CNET Editors' review
What if Digsby and Skype merged into one seemingly all-powerful VoIP and messaging communications tool is the question that VoxOx seeks to answer. VoxOx's many features have not yet been seen in one package, and version 2 of the program introduces even more features. Whether their execution suits your needs may be another matter.
VoxOx 2 offers all that came before, and more. It's got multi-protocol chat, social networking support, and Web mail integration. It also offers a telephony service that includes call encryption, mobile-to-mobile calls initiated by either SMS or via a Web site. New in this version are a free personal assistant for recording, forwarding, routing, and screening calls, inbound and outbound fax management, Facebook and MySpace IM support, a reworked contact manager that attempts to merge your contacts from their disparate sources, and stronger back-end support. Users have been promised that new servers can handle the workload asked of them.
You can share files up to 100MB via an internally-generated download link that can then be shared via e-mail or instant message. This is different from the direct support of most IM clients, but that file size bump is hard to ignore. There's mobile access, too, for those who use a mobile browser, iPhone, or WAP. The call quality on the Callback feature, where you initiate a long-distance or international phone call from your computer or SMS, was clear and crisp.
The Personal Assistant is the big new feature in this version, and for users who need to manage multiple phone numbers, it's a killer. You can redirect calls based on which number you want to be reached at first, and by who's calling you. You can record calls as they occur, or listen to messages as they're being recorded. You can also transfer a live call from a landline to a mobile number and not lose the call.
The interface has received an overhaul, and in general it's better. One drawback is that while many options are available from the Settings menu, not all of them are. Some you need to go to different parts of the program, such as altering IM fonts. Using VoxOx's phone features requires points, and users are given 120 points/minutes to get started. With an overwhelming feature set, VoxOx continues an uphill climb against better-known competitors or those who focus on a single feature, but it's hard to ignore the appeal of what's offered.
Publisher's Description
From TelCentris:
VoxOx is the only service that unifies all of your communication channels with a free local US phone number, allowing you to Call, Text, and Chat in a single, intuitive interface, giving you full control of your interconnected lifestyle. VoxOx additionally supports video, social media, e-mail, fax and content sharing. VoxOx enables you to manage all of your connections and contacts holistically, requires you to give up nothing and, at the same time, provides a sophisticated global phone service for free or at low cost options. By using VoxOx, you can easily participate in virtually every electronic form of communication one at a time, simultaneously and in different combinations. VoxOx supports Google Chat, Skype, Yahoo IM, MSN, AIM, Jabber, and Facebook.
What's new in this version: Version 2.5 includes the following updates:
- Contact Merging
- A Unified Messaging Window for quickly changing between communication modalities
- A free local phone number that includes voicemail transcription
- And a completely redesigned user interface
More Popular Chat downloads
- mIRC
76,009 downloads
- Paltalk Messenger
59,941 downloads
- WebcamMax
33,364 downloads
- Yahoo Messenger
30,507 downloads
- Windows Live Messenger
13,688 downloads
-
All versions:
3.0 starsout of 47 votes
-
Current version:
2.3 starsout of 7 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
Results 1-7 of 7
-
"Signed up, credit cd charged but no credit on acct"
Version: VoxOx 2.5
Pros
None so far
Cons
Submitted 2 messages to support re: missing credit. Got one generic reply and tried to call a number on the website and was told I had the wrong number. When I asked what company I called, the person finally admitted it was a different dept in the company that only handles corporate accts and they couldn't help me. It's been 2 weeks and still no credit on my Voxox account or resolution.
Summary
If you're looking for a Skype alternative for landline calling or virtual phone number for people to call, don't bother. It's a waste of time.
-
"love translation feature"
Version: VoxOx 2.5
Pros
my sister told me about their translation features and they are really cool. our famly is in spain and i can type in english and my cousins type in spanish on facebook, and voxox translates right away. works for texts too. awesome.
Cons
i only use it for translation and it works great - so no prob
Summary
good stuff if you have family in other countries
-
"GREAT APP POOR SUPPORT"
Version: VoxOx 2.5
Pros
Good marketing of a good idea.
Cons
Downloaded VoxOx and signed up and bammm! I couldn't.... can't sign in. Tried writing them for support about 10 days ago and still waiting. Should not have come to us in the first place. I will better enjoy my Skype.
Summary
Those who haven't heard about VoxOx are better that way and those who were about to join it, please don't and those who downloaded and joined, well... we are cursed! (Forced to give them that star, wish you had stars on the negative side would have been happier clicking -5!!!!)
-
"Really Cheap International Calls"
Version: VoxOx 2.5
Pros
Their international calling rates are lower than anything I've seen- half a cent to call Hong Kong mobiles?! You also get free in-coming calls with pretty good sound quality.
Cons
Hard to figure out the little features, I know I can hook up my VoxOx number to my cell and do a bunch of other things with the voicemail, I just don't want to take the time to figure it out. Found a bug when I tire to upload a recording too.
Summary
Like VoxOx so far for the calling features. When it's out of beta maybe I'll go for the 5 stars.
-
"Sucksssssssssssssss"
Version: VoxOx 2.5
Pros
It Good Works
Cons
When I Call VoxOx From My CellPhone The VoxOx Number Was Not Working.
Summary
Maybe Somebody Can Try To Get To Working It A Waste.
-
"sucks hardcore ;("
Version: VoxOx 2.5
Pros
neat idea
cool free services. If they worked.Cons
No customer service. None. Nada.
Laggy software that crashes.Summary
I was about to become a big fan of Voxox when I started using it. Then all of a sudden my account was locked right after I added funds to my account.
Numerous attempts to reach their customer service have gone unanswered. Even finding a way to contact the company to voice an issue ended up being a lesson in internet gymnastics.
I might have given them a chance if they would have gotten back to me quickyl with some kind of explanation but it's been a month and I still cannot access my account nor have I heard one word from their support team.
Stay away, very, very far away from them. Sure skype has it's issues but AT LEAST SKYPE WORKS!!! -
"A mountain of bugs, and it just gets worse"
Version: VoxOx 2.5
Pros
Nice idea. With the death of Gizmo there is a need for free-standing Voip apps.
Cons
Using VoxOx is like trying to stop leaks in a ****: a dizzying array of bugs exist. It has gone through many iterations, but it only gets worse.
Summary
Too many problems to waste time on.
Results 1-7 of 7
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
Previous Versions:
