Skype-Killer VoxOx Relaunches, Adds Tons of New Features, iPhone App Coming Soon (Hopefully)

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VoIP service VoxOx thought its rebranding at CES — which includes a massive effort to unify almost every method of communication known to man, and new features like being able to pick your own phone number for free — was such a big deal, they had an army of extras with duct-taped mouths following around an alien who gave away “dozens” (according to VoxOx) of iPhones at the show.

In fact, the PR stunt attracted so much attention it detracted from VoxOx’s actual message about all the neat stuff they’ve bundled into their reworked desktop app, and that they’re well on the way to having an iPhone app out, pending Apple’s approval (and as should be expected, VoxOx says they’ve focused on putting out an iPhone app ahead of any possible Android app).

Here’s the big picture about some of the new features; everything — apart from some outgoing calls — is free:

  • Everything from Facebook and Twitter updates, to AIM and Yahoo Messenger chat, to voice and fax communication has been unified under a single window; all the various channels through which to get hold of contacts is now grouped and contacts can be contacted directly through whichever means you choose through a single point; VoxOx is stressing the concept of unification very heavily (the titanic “UNIFY” on the VoxOx website might be a hint).
  • Users signing up for their free account can now select whatever phone number they want, (as long as it’s not already taken), and even pick the area code (although users signing up outside the U.S. get a pre-selected area code). That new VoxOx number can then be set up to forward calls, with a dizzying array of options, to any mobile number or landline. The VoxOx number also comes with voicemail.
  • Two-way realtime language translation: type stuff into the chat window, and VoxOx will automatically translate it to one of the other available languages. Works for incoming text too; great for conversations with your new Brazilian girl/boyfriend.
  • Files up to 100 MB can be uploaded to the VoxOx servers and shared with a VoxOx-generated link.
  • There’s more we haven’t mentioned. Here’s a chart comparing VoxOx with services like Google Voice, Skype and others.

VoxOx seems less expensive than Skype too — for instance, their unlimited calling plan for outgoing calls to the U.S. & Canada mobile and landlines (from within the same) is $2.45, compared with $3 for the same Skype plan. And all incoming (and VoxOx-to-VoxOx) communication of any kind is free.

We’ll have a review up eventually (hopefully when the iPhone app is released), to see if the quality of the service really does stack up; In the meantime (and while we’re waiting for the iPhone app), we think the massive plate of free features makes signing up a no-brainer.

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