8×8 Inc. (s EGHT), a Voice over Internet Protocol service provider, has released a new point-and-click VoIP calling application dubbed 8×8 Connect. It allows Facebook users to add a “Call Me” button to their home page, thereby enabling other users to call them without revealing their actual phone number.
“The application asks the person making the call to enter the phone number they wish to place the call from, calls that number and then automatically rings the Facebook user at a number they previously set as their preferred contact number,” the company explained in a press release.
Wanting to see if it worked as advertised, I installed the app, filled out the information and installed the Call Me button on my Facebook page. That done, I called myself. The call connected seamlessly. I would recommend it, mostly because you can control who can see your Facebook page.
I think this app could be especially helpful for small business owners and consultants, who could use it as a way to generate interest in the products/services they’re selling.
In the meantime, I hope 8X8 takes this app to the next level by making it more personal. I hate the random photo (see graphic) that’s now being displayed on my page, especially when it could easily customize it by picking one of my Facebook profile photos instead. Another bonus would be if one could place the Call Me button on fanpages as well.
Awesome, Technology changes a lot in life especially VoIP applications. I hope, It will help everybody.
I just tried this app. I think they could do with explaining the process a little better during the setup as the first call you get is confusing. Add something like “please enter your phone number, and we will call you with instructions to place the call.” It’s a minor issue, just something for the user experience.
Just for a moment I thought that was what you looked like – lol
“Allowing 8×8 Connect access will let it pull your profile information, photos, your friends’ info, and other content that it requires to work.”
What part of the above don’t people understand? Every time you install one of these applications you are essentially opening up, no only your life, but the lives of all your friends (mostly without their permission) to some corporate stranger. No wonder identity theft is running rampant in our culture, let alone spam in our inboxes.
Am I missing something here that makes this great…. Its a call me button that lets a user put a number in and it pulls your number from a lookup on your facebook profile.. So what ? nothing new here been done may times in the past, and yes using voip….
That aplication can help in the bussines world
Seth is right. Rather than install a friend-ID-revealing Facebook application, just click OUT of fb and go to your OTHER VOIP program. News flash: it is possible to function on the Web outside of Fb. Like right now. It’s also possible to function on Fb without applications.
This one sounds awesome !
Life without FB?!! shutter
Is seems that its only for US numbers…
Is there a list of supported countries?
Is this US only?
Our customers can easily add our customer engagement service Sitofono to their pages (and it works in 60 countries worldwide).
http://www.facebook.com/sitofono?ref=ts#/sitofono?v=wall&ref=ts
Look at the left sidebar, you can easily find the button.
There is nothing new here with this announcement, with the only difference that for consumers, it’s pretty useless.
… btw, Om, if you want to try it out, please email me your number and I’ll setup one for you. You have my email.
Ciao
Luca
I don’t want any calls from the creepy guy in the graphic. He looks like the Republican candidate for the House.
Anveo provides more powerful ContactMe button.
It has many options and lets you to use your custom pictures, music and even empower it with your custom Visual Call Flow!
http://anveo.com/consumer/features.asp?code=contactme
You can generate new ideas by stealing peoples money…. 8×8 does not pay their partners the amount they say they will pay after making sales…. there customer support sucks they never answer your emails about the commissions and I think they use the unpaid commissions for their technological advancement…. I must say they are Big LIARS and Big Cheaters….