An Android-Based VoIP Phone

Recently we covered five VoIP (voice-over-IP) applications for Linux, and some of the more unusal types of devices that the Android operating system is headed for. In a play on both the concepts of VoIP and unusual Android devices, a California startup company, Cloud Telecomputers, has a touchscreen, desktop VoIP phone running Android that it is aiming at business users. It runs the open "Glass" development platform based on Android, and check out this quote from Ed Zander, former CEO of Motorola: "In 3 to 5 years, all business phones will look like Glass." That seems a little over the top, but this desktop phone does look interesting.

Cloud Telecomputers is focusing on OEMs who want to design around its Glass hardware and software platform, and there is no specific price set yet for Glass desktop phones, but according to LinuxDevices, they'll sell for $600 to $700. You can do a lot more than place VoIP calls on the phone. It has an 8-inch, 800 x 600 touchscreen interface, and HD speakerphone capability, but if you look closely at the photo below, you'll see that it also has a handset on the left. In addition, it supports Bluetooth, voice dialing, voice notes, and you can click to dial directly from Microsoft Outlook.

The phone also has two USB ports, which can be used to take advantage of standard desktop computer functions, including screen sharing. Check out LinuxDevices' story for complete specs on the phone. The estimated pricing seems a little high, but it does look slick, and it's evidence of the many types of directions that the Android OS can head in.