Sony launches free Internet phone service

Add Sony to the list of companies getting into the telephone business.

The electronics giant launched a free Web-based phone service on Wednesday called Instant Video Everywhere, designed to link users of the service via their computers. According to an advertisement on Sony's Web site, the new service will ship with the company's latest version of Vaio BX laptops, which are equipped with built-in video cameras.

The move comes as traditional phone companies are losing their grip on services that were once theirs exclusively. In September, auction powerhouse eBay announced that it had agreed to pay $2.6 billion for Net telephone provider Skype, one of the premiere VoIP, or voice over Internet Protocol, companies. eBay said it plans to boost communications between buyers and sellers.

Yahoo, AOL and others also offer video-calling services similar to IVE. Video-phone services have long been touted by technology enthusiasts but have struggled to attract a mainstream audience.

In June, Sony signaled that it might offer a consumer telephone offering, when it rolled out an IVE service aimed at businesses. Sony is working with Glowpoint, a Hillside, N.J.-based video-phone service provider known for its "All You Can See" unlimited video dialing plans and easy-to-use services, which include features such as live video operators and video-call mailboxes. Sony said it will also offer to connect IVE users to landlines and cell phones for a monthly fee of $9.95.

Sony executives did not immediately return calls for comment.

[heystoopid]

What's the catch?

With SONY nothing is free , there is always a hidden catch! As for vaio's cheaper and faster alternatives exists Finally, this $9.95 service, must have some interesting extra charge and user pay clauses attached in the fine print!

[plato2876]

Nice follow up to a Rootkit...

Now, after the wonderful discovery of what Sony does with software on CDs when you DON'T think you're installing anything, who's going to go out and actually install stuff from this company? Anyone? Bueller?

[Stating]

Pricey For Consumers, Windows Centric

If you wish to call a landline/cell using Sony's offering, it will cost you $9.95 / month + $0.08 per minute. Compare this to Skype which doesn't charge a monthly fee and is only $0.02 per minute domestic. Want to do video on Skype? You can use the Spontania add-in or Festoon (beta).

I plan to try out IVE's free computer-to-computer voice and video to get a sense of the quality. Their FAQ suggests a video rate of 30 frames per second (fps). I have been consistently disappointed by the computer-to-computer voice and video quality of Yahoo Messenger. Yahoo's video offering is pathetic -- a choppy, tiny 1 fps connection. Skype/Spontania gives a decent 15-20 fps.

[Stating]

re: Nice follow up to a Rootkit...

That was a PR disaster for Sony. I've got to believe that Howard Stringer sent out the order to review ALL Sony software for this type of stunt. One could argue that given the intense scutiny and lawsuits that Sony DRM created, they will be very careful to not try this again.

[rtripathi]

Sony lost trust

I'm boycotting sony everything.

[ConcernedAdult]

No Way

As I look around my home, I see Sony HDTVs, a Sony laptop, a couple of Sony Palms, a Sony cell phone--- all purchased when I believed the Sony name to be synonymous with quality. But Sony has since absolutely proven the contempt it holds toward consumers. Even if free in terms of immediate financial outlay, I now comprehend exactly how expensive patronizing Sony can be. Trust me-- Sony will never again see me as a customer, for any reason whatsoever.

[lonny paul]

Um, the totally connected Home....

Does include video vs. just audio. Broadcasting within the home, anywhere on net is the next reality.

Whatever we see, touch, feel and experience will soon be equipped with a digital interface to allow maximum control and tweaking for the senses.

Sony a commercial consumer service - not gonna happen.

[The user with no name]

fool me once shame on you...

Fool me twice? You won't get the chance!

I've ditched Sony for good! My carpool driver has bugged me for a few months about giving him my PS2 in lieu of gas/tolls. After Sony's RootKit I packed the PS2 up with all my addons and gave it to him the next day... I guess I'll give the XBox 360 a try! I pulled out my Sony DVD-R (was going to replace it with a Sony DVD-RW) and instead replaced it with a Pioneer DVD-RW yesterday. I am NOT gonna trust Sony with any firmware updates to my hardware...nor the existing firmware already on it! God only knows what is/will be hidden in there!

I WILL NOT buy from a company that fcuks over it's customers. They cry all day about how people are violating there IP rights but then turn around and violate their customers' property/privacy rights by pulling this stunt. I hope the not only lose in the pending lawsuits but I hope they lose SO BIG that NO other company will ever think of doing something like this that is so unethical and illegal ever again!

Sony just wasted all the billions of dollars they have ever spent building consumer rapport and trust. It's gonna be a long time before I trust them again.

--sidenote: The mere fact that Sony is backing Blu-Ray now makes me suspicious of this whole format! A format that I was excited to see and believed in. Anything that speaks of Sony now is suspect with me.

What will they harvest next?

I should immagine that advertising will show up at people called by the service. No Thank You, Sony.

[royc]

Sony and NEC CD/DVD drive joint venture.

Japanese electronics makers Sony and NEC to set up a CD/DVD drive joint venture. The companies plan to begin operations on April 1, 2006.

That sounds like a good date to start this.

Just say "NO!" to NEC too.

[anarchyreigns]

Boycott Sony/Blu-ray

Boycott Sony and Blu-ray. Hit 'em where it hurts.

[ag1010]

Yeah right!!!!!! Like I'd Touch that!

After the DRM, I ain't touching jack crap of whatever contains the name SONY in it!

[elranchero]

nobody will TOUCH sony software

after that root kit fiasco

[ThunderDog]

Looks cool. No fear.

I've been a fan of Sony products for a long time and I still equate Sony to quality. After doing my own research about the recent Sony debacle its clear that this exciting new product has nothing to do with it.

The software "scare" has to do with music cds that came from Sony BMG (sony music) which is one small branch of the Sony corporation. Also, the software which has caused the issues was created by a company called First4Internet.

I'm excited about the new voip-video frontier and I really doubt that any boogeymen will be popping up in my video screen. ...and I severely doubt that Sony would risk that sourt of negetive coverage again.

[Earl Benser]

Why bother????

......... Skype does it better