Nokia N80 Gets Gizmo

Nokia's N80 Internet Phone users will be able to make VOIP calls using SIPphone's Gizmo Voice-over-IP services.

Is it a cell phone, or a VOIP handset? The division isn’t very clear anymore for Nokia’s N80 Internet Edition handet: the company has just announced that N80 Internet Edition user can make VOIP calls using SIPphone’s Gizmo services.

“Mobilizing the Internet is a key focus for Nokia and I’m excited to see how a multimedia computer like the Nokia N80 Internet Edition can provide people with the convenience of Internet calling,” said Ralph Eric Kunz, Nokia’s VP of Multimedia, in a release. “Our collaboration with SIPphone makes Internet calling easy, plus our open VoIP platform allows for any SIP-based VoIP provider to incorporate their services in our device architecture, giving consumers the best of the Internet world.”

N80 Internet Edition users can download Gizmo VOIP settings for free from their device’s “Download!” folder; the installaion is a two-step process while creates a free account which can be used for Internet-based calling. Other features—like voicemail, Gizmo Call Out for calling standard phones, etc.—can be managed via the Gizmo Web site. Once installed, the software enabled N80 Internet Edition users to place calls via wireless Internet networks rather than relying on mobile operators—in many instances, VOIP calling can be substantially less expensive than standard calls, particularly internationally.

“Collaborating with Nokia has allowed our development teams to create a compelling VoIP experience on the N80 Internet Edition and instantly enable millions of mobile consumers around the world to save money,” said Michael Robertson, SIPphone’s Chairman and CEO. “Ease of configuration and intuitive everyday use options make this Internet calling service unique in the mobile VoIP space.”

Nokia says the N80 Internet Edition can also support third-party calling applications; as VOIP technology becomes moer accepted and ubiquitous, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Skype, Yahoo, Google, and Microsoft lining up to develop VOIP clients for Nokia’s S60 platform.