Rick,
Believe it or not if you look back at my earlier posts on feature requests, the recordable IVR was on my feature request list before it came out.
Topic: Allow uploading IVR recording into the device (Read 1534 times)
http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=426.0Not to suggest that obihai listened. It more than likely is a matter of a lucky guess on my part. AFAIK the OBi is still unique in having that feature. Looking back on the feature request sub-fourm I can spot a few other features which have been addressed. Who knows if they were going to be implemented in any case. Sherman (in marketing) is missing an opportunity to sell the idea to his existing customers that obihai is listening to us when they introduce new features. Perhaps it is a lack of time, or as a result of lawyers suggesting not to credit anyone for product enhancement features, who knows. The point is that I would feel great knowing that a certain feature was implemented as a result of listening to posters on this forum. When was the last time you had any say in what features GM (automaker) should be coming out with in their next model year.
In the beginning it was more obvious to me that they were empathetic to our feature requests. It still may be the case, however since they consciously make an effort to avoid direct contact with us, I can only conclude that it is not important to them to present a human face to us. I can read blogs all day long if I want to. It may be an interesting read but I much prefer the feeling of being invested in a product or service that I consume. A good example of what I am talking about are the folks over at PBX in a Flash. The product/service has developed around a very personable spokesperson, Ward Mundy. I've never met the man, but I get the sense that he "listens". There is an impression of caring.
Here is my previous top 10 list. I'm not certain if we can conclude that they listen or if these are just common sense features/enhancements they needed to add in any case. I'd love to be a fly on the wall listening in on a strategy meeting discussing these things. I can imagine the following:
LOCATION: The obihai boardroom (2105 S. Bascom Avenue, Campbell, CA)
Virtual tour of obi central. On the top right if you look carefully, we can almost see the figure of Sherman having a late lunch at his desk after the meeting.Jan Fandrianto (CEO): "Gentlemen, we need some new ideas!"Sherman (VP Marketing): "We need to address the Australian market. I plan to introduce the new OBi402 unit at the annual Adelaide (Australia) wine festival. The new burgundy color of the unit should win them over. I have many friends over there."Selfia Halim (CFO): "
I suggest to reduce costs we could drop the OBi110 relay switch. No one will ever notice."Sam Sin (VP Engineering): "Oh boy, that QBZappy guy is always pushing for new features all the time. I'm finally going to give him that OpenVPN he is always crying for. That might keep him quite for awhile. For the next major upgrade I'm pulling out all the stops. I'm really going to pull a rabbit out of the hat. Gentlemen this is what I'm working on. ... LOUD rock 'n' roll music blasting over the sound system"Jan Fandrianto (CEO): "Make it so" Status of my previous Top 10 must have new features in upcoming firmware V1.3
http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=1169.01- My top wish is for proper handling of CID when forking (simultaneous ringing of multiple numbers).
(DONE)2- Improved Syslog. Offering more info such as CID and more error trapping. This one should be an easy one to offer I would imagine.
(DONE I think)3- Additional Service Provider accounts
(DONE)4- Native T.38 Fax support
(DONE)5- Streamline the Call Back options. Not the most elegant impementation in my opinion. I use this feature everyday.
(TO DO)6- OBihai supported CID lookup app. Or at least make the tools available for some of the smart OBi users to develop one which can be shared.
(TO DO)7- AA multilingual and/or allow uploading of IVR voice files
(DONE)8- Gmail ID in COT
(DONE)9- OBi as a Skype gateway. Complete integration or steps to simplify the setup
(MAYBE NO INTEREST)10- Builtin OpenVPN client. Units could be preconfigured and shipped to family and friends.
(PRIORITY TO DO!)