I’ve been thinking about how the Apple iPad could really disrupt the VoIP space and become your next desktop phone. Think about the impact to companies such as Cisco, Polycom, Aastra, snom, Grandstream, and others. While these companies do offer low-end IP desktop phones, they have higher margins on the high-end large color screen IP phones that sport advanced features like RSS feeds (weather, news), collaboration, and video conferencing.
Take for instance the Aastra BluStar media phone, which sports a 13″ touch screen that achieves true HD 720p video conferencing at a rate of 30 fps or the Polycom VVX 1500, which sports a a 7″ color touch-screen and 2MP camera. Both IP phones are over $650, while the latest iPad 2 can be had for $450 (16GB model). The iPad can do everything these two IP phones can and more. The iPad 2 can run hundreds of apps from the App Store, surf the Web, take pictures, capture video, join a Webex or GoToMeeting session, have a Skype voice or video call, connect to a PC/laptop using a RDP (Remote Desktop) client, and much more. Why pay >$600 for a high-end IP phone when you can have a much more versatile iPad for the same price?
As the CTO of TMC I am responsible for choosing the best available technology at the best price and is the most future-proof. Currently, I sign-off on traditional IP phones, mobile phones (some employees like sales personnel), laptops for many employees, and tablets (iPads) for some personnel. Why wouldn’t I simply buy an iPad which can be used to replace the desktop phone? Also, an iPad tablet can replace a laptop in most instances, which is pretty obvious. But I could go a step further and have the iPad replace the mobile phone as well. Assuming the iPad has a 3G data plan (not just WiFi), a SIP softphone, and a Bluetooth headset, an iPad user can make or receive calls to their iPad from anywhere there is 3G or WiFi coverage. I just killed three birds (laptop, mobile phone & desktop phone) with one stone (iPad).
Continue reading Apple iPad – Your Next Desktop Phone?…
Tags: aastra, apple, cisco, desktop phone, grandstream, ip phone, ipad 2, polycom, snom, voip
Related tags: desktop phone, mobile phone, video conferencing, touch screen, phone, desktop
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