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Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids

tincan.kids

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Re: Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids

#81

Post by devilbunny »

mattbee wrote: post #75
gerdesj wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What is bloody annoying is that you can't even test 999. When you set up a PBX it would be nice to know that it would work via the obvious way of actually calling it. Surely it would be possible to create a test version which gets terminated by a computer instead of hassling an operator - you could send DTMF codes or something similar to indicate a test. I suspect that there is a little more to your story. Probably t…

You can definitely test 999 for your own VoIP without getting into trouble. I did it a couple of times in the 2010s after moving offices. You just say you're testing, there's no emergency, thank you, and hang up.

I don't know how the UK treats this, but in the US you're supposed to call the non-emergency number and tell them you want to schedule a test call.

Re: Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids

#82

Post by gerdesj »

ocdtrekkie wrote: post #71
gerdesj wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What is bloody annoying is that you can't even test 999. When you set up a PBX it would be nice to know that it would work via the obvious way of actually calling it. Surely it would be possible to create a test version which gets terminated by a computer instead of hassling an operator - you could send DTMF codes or something similar to indicate a test. I suspect that there is a little more to your story. Probably t…

I would be surprised if you got in trouble for occasionally calling emergency services to clearly communicate you were testing if it works. During normal operations they should have extra capacity and they presumably also would like you to be confident you can reach emergency services in an emergency. EDIT: I should specify a great way to be sure this is okay is call the non-emergency number for your local law enforc…

It is expressly forbidden to place test calls in the UK to 999. I could pretend to be a confused pensioner calling a taxi but that is not right and I can;t write that up.

The generally accepted method is to subscribe to your TSP's emergency number provision, when doing VOIP. However, it never gets tested and what if a 9 was typed as an 8 in the dialpan?

I used to put in ATAs which are SIP to copper voice bridges (for want of a better phrase) but copper is going away and ATAs are bit thin on the ground these days.

I like change in general but there are some pretty fundamental changes that our gov have not noticed might cause a few issues soon.

Ironically for me: My house is within the nearest town boundary and has copper from the cabinet provision (FTTC). The cabinet is about 500m away. We have had four separate teams rock up to pull fibre to my door and failed. Each one have decried the last team and said it will be fine by close of play.

I am seriously considering putting in wifi PtP to my office from home.

Re: Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids

#83

Post by spicybright »

winstonewert wrote: post #55
eterm wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> probably costs the provider something Yes, So what? Eat the cost. Any life saved was worth it.

Then I'm sure you're willing to donate the cash to make it happen.

Every cellphone without a valid service plan is still required to be able to call 911 in most places of the world, including the US, and carriers eat the costs. It should be obvious why.

Frankly it's weird they're making a clone of a classic touch tone corded phone and somehow get around this. Especially for a kids product when we teach kids to call 911 in an emergency.

Re: Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids

#84

Post by devilbunny »

eszed wrote: post #70
floren wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I only used Wave a little (because my netbook was far, far too underpowered to work properly with it) but I really really enjoyed it for both serious collaboration and random bullshitting with my friends. Haven't seen anything comparable since.

Wave nostalgics of the world, unite! It's the best remote collaboration tool I've ever used, and imo nothing I've seen since has really come close. It still baffles me that it wasn't successful.

I always figured that they just couldn't wrap their heads around a good way to monetize it.

It was painfully slow on netbooks, but it did work, and we used to use it to live-comment on LOST episodes with two other couples that we're friends with (but live in different cities, so we couldn't just have a watch party every week).

Re: Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids

#85

Post by codys »

lukas099 wrote: post #66
neilv wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, this was buried under a section about "child users". I don't know how that's legal in a two-party consent state. > C. Information Related to Child Users (Collected via the Service): > Voice Audio Data: Audio data transmitted during calls made or received on the Tin Can Device. Between this, and the civil and possibly regulatory liability of having 911 not necessarily work, this company might end up blowing thei…

It also says, > This includes the real-time transmission of voice packets necessary for the call to function. If voicemail features are implemented, this includes recorded voicemail greetings and messages. So maybe it is “collecting” the data only in these limited capacities? (which seem necessary for the thing to function)

They do not state that it is exclusively collected for those purposes, only that those purposes is included. As written, they'd be in line with their policy to collect that data for any purpose (including those listed).

Re: Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids

#86

Post by ipython »

legitster wrote: post #31

I really like this idea, but I have 3 pieces of feedback: 1. I love the idea, but I do not love the pricing. $10 a month for something you can get for free with a Voip box is tough to justify. 2. It looks like they are refitting "antique" phones for their Flashback model. If they just sold the standalone Voip kit with their service wrapped around it, then we could find our our vintage hardware to use. 3. Realisticall…

What voip service allows free calling to/from pstn? Without an app filled with ads?

Re: Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids

#87

Post by mathiaspoint »

floren wrote: post #5

Highly, highly, highly recommend you enable 911 calls by default on all plans -- let parents disable it if they want. Cell phones do this, even without a SIM card. Don't gate safety for $9.99/mo. Edit: "The FCC requires that providers of interconnected VoIP telephone services using the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) meet Enhanced 911 (E911) obligations." https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/voip-and-911-ser…

I'm surprised they do 911 at all. My Canadian VoIP provider doesn't do it and my understanding is that it's relatively difficult to do.

Re: Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids

#88

Post by 20after4 »

addisonj wrote: post #59

I am experiencing a strong sense of "why didn't I think of that" while also really hoping it isn't another strong, family friendly concept that gets quickly enshittified for profit. Seriously, kudos, for a great concept, good website, and really, not that bad of pricing. Sure you can do it cheaper DIY... but where is the fun in putting an office-styled VOIP capable phone in a kid's bedroom? (though converting an old-…

Demand free software, open hardware and "right to repair". Capitalism with proprietary lock-in is ruining everything.

Re: Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids

#89

Post by xpe »

TimTheTinker wrote: post #65

There's a cheaper alternative, if you don't mind some manual setup: - buy an ethernet -> phone adapter (Grandstream, Cisco, and Poly sell these) and a cheap analog phone. - get an inexpensive VoIP number[0] and set up the phone adapter to log into the service you set up. - set up a Google Voice[1] number if you haven't already. When you want to make an outgoing call, use the Google Voice app to initiate a call to you…

Maybe I’m going out on a limb here?… Even this thrifty and most excellent (party on Garth!) 3 to 17 step process might slightly reduce adoption by the target audience: kids.

Re: Tin Can – The landline, reinvented for kids

#90

Post by xpe »

floren wrote: post #5

Highly, highly, highly recommend you enable 911 calls by default on all plans -- let parents disable it if they want. Cell phones do this, even without a SIM card. Don't gate safety for $9.99/mo. Edit: "The FCC requires that providers of interconnected VoIP telephone services using the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) meet Enhanced 911 (E911) obligations." https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/voip-and-911-ser…

Yes! I am not a lawyer, but I know many… In addition to steering clear of legal issues, demonstrating overall decency is the right thing to do. In terms of $, customers have already spent money on the company’s hardware devices.
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