HYDERABAD: Searching for a digital service provider for making an international call has become a thing of the past! Hyderabad-based Northgate Technologies has launched an Internet `soft' telephone that turns every laptop into a cell phone and every desktop PC into a second telephone line.

The new Version 5.0 of the product called Globe7 comes with enhanced SMS and `My Channel' features.

The seamless Internet Protocol-based connectivity comes with several integrated features that enable users to customise and watch the breaking news from hundreds of categories.

The software, downloadable for free from www.northgatetech.com, integrates with voice, video, short or instant messaging and real time video streaming, allowing users to enjoy free calling by watching their favourite videos besides sending free SMS to any international destination from Globe7 directly.

The ``My Channel'' feature allows users to upload their own videos that can be shared with their friends, with guaranteed privacy.

They can earn credits while their friends watch them. ``A major chunk of over revenue comes from the Internet advertisement. The real time advertisement business that is still in a nascent stage has already crossed the $12 billion mark this year,'' says Venkat Meenavalli, chief executive, Northgate Technologies .

Unlike the traditional advertisement markets, Internet advertisements are basically targeted at different communities and it is the real time measure for the return on investments made by the companies.

`Mr. Meenavalli told The Hindu that Globe7 currently accounted for 20 per cent of Northgate's global revenues and it was expected to contribute revenues in excess of 40 p.c. next fiscal.

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