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SALT LAKE CITY — Even though most people own a cellphone, there are still times where it can be difficult to get in touch with someone.
Frustrated by the times he tried to call home only to have no one answer, Mark Reed decided to design a new solution: a Wi-Fi intercom. His QwiQcom allows people to both call in and call out of the home using an app and an Internet connection.
"There are still just those times when if somebody is not carrying their cellphone with them, it's nice to have a fixed device that you know is going to be in a particular room that you can call into," he said. "If somebody is in that space they can hear you, or if they happen to be somebody who doesn't have a cellphone and there isn't a home phone in the house, they can call you."
In addition to traditional calling capabilities, QwiQcom can act as an inexpensive intercom to page different devices linked to a personalized network owners create. Preferences can be set so the device will auto answer or ring for different individuals. It can also serve as a monitor for parents who want to check in and listen to their baby's breathing while they are out.
Reed touts QwiQcom as being an inexpensive option for people who don't have home phones. He said that since his daughter doesn't have a smartphone, when she goes babysitting young couples often have to leave one of their own phones with her in case they need to get in touch.
Currently, QwiQcom units can be preordered through Kickstarter starting at $35. Users can opt to use a free version of the cloud-based call service supported by banner ads in the app, or pay for a $2.99 monthly subscription that is ad-free and includes more features.
"It seems crazy that people have phone lines they rarely use and they're paying $20 or $30 a month, when if they're really going to call anybody they're just going to pick up their smartphone," Reed said.
Before starting his work on QwiQcom at the end of 2014, Reed was the managing director of Zagg International based in Ireland.
The Kickstarter campaign for the Wi-Fi intercom runs through March 18. After that, he plans to continue improving the QwiQcom and explore the possibility of commercial applications and integrating the system with other devices like Amazon's Alexa.
