VoIP tech toys on your holidays list? With the holidays right around the corner perhaps you've already made your list and checked it twice. Instead of asking for new socks or that leaf blower you'll use to make your neighbors 'real' happy, perhaps you should check out this new toy.

Vishay RFWaves design for a USB-based wireless headset using a fully digital 2.4-GHz wireless link. Target applications for the system include VoIP, PC-based cordless telephony, and PC-based "intelligent" toys.

iConnectHere, a global provider of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service and the consumer division of deltathree, Inc., has decided to extend its successful Refer-A-Friend program as a result of the program's continued stream of new referrals from users worldwide.

The Refer-A-Friend program offers first time subscribers to iConnectHere a free month of VoIP phone service upon registration, and grants the referring person a complimentary month as well. Individuals making calls to friends within the iConnectHere network are also able to communicate with other iConnectHere users for free.

In a milestone partnership with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore ("CAAS"), Mainboard-listed MediaRing Limited announced the launch of its "MediaRing Global Talk" VoIP lounges and VoIP telephone service at Singapore Changi Airport. With this launch, Singapore Changi Airport will become one of the first airports in the world -- to offer high quality, budget VoIP international calls for its passengers.

Home-grown MediaRing, the number one pure-play VoIP telephony service provider in Asia, will offer this new service through its two newly designed MediaRing Global Talk Lounges. These luxurious lounges, with a total of 23 individual VoIP booths, are located at the Departure/Transit lounges of Singapore Changi Airport's Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

Vonage the nation's largest provider of VoIP, could now be barred from allowing new customers to sign up. This is because Vonage failed to meet the required deadline of the FCC providing customers with reliable emergency 911 (E911) services to its subscribers. AT&T also failed to meet the Monday, November 28th deadline. You can read more about the ruling here "Internet Phone Providers Fall Short on 911".

IPcelerate, Inc., a provider of advanced communications-based software applications, announced today the release of IPStudio version 1.0, the next generation IP Communications Recording solution for business VoIP users. IPStudio allows companies to record and monitor different types of media and data sessions in an organization's IP network. Based upon IPcelerate's proprietary distributed architecture, IPStudio provides a highly scalable and adaptable recording environment for converged IP Networks.

Trolltech, provider of leading technologies that make advanced software faster to build and easier to use, today released Qtopia Phone Edition 2.2, the first Linux-based Voice over IP (VoIP) software solution for mobile and wireless phones and converged media devices. Qtopia Phone 2.2, the latest version of Trolltech's application platform for Linux devices, also features performance improvements and enhanced user interface, multimedia and internationalization functionality.

Qtopia Phone is the only independent, open software solution for Linux-based devices. It allows designers and manufacturers to develop feature-rich phones and other mobile and wireless devices, while maintaining complete control of branding and the user experience. Today, more than 30 vendors are designing, building or shipping mobile phones built with Qtopia and related Trolltech software for embedded Linux, including Motorola, Cellon, and ZTE.

neuf Cegetel, the largest alternative operator in France, has deployed a VoIP solution from Nortel to provide carrier-grade voice services over DSL broadband access to businesses and consumers throughout France.

"For neuf Cegetel, VoIP represents a considerable development opportunity for the home subscriber and corporate markets, enabling us to offer innovative services while optimizing our infrastructure costs," said Francois Paulus, general manager, network and marketing division, neuf Cegetel. "Nortel has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality solutions. With their technology and support, we are well equipped to succeed in this very competitive market."

In the latest report from Wainhouse Research's quarterly WebMetrics research program, 70% of panelists who used Skype in the last six months found the VoIP service acceptable for business calls. This includes a mix of 17% who use it often, 27% who use it for business occasionally, and 27% who find it acceptable for business use but do not use it for business purposes. Only 5% believe it is not acceptable for business or personal use. While only 1/4 of the entire survey group has used Skype in the past six months, the acceptance level among those who have used Skype is believed to be a harbinger of things to come for web conferencing vendors seeking to bolster their Voice over IP (VoIP) offerings.

8x8 has successfully provisioned nomadic E911 emergency calling throughout its network of domestic residential and business Packet8 subscribers.

Effective immediately, all Packet8 subscribers with a U.S. service address can now contact emergency service personnel by dialing 911 from their Packet8 phone. Previously, Packet8 offered E911 service as an optional feature to subscribers, however, earlier this year, the Federal Communications Commission issued an order requiring all interconnected VoIP providers to provide E911 capabilities to their subscribers as a standard component of their service.

ARRIS announced that Mexican Multiple System Cable Operator (MSO) Cablemas has selected the ARRIS Cadant C4 CMTS to provide advanced voice (VoIP) and high-speed data service to its customers. Several fully-loaded C4 CMTS chassis have been installed and activated in Tijuana in anticipation of widespread VoIP and high speed data deployments throughout the Cablemas service area of more than 1.5 million homes passed.

As many of you may have noticed the news has been slightly delayed around here. I took off a few days to enjoy free time with family and friends visiting on vacation. I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday. However the news must go on and stay tuned for some new additions coming to the VoIPMonitor website.

The world just got a whole lot closer with the major expansion of Speakeasy's (www.speakeasy.net) calling area for its Home Voice-over IP (VoIP) service. Speakeasy customers will now receive free unlimited calling to 22 countries in addition to their broadband connection and unlimited local and long-distance throughout the U.S. -- all for just $79.90 per month. The change is effective immediately for existing and new customers at no additional cost. The savings are tremendous: Speakeasy's Broadband plus Home VoIP service can save a customer up to $400 annually compared to VoIP over Cable or VoIP over phone company DSL. Speakeasy Home VoIP service is bundled with a Speakeasy Broadband connection to ensure superior voice and connectivity quality.

SunRocket, one of the nation's leading Internet phone service providers, announced that it has equipped 96% of its customers with E-911 services, in advance of the original November 28th deadline ordered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) last May. "E-911", short for "Enhanced 911", is a technology that allows emergency services to pinpoint the physical location and identify the call-back number of the 911-caller.

Yak Communications Inc., a provider of telecommunications services to residential and business customers, will utilize CommPartners, Inc.'s VoIP network and enhanced applications to deliver its Unlimited Calling Plan as part of the Yak WorldCity VoIP (www.worldcity.com) service offering. The yakUnlimited Calling Plan will offer subscribers a U.S. or Canadian local phone number to facilitate unlimited outbound and inbound calling with features including Caller ID, Unified Messaging and Voice Mail for only $19.99usd/$24.99cad per month.

The yakUnlimited Calling Service will offer robust telephony solutions through IP-based systems technology. The partnership with CommPartners provides a VoIP network infrastructure and enhanced applications that expands Yak WorldCity VoIP's current coverage area within the United States and Canada and enhances its yakForFree (www.yakforfree.com) service to include Local Number Portability (LNP) and 911 emergency and domestic termination services at a lower price point.

Interstar's XMediusFAX Fax over IP (FoIP) Fax Server Software Enables Cisco VoIP Users to Send and Receive Faxes without the Added Expense of Fax Boards for Significant Cost Savings and Streamlined Workflow

Interstar Technologies (www.faxserver.com), a leading developer of IP telephony technologies, will be demonstrating its award-winning XMediusFAX T.38 Fax over IP (FoIP) server technology for enterprises and service providers at next week's CIPTUG 2005 Annual Conference (Booth 14), held November 28 to December 1 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Interstar's President and CEO, Martin Demers, will also be available to meet with CIPTUG visitors at the booth and at a special guest night event on November 30.