I feel like I've been left behind. Well, not really, but to some some small degree. TalkPlus goes live today. I knew that, because like many of us, I met with founder Jeff Black at the ITExpo in San Diego a few weeks ago.

First, read Tom Keating's post on Talk Plus, because Tom is so incredibly thorough at explaining what TalkPlus is doing. Ever the real uber-blogger among us, Tom gets all the scoop.

TalkPlus Voice 2.0 app launches
TalkPlus, Inc. today is launching their unique mobile phone service that leverages VoIP, identity management, scheduling/contact rules, and other advanced business/personal processes that make your mobile experience more productive while enabling privacy controls. In fact, as I told Jeff Black, Founder and CEO of TalkPlus, Inc, that I consider TalkPlus the Voice 2.0 company within the mobile phone space. He wanted to quote me. So be it. You can quote this blog post.wink I actually met with Jeff Black at Internet Telephony Conference & Expo (ITEXPO) a few weeks ago, and he shared TakPlus' vision to make the mobile phone the central device that manages personal, business, and dating lives for users. TalkPlus has been working on their technology since 2004 and will announce a beta of their service sometime in November (more on that later).

Ok, I've told Jeff that TalkPlus was the hit of the show and that I wish they'd announced there. TalkPlus made the ITExpo for me. It was the single most innovative and exciting company I spoke with. Their approach is head and shoulders above anything else on display at the Expo. Yes, it's that big. I wish I'd said what Tom said - "I consider TalkPlus the Voice 2.0 company within the mobile phone space." As it is, all I can do is second that.

I've talked in the past about iotum and how they put the context in getting things done. Of course they do. Alec Saunders wrote the most definitive explanation of Voice 2.0 we've seen anywhere. TalkPlus becomes the next true Voice 2.0 player. Like Tom says, within the mobile sector, they're the one.

This solution sets the bar, and it sets it high. Companies like Talkster, Jajah and Rebtel will have to stretch if they have designs on competing with the likes of TalkPlus. Today the gauntlet is cast. Truly.

I'll be talknig with Jeff again later today. And I'll be testing and using TalkPlus myself. I've seen the demo. I've drunk the koolaid. (pssst, Barbara, I'm ready. Tell me how to get started. Soon.)

Here's the press release. I'll have more. I'll probably talk abotu this one a lot in the weeks ahead.

TALKPLUS TO INTRODUCE NEW VOICE 2.0 OFFERINGS
New Calling Services Provide Increased Flexibility, Control, and Advanced Privacy For Mobile Phone Users

San Mateo, Calif. (Oct. 30, 2006)—TalkPlus today announced plans to revolutionize the way people use mobile phones by offering new and innovative Voice 2.0 calling services that work with existing mobile phones globally. Under development for more than two years, TalkPlus’ patent-pending technology will provide customers a wide array of new and advanced calling services previously unavailable from mobile phone carriers.

“We are very excited to unveil our new offerings, which will expand what people can do with their phones,” said Jeff Black, founder and CEO, TalkPlus. “TalkPlus has invested a significant amount of time and thought into creating robust solutions that meet people’s needs for greater flexibility and privacy in their mobile lives.”

First Offering: A Second Number That Works on Your Mobile Phone
With an additional phone number from TalkPlus, mobile users can now take advantage of having two numbers on their mobile phone. This additional mobile number is fully functional and unique; it works just like a mobile number issued by a carrier. By having a separate number to both place and receive calls on the same phone, subscribers get greater convenience and flexibility, as well as the benefit of an additional layer of privacy. With a second number, TalkPlus subscribers will be able to easily manage personal and work lives, while carrying only one mobile phone.

Subscribers will also benefit from an online management center, where they can easily control the TalkPlus Number’s advanced call screening, voicemail, and contact management features.

First Market: Online Dating
The TalkPlus Number is applicable to a wide variety of people, including small business owners, lawyers, doctors, business executives, and consultants, as well as members of virtual and real world communities.

TALKPLUS TO INTRODUCE NEW VOICE 2.0 OFFERINGS

Perfect for the online dating market, TalkPlus provides an additional layer of security and reassurance to individuals who are in frequent contact with new acquaintances and want a higher level of privacy. With a completely unique TalkPlus number for placing and receiving dating-related calls, as well as with a contact center for better managing those relationships, TalkPlus provides greater flexibility and privacy control to the dating subscriber.

Coming in Winter 2006/2007
TalkPlus has plans to release additional services, with more advanced features that will debut in the winter of 2006/2007. These will build upon the basic features of the single TalkPlus Number.

A sample of planned features include:

• Multiple TalkPlus numbers on a single phone. Subscribers will be able to add multiple TalkPlus numbers to their phone, so that they can have even greater control and flexibility in their mobile lives. For example, a lawyer could have dedicated numbers for major clients, as well as a separate personal phone number. A medium-sized business owner could have mobile numbers for business locations in each region.
• Dial-out numbers. Subscribers will be able to add additional numbers that they already own – such as a wire line home or office number – to their mobile phone. Since these numbers belong to other phone lines, the subscriber can only dial out from this number on their TalkPlus enabled phone. This is particularly appropriate to physicians, who would like to have their office number appear on their patients’ caller ID screen, even when they are calling from their mobile phone.
• International numbers and low-cost international calling. TalkPlus subscribers will be able to add an international number to their phone, so that they can both give the impression of international presence as well as have in-country callers contact them for very low cost.

About TalkPlus
TalkPlus provides advanced Voice 2.0 services over mobile networks. TalkPlus subscribers benefit from increased flexibility, privacy, and control over their mobile experience. Mobile carriers partnering with TalkPlus can offer advanced features to their customers without extensive infrastructure updates.

TalkPlus is a privately held company based in San Mateo, California and is backed by Menlo Ventures LLC. The company was founded in February, 2004. To learn more, please visit www.talkplus.com.