Browser 2 Browser Internet Phone

Lately I was trying to find the easiest way to make phone calls from browser to browser.
I don't know why exactly, I just know I'm fascinated by this technology... and I'm not talking about services that you need to download something in order to hear the other side, like: Yommba, or Loudtalks - I'm talking about a simple application that does this with browser & Java only.

So I found C2Call, which supposed to be a Web Call service that works like an email. Meaning, you invite someone via email, and both of you can talk, and chat from the browser, or from a popup widget. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me, so I can't recommend it...

However, I found something else, that seems to work:
The Switchboard is a simple to use B2B internet phone that does not require any installation. The switchboard only uses your internet connection and CPU when you are placing a call.

Features list:

• Internet phone calls
• Conference calls
• Voicemail
• Instant messaging
• File transfer
• MSN, AIM, and ICQ compatibility
• Works in corporate network environments (i.e. works through web proxy servers)
• Email notifications
• Portable
• Works over modem connection

This service is Free, but if you want to create your own private Switchboard for your website, the cost will be $1 per simultaneous user, per month. The minimum number of users per account is 10, so the minimum charge is $10 per month (which is really a FAIR price).

After completing the simple sign-up and inputting your site details you will simply need to add a bit of Java-script code to your Webpage, or blog. Also, you can control the color, behavior, and the language of your Switchboard, to better match your website (currently supports: English, French, German, Swedish, and Polish).

One important tip: when you try it, you may hear an echo while talking. To get rid of it, make sure that both you and the other caller are using headphones, and that the speaker sound is turned off.

Snooze Reminders on your Desktop with Google Talk

While updating my Google Calendar today, I noticed that now you can get notification through Google Talk (the desktop client), from the following services: Gmail, Orkut (this should be interesting), and Google Calendar (reminders that you can snooze).

Still in experimental mode, but if you want to give it a try, you can download it by clicking - here.

Muxtape on AIR

Muxtape is an easy-to-use application that allows you to upload music from your computer, create playlists (12 songs on each one), and share it with friends around the net.

Though the site is so simple to use, it's not so easy to find songs you may like. But I found this great AIR application today, that enables you to browse through random playlist, or search by Muxtape name. While searching for Muxtape, related playlists will also be loaded, so it's most likely that eventually, you'll find music that match your taste.


Download Muxmaster!

CrunchBase Information

Muxtape

Information provided by CrunchBase

HelloTxt Added Image and Video support

HelloTxt is the most impressive aggregate of microblogging services through which the user can insert their messages on all main microblogging services in a simply and simultaneous way.

I've been using this site for a long time, and noticed that HelloTxt adding new features, and improving the application all the time! Currently the microblogging list is the larger list I've ever seen in terms of services that allows to send 'one message to all'.

It's getting harder and harder to keep your friend posted if you're using more than two or three microblogging services, therefor, HelloTxt is the perfect solution for busy people. Moreover, it is also support all those networks that lets you add one line of 'what are you doing right now', apart from other activities on their site, like: Facebook, Myspace, LinkedIN, Bebo, Hi5 etc,.

Once you're setting all your favorite microblogging, and social networks sites on HelloTxt, you'll have a Dashboard where you can choose to which service you'd like to send the update. My personal thought is, that in each service I have different group of friends, so it's not always necessary to send the message to ALL.

Yesterday, HelloTxt added image, and video support. Now it is possible to post your images and favorite videos directly from HelloTxt.


HelloTxt also owns a mobile version which can be found here: http://m.hellotxt.com, and of course, a Facebook application.

I don't know what are HelloTxt planning for the future, but I'm hoping they'll support: Friendfeed and Netvibes as well. I also wish they'll release a simple bookmarklet or a Firefox addon, to make it even easier to send updates from the browser.

CrunchBase Information

Hellotxt

Information provided by CrunchBase

Spaz - An open-source Twitter client for AIR

Spaz - A new open-source Twitter client, available on all AIR-compatible platforms: Windows, OS X, and Linux.

Overall, works pretty good, nice interface (4 themes to choose from), users can view updates from friends, direct messages, replies, and the public timeline. Also, auto-refreshing, sound, directory listings of users you're following - and your followers, and more.

For more information go2 Spaz's Google code page.

Found at Genbeta

I've Been Interviewed by Tara Anderson from Lijit

I really like the Lijit search engine that I've added six month ago to my blog. Not only because it gives social results to your search, but for the statistics that comes with it - really helpful if you're a blogger.

When Tara Anderson, Community Catalyst at Lijit, asked if I'll be willing to answers some of her questions, I was more than happy to cooperate, and this is the short interview we made:

• How long have you been blogging and what made you start?

I’ve been blogging for 2 years now. When I first started my blog, I didn’t know if I was going to keep blogging but somehow, I did. I was always good with discovering interesting links and offering them to my friends, but I didn’t think I was good at explaining about those link’s essence. Well, I guess like in any other issue in life, practice made perfect…

My first blog post wasn’t actually a text post. It was a post with bunch of Web 2.0 services on it. My dream at that time was to create a web page that gathers all those wonderful Web 2.0 applications, but I didn’t have the skills to make such a page, so I added them onto one post. But I was lucky to have a friend (Eyal Shahar) that took my dream and made it fly, and now both of us are the co-founders of a pretty successful Web 2.0 directory. So basically, I can say that my dream to have a site made me start a blog. I was also inspired by TechCrunch blog, and since Mike is a good friend, he was very supportive and gave me the strength to carry on with blogging.

• What’s the greatest thing you’ve received from blogging?

The answer for that would have to be: exposure and recognition. If it wasn’t for my blog and site, there are lots of things I couldn’t imagine in my life that I am able to do. My entire life has been turned upside down from this blogging experience, and I’m very thankful for that. But I really have to say that I didn’t expect this, and for me, I’m still just a girl that likes to explore the Web and to get the word out to everyone who doesn’t have the time, or desire, to do that themselves.

• Of all the posts you’ve written, what has been your favorite?

That’s a tough question. OK, I can think of two right now:

The announcement on the launch of Go2web20 Directory
The post about web-based tools that you don’t need to sign-up for I REALLY worked hard on this one

• You write about Web 2.0 apps and services. What’s your favorite and/or the one you get the most use out of?

Since I really test lots of services, this list of favorites is changing every day. However, I do have some services that I’m currently using on a daily basis:

1) Google Docs - I can honestly say that I don’t use WORD or any other office software since I’ve started to use them.

2) Facebook - I guess I don’t need to explain why.

3) Twitter - Because if friends following you, it must be because you have something interesting to say. So for me, it’s one of the most real places on the web today.

4) Flickr - Using the service since May 2005, I think it will be very hard to move me from there (even if they close).

5) Blogger - What can I say, with all the problems that I had with this blogging platform, I stayed.

6) Bloglines - Because you need for at least one RSS reader…

7) Del.icio.us - My main search engine.

And these are only few from many that I’ve chosen to list.

• How has Lijit helped you as a blog publisher?

The reason I replaced the Google search engine with Lijit was the social results it gave while searching. I just love the way it not only searches my blog, it also searches my community as well. In this case, it is almost certain that people who search will get an answer to their need. Moreover, the stats that Lijit gives helps me to see what people are really interested in reading. Bottom-line, Lijit simply provides added value to bloggers.

For more, go2 Lijit's Blog.

MSNBC - Stay Informed Just by Having Fun

NewsWare is a laboratory for news-infused games, and other tools that totally change the way you read news on the web. This lab is part of MSNBC Newspage, that want to help their readers to get different experience while reading the daily news.

NewsWare looks like a bunch of widget and goodies that you want to try. In particular, I liked the game area - it mixes live MSNBC headlines from the vast library of RSS feeds, into some truly addictive game play. Games can be played on the site, or can be added as Facebook applications.


Click to play.

Readers can also build their own news ticker and stay plugged into MSNBC news from their personal pages (Netvibes, iGoogle etc.,). Or, stay connected with the topics they care about and the latest breaking news, via Mobile, Email, or Instant Message.

But the most interesting application I've tested on NewsWare is Spectra: A visual newsreader that merges the news spectrum and the color spectrum into an expansive news viewing experience.

I have never seen anything quite like this:



Overall, it is pretty clear that MSNBC very much aware of today Web progress, and since the moment you go onto their main page, you can see the clean layout, the flexible design, the sharing option, and more. Really, a great usability that makes it easier to explore the site.
I really recommend you to try NewsWare, it's absolutely different from newspage sites we're familiar with today.

PicLens - Now for YouTube

PicLens is a Firefox/IE plugin that enables you to browser into a full-screen 3D experience for online images, and now even videos. The new version supports YouTube videos via the PicLens search bar.

Wix - The Joy of Creating Flash Sites

So the Demo above, show you how to create a site in 2 minutes... but you can forget this is the time you'll spend on Wix. The platform is just too rich, and full with little Flash elements that are really fun to try. Not once I found myself playing hours at the site, trying just about everything they offers (ok, so not everything, but A LOT of what they have on their galleries), and I tell you this: Wix is by far one of the most interesting sites I've tested this year.

Israeli-based Wix, is an online application for creating, publishing and promoting Web content in Flash. With Wix you don't have to be a designer, or programmer to create good-looking Websites and embeddable Web objects, such as: Myspace comments, Widgets, Greeting cards, and more.

Wix content can be published anywhere on the Web: on social networks, blogs, as stand-alones etc,. Furthermore, you can add tags to your Wix creations to make them search engine friendly. YES, Wix sites are searchable! Wix sites are viewed using the Flash plugin, but are not Flash sites. They are saved in xml format and parsed into html code to be search engine friendly, this html code is used as part of the html file in which the wix sites are shown and is indexed by search engines.

Bottom-line, Wix is about connecting people and connecting the web together. Everyone can grab things form Wix, and create a site, a blog, or whatever they want to present - publish it on the Web, and share it with anyone. The most important thing is that creating something in Wix is really as easy as one-two-three, and you get spectacular results!

But don't take my word for it, just try this yourself. You can sign-up from this blog post, without invitation code:

Wix Blog | Myspace page | Twitter

Best Photo Experience - Panoramic Vision

It is always fascinating to watch panoramas.
Since it's created from multiple images/videos stitched together, it enables you to get a wider view of places, almost as if you're there yourself. Unfortunately, there aren't many online panorama applications, but the ones that are there, are very impressive, and will give you a great photo experience while watching, zooming, rotating, dragging etc,.

This first service spotted on Techcrunch. It's called Panedia and it allows you to travel through thousands of amazing panoramas on full screen. While doing that you can click on hotspots located over a map, to get more information and pictures about the place you see.




At Gigapan users can host and share all kinds of panoramas that others can explore and comment. Once you create your free account, you can download Gigapan's free upload tool that enable you to take any panoramic, high-resolution image and add it to the GigaPan sharing site.
In collaboration with NASA Ames Intelligent Robotics Group, and Google.



An easy way of creating panoramic photos provided by CleVR. Not only you can create good looking panoramas, you can also turn them into interactive images that you can move around and navigate through - exactly like a virtual tour.
CleVR also released an AIR application to help you create those panoramas from your desktop.



Panoye is pretty much similar to CloVR - Again, it allows you to upload, organize, geotag and publish your panoramas online. I wrote about this service before, but since then, the site redesigned and Flash panorama viewer has been added.