PhoneRanger Announces New Wireless Headset for Voice-over-IP, Podcasting and Internet Radio

PhoneRanger, a New York City-based wireless technology development company announced the release of PhoneRanger 2.0, the first affordable wireless headset designed for VOIP/softphone, podcasting and Internet radio applications on personal computers.

New York, NY (PRWEB) April 13, 2005 -- PhoneRanger, a New York City-based wireless technology development company announced the release of PhoneRanger 2.0, the first affordable wireless headset designed for VOIP/softphone, podcasting and Internet radio applications on personal computers.

Its not news that the Internet is destroying the traditional telecom, newspaper and radio industries. VOIP (Voice-over-Internet-Protocol) providers such as Vonage and Lingo offer full-featured telephone services at a fraction of the cost of traditional landline phone companies like Verizon. There are even more economical softphone providers like Stanaphone and Skype that essentially offer free long distance services. Skype has signed up almost 100 million users since 2003 and has over 2 million clients logged on at any one time. Not surprisingly, traditional telephone companies like AT&T and MCI are disappearing. Newspaper circulation has been flat for a decade partly because more and more readers are turning to free Internet editions. Because so many young adults never read newspapers, the industry is finally recognizing the need for a non-print version of their news product. The most recent victim of the Internet is FM radio. Many blame the emergence of satellite radio. More importantly, young listeners are opting to listen to their MP3 players like Ipod or Internet radio on their PCs. Its estimated that Apple sold a staggering 5 million Ipods in the first three months of 2005. Every week over 20 million people tune into Internet radio.

Even though much of this migration from traditional telecom, newspaper and radio to the Internet is entertainment-related, its mostly happening in the office. For most consumers, the office provides them with their best access to a broadband connection and thats where they spend more of their time online. Indeed 90% of all Internet radio is listened to in the office. However using these audio applications in an office environment has problems. Music or talk radio over PC speakers can bother your workmates and upset your boss. Wired headphones cut you off from the rest of the office and keep you tethered to your desk. Though a few expensive wireless headsets have been released for VOIP nothing has been offered to the consumer that is useful and remotely affordable, until now.

PhoneRanger 2.0 was designed to meet the need for affordable wireless headsets that can fit within the typical work environment. PhoneRanger 2.0 consists of a lightweight rechargeable headset the rests on a docking station for recharging while not in use. Using the 47-49 MHz band, the PhoneRanger2.0 has a range of up to 10 meters and a single charged life of three hours. Installation is straightforward -- plug in the power line to any USB port and connect the voice lines to the PCs soundcard. No batteries, no complicated Bluetooth pairing, just plug-and-play on Day 1. With PhoneRanger 2.0, you can listen to your DVDs, CDs or downloaded podcasts; or dial into your favorite music or talk radio program on the Internet; or load your Instant Messenger or softphone to talk to your online friends for free. With a PhoneRanger, you can listen to (and talk through) your computer -- comfortably, conveniently, courteously, safely and confidentially.

Not only is PhoneRanger a revolutionary product but its being marketed and distributed exclusively through Internet-based retail and advertising channels. PhoneRanger will not be available through your local BigBox electronics retailer but only through its website. www.phoneranger.com You wont hear about PhoneRanger through traditional media but exclusively through internet radio advertising. Drew Robertson, PhoneRanger managing director noted that with the rapid evolution of technology, the cost of traditional distribution and media strategies is prohibitive and their effectiveness is doubtful. Instead we are working with partners such as www.netradiosales.com to get our message to current consumers of Internet audio services with targeted smart bomb" advertising."

The PhoneRanger 2.0 is priced at $69.99 (US) -- less than 1/3 of the cost of other wireless headsets and is available only at www.phoneranger.com.

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