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You don’t need me to tell you that technology is developing at an increasingly rapid pace. Gone are the days when news about the newest computer on the market was consigned to geeky sub-culture. Shiny new products such as the iPhone and iPad are now the subject of front-page headlines and define the self respecting generation Y fashionista. With new media usage now widespread in the UK, traditional mediums are being pushed to the margins of society. It is a cliché to talk about the growth of mobile phone ownership and use but even within this category there are trends developing. It has been predicted that in the next two years, the Smartphone, with its vast range of functions and 3G internet access will eclipse the traditional mobile phone in terms of sales figures. What are the implications for the landline then? Are we witnessing the final years of the good old dog ‘n’ bone? The landline phone is holding up surprisingly well and is fending off an onslaught of competition from it’s various mobile counterparts. How long this will last is up for debate, while it may seem to make economic sense to simply ditch the home phone, an alternative may be to switch to an IP Phone. Rather than paying a separate phone and internet subscription, an IP Phone, also known as a VoIP phone plugs straight into your router and allows you to make and receive voice and video calls using your existing connection for a very small monthly fee. Aside from the reduced cost, why consider switching your phone systems to VoIP? A major advantage is that you can receive multiple calls simultaneously, no more waiting for someone else to get off the phone! Additionally, VoIP also turns a phone call into an altogether deeper, more intuitive experience, enabling video calling and file transfers mid-conversation. The landline itself may have reached the end of it's natural lifecycle, but there is still room for a VoIP home phone in the tech-savvy household! |
