Here's an interesting new application for a VoIP phone that really highlights integration of unified communications in a more personal way. Those of us who work in corporate offices are always working to personalize our working environment with pictures of family, vacations and the like. Here's an interesting idea from Packet8 that turns the VoIP videophone into a digital picture frame too.

New Packet8 Tango Upgrade Enables Device to Function as Both Videophone and Digital Photo Frame

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 8x8, Inc. (NASDAQ: EGHT), provider of Packet8 (http://www.packet8.net/) broadband Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and videophone communication services, today announced it has released a free firmware upgrade for the Packet8 Tango® Video Terminal Adapter (VTA) that enables the device to function as both a videophone and digital photo frame.

With the upgrade, the Packet8 Tango can now display up to 16 high resolution digital images on its built-in 5" LCD screen when the device is not in use for videoconferencing. To employ this feature, users simply connect their Tango to a computer via an Ethernet cable, enter the IP address for the device into a web browser and upload desired images in JPEG format. Images may be programmed to scroll at pre-set intervals when the Tango is in screen saver mode.

"Now, for substantially less than the cost of most dedicated digital photo frames, consumers can purchase a device that enables high quality two or three-way videoconferencing, low cost worldwide internet phone service and digital photo display," said 8x8 Director of Product Marketing Karen Hong. "Priced at just $99 after mail-in rebate, the Packet8 Tango is an amazing value that makes it easy and affordable for the average consumer to benefit from the features and cost saving of advanced VoIP and videophone technology."

In addition to the digital photo frame application, the new Tango firmware allows users to import contact information from Microsoft Outlook or any other CSV file format to facilitate speed dialing and phonebook management. Existing Packet8 Tango users may upgrade their device by following the simple instructions at
http://www.packet8.net/support/installation_instructions.aspx#tango_videophone

The Packet8 Tango VTA is a one-of-a-kind broadband phone adapter that turns any regular analog phone into a state-of-the-art, full motion videophone. This portable, sleek-looking 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" x 1.38" free standing device incorporates a built-in, high resolution 5" LCD color display and 180 degree rotating CCD camera to deliver advanced full-motion video at up to 30 frames per second along with crisp, delay-free audio. The Packet8 Tango is fully SIP compliant and interoperates with 8x8's previous generation videophone, the Packet8 DV326 as well as its video soft phone, Packet8 Softalk™.

The Packet8 Tango is currently available at http://www.packet8.net/ for
$99.99 after $100 mail-in rebate or at CompUSA retail outlets nationwide. The accompanying Packet8 monthly phone service plan costs $24.99 per month and includes unlimited local and long distance voice calling to any phone in the U.S., Canada and eight additional countries, unlimited worldwide in-network voice and video calling to other Packet8 subscribers and all Packet8 advanced residential calling features.

About 8x8, Inc.
8x8, Inc., the second largest standalone VoIP service provider in the U.S., offers internet-based telephony solutions (http://www.packet8.net/) for individual residential and business users as well as small to medium sized business organizations. In addition to regular Packet8 VoIP service plans priced as low as $24.99 per month for unlimited anytime calling to the U.S., Canada and eight additional countries, 8x8 offers the Packet8 Tango Video Terminal Adapter along with accompanying monthly service plans also priced at $24.99 per month. Packet8 Virtual Office, 8x8's VoIP phone system for small to medium sized businesses, is a hosted PBX solution comprised of powerful business class features. Companies subscribing to Virtual Office pay just $49.99 per month per extension for enterprise class PBX functionality along with unlimited local and long distance calling in the U.S. and Canada. The Packet8 Complete Contact Center™ is a hosted multimedia call center distribution and management platform that works with any broadband Internet service and provides enterprise class contact center functionality combined with Virtual Office hosted iPBX calling features and business calling plans. Packet8 Softalk Office™, 8x8's PC-based soft phone client, offers high quality voice and video in-network calling as well as outbound calling to the PSTN. For additional company information, visit 8x8's web site at http://www.8x8.com/.

NOTE: 8x8, the 8x8 logo, Packet8, the Packet8 logo, Packet8 Virtual Office, Packet8 Softalk and Packet8 Tango are trademarks of 8x8, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.