Tech Shout!

On Monday, internet search engine and web directory Lycos announced that it would be offering a VoIP product that would merge a MP3 player, Video Chat, Video-on-Demand and IM. The VoIP product will offer free PC-to-PC phone and video calls, and enable the user to receive free incoming calls from landlines as well as mobile phones.

The service is being offered through a joint venture with VoIP company Globe7. Along with the above mentioned benefits, customers would also receive 100 free PC-to-Phone minutes, with a chance to earn more through special promotions, Lycos said.

According to Lycos CEO Alfred Tolle, “We are in a very unique position to now provide this audio and video distribution platform to our millions of independent content creators throughout the Lycos Network.”

Multimedia that would be accessible through the client will include movie trailers, news and sports videos among others. Lycos said that it will also offer its users a free U.S. phone number, free fax and free voicemail services.

There is no monthly fee the product. Infact, customers should be willing towards agreeing to promotional offers for services or visit advertisers in order to earn minutes. Lycos, however, would offer an option to make calls without registering at a cost of 1-cent per minute.

At present, the service is only available for Windows 2000 and XP, although plans are in place for Linux, Mac OS, Palm OS and Pocket PC support in the near future.