[curiousuburb]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7767055.stm

Originally Posted by BBC Wireless turns iPod into a phone A freeware application for the iPod Touch can turn the music player into a virtual mobile phone. Truphone uses wi-fi technology in an iPod Touch to allow users to make calls to other iPod Touch owners and Google Talk's messaging service users. The software is a spin-off from technology Truphone developed for smartphones and iPhones. The developers plan to have the ability to make calls to and from landlines in place very soon. Truphone is the latest firm to offer voice over internet protocol (VoIP), alongside Unlicensed Mobile Access and proprietary protocols such as Skype. Geraldine Wilson - Truphone's CEO - said the firm had ambitions to become a global internet player. "There are a slew of new features we're rolling out for the iPod Touch that will let users call landlines, Skype users or send instant messages. We're talking weeks, not months, before these go live." Although Truphone technology can, in theory, work on any mobile device, the firm is concentrating on devices that have an application store. ... continues...

The cellular carriers are going to lurve this.

The Truphone site must be getting slashdotted as a result.

[spotcatbug]

Apple's not gonna let that on to the AppStore.

No way, no how.

[turbulentfurball]

Meh.

For Truphone to become a 'global internet player' via the iPod Touch, WiFi, the Truphone app and the iPod Touch would have to become ubiquitous and I don't see that happening. Cool for a gimmick, but will it become seriously huge? No.

[Partial]

Apple should stfu and let anything that anyone makes into the App store. It's things like this that make me ashamed to support their company. Without a doubt this would be in the Android store.

I've heard that Google is going to put Grand Central is the app store. I don't have a problem with that, and I doubt the carriers do either, after all, they're still getting a ton of ching for a service they can provide for a few bucks.

[Alex London]

Not sure what your problem is as I've just downloaded the app from the App Store. I just don't have the right (Apple) headphone mic combo to test it out fully.

[k squared]

Originally Posted by spotcatbug Apple's not gonna let that on to the AppStore. No way, no how.

Why not? VOIP apps are allowed for the iPhone. The only restriction I've read about is that the apps are not allowed to use the cell network, just wifi.

[nikstar101]

I thought that Steve Jobs mentioned Voice over IP in the lasty Apple iPod session. I am sure someone asked him the quesiton and his response was that they were going to allow it.

[spotcatbug]

I guess if it's already available, then I need to eat a hat or something.

It really seems like AT&T would be pretty upset about something like this. I guess Apple must have managed to convince them that the iPod touch has nothing to do with the iPhone, "So don't worry about what we're doing over here in this corner, mkay?"

[rasmits]

Hasn't anyone tried Fring? It works with Skype, including Skype Out/In, so it's a true VoIP client - not just iPod to iPod (or Google Talk. People use that?)

[Capella]

I wanted to bump this one rather making a new thread. Has anyone else tried Fring yet? Wi-fi is everywhere on campus plus I have it where I'm staying, so it sounds convenient, but I'm wondering if it really works as well as advertised.

[Artap99]

Fring is a nice enough application, but Skype has a delay when you use it. It can be almost unnoticeable or 2-4 seconds. That is a Fring delay. Skype is working on their own application, though. They are starting with Android, hopefully they'll move on to the iPhone.
I have not tried with any other VOIP client. Just Skype.