Still no news from Apple on the iPhone 5 (or iPhone 4s), but there was a small snippet of news that in the next version of the iPhone software – iOS 5 – you will be able to finally use custom message tones.

There was also a very significant bit of news that Apple have told the two main phone companies in the US -  Verizon and AT&T – that for the next version of the iPhone to include  4G LTE networking capabilities they will have to step up their production of 4G ready antennae and masts.

There is no point Apple building it in, if users will just complain that the signal isn’t any different. Apple want their customers to have a good experience – which 4G is more than capable of providing if done properly.

4G could revolutionize the speed at which mobile users access the internet, allowing for radically powerful streaming and apps.

Google have launched their new social networking website Google+.

So far Google+ has proved to be quite a hit with those lucky enough to test it – but relatively few members of the general public are either able to access the site – it is still in the “invite me please!” stage – which can be frustrating to members of the public who want to get stuck in. As opposed to stuck out.

One of the new features of Google+ is the “Hangout” element – where you can video-chat with (at present) up to ten people at a time. Wow. That could potentially upset a lot of people. So it is interesting to consider the implications in the VoIP world.

This page on Mashable is great if you want to keep up-to-date with Google +.

Cisco have recently launched AnyConnect.

AnyConnect has a client for Apple’s  iOS, Windows and Mac OSX – allowing premium quality SSH access to servers and Cisco equipment. This will come in very handy potentially if you are web admin or server expert.

Cisco predominantly make high-end server equipment. A large majority of server systems and computer networks are powered in some way by Cisco. Cisco actually make up quite a big chunk of the connections on the internet itself.

Speaking of Cisco - Inder Singh of Cisco Systems is really interesting – this article about Inder Singh‘s expertise in economics and social issues at Clinton Foundation especially was a good read.

This page is also very useful if you want to learn more about Inder Singh.

Thanks for reading this article, any comments please leave them in the comment box below.

VoIP phones can be used to make ‘free’ calls across the globe – as long as you and the person you are calling have internet access and a headset.  It is the nature of this internet access that holds the key to the effectiveness and cost of international calls using VoIP phones.  Making a Webweb call, as these PC to PC calls are known, costs only as much as the price of internet access – there are no additional charges for the call itself.  Webphone calls on the other hand, calling from a PC to a landline or mobile phone, usually incur charges.  The charges for Webphone calls vary between providers.

Mobile phones do not require internet access to function, connecting instead to the local dedicated mobile phone network.  This means that the need to have access to a power supply is limited by the amount of time it takes to charge your phone, whereas desktop PCs and modems require a power supply for the duration of the call.  A laptop with wireless dongle can also be charged before the call needs to be made, although the time VoIP connection can be maintained is limited by the battery life of the laptop.

The prices charged for calling overseas can vary enormously between networks, mobile providers and even different usage packages with the same provider.  Some mobile phone providers like Lebara specialise in providing international calls through pre-paid plans, especially if just one overseas location for the calls is specified.  For those living abroad, and calling home to an area without internet access, this kind of deal can often be the cheapest way to make frequent international calls.

The limitations of both Webweb and Webphone calls are defined by the need for internet access and the speed of the connection.  Slow connection speeds can affect call quality, and in the worst case scenario even result in disconnection, making international calls via a mobile the more convenient option.

The term is being thrown around all over the place, and is fast becoming a household topic of conversation.

But the question is, what is VoIP? How does it work? And what are the benefits of using VoIP?

First of all, let’s look at what VoIP actually is…

VoIP, or internet protocol as some people call it, is the technology/means used to transmit your voice over an internal (domestic/commercial) or external (hosted) data network using IP packets. If all goes well during the transmission, the quality, volume and functionality will remain high-quality.

All data transmitted using VoIP technology must comply with the International Telecommunications Union requirements.

The term ‘VoIP’ is now more commonly being used to describe to the hardware and/or software used to transmit calls over a selected network.

IP packets, in digital form, are used to transmit the data. It’s all well and good knowing this, but what is an IP?

Well, IP stands for Internet Protocol. Every webpage has an IP address – which is a long, unique number that transmission/recipient devices use to identify and communicate with each other.

Basically, when you use the internet from home, your computer is given a unique number – which helps to monitor the data you are sending, etc.

This guide was written by Random Alan.