Skype
I ran across an article in the WSJ (pay only) the other day as I was catching up on news from the US. I got about a paragraph into it and just clicked on the link. I've since been calling the US for 2.3 cents a minute from the iBook (700Mhz/256 MB ram: second generation Airport), using the built-in mike and the noise canceling headphones I got for flying. It works.
I've used internet telephony before and it sucked. This doesn't, especially when it costs over a buck a minute to call from my cell. The cost is based on where you call to, and has nothing to do with where you are. A call to any number in the US costs the same from New York as it does from China. Even better, if your intended call-ee has a computer, it's free.
I like to think I can spot something good – like the old blogosphere – when it happens, and this is good. I'm already thinking of a blue tooth headset for when I upgrade the computer.
I don't know how well it works, but for those of you with dial-up, Skype says it also works with slower speeds. For those of you doing international business, you can also trade files and IM's in real time while talking.
I haven't made any computer-to-computer calls yet, but I've made at least half a dozen calls to both cell and lands lines in the US and have had no problems.
