WaxMail is a free voice email service for Outlook from the guys who created Skylook (see our profile here).
WaxMail requires a small download and a quick installation with Outlook. From there, all you have to do is click a button to record a voicemail. The sound file is saved as an MP3 and is attached to the email, which can also include text and other attachments. WaxMail is free, although there is a small text advertisement added to the email. For those wishing to exclude the add, WaxMail charges a $29.95 one time fee.
We’ve profiled a few companies in this space – vemail, slawesome, and springdoo. They all do things a little differently…and for many people WaxMail will work best.
The downside is that it only currently works with Outlook, and I really dislike Outlook. The upside: it’s free, it works incredibly well and it has a very slick interface. Also, I love the fact that files are actually sent as attachments (meaning they can be listened to offline, easily forwarded, etc.) instead of forcing the listener to click on a link. Check out Jason Clarke for additional information.
Try it out and send me a voice message at editor@techcrunch.com
UPDATE: Robert Scoble just discovered WaxMail as well and has some ideas on using it for podcasting.
Here is why I like Slawesome better
1. Slawesome works with every email client.
2. You don’t need to install software to use Slawesome.
3. Slawesome works entirely in the browser so you don’t have to deal with attachments. I don’t think most people know what to do with an audio attachment.