And the latest updated review:
Internet Phone -- VocalTec's Internet Phone client was the first
application to offer real-time voice communication over the 'net, and
thanks to its continual development and impressive new features, Internet
Phone remains the best client in a now over-crowded market of 'net phone
products. Using advanced compression schemes, the folks at VocalTec have
designed an amazing tool that allows for both audio and video
high-quality transmissions, even over 14.4 and 28.8 Kbps SLIP/PPP
connections. Of course, Internet Phone's audio and video quality improves
relative to the speed of your connection, allowing for excellent quality
in both areas for those with dedicated connections to the 'net. Internet
Phone supports both half and full-dupex audio transmissions. The
half-duplex transmission mode is subject to slight delays during
conversations, but these tend to be minimal, especially relative to other
'net phone clients. And if you have the necessary equipment, you can use
the full-duplex mode to enjoy better quality and fewer delays during your
conversations. The latest release also offers direct PC-to-Phone calling
capabilities which gives Internet Phone users the ability to call regular
telephone numbers anywhere in the world and thereby save a bundle on long
distance charges (this feature does require the use of an internet
telephony service provider, or ITSP). Sound quality is extremely high
considering the medium, but it's still a far cry from being as clear as a
telephone conversation. Still, the quality has improved with each new
release of Internet Phone and will likely continue to improve with each
new release of the client.
The latest major release of Internet Phone, Release 5.0, once again helps
the client distance itself from the competition. Recent improvements
include a native Windows 95/NT release, the ability to switch between
full/half-duplex modes during a conversation, full live-motion video
support, voice mail capabilities, whiteboarding and document sharing,
animated assistance and an integrated support wizard, file transfer
functionality, and all the technological amenities made available to
users of conventional telephones (including caller ID; call waiting,
muting, screening, and blocking; directory assistance; and more). Similar
to speed dialing, IPhone saves up to three hundred of the most recently
called people for one-click access. The new release is also compliant
with ITU H.323, the new international standard for audio and video
communications over the Internet. Release 5.0 makes it easier than ever
to connect with other users. There's an online web directory for finding
users to call as well as an integrated global directory built into the
client. And perhaps best of all, there's the brand new Community Browser
which features web-based chat rooms that combine the best of the web,
internet chat, and internet phone capabilities. The Community Browser
provides general and specialized chat rooms that work in a fashion
similar to IRC channels -- only you can speak with and view other users
through Internet Phone. IPhone offers codecs for transmitting and
receiving video feeds from several developers, including Radius Cinepak,
Crystal Net, Intel Indeo, Microsoft Video, and VocalTec Video. The demo
release of Internet Phone is limited to two weeks of use (or one minute
of use in the Windows 3.x version), so if you like IPhone, you better
have your Visa ready. At $49, this product is well worth its weight in
gold.
Pros: The killer communications app of the 90s keeps getting better and
better, excellent real-time audio/video
Cons: Two week time limit in the demo release, the competition continues
to close the gap
New: Community Browser, enhanced audio/video, direct telephone calling
capabilities, improved interface, more
Version Reviewed: 5.01 (Build 171)
Date of Review: 3/15/98
http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/public/read/apps/23