Dial phonecalls from your PC with a USB modem

Things have moved on in the 10 years since Smart Address 2000 was launched. Broadband, mobile phone networks and PC-to-phone communications using VoIP and instant messaging now fulfil many of our communication needs.

Bluetooth or USB VoIP handset

Using a Bluetooth or USB VoIP handset and programs such as Skype and MSN Messenger, you can call your friends' landline numbers. Local and international calls are usually far cheaper this way too. For more on making calls from your PC, see How to make free calls from a PC or mobile phone.

Both Skype and MSN can store contact details and dial them on-demand using VoIP. If you need a program that manages your email, contacts and calendar, and can dial out, consider Outlook 2010.