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Vance heads to Pakistan for talks to end the war between Iran, the US and Israel

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 04/10/2026 - 05:54

Vice President JD Vance enters his highest-profile moment Friday as lead U.S. negotiator in face-to-face talks with Iran.

Categories: News

Dialpad VoIP services review 2026

TechRadar Reviews - Fri, 04/10/2026 - 05:52

San Francisco-based Dialpad is a leading name in the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) communications industry, offering cloud-based phone systems designed for modern businesses.

Known for its emphasis on artificial intelligence and cross-platform collaboration, Dialpad stands out as a flexible, scalable tool for companies of all sizes. As businesses increasingly move away from traditional phone systems, Dialpad faces competition from major providers like RingCentral, Zoom, Nextiva, and 8x8.

Choosing the right platform depends on several factors, including company size, calling patterns, and the importance of advanced AI features within your workflow.

Dialpad VoIP: Plans and pricing

(Image credit: Dialpad)

Dialpad structures its VoIP service across three main tiers: Standard, Pro, and Enterprise. Each plan includes unlimited domestic calling within your country, the US, and Canada, as well as unlimited text and multimedia messaging. Additionally, all plans offer unlimited video calling, though group meeting capacity is limited to 10 participants.

The Standard plan costs $27 per user per month, or $15 when billed annually. It includes AI-driven features like real-time call transcription, automated voicemail summaries, and integration with Google Workspace. This tier best suits smaller teams seeking a streamlined, intelligent calling solution with minimal integration requirements.

The Pro plan increases flexibility and is priced at $35 per user per month or $25 annually, and adds compatibility with apps such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zendesk, and HubSpot. It supports 10 office locations and offers 24/7 customer support, making it a strong fit for mid-sized organizations.

The Enterprise plan is customized for larger corporations. It includes unlimited office support, a 100% uptime guarantee, advanced analytics, and single sign-on with identity services such as Okta. Pricing is available only by contacting Dialpad directly.

Businesses can try Dialpad with a 14-day free trial, slightly shorter than the 30-day period offered by some rivals but still sufficient for most teams to evaluate the service in full.

Dialpad VoIP: Features

(Image credit: Dialpad)

Dialpad distinguishes itself with advanced AI-powered voice intelligence technology. This system automatically transcribes calls in real time, creates detailed post-call summaries, and identifies actionable insights for customer service or sales teams. Such functionality transforms basic VoIP communication into a productivity-enhancing tool.

Beyond AI tools, Dialpad’s VoIP platform offers robust telephony features, including call recording, forwarding, three-way calling, and voicemail management. Hold queues are available on all but the Standard plan, making team collaboration smoother during high call volumes. For video communication, Dialpad provides reliable web conferencing with features such as screen sharing, conference controls, and customizable hold music.

Companies seeking extended conferencing capabilities can subscribe to the separate Dialpad Meetings plans. These are available in both free and paid versions, priced at $20 per user per month or $15 per user per year. Dialpad also supports virtual faxing directly from the desktop dashboard, available as an add-on at an affordable price based on the chosen plan.

Dialpad VoIP: Getting started

Setting up Dialpad is straightforward thanks to its cloud-based nature.

New users can port existing phone numbers or create new ones during account setup. The administrative dashboard provides step-by-step guidance for adding team members, assigning extensions, and setting up voicemail and routing preferences.

Because Dialpad operates entirely online, there is no need for traditional PBX hardware or on-premises installation. Integrations with business tools such as Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or popular CRM platforms can be enabled with minimal technical effort. Most small teams can go from sign-up to first call within a few hours.

Dialpad VoIP: Ease of use

(Image credit: Dialpad)

Dialpad’s design emphasizes simplicity and intuitive control.

The web application offers quick access to calling, messaging, voicemail, and contact management, while the desktop software for Windows and Mac provides a richer interface with advanced analytics and configuration settings.

Users can easily review recordings, transcripts, and activity logs within the app. The admin dashboard includes a detailed analytics panel that tracks call volume, duration, and activity trends over time. Overall, Dialpad’s interface is modern, responsive, and approachable for both technical and non-technical employees.

Dialpad VoIP: Support

(Image credit: Dialpad)

Customer support for Dialpad is reliable and well-organized.

Assistance is available via live chat, phone, and online ticket submission. A detailed Help Center offers hundreds of tutorials, guides, and video walkthroughs, complemented by an active community forum for peer support.

Standard plan users receive access to support on a 24/5 basis, which is adequate for most small businesses operating during standard work hours. Higher-tier Pro and Enterprise customers benefit from 24/7 support, ensuring technical help is always available. Overall response times are prompt, and support quality is consistent with Dialpad’s premium positioning.

Dialpad VoIP: Security and privacy

(Image credit: Dialpad)

Dialpad maintains a rigorous approach to data security and privacy management.

All calls and messages are encrypted in transit using Transport Layer Security (TLS), and stored data is protected by AES 256-bit encryption. These measures meet industry best practices and minimize exposure to potential breaches.

Administrators can define user permissions, assign access levels, and manage integrations to maintain control over account activity. Dialpad complies with SOC 2 Type II and GDPR standards and offers audit logging to track administrative changes. The company’s transparency about its privacy practices inspires confidence, particularly for regulated industries that rely on secure communications.

Dialpad VoIP: The competition

While Dialpad offers one of the most comprehensive business VoIP experiences, it faces significant competition.

RingCentral remains a feature-rich option with broader integrations and higher participant limits for video conferencing. Zoom Phone appeals to organizations already using Zoom’s video tools, offering seamless adoption.

Nextiva delivers strong overall value for larger meetings, while 8x8’s X Series packages are affordable for small startups. Aircall, meanwhile, stands out for its CRM-focused integrations and clean user experience, although its monthly costs can rise quickly for growing teams.

Dialpad’s combination of AI innovation, competitive pricing, and clean interface makes it an especially appealing option for companies seeking a balance among simplicity, intelligence, and functionality.

Dialpad VoIP: Final verdict

Dialpad continues to demonstrate why it ranks among the best VoIP providers in 2026. Its AI-infused call management, user-friendly design, and flexible pricing structure make it an outstanding choice for small and mid-sized businesses. The service scales effortlessly, integrates cleanly with leading business tools, and offers automation that genuinely improves productivity.

Although its video call participant cap is more restrictive than some providers', Dialpad’s powerful voice technology and security features more than compensate. With strong reliability, transparent pricing, and a free trial, Dialpad is one of the most well-rounded modern VoIP platforms for professional communications.

Categories: Reviews

The bifurcation of the internet is coming

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/10/2026 - 05:51
As AI agents outnumber humans, the internet splits into machine and human layers.
Categories: Technology

Lazarus and Kimsuky prove why infrastructure-level analysis is crucial for cybersecurity

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/10/2026 - 05:50
Infrastructure hunting is no longer a supporting discipline. It is the vantage point.
Categories: Technology

Claude Cowork is now available for enterprise use, adds analytics, access controls and more

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/10/2026 - 05:40
Claude Cowork goes from preview to general availability, and is now available for all paying customers.
Categories: Technology

You, Me & Tuscany's unhinged Bridgerton reference was 'absolutely planned' — but Regé-Jean Page still had to 'ignore' it

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/10/2026 - 05:30
If you wait until the end of new romcom You, Me & Tuscany, you'll see the wildest Bridgerton reference possible — and amazingly, it wasn't even improvised.
Categories: Technology

The internet has a trust problem - identity needs to travel

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/10/2026 - 05:27
As generative AI makes impersonation cheap and scalable, trust is becoming harder to establish.
Categories: Technology

OpenAI halts £31 billion Stargate UK project over rising energy costs and regulatory deadlock

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/10/2026 - 05:25
OpenAI says energy costs and regulation are forcing the company to put the project on hold - but was there even a project to begin with?
Categories: Technology

The 70% rule: Why your AI strategy is a people strategy

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/10/2026 - 05:16
Most current AI strategies may be failing due to misallocated focus - AI has become prominent at a board level, but this isn’t translating into operational impact.
Categories: Technology

Some Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultras are being hijacked after a factory reset, with no clear fix

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/10/2026 - 05:15
A company called Numero LLC is hijacking some Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra units.
Categories: Technology

Acer Swift 16 AI (2026) Review: I Love the Giant OLED Display, but Am Less Enamored With the Oversize Touchpad

CNET News - Fri, 04/10/2026 - 05:01
It's also rocking an Intel Panther Lake CPU and is exceptionally thin and light for a 16-inch laptop.
Categories: Technology

How to Ensure Your iPhone Downloads Background Security Improvements

CNET News - Fri, 04/10/2026 - 05:00
Apple released the first of these updates in March, but here's how to enable them to download automatically to your device in the future.
Categories: Technology

Top WordPress Slider plugin hijacked to spread malware — here's what to look out for

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/10/2026 - 04:57
A tainted version was pushed as an update to more than 800,000 active websites.
Categories: Technology

Vonage for Home review 2026

TechRadar Reviews - Fri, 04/10/2026 - 04:55

Despite its “home” branding, Vonage for Home remains a reliable and affordable VoIP service that appeals to both residential users and small business owners.

Originally designed to replace traditional home phone lines, Vonage for Home has evolved into a capable communication solution for freelancers, sole traders, and small businesses that want professional-grade call quality without hefty enterprise fees.

While the Vonage Business Cloud caters to larger organizations with complex CRM and collaboration integrations, Vonage for Home strikes an impressive balance between cost, simplicity, and robust telephony features.

Vonage for Home: Plans and pricing

(Image credit: Vonage)

Vonage for Home offers straightforward, contract-free pricing plans suitable for different calling needs.

The Vonage North America Plan typically ranges between $9.99 and $14.99 per month, offering unlimited calls to the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, along with competitive international per-minute rates.

For users who frequently make global calls, the Vonage World Prime Plan, priced around $19.99 per month, expands unlimited calling to more than 60 countries, including many landlines and select mobile numbers.

All plans come with over 20 standard calling features and access to the Vonage Extensions app, which lets users make and receive calls on smartphones using their home number.

Promotional deals often include free shipping, no activation fees, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Vonage requires a high-speed broadband internet connection, and emergency 911 calls are routed differently from traditional landlines, requiring users to provide their physical location for accurate emergency responses.

Vonage for Home: Basic features

(Image credit: Vonage for Home)

Despite being marketed for households, Vonage for Home includes an impressive feature suite that makes it a suitable option for small businesses.

Some of the most widely used tools include Voicemail Plus, which lets users access voicemail via phone, email, or an online dashboard, and Caller Display, which shows detailed caller information.

Other helpful features, such as Call Divert and Call Forwarding, allow incoming calls to be redirected to different numbers, while International Call Barring prevents unauthorized international dialing.

Additional capabilities like Do Not Disturb, Anonymous Call Blocking, and SimulRing — which makes multiple phones ring simultaneously to reduce missed opportunities — elevate Vonage for Home above basic VoIP services. These features empower small businesses to manage calls more effectively and maintain a professional image without investing in a high-cost commercial system.

Vonage for Home also includes several advanced capabilities useful for business owners and distributed teams. Three-Way Calling enables quick conferencing between multiple parties, ideal for small businesses adopting hybrid work models. Call Hunt and Ring Lists intelligently distribute incoming calls across multiple lines, ensuring no customer is left waiting. For organizations that still rely on fax, there is an option to add a dedicated fax line.

Although Vonage for Home does not include CRM integrations or the deep business analytics available in Vonage Business Cloud, it delivers the core reliability and control most small organizations need. This focus on simplicity ensures that essential communication functionality remains accessible to users without requiring complex IT infrastructure.

Vonage for Home: Installation and setup

(Image credit: Vonage for Home)

Setting up Vonage for Home is quick, simple, and user-friendly.

Users only need to activate their Vonage account, connect the Vonage Box to their router, and plug an existing phone into the device. No technician visits or special wiring are required, and users can transfer their existing numbers at no additional cost.

Once connected, users can immediately start making and receiving calls from landlines, softphones, or the mobile app. The Vonage Extensions mobile app also allows calls to be placed over Wi-Fi or mobile data, providing convenient access for remote workers and traveling professionals.

This easy plug-and-play setup and high portability make Vonage an excellent fit for modern hybrid and home-based work environments.

Vonage for Home: Security

Vonage employs several protective measures to secure communications and maintain user privacy.

All VoIP traffic is transported over encrypted connections and secure routing protocols, protecting against interception and unauthorized access. The company follows industry-standard data handling practices in line with U.S. privacy regulations, including the requirement for registered E911 address information to ensure emergency response accuracy.

While Vonage for Home may not be tailored for heavily regulated sectors such as healthcare or finance, its security framework is more than adequate for most small businesses and home-office users. The combination of encryption and dependable infrastructure provides peace of mind for those seeking affordable yet trustworthy communication services.

Vonage for Home: Support

Vonage provides around-the-clock customer support through multiple channels, including live chat, phone service, and a comprehensive online knowledge base. Its support portal features tutorials, setup videos, troubleshooting guides, and community forums that help users resolve issues quickly.

Customer feedback highlights the responsiveness of Vonage’s technical and customer care teams, especially during account activation and device setup. While the service does not include dedicated account management for small-business users, the available support resources are well-suited to the platform’s target market.

Vonage for Home: The competition

Vonage for Home faces competition from several top-rated VoIP providers that serve both individuals and small teams.

Services such as Zoom Phone, 8x8 X Series, RingCentral MVP, Aircall, and Dialpad each deliver unique benefits. Zoom is favored by businesses that frequently rely on video meetings, while 8x8 provides integrated team messaging across global locations.

RingCentral stands out for its CRM and workflow integrations; Aircall offers simplicity for customer support teams; and Dialpad leads with AI-driven features such as live call transcription and analytics.

Compared to these, Vonage for Home stands out for its low price point, robust feature set, and straightforward setup. It may lack some advanced analytics or app integrations, but its overall cost efficiency makes it particularly appealing to independent professionals and microbusinesses.

Vonage for Home: Final verdict

Don’t let the name fool you, Vonage for Home is a great VoIP option for small businesses. With its affordable rates, simple installation, and impressive list of features, SMBs across the UK and world will find a VoIP platform that ticks all the boxes. The free mobile apps and Vonage Extensions are also a nice bonus, allowing companies to take calls on the go, wherever they are.

Categories: Reviews

'There will be things in GTA 5 that they have in GTA 6 that you look at and go, 'I should have seen that coming'' — Former Rockstar developer suggests the upcoming game will feature mechanics from previous titles like Red Dead Redemption 2

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/10/2026 - 04:48
Former Rockstar Games developer Rob Carr believes that the studio will borrow mechanics from Red Dead Redemption 2 for Grand Theft Auto 6.
Categories: Technology

Why CIOs need a single source of truth for digital operations

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/10/2026 - 04:41
CIOs need an incident management hub that pulls context into one place
Categories: Technology

Google just made Gemini far more useful for real life with its new notebooks feature that's borrowed straight from NotebookLM

TechRadar News - Fri, 04/10/2026 - 04:39
Google’s new notebooks feature turns Gemini into a more persistent and practical AI by helping it remember and build on your work over time
Categories: Technology

Aircall VoIP review 2026

TechRadar Reviews - Fri, 04/10/2026 - 04:30

Aircall provides a cloud-based VoIP phone system designed for sales, support, and customer management teams across small businesses to enterprises.

It emphasizes simplicity, integrations with over 100 tools, and features such as call routing and AI enhancements to support efficient communication.

This updated 2026 review covers its plans, features, usability, security, support, competitors, and overall value.

Aircall VoIP: Plans and pricing

Aircall structures pricing around three tiers—Essentials, Professional, and Custom—billed per license with a three-user minimum for the first two and 25 for Custom; annual plans start at $30/user/month for Essentials, $50 for Professional, and custom quotes for enterprises.

Essentials includes unlimited US/Canada calls, one number, basic IVR, call recording (up to 1 year), and 6 months of basic analytics, while Professional adds a power dialer, advanced analytics, voicemail drop, and deeper CRM integrations, such as Salesforce.

Custom offers unlimited analytics, SLAs, expanded international calling, and personalized onboarding. Add-ons such as AI summaries ($9/user/month) or Analytics+ ($15/user/month) apply across plans, and promotions include two free months with annual billing through January 2026.

Aircall VoIP: Features

(Image credit: Aircall)

Aircall supports desktop and mobile app calls with unlimited concurrent calls, IVR, call queuing, ring groups, and real-time routing based on time or skills.

Key tools include a power dialer, call recording with pause-and-resume, AI transcription and summaries, SMS/MMS, click-to-dial, after-call work, tags, and over 100 CRM integrations with HubSpot, Slack, and Pipedrive.

Conferencing limits to five participants without video, but analytics track volume, wait times, and performance; international calls and extra SMS incur fees beyond domestic bundles.

Aircall VoIP: Set up

Initial setup involves downloading the app, logging in, and configuring numbers, IVR, Teams, and integrations via the dashboard, often taking minutes and requiring minimal IT support.

Users port numbers or purchase new local/toll-free ones, set preferences, and sync contacts from Google or CRMs; mobile apps for iOS/Android enable on-the-go management.

A free trial allows testing before commitment, with guides for quick onboarding.

Aircall VoIP: Ease of use

(Image credit: Aircall)

The minimalist dashboard centralizes dialer, contacts, search, calls, and analytics, praised for its intuitiveness and minimal training needs.

Mobile and desktop interfaces reduce clutter, with features such as desktop notifications and speaker ringing that enhance accessibility for remote or hybrid teams.

Users report quick adaptation, straightforward call handling, and efficient workflows.

Aircall VoIP: Support

(Image credit: Aircall)

All tiers have access to a knowledge base, onboarding guides, live chat, chatbot, email, and phone (e.g., US: 888-240-6923). English support runs 24/5; French support runs 9 AM-6 PM CET.

Professional and Custom get dedicated managers and SLAs; website contact form aids quick resolutions.

Aircall VoIP: Security

(Image credit: Aircall)

Aircall secures all calls and data with strong encryption and AWS cloud protection. It’s SOC 2 Type 2 compliant and supports 2FA, SSO, role-based access, and spam blocking. Regular security tests, GDPR compliance, and multi-zone backups help guard against threats such as eavesdropping, DDoS, and vishing.

Data protection

Aircall also operates a vendor management program that is designed to protect sensitive information and complies with all relevant laws. The VoIP provider evaluates all new vendors to ensure they meet internal security and privacy standards. 

Integration security

For many  VoIP services, having a large number of integrations with third-party services is essential. For Aircall, this means having partnerships with big-name CRM players like Salesforce and HubSpot, as well as integrations with smaller players like transcription platform Jiminny and recruitment service Bullhorn. 

While the larger players are likely to already be adhering to the highest security standards, smaller third-party services are more of an unknown quantity. That’s why it’s reassuring that Aircall vets all its integrations before approval. 

Given that the number of cyberattacks targeting VoIP platforms have risen significantly recently as more companies resort to Internet-based communications following the boom of the hybrid working routine, Aircall’s security standards should provide businesses with a little more peace of mind.

Furthermore, Aircall regularly performs penetration testing and operates a generous bug bounty program to ensure that any vulnerabilities that are present are discovered and patched before the bad actors become aware of them.

Security expertise

In addition, Aircall runs a blog examining certain issues related to VoIP technology - including existing security issues. The company walks through some of the main attack vectors, including vishing, DDoS attacks, eavesdropping and phreaking. 

As well as cyberattacks, VoIP users will also be keen to ensure that they select a reliable VoIP service. Again, Aircall scores highly here, regularly backing up customer data and using AWS as a hosting provider to ensure a resilient service.

Aircall VoIP: The competition

Aircall competes with RingCentral, which starts at around $20/user/month and includes video support plus robust enterprise features; Nextiva, at $ 15+/user, offers a unified customer experience and high reliability.

Dialpad provides AI coaching from $15/user, while CloudTalk at $25/user adds custom reporting and more CRMs; options like Ooma or Phone.com suit tighter budgets but lack Aircall's extensiveness.

Aircall stands out for customizability and integrations in sales/support scenarios.

Aircall VoIP: Final verdict

Aircall suits SMBs and teams needing flexible, integrated VoIP with strong analytics and ease of use, despite higher pricing and add-on costs.

Its security, support, and call tools impress for customer-facing operations.

Categories: Reviews

Communities are waiting on billions in disaster funding from the Trump administration

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 04/10/2026 - 04:15

States say disaster funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency has slowed to a trickle under the Trump administration. That's delaying projects to protect communities from wildfires and hurricanes.

(Image credit: JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Categories: News

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