| Free Gizmo VoIP client rings up AIM, MSN |
Jun. 15, 2007
 Internet phone service provider SIPphone, whose Gizmo Project software enables Linux, Windows, and Mac users to make free phone calls using their PCs, announced this week that it has added support for the AOL Instant Messenger and MSN Messenger networks.
(Click here for larger image of Gizmo sign-in screen)
Gizmo uses VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) technology to make "phone" calls to other computers around the world at no charge, over the Internet. Users can talk as long as they want using the software, a microphone, and their computer's speakers. The Gizmo Project also offers free voice mail and conference calling. Additionally, for a "small fee," users can buy add-ons that let them make and receive calls from any mobile phone or land line, a spokesperson said.
With this latest update, Gizmo users now can engage in VoIP-calls with users of Gizmo, Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk, and Windows Live, and can have IM (instant messaging) chats with users of all of those networks, as well as with users of AIM and MSN Messenger.
 
(Click each image to enlarge)
Users can add all of their contacts from these networks with just a few mouse clicks, the spokesperson said. Once the user completes this process, all of their buddies from each network will appear in their Gizmo buddy list.
There is no need to add contacts one by one or when changing computers or devices; contacts are stored safely and securely online along with existing Gizmo buddies, the spokesperson said.
With this latest Gizmo update users can see who's online, and send and receive messages with contacts on these networks directly from Gizmo Project software with no additional installation, the spokesperson said.
"A large portion of our customers tell us that they use Gizmo Project as their primary method of communication. Offering this new feature allows users to manage their communication and contacts more effectively, with one simple interface," said Michael Robertson, chairman and CEO of SIPphone and founder of Linspire.
SIPphone claims to have logged more than 2.5 million downloads of its Gizmo Project client software since 2003 and has customers in more than 170 countries.
Availability
The new feature is being pushed out automatically to all existing users, without the need to upgrade software. Users will notice a new icon labeled "Add AIM, MSN, Y! buddies." Clicking on this icon will walk the user through the necessary steps, the spokesperson said.
Gizmo for Linux, v3.0.1.70, is available from the Linspire 5.0+ CNR, as well as in the form of binary tarball, RPM, and DEB install packages. You can download Gizmo free of charge here.
--Chris Preimesberger
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