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Re:GNU Free Call has been announced (Skype-like software) by jerf on Monday March 14, 2011 @03:58PM (#2324132)
"I think that communication is a winner takes all"

Which cell phone manufacturer has "taken all"?

You seem to be basing your statement on the impossibility of interoperability, which is an odd position to take, at least if you actually think about it.

Re:GNU Free Call has been announced (Skype-like software) by aaronbrethorst on Monday March 14, 2011 @04:38PM (#2324331)
Regarding cell phone manufacturers: that's not really the same thing.

Phone numbers are universal. It's not like an iPhone user on AT&T can only call other AT&T users[1], or that T-Mobile customers can only call other T-Mobile customers. Skype limits me to reaching out to other Skype users. FaceTime only works with people who have bought into the Apple ecosystem.

[1] Although one might suggest that these iPhone users can, in fact, call no one.

Re:GNU Free Call has been announced (Skype-like software) by woodson on Monday March 14, 2011 @06:05PM (#2324716)
Well, that's due to rigorous standardization. Think about the speech codecs etc. used in mobile telephony. It's not like a phone number gives you anything more than an IP address does.
Re:GNU Free Call has been announced (Skype-like software) by jerf on Monday March 14, 2011 @05:43PM (#2324643)
Ah, you got my point.