[Asterisk-Users] Cost of IP Phones, or Isn't It Just Software?

[Aaron Clauson]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: asterisk-users-admin at lists.digium.com
[mailto:asterisk-users-
> admin at lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of Michael Sandee
> Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2004 8:45 PM
> To: asterisk-users at lists.digium.com
> Subject: Re: [Asterisk-Users] Cost of IP Phones, or
Isn't It Just
> Software?
> 
> 
> 
> Am I dreaming?
> 

Firstly one would have to wonder if Digium will be
taking the next step to produce a handset based on
their, yet to be released, IAXy. The IAXy appears to
be a possible core just add the keypad and handset. 

Secondly IF a device could be built there MAY be
business models that wouldn't need centralised sales
and marketing budgets. For example many people on this
list are running VOIP businesses where it MAY make
sense to give CHEAP handsets away in order to gain
subscribers and then recoup the costs from call or
subscription fees.

Thirdly what sort of expertise would the group be able
to pull together? Software seems to be the main
competency and hardware is a different kettle of fish.
That being said these days a lot of consumer hardware
is going the way of reference designs (broadcom and
WiFi routers for example) with OEMs differentiating on
the software or even just the user interface. IF a
good hardware reference design was available for a
VOIP handset software would POSSIBLY become the
primary task and therefore POSSIBLY suit the expertise
of this group...

Regards,
Aaron





	
		
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