Plantronics (NYSE: PLT), coming off a third quarter during which it beat analysts' expectations and set UC revenue records along the way, has revamped its hands-free UC tool, Vocalyst.

Its Vocalyst voice service allows users to post to Facebook and update Twitter using their voice, à la Siri and other voice apps. But Vocalyst takes the genre a step further, using "whisper alerts" to share content-- like tweets, Facebook updates, emails, selected news articles and more as they happen.

Vocalyst is available in five languages and is compatible with any phone. Android BlackBerry and iPhone smartphone users can also download the Plantronics Vocalyst application at their respective app stores.

Vocalyst comes integrated into Plantronics Voyager Pro HD and Voyager Pro±,Marquiss M155 and Savor M1100 headsets. The service is free for a full year with the purchase of select Plantronics headsets. Users can renew the basic service or purchase the pro version; currently $24.99 and $59.99 respectively.

For more:
- see this release

Related articles:
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Plantronics app allows one-touch access to conference calls
Plantronics pushing deeper into UC market with new products
Plantronics CEO talks to Forbes about UC

Starting tomorrow, Skype is rolling out new calling plans to more than 170 countries. 1-month, 3-month and 12-month calling plans will be available in 60-minute to unlimited packages. The range of subscriptions start from $1.09/month. The company will also introduce new video conference calls feature next week.

Cisco and early-stage venture capital firm Draper Fisher Jurveston announced a global business plan competition for students to create a technology-oriented start-up. The winner of the competition will receive at least $250,000 in seed money and professional feedback, according to the companies.

The student teams will present their business plans to DFJ and Cisco representatives in real-time via Cisco's TelePresence. The competition is another indication of Cisco's commitment to publicize its TelePresence system, as it views the broader market for this sort of collaboration and communications as a future profit center. 

For more:
- see the Triangle Business Journal story here

T-Mobile Germany is reconsidering its VoIP strategy as a rival carrier works on special VoIP plans.
The change of heart is in sharp contrast to T-Mobile's threat to cut off VoIP users - both physically and contractually - after Skype announced the release of its iPhone app in March.

Zer01 will launch its "True" mobile VoIP service in the US on July 1st.
Making the announcement at CTIA Wireless, the company said the unlimited voice and data plan will cost USD $69.99 and will support Windows Mobile 6 and newer smartphones.