(SOFTware PHONE) A software-based phone for voice over IP (VoIP) that is installed in the user's PC. The audio interface can be a microphone and speakers plugged into the sound card, although a headset is preferred. For better clarity, a USB phone or Bluetooth phone can be used.
Softphones can work as stand-alone phones or be part of an IP PBX family. They offer the full range of phone features, such as call forwarding and conference calling, and also provide integration with applications such as Outlook for automatic phone dialing.
The first VoIP softphone was VocalTec's Internet Phone, which was introduced in 1995 (see Internet Phone). See VoIP, IP phone, IP PBX and IP telephony. See also software defined radio.
One of the First SoftPhones
Launched in 1996, Net2Phone was one of the first softphone-based VoIP services. It used advertisers to support its low domestic and international rates. (Image courtesy of Net2Phone, Inc., www.net2phone.com)
Softphones can work as stand-alone phones or be part of an IP PBX family. They offer the full range of phone features, such as call forwarding and conference calling, and also provide integration with applications such as Outlook for automatic phone dialing.
The first VoIP softphone was VocalTec's Internet Phone, which was introduced in 1995 (see Internet Phone). See VoIP, IP phone, IP PBX and IP telephony. See also software defined radio.
One of the First SoftPhones
Launched in 1996, Net2Phone was one of the first softphone-based VoIP services. It used advertisers to support its low domestic and international rates. (Image courtesy of Net2Phone, Inc., www.net2phone.com)
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- TekPhone 1.2 (Windows)
- TekPhone is a SIP Session Initiation Protocol VoIP Softphone that provides UA agent functions (Based on RFC 3261) runs under Windows (XP, Vista, 2003 Server). TekPhone supports Only G.711 A - Mu law codecs and RFC 2833 for DTMF digit delivery and UPnP for NAT traversal. You can also set...
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- Wondershare Streaming Audio Recorder 1.0.9.2 (Windows)
- Wondershare Streaming Audio Recorder features out as a powerful streaming audio detector and recorder which can sense any tiny audio signal pass by the sound card and record it with high fidelity for your reserve, such as on-play music, video clips, movie, webcasts, softphone, message audio. Besides, it also provides...
- Software downloads 2009-11-05
- eyeBeam 1.5.18.3 (Mac)
- eyeBeam is a Video SIP softphone which includes advanced VoIP features plus our new Video and Presence features.
- Software downloads 2009-10-29
- X-Lite 4.0 v3 (Mac)
- A FREE premium SIP softphone with many PBX-like features. Open standards-based design allows for maximum network interoperation and integration. VoIP networks are expanding at a blistering pace, X-Lite is ready. X-Lite Features:Touch-tones [DTMF]3 LinesMultiple ProxiesLine HoldInbound Call 'Ignore'Inbound Call 'Go to Voicemail'Call Forwarding URI/URLVoicemail URLDial/ Redial/HangupDynamic CODEC SelectionCaller ID [SIP...
- Software downloads 2009-10-19
- DialDictate 4.22 (Windows)
- DialDictate is a telephone dictation server. Recording, replay, editing and file management are controlled by pressing numbers on a telephone keypad. When recording is completed DialDictate can then immediately send the dictation for transcription by email, the local computer network or via the Internet. With DialDictate you can dictate using...
- Software downloads 2009-10-08
- MobilityPass Compass 1.2 (Windows)
- The MobilityPass Compass international SoftPhone is your encrypted Communication "Swiss-Knife" while abroad: Calls In & Out, SMS Text messaging, Unified Instant Messaging, Fax, Push E-Mail, Storage, Follow me numbers, Wifi Hotspot finder, VPN. SoftPhone: Free PC to PC calls, 100% FREE calls at great quality using your contact list. Send...
- Software downloads 2009-10-06
- SoftDrom RFBServer 1.0.7 (Windows)
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- Software downloads 2009-09-29
- Configuring VOIP in Twinkle
- If you need a reliable and capable SIP softphone for Linux, Vincent Danen suggests using the feature-rich Twinkle to configure its use.
- Download resources 2009-09-18
- What's Missing from Shoretel's Skype-for-SIP Deal
- FinallyI thought retailers would have jumped at the chance to have a presence on Skype as soon as Skype appeared. I can't believe it has taken so longUmmmm if you want this type of functionality.. use the shoretel softphone.its more of an interconnect than a client.Skype is the reason...
- Discussion threads 2009-09-09
- SipToSis 20090902 (Windows)
- SipToSis is Java software that allows you to make and receive Skype calls from your SIP ATA, softphone, IP phone or SIP PBX. You can also make and receive SIP calls from Skype. It let's you integrate Skype into your SIP VOIP phone system.
- Software downloads 2009-09-02
- LoudHush 1.3.21 (Mac)
- LoudHush is a softphone application for Mac OS X. It functions as an IAX client for the Asterisk PBX. With LoudHush you can initiate and answer, hold and transfer voice calls using your computer.
- Software downloads 2009-09-01
- 3CXPhone 4.0.8913 (Windows)
- Free VOIP / SIP phone softphone for Windows. Works with popular VOIP providers and SIP PBX's (including 3CX Phone System). The interface is easy to use and similar to that of popular Smartphones. 3CXPhone is compact and easy to install across a network. Features include Call Transfer, Call Recording, Hold,...
- Software downloads 2009-08-28
- Next Softphone 1.0 (Windows)
- NX is a softphone with a Computer Telephony Integration - CTI tool for Asterisk and third party application. API is based on .INI files, through which one can integrate IP telephony to any CRM / ERP software. FEATURES * SIP Proxy authentication. * Dial/Receive phone calls directly from your contact...
- Software downloads 2009-08-25
- The iPhone Telephony Tragedy
- Instant reaction ...... Apple and ATT ... two of the biggest global companies. Products and service in the 21st century? Crap :-(Obsolescence is the rule This does not excuse ATT's bad network, but anybody, buying any digital product should know that it will be surpassed in months, and obsolete within...
- Discussion threads 2009-08-20
- DialTrixPhone 2.4.339 (Windows)
- DialTrix's Free VoIP Softphone allows you to make very cheap domestic or international PC-to-Phone calls. With the voip technology on our side, and following simple steps to start calling, our softphone for windows can be a good solutions for residential and business communications' needs.
- Software downloads 2009-08-10
- Plantronics Savi Office
- Plantronics is a household name in Bluetooth headsets, and deservedly so. Indeed, one of its most recent headsets, the Plantronics Voyager Pro, has earned an Editors' Choice award thanks to its superior noise-handling abilities. However, Plantronics also makes a number of home and office products, like the Plantronics Calisto Pro...
- Product reviews 2009-08-07
- Phoner 2.35 (Windows)
- Phoner is a free softphone for ISDN and VoIP telephony. An answering machine and text-to-speech support complete the large package. Phoner uses SIP and is fully compatible with all VoIP providers and supports a lot of supplementary services.
- Software downloads 2009-07-29
- SipGate Brings Enterprise Telephony to the Cloud
- Cloud communications took a twist yesterday with the launch of Team Edition by SipGate. The Web-based service replaces both phone systems and phone lines with a Web-based softphone, allowing small and mid-size companies to move their corporate phone service to the cloud. At the same time, the lack of scaleable...
- Blog posts 2009-07-21
- ItelPop FREE 1.3.1 (Windows)
- ItelPop is a very simple to use softphone dialer and screenpop for web and third party applications. It interfaces with any phone system that supports TAPI. Features softphone dial from clipboard screenpop, lookup records - based on CallerID and/or Called ID, Integrates with any PBX or modem which supports TAPI....
- Software downloads 2009-05-24
- Itelpop for Outlook 1.2 (Windows)
- ItelPop for Outlook is a very simple to use softphone dialer and screenpop for Outlook application. It interfaces with any phone system that supports TAPI. Features softphone dial from clipboard screenpop, lookup records in Microsoft Outlook - based on CallerID, Integrates with any PBX or modem which supports TAPI. Introduce...
- Software downloads 2009-04-10
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