Phone Amego 1.5

What would otherwise be a must-have telephony app is absolutely ruined by tying it to Bluetooth with its range limitations. If this could be retooled so that it ran over a household's wireless LAN (Apple's rather crude and nasty FaceTIme seems to be the only telephony app that can currently do this) it would be an incredible product). As it is, it's like making a man run a 100-yard dash with a cinder block strapped to his ankle.

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If you make a living on the phone, this is crucial software. The developer is attentive and top notch. Every time I've had a problem, he was there to address it, within hours. He has also added a feature or two based on a special request. I have it running on a computer that's tucked away in a closet. It monitors several phone lines and places an entry into Calendar & Daylite, documenting the call (received or made) date, time, duration and CID info. That alone is worth the subscription. There are many more features for "power users" but that automatic call documentation is my personal favorite.

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Hmmmm.... Just went to apply this latest update and was given a nasty message. I am now very confused, disappointed and pissed off. I am now presented with a notice on launch that my licence has expired. This is news to me. I went back through my receipt and licence correspondence and no mention of any time limit is mentioned anywhere. Indeed even the page I am directed to renew my licence makes no mention that this software is actually Vapourware! I too have had mixed results with this software over the last two years. It crashed for almost a year on launch so I had no choice to stop using it. When I saw the upgrade I thought it may be possible that it may start working again. But now I’m being asked to pay again. I’m having to reconsider the viability of paying more money for software that when it works is actually very good but unfortunately every time the is a system upgrade it can go dark for many months at a time. If I wasn't being deceived in to thinking I had a licence and not Vapourware I might reconsider but I suspect this model is seeing them loose a lot of customers. And I think unless they reconsider this strategy I will be another one and deem this to be abandonware.

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Great little app that fills a big need. PhoneAmigo allows me to handle most of my automated telephone calling and incoming call review right from my desktop or menu bar. Would be nice if it could record calls like Parliant Phone Valet used to, alas. Nevertheless, so many features are packed into this little app, that it's well worth the money, imo. Only issue is that as of 10/10/15 it does not seem to be compatible with El Capitan yet, but I'm sure the developer is working on it. Meanwhile, 5 stars!

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Small print, is you have to renew your licence every 2 years!!! I only found that out the hard way the other day when I opened the app for the first time in months... the app crashes so often, out of the 2 years I had it, I probably only used it for 2 months in total... I just got fed up with the crashes. The developer blames Apple Bluetooth protocols.... crApp...

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I know that most posts here are older - but I didn't buy this from the App Store. I bought from the developer, so I'm letting you know how this software is NOW. I've used this software for a long time. I don't use all the "power" features (there are very many), but with my MacPro tower (2012 model) and a very inexpensive USB modem, I get a ton of telephony features that are sorely lacking in the OS. Even more importantly, there've been several times over the years in which I encountered some technical issues and had some questions. With so many companies, I've learned not to expect much in that area - but THIS DEVELOPER IS VERY VERY HELPFUL AND RESPONSIVE! As a person who deals with tech support in so many areas, so frequently - Sustainable Softworks' support stands out from the crowd.

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This program offers many features! I've had it for about a year now. I just started realizing all of the powerful features this program provides. Recently, something changed and I couldn't use the Call back feature on Google Voice. I contacted Sustworks.com with the problem and they were right on the problem with changes to the program. I'm now using all of the features of this program. I highly suggest it! I think this is the only telephony program left. Either way, it's a sure keeper!

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Vfridman

31 May 2013

Version: 1.4.11

Hey Peter, I am your long time customer. Just upgraded from version 1.4c4 and now it doesn't block the calls from numbers in my local lookup file that are marked as blocked. If I restore the app from backup it starts working. Thanks in advance for any assistance. Basically now I cannot use latest 1.4.10 version as my main use is for blocking telemarketers. Posted this to troubleshooting section but nobody replied, so posting here.

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Vfridman

23 May 2013

Version: 1.4.10

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The developer of the software has bent over backwards to help me work out some kinks with my Yealink VOIP desk phone. I can now click a hyper-linked phone number on a webpage and have my desk phone initiate the call. You just don't find that kind of support very often these days. Also, I know of several new builds that he has made to implement enhancements that I have suggested. Phone Amego is a great tool that is definitely worth the price.

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Phone Amego really is an excellent product that does what it says it does, but my-oh-my the preferences panel is far too complicated (and limited). My major gripe is the price. $29.99 is sort of steep IMO, but at least the application seems to be updated frequently. My minor gripe is with notification redundancies. If someone texts your iPhone from another iPhone, you get the following flashing on your Mac: a Phone Amego Notification Center notification, an iMessages.app Notification Center notification, and a Phone Amego call status HUD window alert (that annoyingly fades away too quickly). If you were to open iMessages on your Mac and reply, the iMessage notifications clear from the notification center, but the Phone Amego alerts remain. It's just overkill. At least let me turn off SMS alerts entirely or the Phone Status HUD alert for SMS messages (or even better, let Phone Amego only show me alerts for SMS messages and not iMessages). Ultimately, I just need an application that only shows me the phone call and SMS alerts that I'm not already receiving on my MacBook. It just shows too many alerts right now because it won't let you customize alerts for SMS messages and Phone Calls as separate items (for instance, I may want to have the Phone Amego Call Status HUD 'on' for phone calls and 'off' for SMS messages, but currently it only allows you turn it 'off' for both). Furthermore, while the program may (arguably) provide a feature set that justifies the $29.99 price tag, the price is just far too steep for my limited needs.

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06 January 2013

Version: 1.4_4

I think most ditched Growl post 10.8, this app seems to lack Notification Center support... There also does not seem to be a way to edit a telephony adapter once added or even view the settings, you have to delete it and re-add it... Maybe with 10.9 & Siri, we can also have our Macs dial phone numbers via voice... :)

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This app totally 'sapped' my iPhone over night, leaving me with a dead phone the next morning!

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Great stuff! I was especially pleased about the fact that I was given a student discount - not every software vendor does this these days! The app works great with my Sony Ericsson K13i "TXT" and with my iPhone 4. It would be awesome if the developer could also add the ability to send SMS using the phone. I'm not sure if this is technically possible, but it's an idea. Other than that, great app!

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I have tried couple of different software for MCI. This wins hands down. This is why. 1. Neat Macesque interface both with use as well as notifications which is after all the end result that we are looking for. 2. Reverse look up that works like a breeze. It incorporates the result within the growl notification or the native display. Excellent presentation. 3. Outstanding developer support - by far one of the best I have experienced in all sorts of software I have tried. What I would like to see in the future Enhanced browser integration. There already exists services that are incorporated with mac osx but if it can go a step further so you simply click on the number. Thanks.

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12 April 2012

Version: 1.4c5

Still no AirPlay support, one of my long requested features... I have found Phone Amego's Google Voice/Talk errors confusing, and unreliable overall -- better reporting of errors is needed. Also, this is a release candidate, so why ask for money on an incomplete version -- I would have waited till 1.4 was final. Overall, this is the best telephony integration tool I've used on Mac, only other thing I can think of is integrating an actual SIP client, like the open source Telephone -- then it could have it all.

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Since my earlier 5-star review, I discovered another great feature of Phone Amego: One Mac with a USB modem can perform caller ID and dialing for other Macs on the LAN -- Phone Amegos on all Macs "talk" to each other.

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Kas

17 January 2012

Version: 1.3.6

Im assuming all the features does not work in the UK? any one have tried it? recommend it? Thanks

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26 September 2011

Version: 1.3c9

Hoping this awesome developer adds AirPlay output soon... ;) THIS is the full release notes, MU is lacking: Sep 26, 2011 - Phone Amego 1.3c9• Fixes and improvements to Daylite integration.• Update Daylite Plugin as needed when program launches.• Use default controls when installing Bluetooth Audio driver.• Remove and re-install Bluetooth Audio driver when program launches.• Update documentation with more information on Bluetooth Troubleshooting and using IPphones.• Fix bug in validating Action menu items in Call Status window.• Allow mixing digits within phone number formats.

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pandora-1

04 August 2011

Version: 1.3c5

So what is an "amego" anyway? A misspelling of "amigo" perhaps?

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Works great! iMac sharing landline with MBP provides caller ID and dialing from both Macs. Easily integrated with BuddyPop (anyone else still using that? ;-) and LaunchBar for dialing. Each Mac paired with separate iPhone also works great. Set up was easy and pretty straight forward. Small issue quickly resolved by developer. That makes me happy! Replaced another program that has always proven to be problematic and unreliable for me. With fix (noted above) PA has been absolutely reliable. Highly recommended!

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17 June 2011

Version: 1.3b4

Here's hoping for an AirPlay feature for remote call audio speakerphone functionality. ;) This app is currently best of breed in this category, IMHO. I use it regularly.

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GeogProf

11 June 2011

Version: 1.3b4

Anyone know if this works with magicJack?

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Vfridman

03 February 2011

Version: 1.2.18

I cannot seem to be able to get it to display the caller ID of the incoming call. Using USB modem with home line. The caller ID works OK with Cidney so it must be something in my setup. If I use PA for dial out it displays the phone on two computers as expected via Growl but when I have incoming call it does not. Any suggestions?

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Great developer, and always responsive looking to improve features and squash bugs. Phone Amego is the missing telephony software Apple should have built-in... Hoping we can see a version for iOS to do CallerID *name* lookup for mobile calls -- oddly Apple has not addressed this serious cellular deficiency...

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Is Phone Amego able to use Bluetooth headsets yet?

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I've used a variety of dial-via-modem apps over the years. Each had quirks and bugs. My search for the ideal dialer ended last March when I discovered Phone Amego. My five favorite features: 1. Keyboard dialing: A keyboard shortcut opens the Call window. I begin typing a name, and Phone Amego completes the name or presents a menu of possibilities. Down-arrow to select the desired number + 2 Returns, and the number is dialing. 2. Call logging in iCal: One or two Phone Amego calendars collect time-stamped incoming and outgoing calls. I leave these calendars hidden until I have a question, e.g., "When did I call Julie?", "How many times has Fred called this week?" I can scan the entries in my monthly view or do an iCal Find. 3. Growl Caller ID: Incoming callers are announced in the corner of my screen. 4. Enhanced Caller ID: Phone Amego checks an incoming number against my Address Book and WhitePages.com. 5. Peter Sichel (the developer): His responsiveness to questions, problems and suggestions is second to none. He's an A+ Mac developer. I use Phone Amego with a conventional land line. I'm sure I'd be just as happy if I were a Bluetooth or VoIP user.

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The perfect companion to Phone Amego is the Boxcar Growl Plugin to push SIP ATA VoIP CallerID to the iPhone with Push Notifications with the free Boxcar app! Only problem is the Push Notifcation on iPhone (iOS 4.1 and Boxcar 3.0.1) shows the full Growl push, and the app log of pushes truncates the phone number! Grrrr...

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Keeps getting better. Extremely responsive developer who just fixed the outgoing CID lookup bug I had. If only we could get an iPhone app to do CID lookups for names and a few other integration features... ;-)

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Seems that this will not work while using with a Bluetooth headset...a deal-breaker for me as I am disabled and HAVE to use a Bluetooth headset. Wish I had known that before I bought it...

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Hope there are plans to support more VoIP devices, e.g. the Grandstream HT502 device that came with my Broadvoice account.

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In a few short months, Phone Amego has gone from a great idea with a lot of potential to a very solid, full-featured telephony application which mostly realizes that potential. This one simple menu bar application combines features of several other phone-related applications. It will notify you of incoming calls (with Growl or its internal notification system). You can broadcast incoming Caller ID information over your local network, so every Mac in your house can see who is calling. If you use BoxCar or Prowl with Growl, you can send incoming land line call notifications to your iPhone. Phone Amego also dials outgoing calls through land lines plugged into a USB modem, bluetooth cell phones (including an iPhone), Google Voice, and VoIP devices. You can even dial a land line attached to one computer from another computer on your local network. It handles numbers in your Address Book intelligently, including "plus-dial" international numbers and local numbers without area codes. The developer is extremely responsive to suggestions and fixes problems and bugs nearly as quickly as you can throw at him (and I've thrown a lot at him over the past few months). The chief remaining issues with Phone Amego have to do with a somewhat disjointed interface that makes initial set-up a bit tricky. But this itself is mainly the result of rapid feature expansion. It just got too big for its britches. I'd expect that eventually that will get cleaned up as well.

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This little Phone Friend now has it all, works great with my SPA-2100 -- I can get CID for my iPhone and SIP VoIP without having to run to grab the phones to see who's calling. This is the kind of integration Apple should have built-in! Google Voice fits the dialing bill nicely, as well as BT dialing for iPhones. The developer is very responsive to feature suggestions and bug resolution. About the only things I can think of that would be additional features to add would be some iChat (maybe Yahoo IM too) contextual menus to allow dialing contacts who have numbers in the Address Book. Also Safari phone number dialing integration like there is on the iPhone, but that's probably something Apple needs to add... The Services menu just doesn't quite fit the bill.

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Those of us who use Bento typically use that program as a front end for Address Book, and would welcome a program that directly interacted with Bento.

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This app rocks, it's practically everything you need for the features it supports. My biggest request is to add VoIP (BroadVoice in my case) SIP CID support (SIP dialing wouldn't hurt either). It would then be practically perfect.

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Great in concept, not so great operationally. Software suffers from a number of operational problems that end up making this tool difficult to use. The Smoke "Active Call" Window is the main issue... When a call is made a Growl-like smoke translucent mini-windows comes up showing the call. This window also displays when an incoming call occurs. There are multiple problems with this window including: 1 - when the window opens, it takes focus away from the front most application and your typing (lets say here in the browser) goes to that window. You are forced to click back on the original application to resume operations in that app (safari in this example) 2 - closing the window always disconnects the call, regardless of the option chosen when prompted. This results in accidental hangup on your party, especially when trying to avoid condition #1 above 3 - if left alone the window disappears but then shortly afterwords reappears and agains steals keyboard and mouse focus away from the application you are in. (aka #1 interruption after interruption) 4 - the action menu on the smoke window has nothing to do with the active call and cannot hangup, redial, add a call, or otherwise modify the active call. It is purely geared towards the address book entry for the individual displayed on the call. ...based upon the problems presented and for consistency sake, it would make more sense to simply adopt the Growl API for this function of Phone Amigo and alleviate all aforementioned problems. The application would also make more sense as a system preference much like the keyboard, mouse, etc. setups. This way we could avoid yet another menu and elect to use iPhone Amigo from the system preferences interface. Both aforementioned mods would take iPhone Amigo's clutter factor down considerably. Hassle factor of this application is high and the only workaround is to use it to place a call then immediately quit the app to avoid any negative impact to your call or your ability to use your Mac while on the phone.

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Peter, any chance of future Vonage support?

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Puzzled ... Apple allows one to pair your iPhone to your Mac ... but not connect. Correct? How could this work?

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Phone Amego is a great application that monitors your compatible Bluetooth cellphone and notifies you of a incoming call via a popup window on your Mac. This window displays the caller's phone number, and if the contact is in your Mac's built in Address Book, the window will display the callers name, phone number and photo. In conjunction with Google Voice, you can initiate calls within Address Book without having to dial the number on your cell phone. Simply click on "work" or "home" to the left of the phone number and select "Dial with Phone Amego" or "SMS with Phone Amego". This Snow Leopard compatible application resides in your menu bar where you can access all of Phone Amego's preferences which includes launching an AppleScript with inputs such as an incoming call, or your cell phone is out of range. I have Phone Amego set up with my Google Voice account and my iPhone. When I get a call I have an AppleScript play a iTunes song that says "ring... ring... your iPhone is ringing" the song plays through my AirPort Express connected to a whole house speaker system. I didn't find any bugs in the latest build and the developer answers questions promptly. All in all, I highly recommend this app!

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A very nice program that works well with the iPhone and isn't overloaded with too many features. I've found it to be very stable in operation, unlike some of its competitors.

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Good idea and it simple. But 20 bucks? Gimme a break. Just for that I give it 2 stars instead of 4.

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