| Windows-powered VoIP Devices Showcase |
(last updated Nov. 16, 2008)
This section of the Windows Devices Showcase focuses on Windows Embedded devices incorporating Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) capabilities. Devices utilizing VoIP technology include desk phones, desktop and laptop PCs, WAN- and WLAN-enabled handsets and PDAs, and various application-specific devices in which voice communication is an important feature, such as automotive telematics systems.
This list will be updated on an ongoing basis, so be sure to check back periodically for the latest info. This guide is organized in three sections: - Windows-powered VoIP devices
- Background information
- Product and technology announcements
The devices in the first section are listed alphabetically, by manufacturer.
Note: Smartphones and Pocket PC Phones are covered in a separate section of this guide.
Windows-powered VoIP devices
This section of our Windows Devices Showcase features devices employing Windows Embedded operating systems to offer Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) capabilities. Devices utilizing VoIP technology have included desk phones and PBXes (private branch exchanges), desktop and laptop PCs, and WAN- and WLAN-enabled handsets and PDAs.
Over the last few years, however, VoIP has gone from being an esoteric feature to one that is routinely added onto devices via software. In the list that follows, we feature primarily desktop handsets and office phone systems. To get a complete rundown of VoIP products, therefore, be sure to check our other showcases for suitably equipped mobile phones, PDAs and other handheld devices, tablets, UMPCs, and MIDs, and other Windows-powered smart devices.
Note that this list is not meant to be all-inclusive; many of the manufacturers represented here offer additional models covering a spectrum of features and specs. This list will be updated frequently, so be sure to check back periodically for the latest info. The devices are listed in order of our coverage, from most recent to earliest.
 Motorola EWP 1000 and EWP 2000 -- Nov. 12, 2008 -- These two Windows Mobile 6.1 devices from Motorola are billed as "business smartphones" but don't include cellular capabilities. The EWP1000 and EWP2000 instead use WiFi and VoIP, providing access to PBX-based telephony, PTT, text messaging, email, the Internet, and enterprise applications.
 Fifth Media Axia A608R -- Mar. 26, 2008 -- Malaysia-based Fifth Media's multimedia set-top box merges 3.5G HSDPA mobile broadband with WiFi and Bluetooth wireless technologies. The Axia A608R runs Windows XP Embedded, includes a built-in SIP server that's said to enable multiple users with WiFi phones to make VoIP calls, and has an embedded PBX.
 Quanta Syspine -- Nov. 12, 2007 -- Targeting small business, Quanta's Syspine is based on Microsoft's Windows XP Embedded-based Response Point platform. It includes a VoIP-enabled gateway, analog telephone adapter, and four of the desktop phones shown.
 D-Link DVX-2000 -- Nov. 12, 2007 -- Based on Microsoft's Windows XP Embedded-based Response Point platform, D-Link's extensible DVX-2000 system comes with five phones, a VoIP-enabled base unit, and an analog telephone adapter.
Microsoft Response Point -- Oct. 2, 2007 -- Listed here even though it's not a "device," Microsoft's Response Point software is based on Windows XP Embedded. Since its release, it has become a key part of several VoIP-enabled phone systems for small business.
 Polycom CX700 -- May 14, 2007 -- Polycom's Windows CE-based CX700 is a presence- and directory-enabled standalone IP phone that includes a touchscreen color display. Interfaces include USB and Ethernet ports, plus a biometric fingerprint reader for security.
 LG Nortel 8540 -- May 14, 2007 -- LG Nortel's IP Phone 8540 (shown at right) features a 5.7-inch, 320 x 240 pixel, color touchscreen display. It also provides enhanced security functionality via a built-in biometric fingerprint reader.
 Elanza ETI 7001 -- Jan. 31, 2007 -- Elanza's "open architecture" videophone runs Windows CE, and displays full motion, TV quality video at 30 fps on a VGA resolution screen. The ETI 7001 features dual processors -- a main processor, and a media coprocessor -- along with 256 MB of RAM, 128 MB of DiskOnChip flash storage, and 256 MB of additional flash.
 Elanza ETI 206 -- Dec. 14, 2006 -- The Elanza ETI 206 combines PSTN and VoIP phone calling, along with an array of video conferencing, multimedia, and Internet-oriented features. It boasts an 8.4-inch color TFT LCD screen, and is capable of playing full-VGA, full-motion (30 fps), TV-quality video.
 Linksys WIP330 -- May 19, 2006 -- The WIP330 is a cordless phone that runs Windows CE. It has a 2.2-inch QVGA display, can make VoIP calls through 802.11g wireless networks, and supports peer-to-peer dialing.
 Uniden WIN1200 -- Jan. 6, 2006 -- Uniden's WIN1200 includes both a land-line phone connection and a USB 2.0 port to a PC. Users are able to make free VoIP calls to PC users running Windows Live Messenger.
 Atrium Web Q -- Dec. 3, 2005 -- The Web Q by Atrium is a VoIP device that is intended to provide voice and video conference capabilities over the Internet, public telephone network, or ISDN/ADSL lines. The unit runs Windows CE 3.0 on an x86 processor, and features a large, 10.4-inch TFT LCD screen.
 Linksys CIT200 -- Oct. 11, 2005 -- The CIT200 Internet Telephony Kit included a handset, a charger, and a USB base station that plugs into a computer's USB port. It was designed to run in conjunction with a PC running Skype, via which it could make VoIP calls.
 RV Tec Desktop IP Phone -- Dec. 13, 2004 -- RV Tec offered this Windows CE-based desktop phone to other companies for private-label distribution. It includes a Marvell PXA270 processor, WiFi, and 10/100 Ethernet, and can make VoIP calls using SIP or H.323 protocols.
 Wooksung WVP-3000 -- Dec. 6, 2004 -- Wooksung's WVP-3000 runs Windows CE 4.2 on a 400MHz Intel XScale processor, and is endowed with 128MB of RAM and 64MB of flash memory. Sporting a 6.4-inch VGA-resolution display, it supports VoIP calling, Web browsing, and videoconferencing.
 CoCom DMC 200 -- May 11, 2004 -- CoCom's DMC 200 combined the functions of set-top box (STB), personal computer, home audio player, media storage, residential gateway, and VoIP telephone in a single platform. It ran Windows CE or, optionally, Windows XP Embedded, on an AMD Geode-based platform.
 Reddline Ranger V6 Quad/Player -- Apr. 5, 2004 -- Reddline Systems added VoIP services to this thin client "voice and information terminal," which also offered streaming video, audio, and Web access, and was designed for use with a standard analog telephone handset. The Windows CE-based Ranger used an Intel Celeron processor.
 Inter-tel Model 8690 -- Mar. 1, 2004 -- Inter-tel's Model 8690 "multimedia IP endpoint" was built on a Windows CE platform, with Unified Communicator software that allowed users to make calls, enable routing rules, manage presence and availability, monitor the status of coworkers, speed-dial contacts, and view call history and messages. It boasted a 6.4-inch touchscreen, speakerphone, USB interfaces, switched Ethernet ports, and both PCMCIA and CompactFlash expansion slots.
Background information
- Whitepaper: Microsoft's VoIP Strategy and Plans -- Apr. 3, 2003 -- This detailed whitepaper from Microsoft overview provides a detailed introduction to the new Windows CE .NET 4.2 Telephony User Interface (TUI), the components of the VoIP Application Interface Layer (VAIL), and the network layer support for rapidly developing and bringing VoIP-enabled client devices to market.
- IDC study confirms demise of the "unconnected PDA" -- Aug. 19, 2003 -- A new research study from market analyst IDC confirms that potential growth for the "unconnected PDA" market is shifting to voice-enabled devices including mobile phones and "converged mobile devices," which combine the data capabilities of PDAs with the voice communication capabilities of mobile phones.
- SPECIAL REPORT: Microsoft adds VoIP to Windows CE .NET 4.2 -- Apr. 4, 2003 -- At the Spring 2003 Voice on the Net (VON) Trade Show & Expo, Microsoft unveiled voice over IP (VoIP) support that is being added to the next version of Windows CE .NET (version 4.2). The new technology is intended to enable the integration of voice communications into a variety of IP-based client devices such as PDAs, mobile phones, auto-PCs, set-top boxes, residential gateways, enterprise phones and PBXs, and a broad range of other applications. This "special report" brings you up to date on this important announcement and news surrounding it.
- Microsoft reveals expanded VoIP features of Windows CE 5.0 -- Mar. 31, 2004 -- Microsoft announced expanded VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) features that will be part of Windows CE 5.0 (previously code-named "Macallan"), at the Spring 2004 Voice on the Net (VON) Conference & Expo in San Jose, Calif.
Product and technology announcements
- Free peer-to-peer PocketPC voice-calling software -- Apr. 7, 2004 -- Skype Technologies launched a free beta release of peer-to-peer voice calling software for WiFi-enabled handheld devices running Microsoft's Pocket PC software platform.
- Bsquare launches VoIP, telephony, wireless development services -- Apr. 1, 2004 -- Bsquare announced a new offering of "advanced system integration services" aimed at companies developing devices implementing VoIP, telephony, and wireless communications protocols. The company says its new service offerings leverage its expertise in Microsoft's Windows CE and Windows Mobile software platforms, as well as in emerging communications technologies.
- Software improves VoIP voice quality, supports Pocket PC -- Mar. 29, 2004 -- Global IP Sound has released a set of software modules for real-time communications over the Internet. The modules, collectively dubbed the GIPS Voice Enhancement Solutions, include functionality to add comfort noise during silence and automatically adjust audio levels to achieve a consistent and comfortable listening experience during VoIP conversations.
- Toshiba bundles Gphone VoIP with Pocket PCs -- Nov. 6, 2003 -- VLI says its SIP-compliant PocketGphone VoIP telephony software has been selected by with the Toshiba e800/805 Series Pocket PCs. Gphone enables the Pocket PCs to place phone calls over IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) wireless LANs.
- VoIP software provider receives $12.5M venture funding -- Sep. 26, 2003 -- TeleSym Inc., a provider of software to enable cordless voice calling from devices on Wi-Fi wireless (802.11b) networks, announced that it has completed a second round of venture funding, amounting to approximately $12.5 million. The new funding, which brings the company's total funding to $18 million since its inception in 2000, was led by the Intel Communications Fund and Siemens Venture Capital, and included several other investors.
- Software reduces echo in hands-free wireless VoIP -- May 5, 2003 -- Global IP Sound announced software for suppressing the echoes inherent in hands-free operation of packet-switched, wireless LAN (e.g. 802.11x) voice communication using PDAs and other small devices. The company said its GIPS AES software is the first echo suppression technology designed specifically for PDAs and small devices where the microphone and speaker are in close proximity.
- Microsoft enhances Windows CE .NET for VoIP client devices -- April 3, 2003 -- at the Spring 2003 Voice on the Net (VON) Trade Show & Expo, Microsoft announced a comprehensive Windows CE .NET-based voice over IP (VoIP) solution that enables the integration of voice communications into a variety of IP-based client devices and services such as desktops and mobile phones. The new enhancements to Windows CE .NET include a sample Telephony User Interface (TUI), a comprehensive VoIP Application Interface Layer (VAIL) and Enterprise Infrastructure Integration services.
- Microsoft mulls unification of PCs and phones -- Apr. 10, 2003 -- CNET reports on Microsoft's emerging strategy to combine real-time communications -- including email, voice, video conferencing, and instant messaging -- on a single software platform.
- SymPhone turns PDA into phone -- Sep. 24, 2002 -- TeleSym announced availability of its SymPhone System, which the company says enables clear, cost-effective voice communications on Pocket PC PDAs (personal digital assistants, like the iPAQ), using 802.11b wireless LANS -- and across the Internet.
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