Calling Without a Phone

It is likely that many people in our day are familiar with the terms hardware and software, it is almost a given when one owns a computer or laptop. Now there is a new addition to the technology "Soft" family, the softphone. Never heard of it? Well what many computer users may not have realized yet is that they have already heard of or been using softphone technology. If you have been voice calling or video calling friends, colleagues and family over Skype, Yahoo! Messenger, or iChat, then you are a softphone user.

Softphone is the term given to a type VOIP technology that allows PC to PC calling, whether plain voice calling or more advanced video calling. VOIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol; it is the technology behind voice conversations using internet connection. How do softphones work? Unlike landline calling that uses analog technology to transfer audio through the phone, softphone technology uses digital technology. This technology in basic terms breaks up the audio that enters the microphone when we speak, making it easily transferable. With little delay, the audio information is received by the computer on the other end and is rebuilt to the original audio, allowing the message to get through to the person you are talking to.

Some of you may be wondering why use it at all if it will only work when you and who you intend to talk to are using computers. There are two quick and simple answers for this inquiry: first, most if not all softphone applications are free. You heard it right, they are free to download, and free of charge for PC-to-PC calls!

Second, if you really need to call someone and they are not on their computer, softphone applications such as Skype allows PC to Phone calls. This however is not free. It is still a convenience if you are at your computer all day. After all, managing between communication and work is simpler on just one screen.

Voip softphone technology allows a new type of convenience for all types of people. The technology makes long distance communication easier, and cheaper. It is also useful just or casual calling and communication. Most of all, it has a place in the business world. Many executives today use softphone technology to better relay work related information. With a lot of work related information being on computers, the communication being on the same platform makes managing simpler. Softphone technology also boasts multi-caller capabilities, allowing meetings for people miles and miles away from one another, not to mention the help it gives for the employee phone bill budget.

VOIP softphone technology is become increasingly common for computer users. It is growing in line with the increase of Internet providers, and need for clearer transfer of information. If you have yet to try it, why not download and explore one of the following VOIP softphone applications: Skype, Trillian, Google Talk, or Yahoo! Messenger. All you need in your computer is internet connection, a microphone and speakers. Most of which are laptop builit-in.

Tina L. Douglas is a well established author on the topic of voip service.

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