On Fri, 27 Feb 2009, Tzafrir Cohen wrote: > Hi folks > > A common wisdom here is that one should use a proper hardware phone > rather that an extra software on the user's PC. Why is that such a big > issue?
Both my laptop and desktop PC have poor quality microphone inputs. I use a USB "phone" on my laptop when out and about. > One thing that bothers me with the current crop of hardware SIP phones > is that they are hopelessly properitary. SIP is an open standard... > So what would it take to build a fully-adaptable phone? Persuade an existing manufacturer to provide an SDK for their phone... And thinking about it, don't Snoms run Linux? anyone asked if an SDK is avalable? > Here are some of my thoughts. This is not anything I plan to do soon (if > at all), but I really find it strange that there aren't such phones > already. > > > == Small Quantities: > When you look at such systems it becomes aparant that you can get much > nicer prices if you buy large quanities. But this is something that will > be a problem. Not only for prototying. The fact that you're limited to a > strict hardware setting is very limiting. No mixing and matching like in > a standard PC. I'm not exactly sure how to overcome that. > > == Platforms: > There are many embedded platforms nowadays. I assume that the relevant > application requires some non-trivial CPU power. I would exclude e.g. a > 486-based systems. My target phone should be able to handle at least two > concurrent Speex calls. Preferrebly 6 speex calls and above. > > OTOH, I can't afford a monster CoreDuo. I need a quiet system with no > fan. Thus the target CPU may be higher end VIA or Atom. Not sure about > Geode. > > There are also some interesting ARM-based boards around. I'm completely > unfamiliar with them but I suspect that they may prove to be cheaper. Custom DSP or ARM. Don't forget power requirements too. PoE may well be able to supply 15W, but imagine a building with 100 x 15W phones... Everything I've plugged into my meter idles at about 2W (Grandstream, Snom, Siemens, ATL) > == SIP Software: > Not really sure here. There must be something close to usable already, I > guess. > > == Micro Browser: > Hell no! "Executives" want it... > The device should have an LCD display, and the content of that display > should be programmable. Programming it using a HTML renderred is a bad > design decision. > > The device should be a good phone. It should not attempt to be a web > browser, as it will be a lousy one. I've actually used the RSS reader in my Grandstream Video phones.. It's usable, but I take your point about the full web thing! > == Handset: > I suppose that an obvious starting point for a handset is "skype phones" > such as USB handsets from yealink. Far from an optimal design, but a > driver already exists. Seen these: http://www.fit-pc.co.uk/meet-fit-pc.html#tiny And of-course the power line thing mentioned here a few days earlier - eg. http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/143/1051143/pc-plug-coming-soon-wall-near if you're going to use a USB phone, these platforms are ideal, if a little pricey.. I did play with a yealink phone and Linux some time back - get the display and keyboard working and it'll be very functional... (I got it to almost work with Zoiper, so a custom app. would be easy) Alas, I gave it to a friend, then go anothe from the same source (tesco), thinking it would be identical - and it was - in packaging, but was a totally different phone )-: > == Ease of Use: > A phone must be usable. The target device must be something my mom can > use. However that does not mean it must be easy to program. It must be > programmable and hackable. But I can live with a complicated user > interface for that. If such phones become successful and useful, better > interfaces will eventually be written. Dial the number, push the green button, off you go... Gordon _______________________________________________ -- Bandwidth and Colocation Provided by http://www.api-digital.com -- asterisk-users mailing list To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
