GadgetMadness: We find the coolest gadgets first

I was excited when Nokia announced their new 2006 OS for the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet. Consensus on the Nokia 770 is that it is primarily for hackers, but Internet Tablet OS 2006 changed that with added stability, the option to extend virtual memory to your Rs-MMC card, and Google Talk integration. You can also make VOIP calls to other Google Talk Users which is ok, but what I really wanted was the ability to VOIP to cell and landline phones, as well as receive calls on my 770 from a regular phone. Then along came Gizmo Project.

GizmoProject is like Skype, in that you can call other Gizmo users for free and their PC client has instant messenger functionality, but it gets better.

You can also buy "Call-In" numbers for your Gizmo account and receive calls just like a regular phone. Gizmo's free voicemail will also email a sound file to your email address whenever someone leaves you a voice message. One thing I have noticed about Gizmo is that unlike Skype, my Call-In number actually shows up on caller ID when I call someone. Voice calls sound crystal clear on the Nokia 770, but until Nokia releases BlueTooth headset support you are limited to using the built-in speaker (or headphones) and the built-in microphone. I could live with using headphones but I've had people tell me there's a ton of background noise when I am in a noisy place. Nokia is 100% behind the 770 though, so BT headset support can't be that far in the future.

One of the coolest features of Gizmo on the 770 is the auto answer feature. With auto answer turned on your 770 now becomes a baby monitor listening device (aka "spy gadget") just by calling your Gizmo Call-In number from any regular mobile or landline phone. There's also temporary free conference calling for Gizmo users, as well as a hilarious (and often quite strange) "partyline."

UPDATE: Many of you will recognize the name Michael Robertson, who was the genius behind MP3.com, Linspire, & BadFruit. Turns out SIPphone (aka "Gizmo Project") is one of his other ventures too. Good stuff!

Gizmo Project for PC, Mac, & Linux

Gizmo Project for the Nokia 770

Nokia 770 Home Page

Check Nokia 770 Price & Reviews