Ooma Telo HD, Handset, and iPhone app hands-on

We stopped by Ooma's booth at CES for a quick hands-on with the new HD Telo and some time with the iPhone app. Voice quality on the service was pretty decent, although we did notice a pretty significant bit of lag -- we're assuming things would work better on a quality connection, as opposed to the slammed pipes here on the show floor. The new DECT handset was also quite nice, although it took a second to figure out how to initiate a call. We also played with the iPhone app for a second -- it worked as advertised, although once again we were limited by both the poor network connections on the show floor. It's certainly an interesting concept, though -- we'll have to wait to see how this all works in the home.

Ooma Telo HD, Handset, and iPhone app hands-on

[RLBurkes Posted Jan 12th 2010 2:52PM]

I had to bust out my Sherlock Holmes to figure out what this was. It's obvious now but It would be nice if the article more than alluded to its use.

[Rooboy Posted Jan 12th 2010 9:23PM]

@RLBurkes

Still haven't figured it out lol

[Acey Posted Jan 12th 2010 3:00PM]

@Ade

seriously?

[IRJ Posted Jan 12th 2010 3:04PM]

Their technology is impressive. But did you engadget types ask this provider the most important question. When will they either turn cash flow positiv,e or need another round of funding to stay alive?

[bubbatex Posted Jan 12th 2010 3:29PM]

@IRJ Agree. I have been looking at one of these for about a year but always wondered that if I pluck down the $250 and they go belly up...

Anyway, looks like this may hit before the ATT Microcell (nationally), so I might look again. Overall, it looks pretty sweet.

[bjsguess Posted Jan 12th 2010 4:40PM]

@bubbatex

I've had mine for 7 months. Already paid for itself. Everything from now is just gravy.

[pejorative Posted Jan 12th 2010 3:29PM]

Trying to figure out whether HD is a software upgrade for existing Telo owners or whether it requires new Hardware.

[IRJ Posted Jan 12th 2010 3:35PM]

@pejorative
The hardware looks the same as that announced last October and on sale since. I suspect they merely push new software and offer a choice of codecs and/or a choice of using more bandwidth.

[BobbyB Posted Jan 12th 2010 3:43PM]

@pejorative IRJ is correct - the current Ooma Telo hardware will support HD Voice. Ooma will pass out a software update that will enable support for the feature on all Ooma Telo's.

[matttastic Posted Jan 12th 2010 5:56PM]

I've got the original ooma, and its been great for over a year. anything i get now out of the box is gravy, as its more than paid for itself.

and it beats the crap out of magicjack and vonage, hands down.

[RayW Posted Jan 12th 2010 7:28PM]

You may want to check out my article on using Ooma for whole house wiring. I have all my phone jacks live to the Ooma Hub. See how http://raywaldo.com/2010/01/ooma-to-all-phones-in-the-house/

[Poita Posted Jan 13th 2010 3:26PM]

Not everyone reading this site knows everything about every tech product and its predecessors.
This is the second time this week that i've read and article, looked at the pictures and still didn't know what the thing is or what it does.
How about throwing us tech dumbos a bone eh.

[RayW Posted Jan 14th 2010 8:32AM]

@Poita - The Ooma is a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) device. If you have a broadband ISP connection (DSL, Cable, or Fiber - but NOT satellite or dial-up) to the Internet, then the Ooma device will work for you. You connect it to the Ethernet connector on your modem and it will provide full telephone services without any monthly service charge. See my website for more about the Ooma devices. http://raywaldo.com/series/ooma/ BTW, I am NOT affiliated with Ooma - just a very satisfied customer!

[RayW Posted Jan 14th 2010 8:35AM]

Hey guys! I am getting hundreds of hits on my website coming from this post. GREAT! But not ONE of you has given me a plus vote (above). What's that all about? How about showing a bit of love? (grin)

[DJPalesto Posted Jan 25th 2010 2:39PM]

@Engadget

" it worked as advertised, although once again we were limited by both the poor network connections on the show floor."

"Both" implies two reasons for limitation coming up in the sentence. Come on engadget, I understand with CES you've all been busy, but really? It's over. You reach us through the written word. All these grammatical errors are making the site more difficult to enjoy.