VoxOx launches free Universal Communicator

TelCentris, a San Diego telco, announced a public beta for its VoxOx "Universal Communicator" free, web-based service Monday. VoxOx combines free inbound and outbound VoIP calls, voice chat, IM, SMS, social networking, file sharing and email aggregation for PCs and Macs.

VoxOx sets itself apart from other free social networking/IM clients by providing free voice and video chat. Users accrue minutes of outbound calling time by watching VoxOx-supported ads or referring friends to the service.

Certain features, like built-in prank call sounds boards, seem to indicate that VoxOx is targeted at a younger consumer. TelCentris reportedly plans to monetize the offering from users who pay 1 cent a minute or $20 per month for unlimited service.

"We've added the advertising in there because right now with the whole economic crunch going on a lot of people would appreciate that they could fire their phone company and not have to replace it with one that charges them a bunch of money," said CEO Bryan Hertz to Wired. 

For more:
- see the Wired blog post here 

Related articles
Skype: VoIP is dead
Fring integrates mobile VoIP client with carrier