Snowflake Microphone

Well I haven't posted anything in awhile. I bought an iMac 20" a couple of months ago and I should do a review on that very soon and all the features and toys on it. After purchasing the iMac, I started listening to tech podcasts, especially ones on the Mac. I contacted WizardGold on Twitter, he runs the podcast Mac20Q which he asks you 20 questions about the Mac. At the time of doing the interview I only used the internal mic on the iMac and after listening to the podcast it was clear that I required a better microphone. I also use my laptop and make phone calls with Vonage Talk when I travel around the world to call and use Google video chat, Skype and Oovoo.

The microphone that I bought is the Snowflake from Bluemic This microphone is compact and great for traveling. I found the sound to be very good and when you hook it up via usb there are no drivers to install and it works on both Mac and Windows. You can either set it up on your desk or connect it to your laptop cover, so when you are doing video chat your voice is directed towards the camera. I purchased this microphone at my local BestBuy for $79.00

You can follow me on Twitter as rosscraig

A Skype Alternative

Here is a free alternative to Skype, it is called ooVoo and it can be found at www.oovoo.com

I find the video and the sound much better than Skype.

• You can have face to face conversations with up to 3 people, or upgrade to be able to chat with up to 6 people.
  
• Smooth video displayed in 3D with clear sound.
  
• If no one answers the call, leave a voice, video or text message.
  
• Send files and text messages during the video conversation.
  
• Choose your own ringtone
• View call history (missed calls, incoming calls, etc.)
• Add video effects to your video calls.
• Call Non-ooVoo Friends by sending them a "video call link" through email or instant message to a friend who isn't on ooVoo yet.

You have the option to make calls to land lines/cell phones to U.S and Canada numbers, but it will cost you a fee each month.  $5.00 a month for 500 minutes of phone calls and unlimited 3-way video calls.  $15.00 a month for unlimited (3000 minutes of phone calls and unlimited 6 way video calls.

Now I know there are lots of programs already, like Skype, AIM, MSN, Yahoo and Google, but I find this one the best.  The one bad thing is you can't get an incoming number like you can in Skype (but not in Canada), and when you call someone it shows up as a weird number 0000500000.

This is available on both Windows and Mac, here are the system requirements:

Windows:
Pentium 4 1 Ghz w/ 256MB of Ram
20 MB Hard disk space
Webcam and headset (or built in mic and speakers)

Broadband Connection (Cable or DSL)
Windows 2000, XP, or Vista

Macintosh:

Power Mac G5 (1Ghz) or Intel Mac with 256 MB of Ram

20 MB Hard disk space

Mac compatible Webcam and headset

Broadband connection

Tiger, Leopard (OSX 10.4 and up)

Give this program a try and you will see how great it really is.

Thanks for stopping by, and until next time.

www.oovoo.com