Kcall and Decibel: Telephony and Messaging for KDE 4
While the KDE Team is busy working on version 4, more and more Linux desktop applications and interfaces keep on appearing. Kcall 0.7 and Decibel 0.5 bring integrated desktop software for Computer Telephony Integration (CTI), VoIP and real-time messaging to KDE.
The Decibel real-time messaging framework, which has now reached version 0.5, combines CTI, VoIP, chat and other instant messaging solutions. As a D-Bus-based API it also complies with the Telepathy specifications and provides interfaces to KDE applications without integrated telephony or chat functions. From the user's point of view, Decibel provides a standardized control center for all accounts, connections and settings in the real-time communications field.
Just a few days later, Kcall 0.7 was released, the first port of an application with Decibel support for KDE 4. Kcall is a telephony client which integrates with Kontact and uses its phonebook giving KDE users the ability to establish connections by clicking on a phone number in the address book. Kcall outputs ring tones or pops up a dialog to signal incoming calls via VoIP, for example. Connection data and accounts are managed by Decibel.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
KDE Unleashes Plasma 6.5
The Plasma 6.5 desktop environment is now available with new features, improvements, and the usual bug fixes.
-
Xubuntu Site Possibly Hacked
It appears that the Xubuntu site was hacked and briefly served up a malicious ZIP file from its download page.
-
LMDE 7 Now Available
Linux Mint Debian Edition, version 7, has been officially released and is based on upstream Debian.
-
Linux Kernel 6.16 Reaches EOL
Linux kernel 6.16 has reached its end of life, which means you'll need to upgrade to the next stable release, Linux kernel 6.17.
-
Amazon Ditches Android for a Linux-Based OS
Amazon has migrated from Android to the Linux-based Vega OS for its Fire TV.
-
Cairo Dock 3.6 Now Available for More Compositors
If you're a fan of third-party desktop docks, then the latest release of Cairo Dock with Wayland support is for you.
-
System76 Unleashes Pop!_OS 24.04 Beta
System76's first beta of Pop!_OS 24.04 is an impressive feat.
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 is Available
Linus Torvalds has announced that the latest kernel has been released with plenty of core improvements and even more hardware support.
-
Kali Linux 2025.3 Released with New Hacking Tools
If you're a Kali Linux fan, you'll be glad to know that the third release of this famous pen-testing distribution is now available with updates for key components.
-
Zorin OS 18 Beta Available for Testing
The latest release from the team behind Zorin OS is ready for public testing, and it includes plenty of improvements to make it more powerful, user-friendly, and productive.