The latest beta software program for the Grandstream GXV3140 Multimedia IP Phone seamlessly integrates a Skype client instantly into the desktop mobile phone, and includes another communication channel for voice and video calls to an already feature-packed device. However, the cell phone and its options suffered from unsurprising instability due to its beta firmware, although this instability did not reach the expected places.
With their mobile device rivals constantly adding more features to what was once just a phone, desk phone makers have developed their products in an effort to improve current communication practices. Others, such as Alcatel Lucent and its My IC Phone platform, have further emulated the smartphone industry, creating an open software development framework intended to stimulate development by third-party ISVs.
Grandstream Networks has taken the mainstream, as evidenced by the 2009 introduction of the GXV3140. The GXV3140 was packed with options increasingly popular with Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) desk phones: support for three simultaneous SIP extensions and plenty of audio codecs, dual 10/100 Ethernet ports (with power over Ethernet), a full-duplex speakerphone, a 4.3-inch TFT (Thin Film Transistor) LCD display, an OpenVPN shopper, and 18 operation keys with an additional 5 programmable soft keys.
At that going rate, however, Grandstream added some novel twists: Web-ready consumer applications for social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo/MSN/Google Instant Messaging); media sharing (Yahoo Flickr photos, web radio, and Last.FM for music); a built-in calendar that syncs with Google Calendar; and a web browser and RSS reader.
With its built-in 1.3-megapixel video camera and a pre-configured free video conferencing community between the same phones, the GXV3140 was already an interesting and affordable desktop solution at just $249.
This year, Grandstream is expanding the phone further, adding a Skype client app via a new beta firmware package. I tested beta software versions 1.0.6.5 and 1.0.6.6 on the GXV3140 and found that I could easily log into my Skype account to sync my Skype contact lists and presence status. I’ve found that Skype voice and video calls are easy to place and receive. However, the high call quality was adequate at best. The video received, specifically, fell short of expectations, marred by an overwhelming blue hue. Against this, the video sent appeared comparatively sharp and color correct, given the relatively limited capabilities of the GSX3140’s integrated camera.
However, I experienced a lot of hiccups while using the other features of the phone. While bugs and crashes with the beta code are to be expected, I was surprised by the issues that showed up in current features rather than the new Skype app. Using Beta 1.0.6.5, I found that the GSX3140 crashed dozens of times when displaying video content, either from a source connected to the machine via the onboard SD slot or downloaded from the RSS feed engine.
The GXV3140 supports three SIP extensions, with the primary line automatically registered as an extension on Grandstream’s free IPVideoTalk voice and video chat network (made up of other GXV3140 models). I easily registered a second line on my Trixbox Asterisk server. Switching between lines was simple, using the Line/Account run key option, though with Firmware 1.0.6.6, I sometimes found I couldn’t reconnect to an ongoing SIP name if I briefly switched to a second extension for one more call .
RSS feeds worked great for incorporating CNN news feeds, as well as weather, stock prices, horoscopes, and a quote of the day. Users can also enter their own feeds into the RSS reader.
Device configuration will be done through the phone’s front panel and LCD display or through the built-in web server. Typing can be tedious using the input panel—absolutely impossible if software passwords use special characters—but users can connect an external keyboard or mouse to the cell phone using the included USB port in an effort to ease data entry or the navegation.
The GXV3140 also comes with a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack, as well as RCA audio and video outputs for connecting external devices like headphones or a TV.
