Bluetooth music player that's also a VoIP phone

Japanese telephony hardware firm Axes has launched a peculiar mix between music player and VoIP with its Voiis Mini.

Primarily a portable audio player, the device also has functionality to be used for voice calls over the internet using web-based VoIP clients.

Although some mobile phones have added VoIP features, much to the chagrin of telecoms providers especially in the US, this is perhaps the first instance of VoIP spreading to music players.

But the Voiis Mini is innovative in other ways as well.

Despite being a music player, it has no hard disc or memory card storage for users to download their favourite tracks to.

Instead, it relies on using a power-boosted Bluetooth connection to stream audio from a nearby computer which then plays back through the headphones.

Unfortunately this oddball device is only available in Japan, but the low £65 price tag might tempt some visiting consumers on the look-out for a souvenir of that country's particular blend of innovation and insanity.

Posted on: 2007-06-15, in: VoIP Hardware

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