buy.com, Costco.com, Dell.com, JandR.com, NewEgg.com, OfficeDepot.com, PC Mall, Provantage, Shop Harmony, Staples.com, Sears.com, K-Mart.com, Tiger Direct, RCS, Nebraska Furniture Mart, B&H Photo and Walmart.com. All features will be available to Ooma Telo customers in the first half of 2010.
Pricing
Ooma Telo retails for $249.99. Ooma Telo Handset retails for $49.99. Ooma Premier, an optional bundle of enhanced calling features costs $9.99/month. Sign up for one-year of Ooma Premier and receive a free Ooma Telo Handset or a free number transfer (a $39.99 value).
About Ooma, Inc.
Founded in 2004, Ooma offers a consumer electronics device that provides free, U.S. telephone calling and advanced telephony services to its global base of customers. Ooma delivers exceptional call quality and the reliability of traditional phone service at a fraction of the cost, in a sleek and innovative design. Ooma is available at more than four thousand leading retailers and online destinations. For more information, go to www.ooma.com or blog.ooma.com.
All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.
The detailed terms and conditions of Ooma's products, services, and support are fully set forth in the Terms and Conditions, available online under the "legal" tab on the bottom navigation bar of the Ooma Web site.
Announces New Features That Connect Consumer's Mobile Lifestyle, Provide Enhanced Voice Quality, Convenience, and Savings at International CES 2010
LAS VEGAS, January 7, 2010 – Ooma, Inc. today unveiled several new features and enhanced services for its award-winning Ooma Telo system that extend the functionality and ease of use for consumers wanting a superior home phone telephony experience. New additions to the product and services lineup include Ooma Pure Voice™, High Definition Voice, mobile phone calling with the iPhone or iPod touch, Bluetooth support, Google Voice Extensions and voicemail transcription. All new features will be demonstrated today through January 10 at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas at Ooma's booth, Grand Lobby GL-7.
With today's new enhancements, Ooma offers the most complete home phone solution that further expands its renowned voice quality, cost savings and ease of use beyond the home and into the mobile and business calling landscape.
"Consumers should expect the same innovation in their home phones as they experience in their mobile phones," said Rich Buchanan, chief marketing officer at Ooma. "Consumers today are in calling purgatory – forced to find a compromise between shoddy cell phone reception in their homes and a featureless landline phone experience that hasn't innovated since the 1970's. Today's announcement extends the features and functionality of our leading VoIP phone system to connect the gap that currently exists between advanced smart phone functionalities and the inherent limitations of the home phone. Ooma Telo is the smart phone designed for your home, not your pocket."
The following new features and services for Ooma Telo are now being demonstrated at CES 2010.
Ooma Pure Voice™
Ooma raises the bar on voice quality again with the introduction of Ooma Pure Voice. Ooma now brings to the home the data redundancy sophistication normally found in industrial-grade Internet telephony products. With the explosion of bandwidth usage in the home for video streaming, photo uploads and real-time gaming, Ooma Pure Voice ensures crystal clear conversations over congested networks while maintaining low-bandwidth requirements.
High Definition Voice (HD Voice)
Ooma is the first residential phone service to support high-definition voice technology. Compared to conventional telephones, Ooma HD Voice doubles the audio frequencies transmitted to deliver richer, more natural sounding conversation to calls between Ooma customers. Compatible corded telephone or Ooma Telo Handset is required to support Ooma HD Voice.
iPhone and iPod Touch Calling Application
Ooma customers will be able to download an Ooma iPhone or iPod Touch application to make phone calls over any Wi-Fi network using an iPhone or iPod touch. Ooma's app allows customers to take their Ooma service on the road with them to make or receive calls from around the world at Ooma's low-cost international rates.
Bluetooth Support
The addition of Bluetooth support on the Ooma Telo allows users to integrate their mobile phone with their home phone systems, delivering superior flexibility and convenience. Bluetooth support on the Ooma Telo allows customers to pair compatible, Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones enabling inbound calls from the mobile phone to be answered on any home phone connected to the Ooma Telo. Users may also pair compatible Bluetooth headsets to the Ooma Telo to enable hands-free talking from anywhere in the home. Additionally, Bluetooth support will allow users to download their phone book from their mobile devices for use on the Ooma Telo Handset and online at My Ooma.
Google Voice Extensions
Ooma simplifies the Google Voice user experience, enabling consumers to take advantage of the complementary capabilities found in both offerings, for a truly integrated and seamless phone experience. Google Voice users can integrate the Call Presentation, Listen In, and caller-ID features with their Ooma system as well as access Google Voice voicemail at a touch of a button.
Voicemail Transcription
Ooma customers can have inbound voicemail transcribed into text and sent as an email or text message. Users can now enjoy the convenience of reading their voicemail quickly and silently whether they are at home or on the road. Ooma voicemail transcription is human-aided to ensure the delivery of accurate and reliable messages.
Availability
The Ooma Telo and Ooma Telo Handset are available at Ooma authorized resellers including: Best Buy, Datavision, Fry's Electronics, J&R, Micro Center, and leading online destinations including Amazon, BestBuy.com, Buy.com, Costco.com, Dell.com, JandR.com, NewEgg.com, OfficeDepot.com, PC Mall, Provantage, Shop Harmony, Staples.com, Sears.com, K-Mart.com, Tiger Direct, RCS, Nebraska Furniture Mart, B&H Photo and Walmart.com. All features will be available to Ooma Telo customers in the first half of 2010.
Pricing
Ooma Telo retails for $249.99. Ooma Telo Handset retails for $49.99. Ooma Premier, an optional bundle of enhanced calling features costs $9.99/month. Sign up for one-year of Ooma Premier and receive a free Ooma Telo Handset or a free number transfer (a $39.99 value).
About Ooma, Inc.
Founded in 2004, Ooma offers a consumer electronics device that provides free, U.S. telephone calling and advanced telephony services to its global base of customers. Ooma delivers exceptional call quality and the reliability of traditional phone service at a fraction of the cost, in a sleek and innovative design. Ooma is available at more than four thousand leading retailers and online destinations. For more information, go to www.ooma.com or blog.ooma.com.
All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.
The detailed terms and conditions of Ooma's products, services, and support are fully set forth in the Terms and Conditions, available online under the "legal" tab on the bottom navigation bar of the Ooma Web site.
FIRST ,
Why do I really like those big, ugly plastic buttons? The thing is just cool looking to me for some reason.
i got ooma, the first one, on a 1.5Mbps uverse line.
As long as everything is kept behind the Ooma I haven't had a problem, it's been great. I can't beat the $0/month/year
(helps me subsidize my monthly iphone bill..)
is it a retro answering machine?
Just so you know, that one in the picture is the Ooma Hub, not the Ooma Telo.
I don't get it.. why was MarcusMaximus down-ranked to hell for stating a fact? And down below, Broadband says the same exact thing and gets highly ranked. I suspect someone has it in for MarcusMaximus...
Obama's what?
"Ooma's app allows customers to take their Ooma service on the road with them to make or receive calls from around the world at Ooma's low-cost international rates."
Does that mean they will charge me per minute for making a wifi phone call even locally? I think not.... but I'm not sure
@PyRo1509 No, it means that if you use it overseas or to call someone overseas, then they charge you per minute. I have an ooma at home and their international rates are actually pretty decent(2.5cents/minute for most of China for example)
Will the iphone app work with the Ooma Hub and not just the Telo?
The picture is of an Ooma Hub (the old system), not the Telo.
Do they still have that little Ooma jingle at the beginning of each call?
@jdang307
Yes, but you can turn that off if it bothers you.
First off, it would probably help if Engadget showed the OomaTelo device and not the Ooma Scout device.
@ one love & drago - It's a VOIP phone system like Vonage but free (after you buy the hardware)
@PyR01509 - I think they're referring to international calling only
@mikewang - I'm going to speculate that the upgrades are going to work with the Telo only. I think they would have mentioned it in their PR if the upgrade was to work with the HUB too.
If they made an android/web os/windows mobile app I'd be more excited since you could theoretically cut your voice service and pipe your calls through their app. That is unless they pull a vonage and charge per minute for mobile calls even if your a subscriber.
@ddhboy I don't think they would charge a per-minute fee. That goes totally against Ooma's plan. They may require you to have the premium service ($10/month) though.
Isn't that a picture of the ooma hub? I have a telo and mine is a sleek black looking thing with blue touch sensitive buttons. Is there any word on which of these features will require ooma's premium service ($10/month). For Ooma to survive they really need people paying that 10 dollars a month so I imagine that GV integration and the bluetooth tethering will. Overall I've been happy with my Ooma device. As long as they stay in business I'll be quite happy (the company has yet to turn a profit).
I've been waiting on the GV integration since I signed up for them. They has a memo that went out back in March '09 saying they would get it out by mid summer. Maybe they meant mid summer '10?
I've been thinking about getting one of these to cut down my phone bill. The iPhone app might be the final push I need.
Yes, Google Voice extensions have been put off for a year now...a few months at a time, but they are telling me next few weeks now. And no one knows if G 722(HD codec) will have any effect if it isn't on both sides of a call.
Crackle-pop!
This sounds like a SIP device with documentation on how to use.. the catch is that in order to use those features, you pay a monthly fee... One thing is true and that is that this is a very complete product/solution.
Too bad Ooma has decided not to release the new features like Google Voice for the original Ooma hub users (forum thread: http://www.ooma.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5884 ). Their previous blogs and press releases indicated that it would be available to the hub. I wanted Ooma specifically for Google voice and their support encouraged me to go ahead and buy because it would be 'coming soon'.