About the Phlink Telephone Adapter

Q: Why do I need a telephone adapter? Can't Phlink use my Mac's internal modem?
A: Unfortunately not. The Mac's internal modem does not support voice nor caller ID functionality, therefore a telephone adapter device is required.

Q: Does the telephone adapter work on digital or ISDN lines?
A: The telephone adapter requires a plain analog telephone line (POTS or PSTN). Many telephone companies, however, also provide an analog interface to customers with ISDN lines, through what is called a Terminal Adapter. If you have a terminal adapter, you can use the Phlink Telephone Adapter on your ISDN line by connecting it to its analog port. Similarly, digital phone systems usually have analog ports for connecting analog fax machines or regular phones: Phlink's adapter will work when connected to that port.

Q: Does the telephone adapter work on VoIP lines?
A: Most VoIP services include a device to which you can connect your regular (analog) phones. If you have such a device, then Phlink will work fine once you connect Phlink's USB adapter to it.

Q: Can Ovolab Phlink wake up the Mac when the line rings?
A: Yes. However, if your Mac is asleep when a call arrives, it may take a short while to fully wake up, therefore missing the Caller ID information for that call.

Q: Does Ovolab Phlink recognize caller ID in countries other than the US?
A: Yes, it has been successfully tested in many countries, including UK, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Singapore and is being tested in other countries as well.

Q: Does Ovolab Phlink recognize caller ID from Vonage?
A: Yes!

Q: Does Ovolab Phlink recognize japanese caller ID (JCLID)?
A: Currently, no.

Q: Does Ovolab Phlink support call waiting caller ID?
A: Currently, no.

Using Ovolab Phlink

Q: How do I record greetings and other messages?
A: Phlink includes the Voice Mailbox Setup utility, using which you can easily record your own greetings and messages.
Alternatively, you can use one of the following online resources for synthesizing spoken messages and saving them as audio files on your Mac: Cepstral, AT&T, Loquendo, Elan Sayso.

Q: I do not receive voicemail messages by email. Why?
A: Make sure the name of your SMTP server is correctly set in the Phlink's preferences window. The SMTP server you should use is the same SMTP server you use for your ordinary email, as set in your email client application. If your SMTP server requires authentication, make sure you have entered the correct username and password in Phlink's preferences window.

Q: Can Ovolab Phlink work as an answering machine?
A: Yes! And using the included Voice Mailbox Setup utility, you can even set up multiple voice mailboxes, call your Mac to retrieve messages over the phone, and much more.

Q: Does Ovolab Phlink work with another answering machine on the same line?
A: Yes, although only one of the two will be answering the call. This can still be very useful if you want, for instance, Phlink to only answer calls from your cell phone (thanks to Caller ID detection) for triggering actions, while all other calls are answered by your answering machine. Or if you just wish to use Phlink for logging calls or as a dialer.

Q: Does Ovolab Phlink support distinctive ringing?
A: Phlink works fine if you have distinctive ringing service from your telephone company. However, it is not able to perform different actions based on distinctive ringing. This feature will be added in a future release.

Q: Does Ovolab Phlink recognize incoming faxes and route them to fax applications?
A: Yes. To receive faxes, you must have a fax modem (most Macs have a fax modem built in). Phlink will detect incoming faxes and instruct the fax software on your Mac to receive the fax. We suggest that you use PageSender, a powerful application for sending and receiving faxes on your Mac.

Q: Can Ovolab Phlink be used to place calls?
A: Yes: you can dial directly from your Address Book, or from the included Dashboard widget. When browsing Phlink's call log, you can also return calls with a single click on the "call back" button. You can even tell your home automation system to alert you by phone when an alarm goes off. Or you can tell Phlink to call you back on your cell phone when a specific person leaves a message.

Q: Does Ovolab Phlink support multiple telephone lines?
A: Yes! You simply need to purchase multiple Phlinks and plug the telephone adapter devices into your Mac. Phlink will handle them all simultaneously.

Q: Can Ovolab Phlink work as a hands-free telephone or speakerphone?
A: Currently, no: Phlink's purpose is to serve as an answering machine and as an automated message and information center.

Purchase Q&A

Q: Are Ovolab Phlink and the Phlink Telephone Adapter sold separately?
A: No, Ovolab Phlink and the Phlink Telephone Adapter are two parts of the same product: the software and the hardware. You get both in the package. Since Ovolab will be releasing other products which use the Telephone Adapter in the future, at that time we may provide the option of purchasing the items separately.