Given the difficulty of matching up my Bluetooth Streamer to a home phone, I thought I'd try an end-run.
I already use Gizmo Project voice over IP (VOIP), though not as extensively as I could be doing. It finally occurred to me that on my Qtek 9100 (which has both wifi and bluetooth) I might be able to run a VOIP softphone, which could then connect to my hearing aids via bluetooth and the Streamer. Essentially the Streamer acts as a BT headset, relaying the sound directly to my hearing aids.
- Fail: First I looked to see if Gizmo had any client for Windows Mobile 5 phones. Nope!
- Fail (but comes close!): Fring, which is promising. Loaded it on the Qtek, and it was pretty nice - it connected directly to my Gizmo account and loaded all my contacts automatically. But the fatal flaw is the lack of any number pad. See, the number I want to give out is from GrandCentral (GC). But when I receive a call via that number, GC expects me to press "1" to receive the call - this cannot be disabled. And Fring has no number pad at all. So, this was a failure - for now.
- Fail: There were several reports in 2005 of a VOIP softphone from Sipquest. Well, the sipqest.com url now redirects to something called Firsthand. They have a VOIP client described here. But no way to buy or download it.
- Fail: Over a year ago, several sites reported that MS might be making its own VOIP softphone. I can find no evidence of availability now (November 2007).
- Fail: xten/x-lite is a common VOIP softphone. Doesn't run on Windows Mobile. I've seen references to a product called X-Pro for Pocketpc or Windows media, and some pirate downloads, but the one I tried was a dud on Vista, and I'm not willing to try any others. If it's not currently offered and/or supported, there is probably a reason!
- Fail: I tried to install Express Talk, but got error: 'this is not a valid pocket pc application'.
- Fail: CiceroPhone. Apparently only available to large customers. Maybe someone at one of the links here will have it.
- Global IP Solutions REX. Global IP makes what many insiders consider the best codec for voice clarity. Sadly, they don't seem to offer product to individual consumers.
- Fail: SJPhone. I tried the SJphone CE.cab for Pocket PC 2003SE, v.1.60.303c, 10.26.05 download. The interface was confusing - I couldn't seem to find a way to answer incoming calls (it did receive them). But most importantly, I could not find a way to get audio to/from a bluetooth headset.
- Fail: Kapanga. I filled out the form, and received download instructions by email just moments later. I was able to reconfigure it to talk to the sipphone.com proxy. But I could not get it to receive calls. Also could not get audio in/out via BT headset.
- Wating on info: Damaka Mobile. I used their contact form to ask when/if the mobile version of their product would be avbl for download. In the meantime, I tried the PC product - it installed fine on Vista. You need to sign up for a Damaka ID (free), but once that's done you can change the softphone to use another SIP proxy and login ID.
- Wating on info: AGEphone. I tried downloading the WM5(QVGA) version. I have not yet been able to get a successful connection with it. I have emailed them with a question. I doubt that it will be able to route sound to Bluetooth.
- Fail: Voipsurfer has a simple onscreen interface that I like. Too bad the website doesn't make clear that it is IAX only.
- Fail: Speaq. Was easy to download and install. Conneced and made a call. But when I called it ... nothing. Also I could not get any sound at all from it.
Voip-info.org has a long list of softphones that I need to explore. Forums at Voxilla.com may also be helpful.
Gizmo Project helpfully documents the settings to be used with any other VOIP softphone:
- Use SIP proxy: proxy01.sipphone.com port 5060
- 'Register with proxy', 'Proxy is strict outbound' and 'Unregister contact address only'.
- STUN: stun01.sipphone.com port 3478
- My SIP number: 1-747-037-8639
- My SIP URI is probably sip:quicksolve@proxy01.sipphone.com