BT is in talks to buy internet-phone software developer Ribbit for USD 55 million, writes the Guardian without naming its sources. Founded two years ago and based in Silicon Valley, Ribbit has created software that allows programmers to design applications that tie together mobile phones, fixed-line phones and social networking sites into a single online communications hub. The unified communications technology is open to developers, and has been adopted for applications by a number of businesses such as Salesforce.com. Ribbit is also testing a consumer platform called amphibian, which allows users to convert voicemail messages left on their mobile into text which can be read online, so users can search for keywords. Calls can be patched through from a mobile to a computer; not only will the caller's number be displayed but amphibian can pull up their profile and latest postings from sites such as Flickr, LinkedIn and Twitter. Calls from other web-based telephone services such as GoogleTalk and Skype can also be accessed. BT declined to comment.

Source:Telecompaper