A few weeks ago, TechCrunch gave away 50 Ooma invites to people who wrote the most creative pieces describing why they should get one. I spent two late-night hours and wrote an Ode to Ooma. It’s out of context here so it might not chime well, but it did the job and got me one of the coveted boxes.

Ooma has a breakthrough business model – you buy the box for $400, and get free long distance calls within the US for life, using your regular home phone. Pretty cool, right?

I just installed it today, and I must say I’m pretty amazed. First, the packaging is so neatly designed that you immediately get emotionally attached to its content. Second, save for connecting all the wires to the clearly indicated ports, there’s absolutely zero installation required. No configuration questions, no fiddling with arcane options, no need to refer to online forums for help. None of that – only a beautiful device that works right out of the box.

I once heard a telecommunications consultant define legacy technology as “technology that works”. I guess Ooma deserves this title, even though it’s still in its infancy.