there is described a method for setting up a call over the internet between a web - based phone and a phone device . the web - based phone is loaded on a java - enabled computing device . the call involves a web application hosted on an external server capable of communication with a sip server on which the web - based phone is pre - registered . upon request from the computing device , the external server sends an http message to a sip switch which in turn forwards a sip notify message to the computing device through the sip server . the web - based phone then pops up on the computing device and the call initiation can be confirmed . there is also described a platform independent web - based phone as well as a web application for auto - populating a contact directory from contacts on a social networking web site .